Hey everyone. This is a follow up to my earlier post about the features of the MINI Nav and MINIConnect system.

I'm a bit frustrated by it's functionality and user flow. One quick example: it takes 15 steps to add a song to your "favorites" list. 15 steps. That is insane.

Read my review of this "Favorites" feature plus using the "Points of Interest" Navigation functionality. http://goo.gl/0dWlZ

Thanks everyone!

 

I think most will agree that the UI of the Connected software could use some reengineering. An interim solution would to allow one to create "macros" that automatically step through a user definable sequence of commands. Naming the macros would allow them to be executed via voice command as well.

Compared to my Garmin, the MINI Nav is adequate (except for the aforementioned UI issues). However, the one thing that I REALLY LOVE is the "lane assist" feature in the MINI Nav. It made our trip through the bowels of NYC a piece of cake. I realize this feature is on newer Garmin units, but I don't have that feature on my Nüvi 550.

 

Hey! Totally agree on the lane assist thing. I do like that feature as well. I had a Garmin for a while a few years back and really liked it. to be fair tho, I haven't used one recently. I just want MINI to fix the UI issues. There are some cool features I would love to take advantage of - but they are just so difficult to use in the real world.

 

In Part 3 I reveal the complete and utter frustration I encountered with this system. Plus...a cool suggestion for the JUMP feature!

 

I love the Nav. certainly not perfect UI but you get use to it, visually it is stunning and would be disappointed some with the interior of the car without it. Certainly much better than any Garmin, I hate using the one in my wires car which is brand new and one of the top rated models (forget which right now). Mini connect is eh, its fun on a long trip, but day in day out gets little use for me.

 

Hey JudgeS

overall, I like the Nav also. I just don't like the UI. I use Nav ALL THE TIME. I think that's part of the reason it frustrates me...because I have to use it so much and the UI is not user-friendly.

Totally get you on the MINIConnect. it's kinda fun and offers some cool features, but trying to use it regularly is a pain.

I like some of the features the system offers - and I WANT TO USE THEM....I just wish they were easier to use!

 

I think one of the reasons I love the Nav so much is how I use it, rarely for actually turn by turn directions (where I agree the UI gets very complicated) but more for GPS/map/traffic options (I tend to like to think I know where I'm going, lol) where it is far superior to any portable unit. The traffic is usually spot on and the maps are visually very good and easy to control from the UI.

 

Hey everyone. I'm doing a poll...How should MINI display song/artist on the Radio/Nav screen? The song title and artist are not always easy to see or navigate to. Setting a song or artist as a favorite is even worse!

I'm had a few people write me and comment on how MINI can show song/artist info, so I'm looking to get even more feedback! Please post here or feel free to post in the comments section on my blog: http://goo.gl/qcXup

Thanks!

John
MINI lover and enthusiast
Blog: www.drivingmymini.blogspot.com
Twitter: @DrivingMyMINI
Facebook: http://goo.gl/qcXup