Were suppose to get a 08 ES350, but were just deciding on the colour of the exterior and interior. This would be the first time taking the navigation package and I just wanted to know if there are any disadvantages to the navigation systems. While driving can you still operate all the regular stuff like the radio and CD player for example? What can and can’t you do while driving the car with regards to the navigation system?

Thx

 

In the US, you cannot do these things manually while moving:

1. Almost any function on the first and second nav screens - exception is emergency button.
2. Dial the phone on screen
3. Pair the phone from scratch
4. Register home or memory points

Most of these can be done by voice command.

 

You can operate the radio, climate control just by changing screens as they pop up when you press the appropriate buttons. Navigation system - locked out. On my Onstar optional driving directions package, you can advance the mapping to your destination while driving by pushing the preview buttons in the radio.

 

garmin 7xx is $500-800 portable and no lockout versus $2000+ and lockout....updates are much cheaper on the garmin too. Bigger screens goes to lexus though

 

So when Im driving down the road and a song comes on the radio that I don't like, I can change the station while Im driving or switch over the CD player right? Also, what do you mean by first and second screens? Is it worth it to get the navigation package?


^^
From the picture, what functions can I use while driving?

Thx

 

To answer your original question, yes you can change the radio station, switch from radio to CD/DVD player and tape if you wish. You can also change temperature settings and all the good stuff...

From that picture, you can use everything including the CLIMATE, AUDIO, DISP, INFO, MAP (VOICE), and MENU.

Some things in the INFO and DEST screens are locked out while you are in motion (some are locked for good reasons). That is, you can't set a new destination on the navi while in motion and you can't dial phone numbers (but you can use voice command to dial and also use the speed dial menu though). Oh and of course, you can't watch movies on your DVD changer while moving either.

EDIT - I believe the "first and second screen" mentioned earlier refers to the screens that come up when you press the DEST button and its submenus where you can choose the address of your destination.

 

I can't see any disadvantage to getting the navigation system. You have to remember their primary function: to get you to your destination, and that IMO is worth the price of admission. For example, my wife and I recently went on a three week road trip from Kentucky to the Grand Canyon. The Navi was an invaluable tool in directing us to motels, restaurants and gas stations. On the way home my wife wanted to see her old house in Aurora, CO where she lived 35 years ago. The neighborhood was near an Air Force base and thru the years quadrupled in size. We had to turn at least eight times before we even found the right street. There is no way I could have found the house without navigation. The Navi really gives you a sense of security while traveling. I'll never have another car without one.
I think you'll be very happy if you decide to get the navigation.

 

There are cheaper and good add-on nav units that you can get. However, you trade the clean, integrated factory nav look for a stick-on display that I think really clutters up the cabin.

You also lose the rear back-up camera, which I rely on everyday.

I've installed the manual nav hack switch (https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=234401) so I can access the phone book while driving as well as display iPod song details and enter new destinations.

Before I bought my ES350 I thought this nav would be something I rarely used and I doubted whether this expensive option would be worth it. But I also knew that if I didn't get the nav I would regret it in the future so I ponied up the money. I have to say that I love and use the factory nav and am very glad I have it.

 

Everyone refers to it as an expensive option but the package adds a lot to the car. Why pay $35000 when you can spend $5000 more and get the nav, articulating hids, parking sensors, back up camera, etc? In my opinion the non-nav package is like a different car. I would have been very upset with myself if I didn't get the nav package. I realized it when I got a base model loaner from my dealership recently - I felt like I was in a Camry. (no offense to the non-nav owners).

 

I agree, Nav is worth the price. FWIW though, you can get most of the available options (except rear camera) without springing for the Nav.

 

If you want to fix the complete NAV system so everything works while driving without cutting wires see this post.
Enabling the NAV System Features When Driving.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...69#post2503969

Along with the NAV sys make sure you get both the back up camera and the backup sensors that warn you when you're close to something both front and rear. They even show how close you are right on the NAV screen.

 

Forgive me for being too lazy to look it up myself, but is it possible to get the Mark Levinson stereo w/o the nav option?

 

In Hawaii I think since they don't ship nav there (or at least didn't use to).

You can get it without a package but it'll be a "special order" since you have to order it from the factory and you lose the DVD playback capabillity since you don't get a screen.