Do voice commands work on a Nuvi as well? I'm guessing not.

 

Some of the newer Nuvi's do. The 880 for example has this.

 

Actually mine does because I use the MP3 player on the GPS and plug in to the audio in. Garmin comes over music(and pauses it) - bluetooth phone comes over both.

I stressed over not getting the NAV option after I got my MINI. I really like the looks of the OEM. The one thing I like better about the Gamin though is the ability to take it into the hotel room at night and plan the next part of our trip.

Both have their good points !

 

I have a PDA with a mapping software and an external receiver. It takes about 5 min to lock in and no place to mount it, so I either hold it in my hand while driving or put it in the passenger seat, neither method is ideal, obviously. But it did get me out of the maze (the suburb) whenever I call upon it, and that's really about the only situation I use a GPS. With that said, I still prefer the built-in system since it does more than just navigation. I would have gladly paid $2,000 if it ran Mac OS X.

 

I use it in my 2006 S a lot! Really couldn't imagine not having it and I like that it is in dash.

 

You still miss out on some of the steering wheel button/voice command integration, but at least you can control the volume that way...

That reminds me of one thing I wish the MINIs nav would let me do: chain destinations together. Our club's route is usually pre-planned, but we hardly ever go in the most direct route

 

You can't put in waypoints?

 

I'm guessing that they were asking if it would work with the MINIs voice control, not if there's GPS systems out there that have their own?

Even so, if you had a separate GPS, you could still use the non-GPS voice commands for controlling most things- I don't usually use voice commands for handling most stuff anyways, just for opening the address book and switching to the map view and that's about it.

 

I plan on having my current MINI for decades... I suspect in only ONE decade, the current NAV will be fairly obsolete... kinda like an 8-track tape deck... that's why I prefer aftermarket nav... electronics just change way too quickly if you plan to keep a car a long time... only AM/FM has been fairly stable, and that changes, too (e.g. AM stereo, HD radio...). Who bought a car with a built-in phone in the 80's or early 90's? Those phones were analog... they don't even work anymore...

 

Not that I know of, but if someone else has figured it out, I'd love to know what I missed.

 

I have a handheld GPS from the mid 90s. It still works just as good today as it did then. I doubt the military would change GPS in a way that would force old models to stop working. They already made a big changes a few years ago eliminating selective availability, but kept the system compatible with all the previous model devices.

I still have a bag analog phone that works btw.

You can only enter one destination. My Nuvi 660 is the same way so no real fault of the Mini's system.

 

I have two Garmins, a 2610 and a 2720. You can put waypoints in routes with both. I've tried a Nuvi, and I think the 2720's software is close, so I bet you could add waypoints on a Nuvi.

 

Oh yeah, that's didn't come through right.

You can add waypoints to the Nuvi itself, but it can only route to 1 waypoint at a time. In other words, you can't plan a trip on it and have it ready to go. It doesn't support routes with more than 1 stop.

 

The new 7xx Nuvi's support multiple destination routing (up to 50) with optimization as well as electronic bread crumb trail. Wish my 680 had these features. It would be perfect for motoring adventures.

 

It doesn't take a decade... the high-end NAV system in my 2002 BMW is CD based (7 disks if you want the whole US). One or two years later they wend to DVD-based (one disk for the US). But it is a dinosaur compared to the $350 Garmin NUVI 360 we bought last Christmas... and the NUVI can be replaced a LOT easier than the built-in.

 

It is a greatest option ever, dealers only want to make more money...dont trust them...

 

I greatly appreciate the feedback, and have already made my decision to get factory Nav. Please continue chiming in if you like, but I'm all set!

 

Be sure to check out the manuals at MotoringFile.com if you want a quick peek as to what you're getting:

About half way down the page; search for "MotoringFile Downloads".

Link:

http://www.motoringfile.com/

 

Assuming that you're referring to Nav manuals and that the OP is looking at an R56 with Nav, you'll need to check the downloads in the sticky right here in our own Nav & Audio forum; as the MF downloads only contain the official PDFs. (Which have not been released for the R56 yet)

 

I live far outside a metro area, but when I drive to Portland I appreciate the real-time traffic alerts provided by the navigation system.

