Jap import GPS's need software!

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MooPoo

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#31952 6-Apr-2009 13:51

I am looking at getting an Estima (jap import) for the missus and want to use the GPS but have been told that it doesnt work here, never has and never will!

Surely it is just that Toyota have to release the NZ maps on a disc and we can upgrade or something?

I am surprised that someone else hasnt come up with this solution considering how many imports there are that have this problem.

Cmon people! lets get a solution!

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magu

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BitSignal

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#205546 6-Apr-2009 14:24

I've tried doing the same for my Subaru Outback's Panasonic in-car unit and Panasonic themselves said: "Not a chance."

Saw that it is possible on Mercs, though.

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nate

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#205663 6-Apr-2009 22:23

MooPoo: Surely it is just that Toyota have to release the NZ maps on a disc and we can upgrade or something?

You would think that, best mate has a imported Altezza and Toyota weren't very helpful when he enquired about NZ maps for its GPS monitor.

marmel

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#205678 7-Apr-2009 07:25

It isn't as easy as just producing a "magic disc" that will work in every Toyota with GPS. You are talking about models spanning 10 years or more and the units in different vehicles from different years could be diferent brands requiring different software to get them to run.

Then take into account that Toyota in Japan probably had some sought of licence agreement with a map supplier, Toyota NZ would have to do the same.

At the end of the day for Toyota NZ to produce map discs for imports wouldn't be economically feasible and they would probably have to charge more than what you could go out and buy a decent sat nav unit for anyway.

This issue has been around for years and other than people using the screens to watch dvd's or play playstation I am yet to her of anyone getting the gps to work.

MooPoo

251 posts

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#206742 13-Apr-2009 23:18

marmel: It isn't as easy as just producing a "magic disc" that will work in every Toyota with GPS.

But surely all they have to do is purchase NZ maps from someone that has them and give us the option to convert all the japanese text and speech to english on the unit?

That shouldnt be too model specific.

If the 2000 models of tarago's in Oz came out with this software then it would only be the maps they would need. Or am I missing something major?

paradoxsm

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#206745 14-Apr-2009 00:07

I went down this path a while ago to look at possibly selling a disc for some of the models (there were piles being imported at the time by those "$50 deposit! learner licence ok! dealers" even if it only changed the language and outputted long/lat co-ordinates and satinfo (no matter how ugly)

Gave up very quickly, most use a very complex and dedicated custom system, We managed to "interface" the actual GPS unit on one (wasn't that hard) and turn another unit into a reverse camera monitor + AV input but that was all.

I wish more support was given as they really are very very advanced units for their time.