couple things here:

1) on the GS, we do not have the options for xm traffic updates, only on the current LS/LX

2) Nav technology matures every couple months? HARDLY, my dad's 1998 LS400 has Harddrive based touch screen nav nearly 10+ years ago. It goes from HD-based Nav --> Regional CD base --> DVD --> HD based again (LS/LX), surely, the software and resolution improves dramatically, but basic idea is the same, pin-point where you are and take you where you want to

3) 7-8 yrs down the line, you are going to trade in your car anyway, why would it matter if tech is outdated. With the current trend of improving the NAV, couple things are being developed: 3D mapping of cities, Google Map updates via EDGE network and PC (BMW), heads up display have already been done.

bottom line, the fundamental reason for having a Nav remains the same regardless of how advanced it will ever get, it will only tell you exactly how to get to your destination, it WILL NEVER teleport your car, so i seriously don't see your points.

*regarding traffics, it only shows traffic on freeway anyway, this can easily be done on my blackberry with google maps with traffic turned on. Not that big of a deal IMO

 

I have the oem nav in the GS and a Garmin nuvi, believe me, the oem nav is much nicer than my $500 Garmin.

 

Like I said, smash-and-grab guys, mmkay?

 

Funny story. I had to take a trip into the city with my boss and his car has no navi so I brought my i-phone and the boss's daughter brought her new Garmin handheld. When we were getting closer to our destination and were unable to find it I just pulled out the i-phone (using the newer turn by turn feature on Google Maps) and it took us right to our destination. The handheld Garmin was totally lost. Point being that handheld navigation just doesn't work too well unless you buy the $800 models. I had better luck with my $400 phone!

 

I just dont see how the garmin can be lost unless its a new street or the Garmin is not picking the satelite. Thats one thing good about google map, it constantly updated. Then again, there is no monthly fee for the Garmin.

 

Garmin also can't surf the net, receive email, place phone calls etc etc... and yes I think the Garmin just wasn't quickly enough receiving sat signals, but that is what its supposed to do... Just my experience.. your entitled to like the Garmin, I just don't think they're worth the $$$. Lexus 5 Gen Navi works great! Have it my '08 ISF and '08 GS350.

 

i prefer the car with nav even though i have google maps on my phone. at the dealer i went to they had about 8-9 different gs 300 all w/o nav and 1 with nav. they were all the same price (give or take 1k). only different was the ones without the nav had slighly less miles.

 

Actually that's only true of the cheaper models. Some of the mid ranged and upper priced Garmin Nuvi models have bluetooth capability, which certainly allows you to place calls to the directory of POI's in the system. The handheld/portables have their pros and cons.

BTW, the Gen 5 Lexus Nav doesn't surf the net and receive email.

 

Are you guys reading the whole thread? If you don't read the whole thread you really miss the whole point of the conversation.. We were talking about handheld navi units vs smart phones/ i-phone.. that was the original purpose of the thread, because OP was stating his purpose for not purchasing the OEM navi.. Obviously, and I really think most of us know that Lexus nav cannot access any web-based networks.

And I did already state that the more expensive hanheld navi units ($800 range) work well when compared to the units that cost about as much as an i-phone ($400)!

 

Actually, if I recall correctly, the OP was asking if anyone has seen 3GS with no navigation. It had nothing to do with portable/handheld navs until it went to a tangent discussion midway through this thread.

I addressed it with photos of both dash displays of a NAV and Non-NAV model 3GS.

 

I was just responding to a member and he found the info helpful. Sorry, I guess I had better not answer anymore of his questions or provide info that you (not the OP) disagree with.

 

i appreciate all the info, im the original poster....but, the conversation sorta lead to do we need navi in our cars. someone replied back and said that they will be obsolete, which whom i disagree with, but i rather have the nav built into my car(which i have) over a handheld nav. Not to take anthing away from the garmins or magellans, but i rather just have one built in even tho i hate the PART WHERE I CANT ENTER IT WHILE IM DRIVING. Maybe having all 3 is good? I have an iphone,nav built into the car and a handheld nav.

Anyways thanx for the pics again.

 

Having all 3 in the car, Thats information overload. Like I siad earlier, the oem Navi is much better than the portable. We use the portable when we use other cars with no nav or for biking or walking. The i-phone and google map is great if there is a passenger to direct you, but if you are driving alone, its kind of useless.

 

And as a guy who mentioned "obsolete", I didn't mean as point-to-point direction giving technology. Its not obsolete. As Kev pointed out above, his dad has one that still works on his 10+ Lexus. The basic functionality of technology will not change. I'm talking about additional feature which constantly being added to portable NAVs and Smart Phones. Get the latest issue of LAPTOP magazine, and read about all the latest gadgets in there. 'Nough said.

I personally find this thread very useful because of responses from ISFTwins and others and their experience with other alternative to oem NAV devices. There is no right or wrong way to go with this. You just need to find what works for you the best. I wasn’t trying to save money by choosing 3GS without NAV. With another SUV in the family that doesn’t have built-in NAV, I’m still researching to find out a portable unit which can go between two cars and will be upgradeable in the future.

 

I have an '07 GS350 w/o nav, and specifically ordered the car that way. If I ever feel I need nav, I'll buy a Garmin and save over $2000 vs. the Lexus cost.