is it worth $1200 for a DVD navigation system in a new car?

Question

an option for the Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Answer 1

Note, the navigation system Toyota uses is GPS based, and stores the map data and POIs on a DVD. You cannot use it to watch movies (it's not a DVD player). POI = point of interest, so that database is like having a big phone book (business/government names/addresses/phone numbers) with you besides a map.

You have to decide before you buy the car, as you cannot add factory navigation to a car not already equipped as such from the factory. Take a look at the 3rd party portable units out there, and see if you prefer the features of the built-in unit over the price/features of the 3rd party GPS navigation devices out there (by such makers as Garmin, Magellan, TomTom, etc.).

The built-in Toyota system offers a few advantages over a portable GPS unit.

* uses existing (often larger) display screen, touch and voice activated
* uses existing audio (mutes radio for directions on driver's speaker)
* has dead-reckoning ability. The Toyota's navigation uses a series of gyroscopes and the vehicle's speed sensor to know how fast it's going and of any turns made, and can plot this on the map, even if the navigation system has lost all satelite contact (such as in a long
tunnel or parking garage complex).
* uses car's own charging system (no batteries to change out or messy charging cords)
* difficult to steal or accidentially misplace/lose

However, a portable GPS system has a few advantages over the built-in system:

* available often for cheaper than the built-in system
* can be added after purchase
* can be used in other vehicles, or when walking/biking/hiking etc.
* map/POI updates are often easier to get, more frequent updates, and may be cheaper (if you only update your local area and not the entire continent as on the Toyota system)
* may have some features (such as breadcrumbs/remembered routes) not available on the built-in system
* no speed-related "safety" lockouts (such as you cannot enter a new address when going faster than 7mph)
* can adjust the angle and distance of the screen to the viewer
* map doesn't get covered up with other touchscreen-related pages are used

Sure, you could get a road map, but that will just show you the roads, and not where you actually are at that moment. Nor would a map be able to show you where the nearest gas stations or restaurants (or Toyota dealers, or ...) are in relation to where you are now, and the phone numbers to reach them, such as with a POI database.

Answer 2

Depends.

If you drive a lot, in rush hour times, on main freeways where accidents are common. Then it can be a great tool to use daily to get around traffic jams, rush hour, accidents, construction, etc.

If you travel often it is a great tool to have so you never get lost and to find items like gas stations, hotels, etc. Sure you can get the same in paper form from AAA but its not always the best path.

If you live in a new town or are not familiar with the town you are in, it can be a great tool to get around town.

When you go to trade the car in or sell it out right it will bring a much higher value for the navigation system. So you might pay $1200 up front but get back $900 on up'd value when its time to sell. $300 or about $100 a year to have a computer mapping system at your fingertips while driving....sounds like a bargain to me.

Power door locks, seats, tilt steering wheel, intermediat wipers, cruise control, cd......it all started in high lines and made its way into average cars. Within 10 yrs navigation systems will be as standard as power steering is today.




PS - To all those that said no cause its stupid to watch a dvd in a car.....re-read the question and realize a dvd navigation system is not a dvd player for movies.

Answer 3

I do not think so, I bought an aftermarket portable type[quality unit] and never use it. If you travel out of area a lot it could be right for you, but i would bet against it. Trust me your camry will still be going long after the escalade and the navigator mentioned above are somewhere competeing in a destruction derby.

Answer 4

The best and cheapest navigation system is a rand mcnally road atlas. Ten bucks at any truck stop. Mine is 8 years old. It is starting to look a little worn, but it has hundreds of thousands of miles on it and still gets the job done.

Answer 5

no, is not necessary, plus the DVD on a fabric vehicle only will work when the car is parked, so you only can watch the movies when your car is not running so its no necessary, but if you really want a DVD you can buy some after market that can play a DVD while you drive.

the navigation system no body really uses, is just a stupid screen that looks great in your car, but in the nights the light of the screen is a pain in the ***

Answer 6

Would you actually use it? Think about it before you answer... This kind of stuff sounds cool at first and very use full but if you'll only use it for the first few months and get bored of it then it's not worth it. Unless you get lost a lot. If you change your mind you can always buy one later and add it. But you can't return it if it came with the car.

Answer 7

Toyota camry?!?! NO! What are you old? DVD navigation I could see for an escalade or navigatior etc not a friggin carmy! NO! NO! NO! BAD FIDO.

Answer 8

You can buy an HP laptop for $700.00 and install Streets and Trips software for about $30.00. Then you would have a laptop to answer questions on Yahoo.
Do you really get lost that often?

Answer 9

No, it's just bling. If you want to watch a DVD do it at home on a big screen with snacks. For sure don't drive and DVD at the same time. That's a movie plot for an accident.

Answer 10

No. Get a good portable unit for 1/3rd the cost.