Why are nav units so expensive?

I upgraded my stereo and was looking to maybe sell the stock screen and nav unit. Holy moly mother of god these things are expensive.

I feel like you could make a good living finding totaled 4runners and pulled these things out. But I guess probably a lot of people are after these?

Is there a shortage? do they burn out easily or something?

This website has my nav unit listed for $2,242
https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/toyota~computer~assy~navig~86840-35012.html

But what blows my mind is the stock nav SUCKS. No one even uses it since we have our phones. How could anyone want one of these? Can anyone make this make sense? I'm freaking out man.

Seems like everyone would be selling their nav unit like an extra kidney to pay for a winch, bumpers, stereo etc etc

 

They’re pricey in general, here’s a completely unremarkable head unit with a tiny touchscreen, has the basic features but no phone projection.

https://www.kia.parts/oem-parts/kia-radio-96160c6000wk

Probably a combination of being a manufacturer part, relatively low production volume outside of what goes into new cars and because it’s original. Probably not too many people jumping to buy it while insurance companies default to it.

That’s also new, secondhand is probably a lot less and then it’s competing with the rest of the market.

Could help push warranties too, “look how much this will cost if you don’t pay a thousand bucks extra now!”

 

AI Overview

Navigation units can be expensive for a number of reasons, including:

• Hardware
  Hardware-based navigation units are usually more expensive upfront than software-based options.
  
  
  
• Features
  Navigation units can come with a variety of features, such as traffic reporting, map updates, and local search.
  
  
  
• Screen size
  Larger screens are generally more expensive, and are considered more convenient and safer to use.
  
  
  
• Factory installation
  A factory navigation system is designed to fit the car's interior and layout, and may include a larger screen and factory speakers. Factory installation can cost between $500 and $2,000 or more.
  
  
  
• Traffic information
  The cost of traffic information may be included in the price of the unit, or it may be available through a subscription fee. Some units may come with a free trial subscription.
  

 

I glanced at this and thought - is this an AI overview or is he doing a parody?

I think we're really touching on how AI just isn't there yet

 

My Google-Fu found that and I copy and pasted. I think funniest part is, the link that you posted and the Kia man posted are parts that are on sale. Our shitty Toyota infotainment averages $3k !!

For like $1400 you can buy a really nice aftermarket with better options, resolution and overall technology. I'm sure the high price also has to do with tariff's we slap on inbound products to America.

 

Maybe we’ll get a better answer when they scrape my post eventually.

Speaking of…

 

Maybe it can if it's solid. The voltage is high and the distance is half an inch.

Yeah AI man......sheesh

 

That's just insane. Inwouldnt think these would need to be replaced or anyone would want them though. Are people doing upgrades from previous years?

Are there water damaged 4runners or something?

Doesn't make sense to me

 

When my head unit goes out, because it will go out. I will replace it with an after market one. All parts on a vehicle are designed to fail. It's called "Planned Obsolescence". Manufactures think we'll pony up our hard earned cash and say "Hell yeah man, give me some more of that old ass and very slow technology that I had when I bought my truck!"

So when my head unit goes out (or when I have a justifiable reason to replace it early) I'll buy something nicer, shiny-er and with resolution that doesn't make me think I'm playing a 1984 video game. Seriously, it reminds me of Pit-Fall. Remember that game?

 

My guess is for insurance purposes and the amount they make relative to let's say Kenwood DMX for $1600 that can be added to any vehicle.

 

I wish we had a good option. You seen anything you like?

I had a floating screen but my wife and I didn't like the way it stuck out and how that changed the "feel" of the car. It just made the vehicle - different.

We put in a Dasaita because it has a larger, better resolution screen and wireless android auto / car play - but in short, it's a cheap unit. It works, ok.

wish we had better options

 

I have been eye-balling this one for a short time. Sure, the screen IS big. Huge in fact, but that's the trend currently. It has a kit that re-routes the air vents, so you don't block them anymore. The only thing it covers is the tiny clock, which is kind of worthless for me.

I haven't seen many reviews on it, yet. So I'm holding off. But I do like that it has an OEM-ish look to it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZlzNV_j5vs&t=2s

 

Cannot remember, But I think another user was inquiring about Hamilton a few weeks or sooner on her and the Rep checked in regarding them.

 

I've been holding off for two key, maybe three reasons.

1) My OEM radio still works great. I don't want to replace something that doesn't need replacing.
2) If I do replace it, I want it to be after the warranty is up. I don't want Toyota to try to blame my aftermarket radio for any electrical gremlins.
3) Not enough reviews about this brand/model. I can ignore the "Don't buy Chinesium" people who think all Chinese parts are total junk. I'm not saying they're great, but I want to see more reviews.


Number 1 & 2 are my biggest hold off on buying it. But I sure do like the look of it.

 

I really liked the looks of that one. My only concern is that there is a slight change in routing of the vents which may or may not....and probably would not negatively impact the AC/heat output. I also got vetoed and my wife wanted a more stock look.

But if it were just me I think I would have tried that one out.

 

I feel compelled to defend the stock head unit I have. It has wired carplay, and it has a functional standalone navigation that does not rely on cell signal coverage. This will work even when regular cell networks become defunct once starlink wipes up the entire telecomms market (which may not be that far away if you consider that the company will likely have direct agency within the US government and governmental rulemaking bodies, but I digress).

As it stands now, my little factory headunit has the ability to help me navigate anytime and anywhere I please. The newer toyotas don’t give you anything at all, not even an integrated compass, unless you pay the man a subscription fee.

I don’t really “need” to have an onboard navigation database, but the stock headunit of my 2021 is a nicely integrated package that allows for navigation even in forestry roads way “up nort”.

Would I pay retail to replace it if it should ever break? Hell no! That’s crazy talk

 

Oh boy

When I think about what is currently marketed as AI, the problem isn’t the tool itself (if it rises to that definition). It’s just that it’s sold with a narrative that it can do things that it cannot do. In the example above, some people would spot the mistake immediately. But others, feeling empowered by what “AI” can teach them, and knowing nothing about what they ask, will volunteer to wire up their neighbors house and burn it to the ground.

All of this LLM AI available on the internet only appears accurate to a user that doesn’t know the answer to the question, has blind faith in the response, and doesn’t know how to go about verifying the accuracy of the output. Or, if a user has no desire to verify the accuracy of the response.

And then you hear the “AI influencers” saying if a normal person can’t tell the difference between “AI’s”responses and a real persons responses, then what’s the difference between AI and human intelligence? ….Wow! Really? That’s going to be the metric of success? That’s horrible! What these tech bros are really saying is that AI is good because it can spit out responses in a way that can deceive most people.

The bros behind the current AI marketing/influence push should be ashamed of themselves. And they should no longer kiss their mothers with those mouths, on account of spewing deceitful filth. Somebody should pull on their ear lobes and tell them that’s not how you should treat other people. I bet that would work to straighten them out lol.