Originally Posted by ajs

I think you are making a wise decision, and wish more people would do so as well.

Fundamentally, I see the navigation system option as one of the greatest rip-offs in the auto industry. These days, going from the premium package to the least expensive navigation package is $2,682 more. This nav package includes the 19” wheels and sound system upgrades. So let’s say you are paying $2K more for just the navigation system.

So what are you getting for an extra 2 big ones?

PROS:

• The screen is embedded in the dashboard so it looks nicer.

CONS:

• Functionality wise, you are getting a nav unit that performs worse than a cheap Garmin. Mind you, you can get a decent Garmin with 5” inch screen and lifetime maps and traffic updates for around $150.
• Most likely, you’ll get outdated maps, with the lovely option (sarcasm) of upgrading the maps for $300 a pop (thanks Lexus). Heck, I can buy a top of the line Garmin every year for that matter. Better yet, Google maps or Waze on my smartphone give me real-time map updates and traffic for free!!!
• You get a clunky mouse control that cannot compete with touchscreens.
• Because you now have a clunky mouse, a lot of useful dashboard buttons are eliminated and the equivalent functions can only be selected through your clunky mouse.
• Eventually, you get so frustrated with the system that you end up using your smartphone or getting a Garmin anyways.

Let’s face it folks, Lexus is a car company, not an electronics company. Functionality wise, there nav system cannot compete with the likes of Garmin, TomTom, Google, Waze, etc.

Their only advantage is that they can integrate the nav unit into the car, and as long as people buy their antiquated junk for an outrageous profit, they’ll keep doing it.

Why would they do the sensible thing an just provide a standard screen interface that can be connected to a smartphone or external nav unit when they can get a x10 markup at sales time, and then a handsome future income of $300 per upgrade?

Originally Posted by dmccombs

Mike,

I had the same problem with my 2010 until I turned up the Microphone volume. I turned the volume up to 4 I believe, and the voice command recognition improved greatly. Here are the instructions.
I hope this helps....

Originally Posted by dmccombs

I hope this helps....

Originally Posted by mikemck333

Wow! Thanks for the help. I probably would have gone years without knowing that. Much appreciated.

Originally Posted by nmnunna32

Markrivers,
did it work?
(Here are the instructions.
From the initial screen, hold Info button while turning the lights on and off 3 times. This will bring you the hidden service menu where you can adjust the microphone volume.)

It didn't work on my 2010 RX.

Originally Posted by TorontoRX

IMHO, the NAV system isn't bad at all. It is decent. I had it on my 2010 and was a must for my 2013.

Suggest you get it with NAV, at the minimum for re-sale value as stated in an earlier post. Enjoy!!