I like features and display of 2008 GS Nav but Denzo mapping software sucks, comparing to my $250 portable Garmin.

 

Ditto... and compared to my prior Acura RL.

 

You guys obviously never had a Mercedes ! The Lexus Nav is golden next to it, but I agree Honda (Alpine) does it better !

 

Lexus Nav is GOD like compared to BMW/MB counterparts, for me, it's perfect.

 

There was a recent comparo of nav systems between cars. I recall that the IS350 (5th gen nav) won 2nd behind the nav system for Infiniti (birds eye view option).

 

Last week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas NAVTEK said they supply the map data to Gamin, Acura, and Lexus. They were suprised that I found Garmin the best, Acura acceptable and Lexus UNacceptable (the worst).

They said that all three get the same map data and the difference is how they use it and their software that runs the GPS. If this is so SHAME on Lexus and Denso!

If I were buying today I would skip the Lexus NAV system entirely. In its place I would buy the NEW large screen Garmin nuvi 5000. www.garmin.com

 

to each his own I guses, we have 6 different types of nav in our family. NO WAY does acura nav even come close to the lexus. My bro has the newest Nav from Acura. Ranging from Garmin/Aftermarket Kenwood/Lexus Gen2 + Gen5/Acura/Mercedes/BMW

I didn't even bother thinking about picking up a mercedes purely because its nav is close to useless.

If I tell people that Garmin is a Taiwanese company, I wonder if that will change people's mind on them. Don't get me wrong, they are probably one of the best when it comes to a mobile unit, but nothing will beat the integrated solution that comes from the factory. Who really likes a huge screen stuck on the front windshield with a cable down all the time.

 

I actually think the Lexus Nav is superior to most oem navs from other companies. Just because it doesn't have other voice commands that the other car companies do doesn't mean it's inferior. The interface is fairly easy to use and is very easy on the eyes.

Garmin has been in the navigation game for years, specifically starting with aviation.