I am purchasing TCH with UP package - (Blue tooth, Audio, wheels, etc., no navigation and no moon roof). My goal was to get custom leather, navigation and backup camera.

Dealer gladly installed everything custom for me and said that they cannot install factory navigation unit that comes with fully loaded Camry's (made by Eclipse) and they have to use Radio/Navi look-a-like (fits perfectly into dashboard) - an aftermarket unit.

The unit they installed comes from http://oeradio.com/ - model TY-6100. It is not bad over all but:

• The unit they installed doesn't work with bluetooth/phone buttons on the steering wheel. It means that in order to make a call or even pick-up I have to use the touch screen on the dashboard. Which is as you can imagine could be dangerous while driving (huge deal);
• It doesn't have the CD changer - just single disk (not a big deal);

My questions are:

1. What aftermarket look-a-like unit do you use for your Camry. Do you know of any?
2. Do you have any other recommendations for me? I am trying to replace audio/radio unit that came with my Camry and package UP (no navi) with navigation/audio system;

Thank you for your help!

Gene.

 

Look at other posts on this forum - you could have installed the original Toyota Nav system. By the way, how much did you pay for the TY-6100N and how much did the dealer charge you for installation?

 

Dealer charged me $1,295 for the system - this includes installation as well.

Dealer specifically told me that factory navigation system is not available - it is available only with UT package which comes from manufacturer.

 

A dealer will not install the factory NAV system. The only way to get it from the dealer is delivered from the factory. But as supertester says, people have figured out how to obtain a factory NAV system (they show up from time to time on EBay from wrecked cars) and install it. They key is to get a factory NAV system that is hybrid capable, which is a different part# than the non-hybrid NAV system. The non-hybrid NAV system would work fine except you wouldn't get all the hybrid-specific energy screens.

If you are going to install an aftermarket non-factory system, then the bluetooth controls on the steering wheel will never work, or at least not until somebody makes a special adaptor for it.

The only other "factory lookalike" system that I've seen other than the OERADIO system is this one from Valor Multimedia. This unit is being sold by several dealers on EBay.
http://www.valormultimedia.com/

 

Actually I am not interested in energy-screens. I can definitely live without them. Could you please point me to the right system I should get instead?

 

Use the search function for keyword "NAV install", there is at least one very long thread with detailed installation instructions including photos and diagrams (posted by Dang I think).

 

I'll repeat my reply from the other thread with the same title.

In Canada for the 2007 models you could not get factory Nav, not sure if it is still the case.

But they offered a dealer installed option which we Canadians thought was the factory Nav installed by the dealer. It turned out that what we got was the Nav system for a Camry XLE. It looks and works the same as the Hybrid Nav but is missing the energy screens. A major rip-off as far we are concerned and Toyota seems completely unconcerned. Anyway that's our problem.

It seems that if you are willing to have installed an after market system that will also be missing a number of features that come with the Hybrid Nav, why not ask the dealer if they can install a Nav system intended for an XLE.

Just a thought.

Cheers
Steve

 

Hi Gene.....

I think the unit they are talking about is made by Valor.

Here's a link to the unit:
http://www.valordvd.com/product/prod...oductid=TCR-07
You can download the manual with this link if you like.

There are some good things to that unit, and like any other aftermarket unit, some bad things. It can play DVD's, which the Toyota unit cannot. The navigation unit is actually a separate module that is controlled by the touch screen. You can read up on it here:
http://www.valordvd.com/images/e_download/NAV-2.pdf
I personally think the navigation screens are a bit clunky, and both them and the display seem a lower resolution than the Toyota unit, but that's a bit subjective.

There is a "steering wheel interface" module, but sounds like this only controls the radio, not the phone functions. Didn't know that, but it makes sense.

You can certainly install the OEM Toyota Nav unit. I've done it, and did even get the energy screens working.
Some info here:
https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...s-camry-15155/
Your dealer is somewhat correct, in that "THEY" won't install the unit, but that doesn't mean it can't be installed. As flopshot mentioned, in Canada it's the opposite. Only the dealers can install it, you can't get it from the factory.

If you don't care about the energy screens, any 2007 Camry unit will work.
OEMValue sells them for $1,495.
http://www.oemvalue.com/installcamry07.htm
(....note, ignore the comment about just needing to hook up 4 wires to get the energy screens working, they're wrong!)

On eBay, the "real" OEM navigation and that Valour one actually seem to be the same price. There are some on eBay right now. (Search for "Camry Navigation") You can buy one from a Canadian Toyota dealer for $2,700 (if for some reason you'd want to do that.)

If you want the hybrid energy screens, you need to buy the E7011 model. It looks identical except says E7011 on the front instead of E7012. There are different part numbers as they revised the units, but all should work as long as they are for a 2007-2008 Camry. If you did want the energy screens, I'm 99% certain any model marked E7011 will work, but I can only say for certain part number 86120-33A30 does for sure.

There is a kit you can get from Toyota Canada that makes changing from your current radio all plug and play. (you could do it in about an hour if you are handy, or any shop should be able to do it in the same time.) Note you must have JBL already to install the Nav.

PM me if you would like a bunch of documents and the like I can send you.

Later!

Dang

 

My dealer just called and said that he ordered the navigation unit from one of his aftermarket suppliers and this is going to be "the same unit as in factory installed Toyota Camry Hybrid" or at least "will work the same".

The dealer seems to be very cooperative since I didn't pay them yet and didn't take possession of the car. They also probably need to close books

I ill report back if this worked.

Thank you for all your help!

 

Hmmmmm.....

That sounds like two very different things. Either it's the OEM unit or it's not. On the links above you can download the operation manual, so you can decide.

By the way, there is probably no advantage to having the dealer do it. Any car audio place could probably put in an aftermarket unit as well (and likely cheaper!) than the dealer.

Later!

Dang