Two 470s diverged in a wood ...

Which GX470 should we buy?


  • Total voters
    9

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Aside from the ipad and ham, etc the head unit looks factory in mine.
12109274_10153252475188123_3090656425527306210_n.jpg
 
Look at the Android based system fro the Prado 120... Pretty BA if you ask me. That's what I'm gonna be swapping to
 
I have an '07 with aux and the refreshed nav. :)
What is the refreshed nav? I'm using a $30 Bluetooth plugged into my aux, works ok but not ideal
 
I have an '07 with aux and the refreshed nav. :)

Ah, so your NAV is only 8-9 years old, must be great to use, lol.

I'll parrot the above, if you can find a non-NAV truck, get that one. Having a map on the dash is nice, being able to have a current head unit that plays MP3's, allows you to plug your phone in, bluetooth, etc is WAY better.
 
What is the refreshed nav? I'm using a $30 Bluetooth plugged into my aux, works ok but not ideal
As in updated to current maps
Ah, so your NAV is only 8-9 years old, must be great to use, lol.

I'll parrot the above, if you can find a non-NAV truck, get that one. Having a map on the dash is nice, being able to have a current head unit that plays MP3's, allows you to plug your phone in, bluetooth, etc is WAY better.
While yes getting a non nav gives you more options you can still update your maps on the factory nav
 
As in updated to current maps

While yes getting a non nav gives you more options you can still update your maps on the factory nav

I've got an '04, with updated maps. An 11 year old nav system is terrible, no matter how you slice it.
 
My home doesn't even exist on my nav ... even though my house is 3x as old as the car ... when I travel I use Google maps on my phone ... most touch screen head units have nav anyways so it's not like you substituting anything ... just gaining I'm

Hmm mine sounds pretty good but I'll do some research and see we can get mine better. I had to turn the Bass up which sucks bc when we change it back to radio it sounds like we are bumping Boosie all the time haha ( Baton Rouge reference not sure if anyone else will get it)

Same problem I had treble screams through the cassette ... my bass and mids are higher than my treble ...
it's Ratchet :banana:
 
Ah, so your NAV is only 8-9 years old, must be great to use, lol.

I'll parrot the above, if you can find a non-NAV truck, get that one. Having a map on the dash is nice, being able to have a current head unit that plays MP3's, allows you to plug your phone in, bluetooth, etc is WAY better.

image.jpg


I have MP3 CD playback (x6 discs), aux input in the center console, and bluetooth. Yes, all OEM.

I'm also one of the apparent few who really likes the Mark Levinson sound. I have put aftermarket stereos in quite a few cars and I have no desire to touch this one. Could it be better? Oh I'm sure. Am I willing to spend the money/time to make it so? Nooope.
 
Last edited:
image.jpg


I have MP3 CD playback (x6 discs), aux input in the center console, and bluetooth. Yes, all OEM.

I'm also one of the apparent few who really likes the Mark Levinson sound. I have put aftermarket stereos in quite a few cars and I have no desire to touch this one. Could it be better? Oh I'm sure. Am I willing to spend the money/time to make it so? Nooope.

Well not all models have what yours does and we have no option to do anything about gaining that ... I'm not sure iv heard many say they don't like the ML system. .. I love it just not in love with the head unit ...
I have no aux input, navigation doesn't work, and is not user friendly, I have blue tooth but only for phone call, which isn't very good ... ... I have 6 disc changer and a cassette player but its 2015 why would I not want something else
 
Well not all models have what yours does and we have no option to do anything about gaining that ... I'm not sure iv heard many say they don't like the ML system. .. I love it just not in love with the head unit ...
I have no aux input, navigation doesn't work, and is not user friendly, I have blue tooth but only for phone call, which isn't very good ... ... I have 6 disc changer and a cassette player but its 2015 why would I not want something else

Well I'm not talking about all models, am I? I'm talking about 2007+ (which is, incidentally, the one mentioned in the original post).

The 2009 will have aux and MP3 capability. The 06 would not, regardless of option package. I really don't care what people buy; I'm just tired of the universal "nav sucks" opinion. The stereo is fine for 99% of people and if you have '07+ you have 3/3 of the items that IanB was complaining about not having (unless by bluetooth he meant audio streaming, in which case it's 2/3 and could be 3/3 with an adapter in the aux jack).

Complain about the stock nav system all you want, but at least be accurate! 2007+ has aux and has MP3...that's why I bought a 2007+. I had a very narrow list of trucks I was interested in, and I flew out of state to get mine (2007+ only, Sport only).

In fact, I pointed out the inadequacies of the stock system already:
With no nav, you can put in whatever aftermarket nav unit you want. Options with factory nav are limited. If neither one has the Sport package (black wood / KDSS), I'd probably save the $5k and go with the 2006. Lexus has a recall on the dash.

For reference, I paid $18,400 for my '07 Sport with 103k in Jan 2015.

Since 03-06 and 07-09 have different capabilities, it's only fair to explain them both.
 
Last edited:
I have all that and more, including ipad nav with pandora, GPS for on and offroad. But I am no where near OEM!
 
