is it worth it to get the mini connected (without the nav)? thanks.

 

Yes

 

All that I use is the phone book, Sirius and control of my iphone for music.
The nav gets used about once every 2 weeks.

Never really use the mini apps that work through the phone.

If you are going to use your phone a lot, and for music, it think it will be worth it.

 

can you stream music or Pandora thru Bluetooth without the mini connected? I heard that with mini connected you can send your phone NAV/GPS and you can use the screen for navigation/direction. thanks for the replies.

 

Without mini connected, only the phone works by bluetooth by default. This was a big shocker for me.

With the iPod split cable (you get one for free) and a ViseeO Tune2air WMA1000, a slightly overpriced adaptor, you get great bluetooth music streaming and media playback from Android (as well as iPhone). Your mileage may vary. Buttons on the steering wheel work with this (but at least with Android the in dash playlist controls do not ... which imho are not that useful). First thing I bought for my new CM. Works great and fits nicely in the center rail under the phone tray that comes with the CM.




What I really would like to have is a backup sensor. Surprised that there is no easy retrofit for a beeping proximity sensor. Rear visibility of CM is not fantastic.

 

I have Mini Connected with NAV. My two cents. I have used the Mini connect to my iphone maybe three times to try it out. Not really worth it in my opinion. MIni Connected was designed for the older iphone 4 with the larger charging plug--I had to purchase an Apple Lightning adapter to work with the 5.

The Mini NAV is not worth it other than having it built in. My Garmin works better AND has lifetime updates (mini does not) AND the Garmin speaks the street names but the Mini nav does not.

I do connect my iphone thru the Mini's Bluetooth--I am not 100% sure but I thought Bluetooth was standard on newer minis and not part of Mini Connect. I know voice (phone) works but I am not sure if streaming music without Mini Connect over Bluetooth--it does work with my Mini Connect. I would visit a dealer and have them show you Mini Connect and also one without to see how you can connect.

 

I didn't think it was worth it. I got a $10 bluetooth dongle that plugs into the USB and AUX jack and with that, I can stream music/podcasts from my iPhone or iPod Nano to the radio through the AUX input.

That saved me about $740.

For about $100, you can get a really nice dongle that enables the forward/back controls on the steering wheel to control your iPhone/iPod.

If bluetooth music is all you want, I think $750 is a bit steep. If you want the apps and other stuff, then it probably would be worth it because there is no other way to accomplish those things.

 

I think the bottom line comes down to...

If your a tech geek and like gidgets, gadgets and all the social media junk out there then get the mini connect w/nav. (I ordered w/Nav because you can send address from your iPhone to the nav and away you go. I also like the tech stuff)

If you get over whelmed with technology and plan on just playing music from your phone and like things simple don't get it.

Also, if you plan on having the car for ten years keep that in mind. $1000 for the mini connect over ten years isn't much money. Especially on a $30k vehicle.

 

If I could take the opposite approach to Kriky...

I am a tech geek (used to be a Microsoft MVP for mobile devices in fact) but I avoided Connected for several reasons:

• I actually wanted the saucer sized speedo
• While connected works with many current phones, no guarantee it will work with future versions, beyond BT audio capability
• Nav is often difficult and expensive to update on a car. Phone updates to maps are free, fast, and happen in the background

So for me as a techie, it was recognizing that chances of Connected doing everything it claims with the iPhone 7 or 8 in a few years, or Android 6 or beyond would get increasingly small, and eventually, I'd be left with a big interface that played music via BT.

So I got a $10 dongle that did that for me.

I am not trying to talk anyone out of it. Just cover all sides of the issue before plunking $750 down for Connected and $1,500 for Connected+Nav.

 

Good point. I suspect and I'm surprised it hasn't happen already, or maybe it's out there, that the interface some day will be an iPad of some kind. Plug it right into the dash as your interface. I'm guessing this will be an option in the near future.

I'm hoping Mini keeps up with possible upgrades with there connect. Maybe wishful thinking but still hoping.

 

thanks for all replies. I end up adding mini connected with no nav for $500. I just think of it if I keep my car at least for 5yrs. im paying less than $10/month for this option. and if I substract the money that save from buying nice Bluetooth adapter its even much lesser. its nice too, to have bigger screen for adjusting any settings and also for the backup sensor. hopefully MINI will add some useful apps in the future or if somebody can find a way to stream your from phone nav to the screen that would be awesome.

 

> "but I thought Bluetooth was standard on newer minis and not part of Mini Connect."

On my 2014 CM, without mini connected, only the phone works by bluetooth. No bluetooth audio! Bluetooth is free, but you only get the phone.

 

I think you made a good choice. I drive all around to different locations for work so I don't have a standard route. Partly why I ordered the car with the Nav as well.

If you keep your car for 5 years it was basically .28cents a day for 5 years for you to get the mini connect. And .42 cents for 10 years for me. Money up front but basically that's what it would of cost you.

 

Yup. Totally dumb too. I've never seen another car that supports BT phone and not BT audio in the radio.

 

Old thread I know, but my 2010 Subaru Outback will do BT phone or BT media device, not both. So I bought a BT dongle to stream music like others on here have done and it works great.

 

I don't mind having the iphone6 tucked in the armrest as long as its charging and BT is working. Added the Mini Connected App and Spotify displays beautifully on the Nav screen and I do not need to have all that music locally on my phone. Only problem - No sound!! I can see the play time, scroll to other music, but can't hear a thing. Ideas?

Also, as for the cradle that connects in the armrest, I have not found one for iphone6 and wondering what that will do for me anyway. I can connect through a power outlet for charging and through USB or BT for 'connection' to phone stuff. What is that cradle all about? I read something about connecting with the small fin antenna, but need more info....please.

 

I don't "get" the need for an iPhone. Does anyone know? My wife's car with its fancy nav/music system does not need one. Does Mini Connect run up air time on the iPhone?