Any affordable advice on maps/navigation updates?

Salutations.

looking for suggestions on updating maps/navs on 2022 4R. Anything that doesn’t involve going to the stealership and paying half my wages.

much appreciated.

 

I think Google maps has better navigation than in dash nav. I don't plan on updating the maps when free trial expires.

 

Amazon, but having a 2022 it would probably be a 2022 chip.

 

I think you might be right.

 

If you have a 2022 you probably have the most current maps. I believe the maps are not on a removable card in the 2022, (and maybe not in anything newer than 2020) and that to update maps without a subscription involves downloading the map update to a usb thumb drive and plugging it into the USB port next to the 12v power outlet beneath the AC controls.

 

As far as I understand 2020+ need Toyota annual subscription for Dynamic Navigation to update maps vs pre-2020 with navigation can be updated with micro-sd card.

From my 2021- I pay $80 yearly

From my 2019- I paid $23.99 for 2022/05 maps


Why I pay for maps? When I go on trips I do not trust phones regardless having offline Google maps. I trust in built navigation or upto date dedicated GPS like Garmin which I used in my previous TRD ORP.

 

Just use Android Auto/whatever it is for Apple.

Do you have the Toyota maps at all? Like, did it come with the 4Runner? I enjoy rolling around with those maps up on my screen, but I never use GPS navigation with them. It never works as well as Android Auto.

Once the subscription for the Toyota maps ends, I'll never update them. Maybe once 10 years down the line or whatever when actual construction makes an actual difference, but not immediately every year or anything like that.

 

appreciate the video.

 

Question for you guys. Do you think the in dash nav works for navigation as well as Google maps? I love the idea of not needing to use my phone and use the factory nav.

I have on multiple occasions been using the Toyota nav and also generally know the route. I question the accuracy and pull up Google maps and it routes me how I expect.

I have played with them both going at same time and google maps always works better for me on route guidance accuracy. I have tried this short and long drives.

 

I use Google maps for day today use.

Factory navigation is used occasionally when I'm lazy to touch the phone where I use the mic to say find Walmart/ Costco, etc..

I use Factory navigation (or Garmin GPS in my previous TRD) for trips that doesn't have / weak cellular service despite having offline Google maps.

(Wish Google allows me to download all USA maps offline since my phone have ton of storage. Android with a additional SD card).

 

The factory navigation screen is useless when off main paved roads. I was on a good graded dirt road in northwest Nevada recently and this is all my screen showed:


Get yourself a cheap Garmin...they all pretty much come with the City Navigator maps that have lifetime updates. And if you spend time in the back country load some topo maps via microSD card into the Garmin and get some useful data in addition to just roads...I mean...if you saw "Boobs Canyon" come up on your screen, wouldn't that prompt you to explore it???

 

As @Yamahamer says, a dedicated Garmin GPS is great. I bought one over seven years ago with lifetime maps and it's fantastic. The phone and Waze is always available but I've lost cell tower coverage before but never satellite.

 

Curious where you mounted the display. Using Garmin definitely sounds appealing for reasons you stated.

 

I like the Garmin because I can move it from car to car. I have a pretty old one from 2011 but it still works great. I had to add a memory card to it to load the maps. I still get three updates a year on it and it's free. I also like that I can plan the trip on the computer in the house and download it into the Garmin.

 

I incorrectly assumed smart phones have replaced the dedicated GPS. I have 2 old Garmin's in the closet retired. 1 ran out of space to update maps and the other is just too old and slow to be used effectively.

 

I use WAZE on my iPhone connected to car play so it shows on the vehicle screen, updates come automatically free.

 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

OOOOOOOOOO.

Use Android Auto, or as you call it, Google Maps. If you're getting signal issues, predownload the maps. The Google Maps app lets you do that. Then they'll be used in Android Auto. It's really easy to do. Anyone saying they can't do it isn't trying hard enough.

OOO.

