Hook up Garmin GPS to Factory Nav

[planetalaska]

So my 2011 LC with Nav does not have Alaska GPS map coverage. It's a shame and I complained to Toyota but it probably won't go anywhere.

Anyway... I live in Alaska and I need a GPS. If I buy a Garmin, is there a way to hook it up to the LC nav screen so I can use the big screen? I did a search but could not find anything about it.

 

[ctrmad]

So my 2011 LC with Nav does not have Alaska GPS map coverage. It's a shame and I complained to Toyota but it probably won't go anywhere.

Anyway... I live in Alaska and I need a GPS. If I buy a Garmin, is there a way to hook it up to the LC nav screen so I can use the big screen? I did a search but could not find anything about it.

I think there might be a solution, but by all accounts it wont be small change to implement a solution!

As I always do, I would like to declare that I have an interest in this as I am the United Arab Emirates dealer for Vais Technologies.

From my Googling, I have found a Garmin unit called the GVN-53 here: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=10573 and this has the ability to output the gps audio and video via RCA cables.

If you mated this to the Vais Tech MediaLinQ Plus (ML+) Video,Audio Information Solutions for Toyota and Lexus (iPod, USB, MP3, XM/Sirius SAT Radio, Video integration) via its A/V 2 harness this should work perfectly. Leaving you the A/V 1 harness on the ML+ to hook up your ipod for full audio and video and a Video 3 cable for adding an additional camera (internal to look at the children in the rear, or even externally for a better view). In addition you also have a usb 2.0 port and the option of adding an internal hard drive.

If you need any further assistance please feel free to contact me via this website or Eugene at Vais Tech in the USA on info@vaistech.com

Regards

Matt

 

[JBHorne]

I think there might be a solution, but by all accounts it wont be small change to implement a solution!

As I always do, I would like to declare that I have an interest in this as I am the United Arab Emirates dealer for Vais Technologies.

From my Googling, I have found a Garmin unit called the GVN-53 here: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=10573 and this has the ability to output the gps audio and video via RCA cables.

If you mated this to the Vais Tech MediaLinQ Plus (ML+) Video,Audio Information Solutions for Toyota and Lexus (iPod, USB, MP3, XM/Sirius SAT Radio, Video integration) via its A/V 2 harness this should work perfectly. Leaving you the A/V 1 harness on the ML+ to hook up your ipod for full audio and video and a Video 3 cable for adding an additional camera (internal to look at the children in the rear, or even externally for a better view). In addition you also have a usb 2.0 port and the option of adding an internal hard drive.

If you need any further assistance please feel free to contact me via this website or Eugene at Vais Tech in the USA on info@vaistech.com

Regards

Matt

I'm a personal fan of VAIS products, but this product adds little benefit to the LC. First, the iPod benefits only apply if you own an iPod and use it for video playback. Second, the LC already has composite A/V inputs. They are on the rear of the center console for the middle row. They work for the RSE (rear seat entertainment) which is already built in (so no need for the RSE video output feature). The LC already has a rear camera, so that feature doesn't apply either.

To allow playback of the RSE A/V inputs on the main nav screen, you need the Prestigious Society override (Prestigious Society » Navigation and Video Enhancement Module) which adds numerous benefits to the LC (like the ability to dial while driving -- anything you can do while stopped). Buying a Garmin with AV outs will not let you control the garmin via the LC's touchscreen. There is no way to accomplish this without HEAVILY modifying the headunit or replacing it with another model.

If you are OK not having control up front but just want to see the maps, that's your best route. Still, I would complain to Toyota as I've heard this story before. It makes no sense that they sell vehicles with NAV in AK if the NAV is useless.

 

[ctrmad]

I'm a personal fan of VAIS products, but this product adds little benefit to the LC. First, the iPod benefits only apply if you own an iPod and use it for video playback. Second, the LC already has composite A/V inputs. They are on the rear of the center console for the middle row. They work for the RSE (rear seat entertainment) which is already built in (so no need for the RSE video output feature). The LC already has a rear camera, so that feature doesn't apply either.

To allow playback of the RSE A/V inputs on the main nav screen, you need the Prestigious Society override (Prestigious Society » Navigation and Video Enhancement Module) which adds numerous benefits to the LC (like the ability to dial while driving -- anything you can do while stopped). Buying a Garmin with AV outs will not let you control the garmin via the LC's touchscreen. There is no way to accomplish this without HEAVILY modifying the headunit or replacing it with another model.

If you are OK not having control up front but just want to see the maps, that's your best route. Still, I would complain to Toyota as I've heard this story before. It makes no sense that they sell vehicles with NAV in AK if the NAV is useless.

I thank JBHorne for being a fan of Vais Tech products.

I am not a keyboard warrior and I don’t want to derail this into a ‘Vais is perfect’ thread, I merely offered a solution to the question posed.

I would like to clarify a few points so that planetalaska has the correct information in relation to his/her initial query: -

1. I agree that the unit is beneficial for those wishing to play audio and video via their ipod with control directly from the screen or steering wheel, as well as providing additional A/V functionality.
2. I am not aware of the LC200 specifications available in North America. In the UAE there is no rear seat entertainment offered by the Toyota Dealers when ordering the Land Cruiser (at least in 2008 when I purchased my 2009 LC200)
3. The additional camera does not necessarily need to be fitted to the rear, internal cameras can be useful when young children/babies are present in the vehicle (particularly those infants with rear facing seats), or the additional camera can be mounted externally in any location you choose.
4. The Prestigious Society unlock module is NOT required to playback A/V feeds in motion. The ML+ DOES allow video in motion after you enter a code on the screen. The ML+ shall soon be augmented to ALSO include a Navigation (the OEM Nav) and Bluetooth unlock, the Vais SL2iC already offers this functionality. (I am also the PS dealer in the UAE so no reason for me to bad mouth PS)
5. The Garmin would be controlled via its accompanying remote control.
6. My proposed solution would offer a 100% concealed solution.