Yesterday, I drove up there for my free oil change and spent the night at a hotel near the airport. The system alerted me that there was an accident with the left lane of the northbound 205 blocked and traffic in stop-and-go mode.

Meanwhile, if I stayed on Interstate 5, there were the normal evening rush hour slowdowns. I chose to go through on the 205. Past the accident scene a few miles was a slowdown such that the system recommended getting off the freeway and driving on surface streets. It got me there quicker than if I had stayed on the interstate.

This morning, it helped me avoid the rush hour freeways to get downtown to Rasmussen. The system is great.

 

Wish I had built in nav...but considering I bought my 07 used for a phenomenal deal with everything except CWP and Nav, I guess I can live w/o it.

 

My Mini hasn't come in so I can't talk about how well it works yet....

However...

We've purchased built-in Navi systems twice (Honda Pilot, Acura MDX). Yes, the systems get dated quickly (response speed, graphics, data), and it's expensive to purchase the updates (more than $100).

Having said that, I have *NO* regrets. We have a GREAT Magellan (4450?) that we purchased at Costco for $300 (for our Honda Accord). It has the full AAA tourbook, bluetooth functionality with our phone, it's darn fast during lookups, it looks great, etc. It's an impressive unit, esp. for $300. Wide screen and the works. The newer version supports voice commands (see, it's already out of date too ).

I ordered the Navi despite having the Magellan, however. Why? Wires and windshield mounts. Yuck. I only use the Magellan when I really need it because it blocks visiblity and I have this thick power cord draped over the dash. Then I have to put the whole thing away so no one will break into my car. Yes, I can get fancy with the power cord, but I'll still have this huge suction cup mount to deal with whenever I'm done using it.

But the thing that really sold me was the OTHER non-Nav functionality you win by purchasing the Navi. Better access to music selections, car functions, etc.

Another argument for having it (via White Roof Radio) is that it'll help re-sale if I'm ever crazy enough to get rid of the Mini one day. Reasoning: Nav is like early Auto AC. It's still a luxury item since it's still relatively early in auto integration, but would you imagine not having one installed as default in five years? Imagine having 2 cars to pick from once Navi is more common: one has it and one doesn't, for about the same price. Which one will you choose?

By the way, listen to White Roof Podcast #232 to hear their insights. Very good to hear if you're still torn:

http://www.whiteroofradio.com/woofcast-232/


Plus that speedo dial wrapped around the nav screen exterior just looks cool

 

Agree. I don't know why they call it "Navigation" when it does more than just GPS. Mercedes calls their version "Command Center" since it controls pretty much everything electronic on the car, and of course BMW has the iDrive.

I listen to various podcasts and never thought of looking for MINI related podcasts. Thanks!

 

I purposely left the Nav off my mini cabrio sidewalk that is coming at the end of May.

First, the cabrio still have the old style speedometer ie its big but does not have the radio built into it. I really really like that. I look the classic styling of it. If you add the Nav option, it takes away from that look and thus adds the speedometer as a second dial on the steering column (that is cool though)

Secondly, there are so many new garmins coming out, you wonjt be able to keep up with the updates...ie....voice commands are the new big things. This means you dont have to program in with the touch pad but just say where you want to go. I like having the newest gadgets. Lastly for me, I travel a lot and like to have a portable one I can take with me on trips.

Its a cool option, but not for me. You wont regret it

 

I bought the NAV and like it...works fine though a little different logic interface than a GARMIN or Magellan. Nevertheless it works great. I especially like the British accent on the female voice and the use of terms like "motorway" instead of highway. I bought it for two reasons...came in a car that was already "perfect" for me and I did not like the speedometer or chrono package in the middle of my dash. The NAV was a better aesthetic look for my taste though the dealer is correct that it is not as classically MINI as the big speedometer. Last, I did not want to clutter up an already tight cockpit with a dash-mounted portable NAV device but, again, that's just personal preference.