We've just started playing with the navigation system in our new '02 Prius. Although we haven't figured most of the NAV's features, I can report that it's a lot of fun. <br><br>The NAV system has already been useful, too, given that I have a "variable" sense of direction (meaning: I get lost easily &lt;g&gt;). The NAV system's maps have helped me safely drive to a "destination" in an area unfamiliar to me.<br><br>I'm sure the "wow factor" of the NAV system will wear off at some point, but for now it's neat to have a now tool to explore. And, as a "long time" US Prius owner/driver, it sure is nice to finally have a use for the "Map" and "Dest" buttons on the Prius' dashboard! ;-)<br><br>If anyone has specific questions about the '02 Prius NAV system, please let me know and I'll answer as best I can, given my limited experience with the unit and its User Manual.<br><br>- Peter<br>('02 Prius: Just navigate it!)

Peter,<br>If you ever used GARMIN unit - how wouuld you compare it?<br>If not - does your NAV have a street address directions?<br>Can you enter your destination (by street address) within whole US?<br>How accurate it is?<br><br>Rob

As the owner of a manual, but not an actual unit yet, I can tell you that you CAN enter an address. As nearly as I can tell, it is sort of an auto-complete kind of thing. As you "type" more and more of the name in, it gives you choices with what you have typed.<br><br>Peter, I'm curious if, as a 2K1 and a 2k2 owner if you have noticed any differences subtle or otherwise, despite Toyota's assurance that there is no major change.<br><br>Burns

You've started on the '02 already! My new '01 is to be delivered to the dealership sometime this week. I ordered late in the year, in fact, just before the '02 could be ordered. Your facts and reports have been extremely helpful to me. I also refer to the manual that I received. So far I'm going to feel comfortable driving it home from what I've learned from the manual. I'll report my experiences when I drive it. Ready to motor... I am-- CarolM\(^o^)/

HI -one question-does system cover loging roads, camping sites etc.?

Hey, here's a question Peter, or others who have their NAV...The NAV manual implies that there is a screen saying you promise to drive carefully while using the touch screen. Do you have to OK this every time you start the car? Is it only for NAV, or do you need to OK it before you have any MD function? (If you ok it, can you see the EDS info from the radio while you are moving?)<br><br>Thanks,<br><br>Burns

Kind of a pain in the neck, eh? Ah well...better than not showing the map at all, I guess.<br><br>Thanks for the info...<br><br>Burns

Having driven a vehicle with Nav System, touching the "OK" button on the screen is no more a pain in the neck than putting your seat belt on, which could cause a real big pain in the neck, but lets hope NOT!!! Happy Motoring.....

re backwoods: I inferred from the manual that the less detailed areas might still have all the roads, but would be missing stuff like one-way info, speed limits, etc. But I was not completely clear. If you are willing to interested in experimenting, send me email at my handle @ yahoo. I come from Maine, and know a few fairly small roads that might be interesting to see what's there. (Don't unless you are interested too...I'll find out soon enough. Well not soon *enough*, but you know what I mean :-)<br><br>Also, re lat/lon I also did not see any such input in the manual. Disappointing, since I would like to transfer a bunch of points from my GPS to the NAV. Ah well. <br><br>Burns

I live on a tiny island with one main road and several small roads, being one block long, most of which are cul de sacs. Every "nook & cranny" was on the Nav display in great detail. There are many boat canals on our island, including where my home is. All the canals were displayed in great detail and accurate, as well. When I arrived at my home, it couldnt have been more accurate and detailed. In addition, the Nav program listed the exact location and details for a very small restaurant on the north end of our island. I could have called for reservations (never necessary) from the info on the restaurant on the Nav Program. I also watched to see the pinpoint accuracy of when I crossed intersections, bingo, the Nav display was "right on" in a split second. I am very impressed with the details and even better than with the charting info on GPS for boats...And its going to get better!!!! Im confident I could plug in your street address and drive right up to your door, with this system........

