Alternate to Lexus SD map card?

[ericm979]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I have been reading many of the threads and planning a mild build. Thanks everyone for sharing their knowledge.

I just got a '17 GX460 today. I got it from an internet dealer which has been quite an experience. I may go into details later depending on how well they handle things. At least the vehicle looks like it's in good shape and has an excellent service history.

Someone removed the SD card before delivery. I tried the original card from my '17 Tundra with no luck. It's running a newer card I got off ebay which works fine, so I had the old one sitting there.

My question is, if the dealer does not come through with a card or reimbursing me for a Lexus card, are there any of the less expensive clone cards that are known to work? Yes I know I just spent $XXXXX for a car and I could afford the $216 for the Lexus card but I'm kinda irritated that I may have to do that in addition to all the other unexpected surprises.

 

[r2m]

First off, congrats on your new ride!
Second, that's really strange that the SD card would be missing. Never heard of that before, so I can understand your frustration. Although having a Tundra you may know this already, but I never rely on the Toyota/Lexus nav for road/highway directions. I use Google Maps from my phone because it's far more accurate,, real time of arrival, traffic, etc. and I have a really good mount for viewing. I've had my Lexus nav take me more out of the way than using Google Maps for the same destination.

What Toyota/Lexus nav is great for and we use it all the time when off roading is the Bread Crumbs feature! Also it'll show off-road U.S. Forest and BLM trails and roads that Google Maps doesn't show! And I've never upgraded my nav. My GX is a 2013. The bread crumbs ensure we never get lost!

So, if it were me, I'd just suck it up and spend the $215 and call it done. In a few months you'll probably have forgotten all about it because you'll be enjoying the awesomeness of your ride so much!

Enjoy!

 

[ericm979]

When I'm driving I prefer to use the car's nav system because the screen is larger and the system is easier to operate. The phone's nav app takes more attention away from driving. But when we're on trips my wife often has a mapping program up on her phone in addition to the car's nav. This is going to be our long trips and exploring vehicle so I'll probably find a way to mount a mac mini for her.

I'd noticed the Tundras' nav has some dirt roads but the system has this annoying feature of only showing the interesting roads when you zoom way in. They're trying to keep from cluttering the screen but they went too far, at least for people who take back roads. Thanks for the tip about the breadcrumbs, I didn't know about that.

After I posted I did some reading on the lexus forum and some other folks have had the SD card removed from used cars. Also a couple have had their nav systems somehow broken such that even with a new SD card they don't work. Since I'm within the return window on this car I'll go buy a card today and install it so I can see if the system works. A few people have stated that the card gets married to the vehicle. It'd be interesting to take an image of the card before installing and then one after and comparing to see if any bits were changed. I don't know if I'll have time to do that experiment this time.

 

[ericm979]

Hmm, this seems excessive:

 

[r2m]

When I'm driving I prefer to use the car's nav system because the screen is larger and the system is easier to operate. The phone's nav app takes more attention away from driving. But when we're on trips my wife often has a mapping program up on her phone in addition to the car's nav. This is going to be our long trips and exploring vehicle so I'll probably find a way to mount a mac mini for her.

I'd noticed the Tundras' nav has some dirt roads but the system has this annoying feature of only showing the interesting roads when you zoom way in. They're trying to keep from cluttering the screen but they went too far, at least for people who take back roads. Thanks for the tip about the breadcrumbs, I didn't know about that.

After I posted I did some reading on the lexus forum and some other folks have had the SD card removed from used cars. Also a couple have had their nav systems somehow broken such that even with a new SD card they don't work. Since I'm within the return window on this car I'll go buy a card today and install it so I can see if the system works. A few people have stated that the card gets married to the vehicle. It'd be interesting to take an image of the card before installing and then one after and comparing to see if any bits were changed. I don't know if I'll have time to do that experiment this time.

Perhaps you can take it to a Lexus dealer who can insert an SD card for the sake of whether or not it works. Lexus dealers usually are very accommodating. When I first got my GX, there were some things I didn't now how to access or use in the infotainment system. The dealership actually had a person specifically for new owners to show them all the "bells and whistles" their new car has. This fellow sat with me for quite a while and went through the entire operation of the infotainment system. I was very impressed with Lexus customer service.
It wouldn't hurt to try that route before your return date runs out.

Regarding travel, yeah, my wife is my navigator too. She will get our destination on my phone (I have a larger screen) and she'll work me through all the twists and turns.
She loves maps and navigating.

 

[ericm979]

I got a SD card from my local dealer for $210 and the nav works now! Latest version is 2021.

 

[r2m]

I got a SD card from my local dealer for $210 and the nav works now! Latest version is 2021.

Easy peasy... Problem solved!
Glad it all worked out for you.