Sat Nav updates 2020

[Leethal Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Leethal]

While not relevant for earlier models Toyota now offer a "Scratch Card" for map updates.
Cost is $130 incl. GST and is for 3 map updates, no time limit as far as I know. The scratch part refers to a code entered when updating which is revealed like a scatchie, if already scratched when handed to dealer then deemed to be used.
Should be free but a lot better than it was before, I had my 10/2018 build updated from a 2017 map to the 2021 map. So far it the mapping has been correct but time will tell.

Lee

[jaeh76 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jaeh76]

nng have discontinued map updates for Toyota Australia/NZ since 2020, the head unit is obsolete, regardless how you pay no more updates by (nng-map maker not Toyota). you have to either purchase extra computer unit with apple carplay/android auto software and hardwares. can be ordered from Japan (plug and play attachment to the existing head units and with upgradable maps or replace with Pioneer/Kenwood decent units and loose all functions like side camera 360, degree so on. cheap chinese units are waste of money as buggy slow and not reliable. btw it is possible but very very expensive abd hard to upgrade to current Toyota geniune head units - different screen size and harness plugins and all the harness coveter has to be purchased in Japan and get delivered as there is no support or parts by Toyota Australia.

[Bilmar Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Bilmar]

We all agree that all but the very latest Prado head units leave a lot to be desired and the maps are of poor quality and are stupidly expensive. So I thought my upgrade to my 2019 Kakadu may be of some assistance to others. I looked at replacement Chinese head units but as the car is still under warranty I wanted to keep it looking as stock as possible. So I elected to install a Kremersino Android powered auxiliary box (Kbox), which provides wireless Android Auto or Apple Carplay.

The Kbox comes well packaged and complete with all cables, screen ribbon etc, and effectively is electronically inserted between the original head unit and the original screen. Kremersino provide very good fitting instructions but no operating instructions. But while it takes a while it is not too difficult to set up the system and work out what does what. However, when I got stuck at one point Kremersino provided very good and timely technical support.

In use the system gives the option of starting up as the factory head unit or as Android Auto on the Kbox. In factory mode it works exactly as per Toyota, with the full original audio, satnav, phone and full camera system. A long press on the head unit Home button fires up the Kbox and provides the full Android Auto facility, including handsfree phone, voice instruction through Google Assistant, messaging, and all the usual apps. It even shows my phone's level of charge and whether it is charging or not.
I have wireless charging in my car.

For GPS I use Waze but google maps works just as well. In Waze the true ground speed is provided along with the speed limit, the system is very reliable and the Waze maps are much clearer than the Toyota maps so the screen looks much better. Obviously up to date traffic is provided along with police presence, red light cameras and other road issues. I run music from a memory stick in the USB port from the Kbox, but for this to work the audio source on the original head unit needs to be set to AUX because that is how the Kbox audio interfaces with the original head unit. When in Android Auto the Toyota screen remains touch sensitive but also screen navigation can be undertaken via the top left head unit knob.

All in all this is a fantastic upgrade which has dragged my Prado into 2023. No more awful Toyota maps, awful voice control etc etc. But the full factory system is still available at the touch of a button if required. Brilliant and fully recommended.