Can someone familiar with both the Factory Nav and the Mini NUVI Nav give me their understanding of the features, benefits and any drawbacks of each?

I'm trying to decide which one to get for a new MC. Of course the biggest drawback of the Fac Nav is the price tag. The Fac Nav looks good in the large speedometer so I know there is an appearance benefit. But are other benefits of the Fac Nav enough to warrent the extra cost?

When not needing to use Fac Navigation does the Nav System offer other functionality? I believe it links to the Parking assist but not getting that option.

I'm getting the Convenience Pkg if that matters. Will use bluetooth and IPOD. Just trying to figure out if there is enough benefits to justify getting Fac Nav or should I just get the Mini Nuvi. Trying to understand advantages and disadvantages of each.

Thanks.

 

If money is no object, get the factory nav. If money matters, skip the factory nav.

I use a two year old Garmin knockoff. I just plug it in and leave it between the seats (just behind the stick shift). With the sunroof option, it picks up the satellites just fine between the seats, and the voice prompt is really all I need. I'll just plug it in when I need GPS, which is only 5% of the time if that.

I just couldn't see spending 2K on the nav -- my wife has nav in her dog mobile (minivan) and wanted me to get it, but I spent my 2K (and more) on other options.

I use USB for my music (rather than iPod), and the factory radio is integrated very well with both bluetooth and USB/iPod.

 

Charlie, Thanks for your feedback.

I have Fac Nav in my BMW. I cant say money is no object. I'm just trying to get a good handle on the features and benefits of the Factory Nav verses the Portable Mini NUVI that would be installed next to the Tach.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Portable Mini Nuvi just because the it's like $550 give or take...installed. Verses 2 grand for Fac Nav.

But I don't really know what features the Fac Nav System provides. Like what else can be on the screen when not using it to navigate? Does IPOD playlist show up there? Or anything else? Trying to understand what features might make me want to go with the Fac Nav over the portable.
Thanks.

 

Hey Finner, if you want shoot me a PM and I'll send you a link to the Owner's Manual. The Owner's Manual goes over all the features of the built-in Navigation, so it would probably help you.

 

Finner,

The factory nav shows the iPod playlist, it's quite convenient. I also like all the other features you get because you have the screen. Some of the options you would normally have to "toggle thru" on the standard interface are available on-screen, so it's really nice. Somewhat like the BMW (I used to have an '06 330i).

You get status of all maintence items (i.e. oil level, brakes, etc.), vent settings, etc. You also get Bluetooth display so you can scroll thru your phone address book to place a call, see who is calling you, etc. The joystick interface is similar to the BMW iDrive, very easy to use.

I really like it a lot. I realize 2 grand is a lot of $, but I think it is worth it. You also get some of that back in resale. Yes, the navigation will become dated after several years though. But how much more do you really need in a navigation unit? I know some people will argue having the latest vav interface in a portable unit is nice, but you still have to buy a new unit every couple of years. Anyway, that's my $0.02

 

Teceng,
Excellent feedback. Your 2 cents is worth it and appreciated. You gave me some excellent things to consider. I definately don't want to save the money and get the portable..and a month down the road be wishing I had the Fac. Your feedback will help me make an educated decision.
Thanks much!
OH...I'm pretty much a newbie here. On your post and on the posts of many others, I see the Owners Club Pin. How do you get a pin. Me be getting a Sparkling Silver/Black Mini.

 

Vent settings? i dont remember coming across that. Ill have to poke around again. I got it, and i like that i dont have a stalk hanging from the windshield or the dash telling everyone i have a portable nav in the car possibly and to break in to steal it and whatever else is within reach.

Anyways, by pin ,i assume you mean the owners club signature images.. you can find them in this thread.

 

Thanks Krim

Yea "Vent Settings" surprised me too. Still learning to make sure I order what I want and not leave out something I regret not getting. Appreciate your comments. You reinforce some of my own thoughts.

I'll probably go with the Fac Nav for all the features it offers along with not having to worry about someone peaking in a window and even just seeing the bracket..and then trying to get in to get the Nav and who knows what.

Thanks for the thread link. Yea..thats what I meant.

 

I have factory Nav in my Audi, but opted for a Sony Nav aftermarket for my MINI. Sony has blue tooth as well. I like the Sony, because of large screen, excellent mount, live real time traffic interface and I can move it easily to my BMW or Porsche, if I want. Also, to upgrade the DVD for the 05 Audi cost nearly as much as the Sony which can be upgraded online. I even added another install kit for my XM radio as well, same portability features to the house or other cars and lower cost was my motivation.

 

Just to clarify, I believe the vent settings are accessible if you have the auto climate control. It allows you to adjust how much air goes to each of the 3 zones (windshield, front vents, footwell).

