Factory navigation unit

[Admin]

Anyone use this unit? What are your thoughts on the factory one as opposed to an aftermarket one?

[rockthebeef]

First post on this forum! woo hoo!

I have the factory Navigation HU. The main reason I went with it was so that I could roll it into my car loan. I also was trying my hardest to NOT mod my car in any way. Fast forward almost 4 months and I'm still relatively sold on the Scion Navigation System (SNS).

Here's a quick list that I'll maybe update as I think of stuff:

Pros:
1. Can be included into the car loan
2. OEM look (and the neat "Scion" logo at startup)
3. side buttons fill out the space on both sides of a normal double DIN HU. Aftermarket units have some empty space on either side of the unit.
4. warranty. Actually I'm only pretty sure that this is covered under the factory warranty.
5. ability to seamlessly work with the factory iPod connector and steering wheel controls. Currently you can get steering wheel controls to work with an aftermarket HU, but not the iPod connector.
6. resale? Does this even help resale? I'm not sure...

Cons:
1. No RCA outputs! This is a shame! Even the less expensive 'premium HU' has 3 sets of RCAs. I imagine most people who opt for the SNS don't care about adding amps.
2. Sound quality. The built in "SSP" and "CSE" digital processing of the SNS is a waste (IMHO) if you upgrade your speakers to anything but the stock ones. As soon as I changed my speakers I had to turn off all that digital stuff and let the natural signal pass through. I have since found an EQ curve that sounds great with my current speakers.
3. no plug-n-play accessories. Bluetooth? back-up camera? This is very easy with an aftermarket HU, but not so with the SNS.
4. Price: This might sort of contradict what I have in my 'pros' list, but at $2000 it is a very steep price.
5. control: Aside from a pretty nice EQ, there isn't much control aside from fade/balance etc. I would have loved to see crossover controls and separate levels for speakers and subs. This goes hand in hand with the lack of RCA outputs. EQ presets would be a nice touch.
6. radio quality. It's just not good. The FM sounds almost like stereo AM. I'm not happy with the radio. Luckily I only listen to sports radio. All my music is on my iPod.

All that being said, I have made a nice sounding system with a speaker upgrade and 1 amp and some subs. I'm happy, but if you're starting from scratch just know that you can do much better for the same money. Would I do it again? Actually... maybe. It just doesn't seem logical but I personally put a significant amount of relevance to OEM parts and accessories.

[Daarken]

those sound system upgrades are mods.

[rockthebeef]

Originally Posted by Daarken

those sound system upgrades are mods.

I know, I know... It's a losing battle I tell ya.

[kaSHOWku]

I got my B with almost all the options and accessories available, but just couldnt get my myself to shell out $2k for a factory nav. I installed the Pioneer AVIC D3 unit for like $1000 installed with steering wheel controls and ipod connection. Now it works perfectly with my system.

[OGXB2]

I have the factory SNS nav from my recently purchased xB for sale.. I'll take $995. It worked just fine.
714-272-5188, group525@aol.com
orange county, ca

[A_A_G]

Originally Posted by kaSHOWku

I got my B with almost all the options and accessories available, but just couldnt get my myself to shell out $2k for a factory nav. I installed the Pioneer AVIC D3 unit for like $1000 installed with steering wheel controls and ipod connection. Now it works perfectly with my system.

Anything special you have to do to get the wheel controls and ipod connection to work with the Pioneer AVIC D3. I want to upgrade from the premium HU but dont want to lose those features.

[lvbitwiz]

Originally Posted by A_A_G

Anything special you have to do to get the wheel controls and ipod connection to work with the Pioneer AVIC D3. I want to upgrade from the premium HU but dont want to lose those features.

You can get the PAC adapter from crutchfield for the steering wheel controls, the ipod interface however goes bye bye. Just use the one for the D3