 

Yea this is what I do. Can't download big offline maps so have to download lots of smaller regions. It works just takes more effort me picking offline maps not able to do bulk.

Android Auto is for connectivity between device and auto. Google Maps is the application for navigation. You can use Google Maps on iOs or Android. Semantics....

 

For the more privacy-oriented among us: according to the Apple App Store, Google Maps (and Waze, owned by Google) collect all your data, and Apple Maps collects none of your data. I have an app called HereWeGo that collects some data, but allows much more vast map downloads ( the whole country, if you want.) I use it when there is no cell service. I rely on the Infotainment nav mainly, and my co-pilot will compare the routing with an app when appropriate.

 

Akio Toyoda protects me from my data being stolen by other companies while he steals my booty-virginity every time I sit in my 2020 4Runner which is connected directly to Akio Toyoda's power tool.

 

That horse left the barn a long time ago, based on your prior posts about Akio. What unholy acts did you perform to warrant his special “special attention” anyway?

 

Very well said, Captain. While I use Google platforms at times, I prefer not to for the reasons you’ve stated.

 

Ah, but Akio always comes back to the barn <3 I complimented him on his nicely pressed slacks, of all things. Akio and I have been inseparable ever since.

 

It's not necessary to load the mapset for the whole country...unless you really need it. I had the same problem - couldn't load an updated City Navigator mapset due to lack of memory in the old Garmin Nuvi. Then I realized I never go east of the Mississippi anyway - so why download the maps for those regions? Garmin has a procedure for only downloading those regions of the country you actually need so that's what I did.

 

I screwed Ram ball mounts directly to the top of the dash...I've done this in all my vehicles. The GPS units mount to the balls via Ram arms - very secure even on rough trails. Here's a shot I took of my dash on a recent trip:


Yes, I routinely run with at least two GPS units. But then I'm a GPS nut. I have a box full of them, and not just the Garmin brand. I travel a lot of remote country (Recent trip I traveled 297 miles and encountered only two other vehicles) and really appreciate the information they provide. The Garmin Montana on the left gives me land status (tan areas are public land, white are private), all the little side roads, my GPS coordinates, my heading, elevation, distance traveled, and the time. Plus it has the built-in InReach feature so I am able to send/receive texts via satellite when out of cell service range. The RV760 unit on the right is zoomed out to give me an overall view of the region, plus it gives names to geological features that I can compare against a paper map.

Just noticed my dash display...drove 99.4 miles since filling the tank, averaging 27.2 mpg!

 

I use google maps for road routes. Better than the default Toyota maps. Off-road I subscribe to All Trails. Found it to be better than onX off-road, probably because all trails the have more users mapping it and users feedback on routes are helpful.

 

I quit using the OEM nav system when I went fishng 5-1/2 hours from Houston. To get home the Toyota nav system wanted me to go through Dallas, which would have taken 9+ hours to get home.

When the nav system finally broke and I could not fix it I tossed the whole thing, replaced it w/ a Kenwood unit w/ Garmin GPS. On long trips I use the garmin. Around town I use google maps and Android auto.

Never liked the outdated maps on the OEM. Five years ago they opened a new toll road from I-45 to US 59. Until I replaced it 3 months ago, Toyota showed me driving through a field...

 

Virtually all android tablets now have a GPS chip.
I got a 8” Samsung tablet for $80 at Costco during after Xmas sale a couple years ago.
Then I bought a basic 5yr Gaia map subscription and Ram mounts.
Total <$280.
The RAM hardware cost almost more than the other stuff.
You download the section of map at home wifi you want so no need for cell service.
Works great on my SxS.

Edit: bought my son a subscription to Gaia, he broke down on a trail and was able to transfer me his exact location on my map display, made it a piece of cake finding him, it paid for itself that day.

2nd edit….WOW, did I get a good deal! Just looked….When I bought the basic GAIA subscription a couple years ago it was $50 for FIVE YEARS!
$40/yr now.