Hi there,

I just ordered my first mini - 2007 Cooper Base - and I opted out of getting the stock NAV/Bluetooth/Ipod options, simply because of the crazy prices. I researched a couple of other options, most notably the portable GPS systems like the Tom Tom 910, which sounds good because of the Ipod integration and Bluetooth... Anyone have any experience with this model or have any suggestions of alternatives? Ultimately, I want a NAV with touchscreen, Bluetooth, and the ability to control my Ipod using the interface.

Thanks for any advice you may have!

 

i dont know if it has all the options you want, but my dad is good about electronics and he used a garmin whilst in ireland, and he says it performed extremely well, so i'd say look into garmin. i hope this helps

 

Soibahn,
I just picked up my mini a few hours ago. I have always been a "Get the built in Nav" guy. And I did. And I'll tell ya this even more. Unless it is REALLY a money issue and you can't afford it, GET THE NAV!! The reason is not solely the Nav itself, but all the other surrounding features (car setup options, bluetooth displays, information....) are integrated into the Nav display and controlls. Man it was nice to set all the settings on the nice big screen rather than clicking and scrolling the little **** on the end of the blinker stalk.

 

Soibahn,
I just ordered my first MINI same as you. I opted out fo the NAV systems well. Good or Bad who knows money preference I guess. I bought the TomTom 910, love everything about it. I got it based on people I know who use TomTom and have the 910 also. Very easy to use and lots of functions for the toy lover in all of us. I am just so anxious to get my car and test it all out in one.
I will let you know how it goes and let me know as well for you. We can compare notes.
Look forward.
Brandon

 

I should be getting delivery of my new mini next week, we also opted to not get the built in nav system, they are always changing and updating the technology, the money isn't worth it, to pay 7 times the amount for built in and then in 5 years or so to have the technology outdated just isn't worth it.

 

Hello and welcome.

In general, its not good practice to get "all-in-one" devices anymore than its good to get "all-in-one" printers/fax/copiers etc. It might do one thing good, but not all of them. If you want BT, look for the standalone BT units that do nothing but BT.

For NAV, lots of choices, NUVI are highly regarded, especially the newer wide screen units. Look for a Sirf chip.

 

chow4us,
I would agree normally with many things, but thte TOMTOM 910 is unreal in its capacity and capabilites. The bluetooth, is awesome with or without a microphone. All the other capabilities are cool as well.
Brandon

 

Check out http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2006/05/t...910_review.php

Only limited cell phones supported. Further, read the "faults", I am not going to list them all, read the article, here are a few

"Horrible, HORRIBLE Support:
Tele Atlas Maps: In our tests, Tele Atlas maps were consistently less accurate than NAVTEQ's maps (Garmin and Magellan both use NAVTEQ maps ..."

Bottom line: "... several serious issues detract from an otherwise good unit. ... I found many instances where the GO 910 was unable to route me to a destination because the address was not on the map. ... The GO 910 also suffers from TomTom's own inadequacies. ... in it's current state, I must recommend against the GO 910."

I would go NUVI but if your happy getting it, that's fine. Just some info for you.

 

Get the OEM NAV, you will love it.

 

The OEM NAV is well worth the price of admission.

If I learned anything from all of my years of purchasing car accessories (upgraded stereos, nav systems, satellite radio), it's that they are a waste of money - they add nothing to the value of the car unless they are OEM.

Besides the aftermarket stuff is 5x's more likely to get stolen than a built in OEM accessory.

Hate to break it to you but the TomToms and Garmins are always changing and upgrading their technology also. I have a friend who just bought a Garmin and the thing stopped working after a day.

As for the 7xs cost of the Nav - someone just has to break into your car one time to grab that TomTom/Garmin and the MINI Nav wont look so expensive.

 

I cant argue your points. I was just stating that it does not happen to be a bad unit from my personal and others opinions, in my search for a GPS. I know that each one of them has their own faults and issues. I am sure I will run across them eventually. I just hope it does not happen at a time where I really need it.

Thanks for your input though.
Have a great weekend.

 

Thanks all for the suggestions...

I actually decided to buy the TomTom 910, I am using it temporarily in my Honda until I get my MINI, and it is pretty kickass so far. I have a Treo 650 and the Bluetooth works great; I got the FM transmitter (no fun AUX input in the crapmobile!) and the Ipod connector too, and everything is working wonderfully...

About the mount - since that review that was referenced was written, TomTom redesigned their mounts. Mine seems fine, at least initially...

For a total of $500, I feel a lot better about what I've gotten in comparison to the $2100(NAV) + $600 (Bluetooth) + $500 (Ipod adapter) = $3200 option from MINI.....

 

What's an Ipod, and why do people want one? ;-)

Ipods are just dumb. MP3 players have been around for a LONG time, and they are better and cheaper than "Ipods". My phone has a 2 gb storage card on it, and it plays MP3's. I really can't figure out the fascination with ipods.

Anywhoozle.

 

the nuvi is much thinner than the 910 so you can mount it like a dealer would mount a nuvi. i am thinking of getting the 660...it doesnt have the hard drive space for mp3's, but i think the integrated traffic makes it worth it.

