Presara GPS Unit Mods / Options ???

[riftime]

Hi all,

Although it's very nice to have an inbuilt GPS unit in my Presara, I also find a few items frustrating. One of them being the driver acknowledgment each time you start the engine. A few others as well that I won't get into here. I've looked through some older posts, and for some of the older GPS units there seems to be some trick to get to some setup / config screen. I tried it, didn't work on my unit. My Presara was built mid-Dec-07, does anyone know the secret sequence to get to that screen where all the config options are ?

Furthermore, I am quite annoyed that there is no iPod adapter option. It should at least be an option for every car, if not standard ;)

I'm not keen on FM transmitters, quality is never the same and I hate the additional gizmo. Anyone have any solutions they've been successful with?

Thanks,

Robert

[ME70]

Mate the unit comes straight out of any Lexus you care to try, the Toyota boys are essentially covering the backsides in case you have a prang while driving. It takes one second to press "I Agree"....

I have found there is no need for an iPod adaptor given that the cd player reads mpeg3 anyway, literally hours and hours and hours of music available straight off the disc.

[riftime]

I have found there is no need for an iPod adaptor given that the cd player reads mpeg3 anyway, literally hours and hours and hours of music available straight off the disc.

I agree if we talk music. However, I listen to a lot of audio books (comedy, etc.), many of them span more than 1CD worth, iPod is great with 30Gig HD, as well as remembering where you left off if you want a break from listening to a book. Also with the iPod I listed to the book while walking or doing something (other than driving). Nice to be able to resume from where you left off when driving rather than create duplicate copies and fast forward trying to find the point you last listened to.

So anyway, I do understand the legal aspect, as well as the MP3 capability and 4-CD changer, but my question was more along the lines of "can it be done and has anyone done it". An AUXILARY audio input is such an easy thing to incorporate into the design, disappointing that it's not. Many cars have that, even the Commodores. Surprising that the Lexus doesn't have it as standard (which Presara would have inherited). Nevertheless, the Presara is still an awesome car, albeit without an audio AUX input.

... still trying to get used to not having to stick a key into ignition :)

[buTtles]

I'm also keen to use iPod. Will be in touch with my car audio specialist & advise.

Cheers, Chris

I have found there is no need for an iPod adaptor given that the cd player reads mpeg3 anyway, literally hours and hours and hours of music available straight off the disc.

I agree if we talk music. However, I listen to a lot of audio books (comedy, etc.), many of them span more than 1CD worth, iPod is great with 30Gig HD, as well as remembering where you left off if you want a break from listening to a book. Also with the iPod I listed to the book while walking or doing something (other than driving). Nice to be able to resume from where you left off when driving rather than create duplicate copies and fast forward trying to find the point you last listened to.

So anyway, I do understand the legal aspect, as well as the MP3 capability and 4-CD changer, but my question was more along the lines of "can it be done and has anyone done it". An AUXILARY audio input is such an easy thing to incorporate into the design, disappointing that it's not. Many cars have that, even the Commodores. Surprising that the Lexus doesn't have it as standard (which Presara would have inherited). Nevertheless, the Presara is still an awesome car, albeit without an audio AUX input.

... still trying to get used to not having to stick a key into ignition :)

[Aurion ZR6]

Hi all,

Although it's very nice to have an inbuilt GPS unit in my Presara, I also find a few items frustrating. One of them being the driver acknowledgment each time you start the engine. A few others as well that I won't get into here. I've looked through some older posts, and for some of the older GPS units there seems to be some trick to get to some setup / config screen. I tried it, didn't work on my unit. My Presara was built mid-Dec-07, does anyone know the secret sequence to get to that screen where all the config options are ?

Furthermore, I am quite annoyed that there is no iPod adapter option. It should at least be an option for every car, if not standard ;)

I'm not keen on FM transmitters, quality is never the same and I hate the additional gizmo. Anyone have any solutions they've been successful with?

Thanks,

Robert

Hi Robert,

Knock yourself out and look at my website here:Toyota Aurion Navigation System

You can look at everything except alter the acknowledgement screen everytime you start the engine.

[JRC]

I would love to see a digital speed shown on the GPS screen however I doubt that will ever happen because it will highlight the deliberate error that Toyota builds into the dash speedometer.

[riftime]

Some stuff I've learned about the Presara Sat Nav system in my quest to get an iPod interface added...

Firstly, let's start with the sales pitch that the sat nav unit is straight out of Lexus. It is indeed... but it's the older generation. Unfortunately there are limitations with this one... (disappointing).

1. To connect an iPod interface, it is done by getting the unit to treat the iPod as another CD in the CD Changer capability. Unfortunately, you cannot navigate and see content from iPod on screen. The CD-changer interface doesn't allow that info to come in. At best, you'll be able to shift up/down through playlists you set up in the iPod via that sat nav controls. Still no info display though... :(

2. Cannot connect a video input. Despite the colour screen being large enough and capable enough of displaying moving pictures with acceptable quality, the system is "too integrated" and can't be modified to add a video-in feature. So for those dreaming about adding a DVD/DivX player, or even their iPod Video to turn the Sat Nav unit into a multimedia unit, forget it...