What Technology Does The Lexus Gps System Use? Is There A Portable Ver

[subs99]

I am probably getting a different car, but I love the GPS in my Lexus IS 350 (despite its issues).

Is it possible to buy a portable GPS device that uses the same technology as the GPS system built into my Lex?

Any idea what/who this technology is? Do any of the portable jobbies use the same technology? That would be NICE... thanx!!

[subs99]

I found it!

I got a new SUV with a "double-din" (able to accept a full-sized 7" screen) opening in the dash.

I found out that the company Fujitsu has a division called Eclipse that manufactures the GPS Navigation systems for Lexus/Toyota. They also sell their own GPS Navigation systems under the Eclipse brand name.

So I found that Crutchfield sells the Eclipse AVN6620. Now get this -- I paid nearly $4,000 for this in my Lexus, and it only costs $799 from Crutchfield!! But of course I added in the backup camera, the iPod integration, remote control, Bluetooth phone integration, and I paid for professional installation. The total was WAY under $1500.

And it is nearly identical to the Lexus version!

And, because I am clever, I took my Laptop to my Lex, opened up an XL spreadsheet, and entered in all the coordinates for all my data points. That was a pain in the butt, but I now have entered most of my data back in to this new system. It is a pain, but it really is simple to do, and having all my data back, in a system nearly identical to the Lexus version is REALLY nice!

The differences are...

Negatives:

• The screen resolution is much lower in the Eclipse version, and so the graphics are much uglier. It really doesn't look as nice, but whatever.
  
• The volume control is super-tiny. I didn't get a car with steering wheel controls, so I have to either reach way over and try to hit the tiny buttons while moving, or use the remote. Definintely will get a car with steering wheel controls next time!!
  
• Just turning the thing off is a pain. You either have to reach to the far side to hit the MUTE button, or go thru two levels of menus to get to the Audio Off button. Or use the remote.
  
• Only holds one CD or DVD (but not really a problem since I got the iPod integration). The Lex had a 6 DVD changer.
  
• Still DVD based, and updates are maybe once a year, for like $300! Really not much of a problem, just kind of old-school technology, and insultingly-expensive.
  
• Only has alphabetical keyboard, the Lex had the option to switch to QWERTY. Not having this option is actually a pain in the butt.
  
• The Bluetooth phone system is almost useless, and it was almost useless in the Lex. It is much less sophisticated than the Lex version (no on-screen controls at all, just one dumb remote thingey). Just seems like this technology is not ready for prime time! I've turned it off, just like I did in the Lex.
  

Positives:

• Costs a zillion times less!
  
• My installer hooked it up so it thinks the emergency brake is on at all times, so I have full control always. AWESOME! Just don't be dumb... or Certain DEATH!
  
• This has REAL iPod integration, and it was cheap! ($50) The Lex only has a basic audio input jack, so no control over the iPod at all. Have you ever tried to control an iPod while driving? Certain DEATH! This allows full control over the 'pod.
  • But unfortunately the controls are really pretty crappy -- for example, everytime you turn the car off and back on, the previous song playing on the iPod will resume, but it totally loses its place in the navigation of your playlists. Since I have thousands of songs and hundreds of playlists, this can be a real pain in the booty.
    
  • You can get real iPod integration in your Lex for like $700. Ya right!
    

  [*]Seems just as fast as the Lexus version.

  [*]Backup cam works great, but it is a bit slower to turn on, when you put it in reverse.

  • You can just turn the backup cam on whenever you want, in the Lex version the ONLY way to turn it on was to put the shifter into R.
    
  • Driving down the street with the backup cam on = Certain DEATH!
    

  [*]Feels very familiar to Me, a former Lexus owner. That really is nice, I didn't want to have to learn some new system.

  [*]The Eclipse is supposedly noted for their extremely high-quality sound output. I currenlty have this wired to the factory amp and speakers so the sound is only fair, but someday will use the very nice preamp outputs to power real amps and real speakers.

  [*]There are great sound contorls: graphic EQ, comprehensive subwoofer controls, processors to compensate for compressed MP3 files, effects, etc.

  [*]This has even more options that I didn't get, and that my Lex didn't even offer: front-view camera (great for parking an SUV), either XM or Sirius satellite radio, with Sirius real-time traffic, HD Radio, back seat screens for the kids or whatever,

  [*]It integrates nicely with the dashboard. Crutchfield includes an adapter. It just looks nice!

There is probalby a lot more, but you get the general idea -- this system isn't perfect, but I really like it!