 

I totally agree. Ipods are the biggest scam going. My best friend has taken his back to the Apple store 3x's for dead batteries (over 6 months). Not to mention you pay for songs that you cant move to other devices. WTF?!?!

On the other hand my $99 Best Buy Samsung mp3 player holds 110 songs, gets FM radio and it's NiCad battery has lasted 2 years and about 400 charges. It's about the size of the Ipod Shuffle with a color screen! Suck it Ipod!

Getting back to Reason # 543 Why the MINI Nav is great: The CD player reads mp3 and the Nav display shows the song names and albums. I loaded up a CD with 50 mp3s and the CD wasn't even 1/4 full. It was sweet scrolling thru the songs. It retained the files structure too.

For instance I ripped a Smashing Pumpkins album onto my PC. Media Player threw the songs into a folder called "Mellon Collie...". I dumped the whole album folder onto the CD and MINI Nav read the folder and played the songs w/o skipping a beat.

"Ipod - I don't need no stinkin' Ipod!"

 

I have my entire CD collection on my iPod. Haven't had any battery problems yet.

 

i have an ipod and had to force my self to fill it up. Most people only listen to 4 or 5 songs at a time and think 110 songs are enough for most people

 

true with a portable nav, you will have to put it away if you are worried about theft, but do you need a nav system all the time? No. So i think it's better to spend the extra effort to put the thing away, then the extra money on the built in, and then in a few year have an antiquated piece of equipment stuck in my car, i dont know about YOU but i plan on having my mini cooper for a VERY long time.

 

So lemme get this straight. You go out and buy CDs and you spend 100 hours putting your CD collection on the Ipod. (We all know that 90% of the songs on a album are ***** anyway - you fast forward to the hits! ).

What happens when the Ipod battery craps the bed or you just get tired of the Ipod and you want to switch to a non-Apple mp3 player. Oh that's right, all of your songs are in Itunes!

All that time wasted ripping CDs and standing in line at the Apple store could be spent motoring! Get out and drive!

 

Most of my CD collection was bought before there were iPods.

What kind of antiquated equpment do you have that it would take 100 hours to convert CDs? I have two computers. While working on one I had the other converting CDs. Pop in a CD, it converts it and pops it out. Put in the next one. Doesn't take much effort. The biggest hassle is pulling them off the shelf and putting them back.

I go in later and delete songs I don't like, and make playlist of favorites.

Never had a battery problem. When this iPod dies I'll probably just replace it with another.

No line at the online Apple Store. I have had to wait, and deal with morons at Circuit City for other things.

If you are only putting 110 songs on your mp3 player, you've got to be wasting a lot of time swapping them around as you desire other tunes. Having one's entire collection at hand lets you go with the mood of the moment. Great for long trips.

 

They are easily exported as MP3s from iTunes.

 

I bought a used, late build 2006 mcs cabrio that came with the $1200.00 bluetooth system. It uses sleeves that cost $150.00 each and is only compatible (the sleeve I have) with oldskool phones. I'd be willing to buy another phone to hook up to a bluetooth system. I have a hearing deficit and should use a bluetooth in the car. Any suggestions for a simple, effective, bluetooth unit and phone combo? Should I get an iphone? I was thinking of getting a Garmin Gps. Do they have a bluetooth setup? Thinking of circumventing the current installed system completely. Confused? Help!!!!

 

If you're even moderatly handy, get a car computer.

7" touch screen
80gb notebook drive
tiny form factor
USB GPS puck
USB wireless adapter

Since it's a computer, you can do anything with it that you'd do with your desktop. I built and installed one for my '06 convertible, and it does:

NAV
Video
5000+ mp3s
wireless and BT if you want it
sat radion and TV if you want it
free and skinnable GUI front ends
and of course anything else a PC will do

This grew from my increasing dependence on separate gadgets in the car; iPod for music, handheld for navigation, etc. Now it's one machine that does it all, and while it's not an out-of-the-box solution in my case, there are pre-built and pre-loaded, plug and play systems available.

In my case I'm into it for less than $1k. Way less than the stock NAV unit and it does a lot, lot more.

This is not an ad or a plug for any given product, just to let you know there are better deals than what comes along with the stock NAV unit.

Good luck, and feel free to ask if you have any questions about media for your Mini.

Don in Alexandria

 

I hear ya. The mini-computer looks like an all-in-one answer on paper, but where do ya mount it? And further yet, laptops should not be operated in a moving car because the hard drive can't handle the vibrations.

The thing is, the MINI Cooper also doesn't have a lot of dashboard real estate, so that's why I dig the OEM Sat Nav.

In my last car I had the dash cluttered with a aftermarket stuff like the Sirius Sportster, radar detector and briefly a TomTom. I already feel like I'm looking out a tank when I'm driving so adding more things to the dash is just downright dangerous!

The mini-computer also doesn't utilize the multifunction steering wheel or accept voice commands.

 

My TomTom 910 works perfectly with my Blackberry 8800.