Someone was telling me today that any Lexus LS navigation system can be upgraded to the latest generation, like from G4 to G5, by going to the dealer and paying the $300 or so figure to do it. This made it sound to me like it was only a DVD change, but I thought the change in generations was more significant than that. In short, can older generations of navigation systems easily be upgraded to the latest one?

 

No, im afraid its not that simple. DVD map updates are completely different from the gen update. For $300 bucs, you can update the maps only.

 

So is a generation upgrade possible at the dealership? If so, any idea how much that would cost?

 

tooo much... it's a custom job, switching out the entire Head Unit etc...

 

nope. Not possible.

 

OK, so if the upgrade isn't really possible, what exactly would I miss in having generation 4 vs. generation 5? Anything important? The salesman I spoke to referred to having far less POIs, but that to me is contained in the DVD change, which is possible. What other things improved that can't be changed (display resolution, voice recognition, etc.)? Anyone know? And as well, what things may have gotten worse in G5? I'd heard something before that it was easier to bypass the lock-outs on entering phone numbers and address while running on G4, but I'm really not sure.

 

Honestly, I havent really used a G5 yet, so I cannot comment. However, im sure it has better graphics, and a newer interface, possibly new features, that kind of thing.