I have all that and more, including ipad nav with pandora, GPS for on and offroad. But I am no where near OEM!
Maybe one of these days I'll build up the courage to drill into my trim...I haven't got there yet! :P
 
I didn't drill! :)
 
Well I'm not talking about all models, am I? I'm talking about 2007+ (which is, incidentally, the one mentioned in the original post).

The 2009 will have aux and MP3 capability. The 06 would not, regardless of option package. I really don't care what people buy; I'm just tired of the universal "nav sucks" opinion. The stereo is fine for 99% of people and if you have '07+ you have 3/3 of the items that IanB was complaining about not having (unless by bluetooth he meant audio streaming, in which case it's 2/3 and could be 3/3 with an adapter in the aux jack).

Complain about the stock nav system all you want, but at least be accurate! 2007+ has aux and has MP3...that's why I bought a 2007+. I had a very narrow list of trucks I was interested in, and I flew out of state to get mine (2007+ only, Sport only).

In fact, I pointed out the inadequacies of the stock system already:


Since 03-06 and 07-09 have different capabilities, it's only fair to explain them both.

Sorry you waisted so much money traveling out of state to get an inadequate head unit ... you could have use that money to install a futuristic unit the way @DanKunz did ....
And I apologize if iv hurt you cars feels by comparing its year make to mine ... where my chunk of dash mediocrity is hated by the masses ... it seems as though yours can be accepted in society as a user friendly piece of hardware. .. ;) :p
I'm just messing with you ... most of the time I only listen to the FM ... stereo is really not a good reas on to buy one over the other ...
 
Sorry you waisted so much money traveling out of state to get an inadequate head unit ... you could have use that money to install a futuristic unit the way @DanKunz did ....
And I apologize if iv hurt you cars feels by comparing its year make to mine ... where my chunk of dash mediocrity is hated by the masses ... it seems as though yours can be accepted in society as a user friendly piece of hardware. .. ;) :p
I'm just messing with you ... most of the time I only listen to the FM ... stereo is really not a good reas on to buy one over the other ...
The seller paid for my flight, but thanks for your "concern." :rolleyes:

I wanted the Sport package, and I have yet to see one without nav. When I was shopping, my "required" list had KDSS and either 07+ nav or 05+ non-nav. :)
 
Last edited:
The 2009 will have aux and MP3 capability. The 06 would not, regardless of option package. I really don't care what people buy; I'm just tired of the universal "nav sucks" opinion. The stereo is fine for 99% of people and if you have '07+ you have 3/3 of the items that IanB was complaining about not having (unless by bluetooth he meant audio streaming, in which case it's 2/3 and could be 3/3 with an adapter in the aux jack).

^^^^ This. The nav sucks meme is really tired. Even the old nav - for major landmarks and general getting around a new city is perfectly fine. The ML sound system is pretty damn good, even moreso if you listen to weird/s***ty music like I do. There's a lot to be said as well for not having the interior look like a ghetto hooptie or christmas tree, inviting people to take a long look and/or smash a window.
 
For the record, I like the ML Audio in our truck, just not the NAV and the limitations having NAV place on the expandability. I've got a GROM USB2 w/BT setup as well, but don't like the integration or consistency of that add-on. It worked alright for me when I was driving the GX more often, but the wife has long ago given up on it after it not working for her while driving too many times, it ended up being a distraction for her.

The "Don't get one with NAV" thing gets thrown out when people ask for advice before purchase, because I know I'd want to know what I know now if I was in their shoes.

If you like your OEM head unit, good for you, I'm happy for you, and wish you many happy miles together.
 
If you do a search on Amazon or EBay for a Prado 120 Android stereo/head unit you will find on that is far superior to the OE system. It has 2 sd card slots each up to a 32g capacity, its got WiFi, Bluetooth, and will link with your Android phone to not only stream music, but just about anything else you can come up with. You can pair your phone to it and have almost all your apps displayed and accessible from the stereo. It will work with Google maps, and Google earth. It will also work with aftermarket speakers that are of high higher quality for much less. There are a ton of other options and features -too many to list, and did I mention its about 1/3 the cost of the OE had unit, and is a direct fit, and does not look cheesy or like a 14yo designed it. Also again as its been said before your cell phone has a better operating system and better navigation than the GXs navigation. But yes I suppose if you are only using to get around Beverly Hills then the stock OE system do just fine.
 
If you do a search on Amazon or EBay for a Prado 120 Android stereo/head unit you will find on that is far superior to the OE system. It has 2 sd card slots each up to a 32g capacity, its got WiFi, Bluetooth, and will link with your Android phone to not only stream music, but just about anything else you can come up with. You can pair your phone to it and have almost all your apps displayed and accessible from the stereo. It will work with Google maps, and Google earth. It will also work with aftermarket speakers that are of high higher quality for much less. There are a ton of other options and features -too many to list, and did I mention its about 1/3 the cost of the OE had unit, and is a direct fit, and does not look cheesy or like a 14yo designed it. Also again as its been said before your cell phone has a better operating system and better navigation than the GXs navigation. But yes I suppose if you are only using to get around Beverly Hills then the stock OE system do just fine.

Does it pair with iOS for at least Bluetooth calls and some other functionality, or Android only? Sounds like a very interesting unit!
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom