[Fire Elemental]

I'm planning on buying a Prius, but I have noticed that the navigation system is not available in Canada! I really want the navigation system so I figure I have two options.

• 1. Buy a US model Prius and pay a crapload of cash to import it modify it to meet the Canadian standards, and jump through all the legal hoops
  2. Buy the Navigation system parts and figure out how to install them myself

I figure the best option is obviously #2, so does anyone know how to do this, or if it is even possible? Better yet, would the dealer be able to do it? There is a fully loaded prius just sitting on the lot waiting for me to buy it, but I want a navigation system damnit!

 

[ehurtley]

I'm planning on buying a Prius, but I have noticed that the navigation system is not available in Canada! I really want the navigation system so I figure I have two options.

• 1. Buy a US model Prius and pay a crapload of cash to import it modify it to meet the Canadian standards, and jump through all the legal hoops
  2. Buy the Navigation system parts and figure out how to install them myself

I figure the best option is obviously #2, so does anyone know how to do this, or if it is even possible? Better yet, would the dealer be able to do it? There is a fully loaded prius just sitting on the lot waiting for me to buy it, but I want a navigation system damnit!

What 'Canadian standards' does it not meet already? You can have the dealer turn on daytime running lights.

 

[Daniel]

I'm planning on buying a Prius, but I have noticed that the navigation system is not available in Canada! I really want the navigation system so I figure I have two options.

• 1. Buy a US model Prius and pay a crapload of cash to import it modify it to meet the Canadian standards, and jump through all the legal hoops
  2. Buy the Navigation system parts and figure out how to install them myself

I figure the best option is obviously #2, so does anyone know how to do this, or if it is even possible? Better yet, would the dealer be able to do it? There is a fully loaded prius just sitting on the lot waiting for me to buy it, but I want a navigation system damnit!

Your problem may be the availability of a DVD with Canadian map information. There was a discussion once about whether such information even exists. I don't remember the conclusion.

Another solution would be an after-market NAV, if they exist for Canada (i.e., with Canadian maps).

 

[LouieNet]

Another solution would be an after-market NAV, if they exist for Canada (i.e., with Canadian maps).

Coastal Dave may be able to help when the he gets back home to Florida. But he'll be a bit delayed in his responses these days.

http://www.coastaletech.com/viewtech.htm
http://www.coastaletech.com/nav.htm

Louie

 

[Canadian Prius]

Your problem may be the availability of a DVD with Canadian map information. There was a discussion once about whether such information even exists. I don't remember the conclusion.

The maps do exist in Canada... but as in most countries the best, most uniform and up-to-date maps are produced by the governments, and the Canadian governments (BC in particular) charge exorbitant prices for them. This is really frustrating because as taxpayers we already paid for them once, and if we want to use them we have to pay again.

 

[cheallen]

I'm planning on buying a Prius, but I have noticed that the navigation system is not available in Canada! I really want the navigation system so I figure I have two options.

• 1. Buy a US model Prius and pay a crapload of cash to import it modify it to meet the Canadian standards, and jump through all the legal hoops
  2. Buy the Navigation system parts and figure out how to install them myself

I figure the best option is obviously #2, so does anyone know how to do this, or if it is even possible? Better yet, would the dealer be able to do it? There is a fully loaded prius just sitting on the lot waiting for me to buy it, but I want a navigation system damnit!

Fire Elemental:
The US NAV system does have a section of Canadian maps covering the whole country. Post your address (or at least the city and province) and then we can check whether it can find your house.

 

[Fire Elemental]

Try turner drive milton ontario. It's a fairly new street.

 

[pweaver]

What 'Canadian standards' does it not meet already? You can have the dealer turn on daytime running lights.

When my friend returned from many years of working in the States he brought three vehicles with him. Each one cost him several thousand dollars and several months to get to Canadian standards. Including;
- French/English labels (i.e. tire pressure information in the doors)
- Air bag modifications
- Spedometer calibrated to KM/H
- Odometer changed to KM
- Changes to the emission systems
- Daylight Running Lights
- There was some major part that need to be replaced in his Caddie
- and other things I do not remember

In the Prius you would also have to have it programmed to read l/100 KM instead of MPH and probably reprogrammed to have French menus also. So before going that route I would get estimates from a local shop. My friend did all of his at the local Canadian Tire.

 

[wombatua]

Can't speak for much else (and my only other languages besides English are Ukrainian and Spanish), but you can change the menus from English to French on the touchscreen - through one of the selections off of the 'info' button, I think.

 

[pweaver]

What 'Canadian standards' does it not meet already? You can have the dealer turn on daytime running lights.

