repugnante

So I was searching around for a way to update my nav unit. I have a 2000 GS4 and I've simply had it with this outdated unit. I live in socal and plenty has changed since this model was generated. I don't even have the update from 04 so I know its severely behind. While searching around I stumbled upon this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ht_1564wt_1037

I know Lexus is now no longer using the DVD based drives for their nav units rather they have gone back to using hard drive via USB. Looks like they have been able to download the updated maps on a USB and update the HDD hard drive in the 98-00's. Does this mean that there might possibly be a way that those with a 98-2000 nav unit can update to the latest version?

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

Just another thought.. Get a Garmin or TomTom, portable and much cheaper.

repugnante

I could do that. But if I'm gonna do that, I might as well do what I have been doing and use my phone as my GPS Nav

Frankr

I have a "big" problem; someone stole the HD from my 2000 GS400 over 2 years ago. Actually, I don't care about the GPS, but my "Travel's information" on MENU selector, which displays the hours of operation, miles traveled, miles per gallon, etc., after refueling, have been corrupted. I've asked LEXUS to diagnose the situation but so far no reply from them. Does anyone know where to get the small HD, besides the expensive dealer's price?

MonkikiX

I'm surprised nobody has come up with a solution to this. There has to be a way to update the software by connecting the hard drive to our computers unless it is in a totally different format/software application for the newer models. Wonder how that eBay upgrade would work via USB when our hard drives are IDE/PATA.

str8lucky

iTrader: (11)

It would be great to find a way to update. I use my phone gps as well since california keeps building and my nav is just so outdated. Maybe we can get a few more people and all pitch in so everyone can update at a fraction of the price.

THE_CEO

Yep i think all of us HDD guys would love to have the updated maps.

CEO

squeaks638

iTrader: (1)

Yeah my road isnt even on my 98 gs400 with the 04 update.

yginesta

So let me get this straight. I bought a 99 GPS dash unit and I need the Nav brain that contains the HD. When I plug in the unit nothing works since the Nav unit is no plugged in.

My question is, if I have the brain with no hard drive and the wiring would I be able to at least use the screen for A/C and radio?

Kansas

I would be surprised if anybody can authoritatively answer your question. The 98-00 navigation system was considered junk very quickly after the vastly improved 2001 Lexus navigation was introduced.

I'm guessing that it has been many years since anyone tried to retrofit a 98-00 navigation system.

Even if you had the nav "brain" you would still need the wiring harness and GPS antenna. If you had the last hard drive map update from 2004, it would have detail only for major cities and that would be way out of date. The 98-00 nav hard drive uses a proprietary format and, even if it could be updated with modern information, it's capacity is tiny and would hold very little.

sputniknyc

iTrader: (2)

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...placement.html

The problem with updating newer maps to the older hard drives is that the hard drives are under 2 gigs in size. If the 2010/2011 data are over 2 gigs, that's where the issue will be. (replacing the harddrive with larger is an option but NAV HD has to be a specific speed)

The link above is where a member here replaced the hard drive with a flash drive. I have done the same and working flawlessly (also larger drive)
If someone has a copy of the 2010-2011 maps, I could test it on my larger nav flash drive.
**LEGAL** this will be for testing and testing only.

more read ups.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ng-deeper.html

sputniknyc

iTrader: (2)

additionally
the link to the ebay sale is for a nav update usb.
I do not recall the 1998-2000 nav unit having a usb port.
There is 2 pcmcia slots on the unit.

newest maps for toyotas are Version 11.1 U93

sputniknyc

iTrader: (2)

any updates to this??? OP??

repugnante

Nope none at all. But our HD does have a USB port on it. I contacted Lexus of North Miami and they told me that the version they are selling is on a USB flash. They managed to compress the updated Nav version to this USB allowing it to update on our low gig outdated units. That is the ONLY reason why ours cannot be updated is due to the size of our HD's. The new maps require way too much space that our units can provide. I wonder why Lexus never thought of this??? They had to have known that the country was going to continue to expand and these units will require enough space to consistently update. Due to the price, it isn't in high demand, so maybe they will lower it to get people to buy. I'll contact them again today and ask if they are willing to do a group buy if everyone expresses interests.

To be honest, even if the update is a year or two old, it would still be better than a map from 2000

sLOWaristo

iTrader: (4)

I'm having this issue with my 01 nav. I cant find anything, and Vegas is FARRR from the same place it was in 2001, it's literally been under construction non stop my entire life, really annoying actually. How much is the update from the dealership?