To be fair I have not done an extensive test...but thus far I'm less than impressed. First, no turn by turn that announces street names. This is a standard feature that comes with portable units for $150. In a short side by side test, the portable also communicates a lot more...

Love the features of Mini Connected...especially Web Radio. However, most is still in the realm of potential as there is no snap in adapter for iphone 4 available. Not being able to use a dedicated ipod and and iphone at the same time is underwhelming. I guess this comes with the territory for a first year model...

Also is would be nice to have a longer cable to stash the ipod somewhere, as the front rail area is unworkable.

Any thoughts or work arounds out there?

 

There is an established thread where everyone's frustrations and solutions are consolidated for easy reference.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ephony-16.html

 

I agree about the cable length and the fact that you can't have an iPod and iPhone hooked up at the same time. I would be fine with the iPhone plugged in with the cord, since I don't use it THAT much, but I would love a dedicated iPod cradle or cord for the arm rest. My wife's Audi has the iPod hookup in the glove box, my dad's BMW is in the armrest. For both of these, it's hook it up and forget about it... that would be nice.

The google send-to-maps feature is pretty cool, but I don't have nav, just connected. I'm glad I got the Connected, though, because the center dial is more attractive (to me) and the information available is pretty cool (trip computer and what not). I am in a MCS loaner without Connected and I didn't realize how much I liked it until I didn't have it.

 

I love the Nav. I've used plenty of stand alone and intergrated units, and as far as turn by turn directions and up to date maps, and price, nothing beats a stand alone unit. The problem is they are small, ugly, don't have super reliable GPS, need to be wired or have wires, never look good in the car, need to be taken out and put away (if you park your car on the street ever), and to me are a hassle that winds up sitting in my glove box 90% of the time.
Also, I dont think turn by turn directions is the most important feature for navigation (most of the time I know where I'm going, lol), I find the GPS and mapping of the car (along with traffic,construction, and POI markers) far more useful in day in day out situation, and even on most trips. So I've found intergrated units to be a far better option, and worth the price, the Mini Nav is better than most in this regard, great GPS accuracy, good mapping, nice features, decent POIs, and most importantly, total intergration that look great.

 

Yup, I agree that integration is tight and space efficient.
Thats one of the things I was after, rather
than the wired portable GPS.
However, the main reason I sprung for Mini Connected
and the Nav was to help out when I don't know
where I'm going, and turn by turn with announced street
names is a big assist. Further, its so standard on portable
GPS units and with some other car manufacturers...
its hard to see why Mini dropped the ball here.
After all, its just a few lines of code programned into
a chip.

 

I'm not that impressed with the NAV either. I find myself using Navigon on the iPhone more now.

 

I have the Tom-Tom on my iphone4 that
also has announces street names. The problem
with the Mini Nav is that says right turn up ahead
and there can be multiple right turn exits. It can be
tricky to gauge the feet ahead read out, slow down
or speed up... especially if you have to change lanes.
Further, I've noticed the Mini Nav doesn't
give nearly as many voice alerts ad I would expect.

Gonna give it another month or so to
see if I can adapt a little more before I
commit to a full blast to folks not to waste
their money...

 

I had Nav on my last MINI so I think I got used to it. I find that if I show the 400 or 800 ft view on the Nav in-town, that it's easy to get the correct turn - just a quick glance at the screen and I can see the street name.

Yes, it would be nice to have it said, but it's pretty easy to work with the current system.

 

I have started to use the turn by turn along with voice instructions to try to overcome the lack of street name information.

 

How about " make a left turn " I am on the frinkin Highway !!! My 2003 350z nav says " take the left exit "

WORST NAV yet. !!!