Blackraven

Hehe
Just an FYI for those who don't know.

Since most of you guys live in places where the Lexus GS is available with GPS Navigation, well you may not know this but what about those countries where Lexus sells cars without navigation systems (like in the Philippines).

Now, you may be wondering why a premium car manufacturer may not have GPS Navigation offered (even as a cost option). The thing here is, there are obviously some places in the world that are less developed and less technologically-advanced (heck, in some places, owning an automobile is a luxury only for rich people).

Here in the Philippines, Lexus models are currently not equipped with GPS Navigation systems. So what happens then?

In the case of the 3GS, here is what it looks like:













The most obvious differences are there are less buttons.

To compare, for GPS navigation models, there are five or six or eight buttons on the sides. In here, there are four buttons on the sides (namely CLIMATE, AUDIO, INFO and DISP).

Point is: You don't lose much even if the 3GS (like the GS460 Philippine model shown in the pictures) does not have GPS Navigation. You still get a screen either way and IMHO, that's a very big bonus (only less than 5% of cars in my country have a screen like this so yeah, it's high tech to most Filipinos).

And for our model, it still comes with Mark Levinson sound system. Branded sound system FTW!!!

Hope this info helps.

is636

EEEK! That is a huge screen for radio and trip info.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

you can get a 3GS here in the States without Navigation like the picture shown albeit no Mark Levinson option

designo

iTrader: (6)

Interesting indeed!

alwayzspeedin

iTrader: (5)

Make use of the screen get a viastech ipod video module and watch and play uour ipod on the screen

benbuilt4u

iTrader: (5)

It very easy to add navigation to that car if you wanted

pbateson

Wow interesting. There is no airplane fin on it. Not sure in Thailand have Lexus car with GPS.

Blackraven

Not really

What he said

The airplane fin thingy acts like the antenna for the satellite signal. If there's no antenna, then there is no data communication possible.

Furthermore, the GPS mapping data for my country (Philippines) is insufficient and has not reached that level yet (the kind that you guys have in US, Europe, Japan or more advanced countries).

Maybe after 5 years, we'll see.......but for now, mapping data for GPS Navigation in this country NEEDS a lot of work. For a premium automaker like Lexus, they would not dare to make GPS Navigation a standard feature (or even an option) if the map data is pathetic and the features associated with it are incomplete or abysmal.

That's interesting.

But you mentioned that if you remove GPS navigation over there (Stateside models), then you Mark Levinson sound system is also removed. I see I see.

Here in the Philippines (Lexus Manila), you get the screen WITHOUT GPS Navigation BUT thankfully Mark Levinson audio is still retained (which in the case of the 3GS is a 14 speaker system). Personally, if I'm forced to choose, then I'd rather pick branded sound system over GPS Navigation anyday

And another interesting thing:
I saw something else.



I'm not sure but I think I saw a logo for "DVD". Wow.

I guess this is one of the benefits of having ML (and a screen)

In addition:
For Philippine-spec models of the 3rd gen Lexus GS (which is GS460 without D-4S direct injection), since it comes with a screen, you also get bluetooth connectivity. Here in the Philippines, only the Lexus LS, GS and LX570 have ML and bluetooth phone feature.

I tried it and it's a really nifty and cool feature where you don't have to hold your phone when making a call. There is a microphone inside the vehicle that captures the voice and the audio is outputted via the car's speakers. It's a really cool feature imho.

A feature that only comes standard in less than 1% of vehicles (here in the Philippines). It's an exclusive feature indeed

P.S.
Is it an attachment?
Or
Is this a third party application or aftermarket feature or modification? If so, then Lexus Manila will VOID your warranty (here in the Philippines).

BinaryJay

My car doesn't have navigation. When I was shopping I specifically chose one without it... I paid a bit less and I hardly ever use nav, it's one less thing to break or have to pay exorbitant prices to keep updated. I keep a cheap garmin in the console for the rare occasion that I get lost. Every blue moon I might spend a hundred bucks and get a completely new garmin to stay on top of things.

Yeah, it's a huge screen for radio and honestly it doesn't make sense to me why nav is an option but the screen itself wasn't part of the "nav package" but whatever. I've been driving the car for years and I think I've needed to use the garmin less times than I have fingers on my hands.

L8Apex

I've seen plenty without the Nav here in the states. I like the screen for the radio climate etc. It gives that car so much style.

msgs350

iTrader: (2)

To me, the Lexus NAV is pretty useless although it does look fancy with the extra buttons and map display . My GS has it and I prefer the google map on my iPhone.

pwrusr

iTrader: (10)

is that mercury metallic silver or starfire pearl?

Blackraven

It's definitely silver. In Asia Pacific and Japan, I think this color is called "Premium Silver" (colour code: 1F2)



Anyways
Some may the screen is too big for just a radio.

But imho, it's gotta a screen so what's there to complain/nitpick :P

Hehe

Btw
How is it over there (in Stateside or in other countries)? GPS Navigation is standard or optional feature?

If it's standard, I'm guessing you have an option to remove it and get a discount due to the feature removal?

Stormforge

thanks for sharing, it's always interesting to see GS in other countries and find out what they have (or don't have).

but to answer your quoted comments, you can play dvd video on ML. that is the benefit of having ML audio. all you need to do is step on the brake pedal in park position and play the dvd. if you are courageous, you can play dvd while in motion (you need need to either get a dvd/navi bypass system - like prestigious society - or do a wire hack - both methods are documented in this forum. do a search and you'll find it).

Blackraven

Hehe sure.

But for me, personally, I wouldn't want to resort to hacking. And it's not like my front passenger would require to watch a movie or any video while the car is in motion. Hehe just saying