When my friend returned from many years of working in the States he brought three vehicles with him. Each one cost him several thousand dollars and several months to get to Canadian standards. Including;
- French/English labels (i.e. tire pressure information in the doors)
- Air bag modifications
- Spedometer calibrated to KM/H
- Odometer changed to KM
- Changes to the emission systems
- Daylight Running Lights
- There was some major part that need to be replaced in his Caddie
- and other things I do not remember

In the Prius you would also have to have it programmed to read l/100 KM instead of MPH and probably reprogrammed to have French menus also. So before going that route I would get estimates from a local shop. My friend did all of his at the local Canadian Tire.

 

[cheallen]

Canadian NAV

Try turner drive milton ontario. It's a fairly new street.

My 2004 NAV found Milton, ON okay but it says there is no Turner Dr. It did however find two other Turner Drives in southern Ontario but neither was within 50 miles of Milton. So, I guess the DVD map v. 3.2 is out of date for your city.

 

[Fire Elemental]

Cost per DVD

You have to wonder why the disks cost so much when Microsoft will let you use mappoint (the service mapquest is based off of) for free.
...and it is actually up to date.

 

[vegas1]

Does ANY car sold in Canada have a navigation system? If the answer is yes, then it's technically possible, it also means there are maps software available.

Have you looked for an after-market system?

I found quite a bit of info. on the net. How much research have you done? If you haven't done any, then you obviously don't want it that badly.

 

[Canuck]

Just a suggestion. Google "Garmin" and have a look at the latest mobile GPS units and you will also discover that there is fairly detailed Canadian content for even small towns. These are portable but the latest reguire a speed input for the inertial update when in an area where a GPS signal is temp interrupted. 8)

 

[khameleon]

The Dealer in Brampton told me that the 2005 Canadian Prius will have the NAV option. It will be a "C" package which is the "B" package plus the NAV. He had no price on it last week, but should have shortly. Personally I would have loved a Nav package for my 2004. I ended up buying a Garmin StreetPilot 2610 which comes with maps for all of CONUS, all of Canada, Alaska and Hawii. A separate NAV system will never be as neat as an integrated system, but it does have some advantages. It is portable so can be moved to other cars in seconds and can also be thrown in a suitcase and taken with you when you rent cars in other cities. Also, they tend to have updates to the maps more frequently, and I believe the updates are in the order of $150 US, which is less than what I hear Toyota charges. Mine is extremely accurate, colour screen, has millions of POIs, recalculates when off-route etc. I'm sure the standalone unit will save you hundreds of dollars compared to a Toyota installed version. I believe I read somewhere that the Toyota NAV option came with a $1900 US price tag.
Al

 

[Bob Allen]

Garmin

You can get a Garmin GPS that wil work in your car as well as your boat, or your airplane. Garmin makes an excellent product with updatable data bases to cover any place you would drive. While not as totally nifty as the built in system, it will provide you with the added option of portability.
You cannot install the factory GPS system into a non-GPS equipped Prius.
From what I have heard, the database in the Toyota system isn't as good as other GPS systems, and probably no better than the Garmin. Of course, you won't have the hands off cell phone feature or the voice activated GPS.
Bob

 

[Fire Elemental]

Woo!

Problem solved! I just checked the Canadian toyota site today and they now have a new package listed. AND IT HAS A NAVIGATION SYSTEM! WOO! It's Package 'C' for any Canadians who want to know.

 

[MUGlover]

Yes, Canada was a seventh region on the 3.3 DVD that came in my 2004 Prius last week.

 

[Canuck]

Have opted for the Garmin 2620 from http://www.gpscentral.ca which came with North American City Navigator ver 6. Took 2 1/2 days via Canada Post from Calgary. Had a test run from Duncan, Vancouver Island,BC to Nanaimo, Vancouver Island,BC and return on Sunday. Map detail for the local Duncan area is exceptional as I watched the house numbers coinciding on the display with gate numbers. Very accurate positioning/speed of vehicle etc. with updates occurring about 1/sec. Even displayed the runway/taxiway at airport CYCD as we drove past. Nagging Bessie, as I've named the voice direction lady, was not unpleasant and her instructions were timely. There is some question as to whether the 2620 can be used with a PC to D/L additional maps in addition to the pre-programmed NACN ver 6. I have e-mailed Garmin to clarify. I was able to use the PC/USB interface cable and after installing the drivers from the supplied CD I was successful in obtained an updated software version from the Garmin web site and installing it... ver 3.80 to 3.90.
Oh, and have I mentioned that our 2005 Prius is supposed to arrive mid Oct. At least I've have something to do navigating while my wife drives.
Gary

Follow-up: Reply from http://www.gpscontral.ca assures me that the 2620 is a unit that will accept other Mapsource software as well as the ability to update the unit via the web.

 

[Tideland Prius]

Re: Woo!

Problem solved! I just checked the Canadian toyota site today and they now have a new package listed. AND IT HAS A NAVIGATION SYSTEM! WOO! It's Package 'C' for any Canadians who want to know.

Yup. Apparently, it also comes with Bluetooth Wireless Capability in Package "C"... so basically a fully loaded US Prius minus HID headlights