is the navigation system in the LS the same as the IS/ES/GS? i see it is hard drive based; based on what i can see from the lexus site, looks like the same exact system just data is stored onto a hard drive, is this in fact the case? Same 7" screen as well?

the lexus nav seems to have fallen behind the times rather quickly, not offering mp3 capability. it cant even or speak street names, which is kind of amusing, since a garmin at 1/10 the cost can.

 

The nav does play mp3 cds.. and not a lot of GPS say the street names, my tomtom doesn't say the street names, so it depends on the manufacturer of the gps to offer that option.

The IS navigation is based on a DVD and not Hard drive based.

If your trying to find out if the NAV is worth it, theres a huge thread in the FAQ section about this topic.

IMO: i would get the nav. Even if its "old technology" it looks great and helps so much that it is really a great investment for me.

 

The majority of new GPS units over $100 do street names now.

Hell, todays Woot has one for $89.99 that does it-
http://www.woot.com/

The current OEM nav is -ancient- by todays standards. No text-to-speech (street names), no realtime traffic, weather, or other local data, no 3D, no multimedia features (apart from the ML DVD option that cripples itself in drive...not to mention the other features that get crippled in drive)... and an insane price to update the maps each year (4 times what Garmin charges for example)

 

i have an 06 with nav, agree it is worth it, just seems like they are falling behind others with regards to the fatures, i am curious as to whther they have something better that will eventualluy filter down. acura also doesnt do hard drive, but infiniti and cadillac do, with the ability to record music