Longboat Key is a destination of the wintering group, and it merits inclusion in the detail maps. I don't know about Prius NAV, but the Garmin can get me to No Name Pub on Big Pine Key, FL Keys, without a hitch. Even unpaved Keys roads showed up two summers ago when we played with it in Keys. I would not recommend trying to drive blindfolded but it was accurate about turns, traffic lights, etc.<br>Sandy

Peter,<br><br>Congrats on finally getting your new 02.<br><br>Have you had a chance to check out the HV battery? I'm curious if they still are using the newer block type battery or had to go back to the old D-cell type.<br><br>Hope all goes well the next time you visit the San Diego area.<br><br>Ken

Well, here's a couple little roads to try. Go to Bethel, ME, Sunday River Road (east on Rt 2 out of Bethel center, maybe 4 or 5 miles). About 1/2 mile in from the intersection of Sunday River Road and Rt 2, is there a road closing the triangle between Sunday River Rd and Rt 2? Is it named? It was, until recently, a cruzzy little dirt road. It's been upgraded a bit recently because of all the traffic from the Sunday River ski area nearby. But that area is definitely not in the "full capability" area of the NAV book.<br><br>Here is another: Go to Hartford ME. Look for Rt 219 and Bear Pond. I think 219 intersects with Rt 4 near the pond. Follow 219 back from the intersection with 4. Extra credit if it lists "Bear Pond Park" on the shore. Beyond Bear Pond Park (up around the corner of the pond) see if there is a road going along the shore of Bear Pond that is "inside" the loop that 219 makes partway around it. There should also be a road between 219 and the loop road in at least one or 2 places. That road is an access road to a number of summer cottages. The whole thing is dirt, unsupported by the town, seasonal, one lane, you name it. It is the equivalent of a logging road, although it is maintained by the cottage owners, so it is in a bit better shape than a real logging road.<br><br>Here is one more place to check for a real logging road, but in the "enhanced area": Go to Nashua, NH. Start at the intersection of Rt 3 (Everett Turnpike) and Spit Brook Road. Go west on Spit Brook to Tara Blvd. (That is the driveway to Compaq where I work, FWIW). Somewhere near Tara Blvd, there should be a logging road going north beside the Everett Turnpike (also known as Rt 3) for a mile or so. It actually connects to a service road around the Tara Hotel. It may fade out, or it may go to an area marked as a park, or at least city-owned land. I've hiked up that road, but it got so muddy, that I never managed to get to the end.<br><br>Where did you live in Maine? I'm from Mexico (town in Maine, not the country!) And while we are there, it might be interesting to see if the NAV knows "Backkingdom Road" by name in Mexico. (Maybe only one K?)<br><br>Burns

Peter wrote<br> "...I'm not inclined to open up the battery pack..."<br><br>Don't blame you there, but you might peek at it. If it's the same size as the '01, it's most likely the same. If I recall, the newer ones have a green case and the very early ones were considerably larger. There's a drawing on the following website that shows the difference.<br><br><a href=http://gazoo.com/eng/auto/frameset.asp target=new>http://gazoo.com/eng/auto/frameset.asp</a> <br><br>Once you get past checking out the Estima specs at the top of the page, tear yourself away and scroll down to the next to bottom for the Prius. Click on the Prius, then click "Sales Point". Scroll to the bottom of that page and click on "Next". At the bottom of that page, you'll find the battery comparison.<br><br>Happy hunting, Toyota has lots of interesting vehicles on this website, most of which will probably never make it to the US.<br><br>Ken

Thanks for checking. I did not know the names of either of the roads I mentioned in Bethel or Hartford. However, I checked Mapquest, and discovered that West Cove Rd was the Bear Pond one. I can't imagine that cow-path has a name!<br><br>BTW, the logging road in Nashua is NOT on MapQuest. But note that that area is part of the NAV's area of detail. Sounds like maybe they really do enhance it.<br><br>MapQuest calls the Mexico road "Back Kingdom" road, BTW. <br><br>Anyway, it sounds like the NAV does pretty well, and that maybe it does have logging roads in areas of detail.<br><br>Thanks for the experiment!<br><br>Burns

What happens if you pull out the Map DVD and put in a DVD movie?