I own 2 x 2004 lexus a LS and a LX both with upgraded nav. I love both cars for different reasons and have no complaints except one. The multi thousand dollar navigation system is just pathetic, and I’m not even complaining about the screen resolution. The routing and accuracy are just awful. This week it sent me 45 miles in the wrong direction, I’m going 65 mph on the freeway with 30 miles to go and it tells me I’m 54 minutes from my destination. Now don’t get me wrong it will always get you to where you are going (eventually) but it pales in comparison to a $199 garmin or even the VZNavigator on my cell phone. Does anybody else see these problems and what is your opinion?

 

Luca-
One of my few complaints about the LS. The LS Navigation is the worst I've used among 2 other cars with Nav and about a half a dozen portables I've owned. It is difficult to use, cannot be accessed enroute, and is more prone to wacky routes. While I know that Lexus is at the mercy of whatever company supplies its routing, it could at least change the enroute routing lockout with an upgrade. I don't know of any other car company that does that.

Steve

 

Many, many posts on this topic and I agree with Steve that it is one of few but more annoying features of Lexus. While I haven't experienced mine routing me in the wrong direction yet, I don't like the price of new DVD's, the inability to make changes while enroute (unless you do the override first) and the lack of intuitiveness in operating the system. Why doesn't Lexus team with Garmin and offer their GPS systems in the cars???

 

I actually don't mind the routing. Sometimes its dead wrong, but I have my Nuvi as a backup. I just remind myself that this is effectively a 2002 year designed Nav system. Considering it's really a 7 year old design, it isn't bad.

 

Have you tried to adjust your highway speed in Nav system so that you get more accurate ETA time?

 

any idea when the new nav discs are coming out, i've seen the 8.1 on the carson site for a long time now.?? and i agree, it sucks and it blows...

 

I'm keeping my 4.2 version. I heard from 6.1 on, no manual override. I don't use it much, but I do sometimes. As for enroute diversions, there are five presents (6 including "home") that you can set and you can access while driving by using the voice command "quick access number x" with x being the preset you want. The voice command of course was not available through the whole LS430 model cycle, I think '04 and on.

Is it a "terrible" unit as others say? No, it's just not the best or very good, which we all expect. Can you go around some of the downfalls, yes... like what I said with override and using the preset with voice command. And in reality, do you really want to be driving and setting the NAV. I know you can have passenger doing it, but how many times is that going to happen also?

 

This is the absolute worst system that I have used. The system in my old RL was far superior to this one.

 

While I agree with a lot of the things people are saying about our Nav system I disagree about the routing. That has been one of the few bright spots of the Nav system, for me. Maybe it works better in certain areas? All I know is that the routes are pretty good for me here in the Bay Area. Much, much better than my P.O.S. Pioneer AVIC which is worthless garbage.

 

I agree the routing is very bad,, I have tried it many times on a well know trip and that ladies voice (won't tell ya what I call her) is telling me to take turns that would take me several miles out of my direct and shortest route,,

don't know what the logarithm is used for calcualting but it need some serious reworking,,

 

Make sure your 'Route Preferences' set up correctly for your area. My settings are:
Freeways - ALLOWED
Ferrys - NOT ALLOWED
Toll Roads - ALLOWED (Bay Bridge, Carquinez bridge and GG Bridge in the Bay Area)
Restricted Routes - ALLOWED

I think the default factory condition comes with the only ALLOWED setting being Freeways, so you may have to go in and allow toll roads and restricted routes. Not really sure what a restricted route is but I'm guessing it might be things like narrow bridges or overpasses, underpasses with height restrictions (like for trucks but why would that be on our cars?), one-way streets maybe. Anyway, I allow it.

I agree that The Lady is annoying - I always turn OFF voice guidance. My Pioneer will take me off the freeway and then get right back on, weird stuff like that. But the Lex never does stuff like that when it routes.

BTW, it uses an 'algorithm' to calculate routes not a 'logarithm'.

 

hahahaa i didn't even realize that. funny how your eyes won't even pick up on something sometimes that you are so used to seeing a certain way.

 

I'm guessing most of you don't take the time to understand your system, or it could be due to a hardware error.

My system is much better then any portable device in accuracy (compared to my two garmins, we also have an Acura MDX in the house, so i've been exposed to the best of systems). Whether in tunnels, underground, between high rise buildings, etc. Never loses track, and always on target since its linked to the speed sensor, a huge plus over any portable.

The ETA feature works differently then the portable one. It is based on the average speed you set, not the speed you are currently going like most portable devices.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the settings as a member has already pointed out, from setting default speed to allowing different routes. While you might not have a problem paying tolls, your system might be set to aviod tolls or highways for example, making your trip longer then necessary.

This goes without saying, but if your system is out of date, then upgrade to new maps.

I've logged so many cross country miles in my gen3 and gen4 navi's and never been happier. I would love to have XM traffic, and weather, but i have to be realistic as these system was designed sometime in the late 90's to the early millennial.

Note: metallic based tints will greatly effect the accuracy and precision of your system.

 

Has anyone tried to reverse engineer this horrible gps system and re-write it so that it actually works?

 

Does the LS have to have Nav to get the ML sound system?