 

I have an '05 MCS with the factory NAV unit. It is just an OK system and I would definitely not have spent the money if I had purchased the car new. I have had several GPS units and the one I have liked the best (and it just happens to have been the least expensive as well) is the Navigon 2100. This is a sweet little unit with great graphics and functionality and you can pick one up for around $100. Just my .02 cents.

 

As others have pointed out, it's a matter of how you want to spend your money, although the user interface might also be an consideration, along with the other features available with the factory NAV. Personally, I opted not to get the factory NAV, even though I've had it in my last two cars (before the MINI). First, I find that I actually use the NAV (as opposed to just watching the moving map display) only a small percent of time driving. Second, the user interface of the Garmin NUVI is a lot better than the MINI factory NAV (my opinion only, based on playing with the factory NAV at the dealer before ordering.) But, clearly in the end it's a personal decision. I suggest you play with a factory NAV at the dealer. That might give you a better idea of what you want to do. Either way, you'll love your MINI.

 

Finner,

I suggest that you read all of the threads on NAM about Factory NAV as many have found it very very difficult to use. It may add something to the use of other items in the car but are they stuff that you would ever really use.

Just to let you now there are many people out there that have the Factory NAV and do not use it, and now use a Garmin, Tom Tom or other unti becuase of the lack of POI's and it very difficult use.

 

I have the factory nav. As it stands, unless there are major changes in the factory nav I may never buy another Mini. All of the features of the factory nav are great, except the navigation itself, which is awful. It is great to have a big display and easier menu traversal for the trip computer, service information, MP3, phone integration, radio etc. but this all comes with a fatal flaw, which is all the more aggravating given the huge price tag.There are three issues with the factory nav. Two small annoyances are that it doesn't read out street names and the POI feature is hard to use. The real deal-breaker for me is that the map is virtually useless. First, the bug (i.e. you are here) is in the middle of the screen, which means you see as much of what is behind you as what is in front of you. In my opinion this is a big waste. However the worst of all is the way the nav displays street names. Here are the issues with street name displays: (i) The nav does not show the most appropriate names, instead it just shows names according to where there appears to be space for some text. You may be driving on a main road and the nav will show you the name of a small side street that you would have to take five turns to get to. It would be much better to show the names of the street you are on and the streets you are coming up to, as well as maybe some of the larger roads and highways on the map. (ii) All street names that are displayed show the full name and type if all caps, which takes up a lot of screen real estate. (iii) All street names are shown horizontally, instead of aligned with the roadways, and there is nothing but a black dot (on a black background map) on either side of the name to link the name to the street. (iv) Highway names are shown with a reverse colour background which obscures the map details. All of this amounts to the map being unusable as a tool while driving in an unfamilar or vaguely familiar area. This is not an issue when you are using turn-by-turn directions, since the turning directions work OK, although a $300 Garmin GPS does a much better job of this too. The fact that BMW has chosen to do their own custom mapping when they obviously have a deal with Garmin is very frustrating. The portable Garmin units which you can get with a BMW or Mini badge are much more useful for their primary function.I strongly suggest going to the dealer and getting a test drive in a car which has the factory nav and deciding for yourself whether you can live with the way it handles maps.

 

Go factory if you can.....I would have never ordered it but my car came with.
I hate leather and sunroofs so for me it was a good trade off in terms of cost. It looks clean and no wires or suction cups to deal with.

Biggest benefit is your car won't get broken into to steal such an inexpensive after market one. Removing it becomes a drag as well, just remember the days of the "pull out" stereo lol

 

I got the factory Nav. It's expensive. There are a ton of threads here with pro and cons. If you get a portable nav device like a Garmin with dead reckoning, you're going to spend nearly as much as the factory nav costs. The factory Nav is much faster at getting your position than any Garmin I've used, probably due to the dead reckoning.

 

Minidrivr, what are you referring to? "Dead reckoning" is NOT using a Nav unit, and estimating your position based on speed and time.

The answer to the questions is this: If you are lucky enough to have ALOT of extra money, buy the "Nav" unit. BUT DO NOT BUY IT FOR NAV, as mentioned it is terrbilem, and the POI db advertised with 6 million points, does NOT work at all, useless. Having the display for setting menu options, viewing the backup screen, and viewing MP3 disk menus is really ice though.

So if you have the money, buy it for the other features, BUT also plan on buying and mounting the Garmin Nuvi of your choice, for Navigation pruposes.

 

Very well said. And I'm also in the "would never buy another mini" catagory based on 2 things: 1. they DO NOT suppoort their product (haven't FIXED the broken Nav software, or even acknoleged it, refunded our money...), and 2. Are installing the WORST Nav system in the industry. I bet there are 10's of 1000's of folks that feel the same way, and just don't post. Really stupid on BMW/Mini's part.

 

The factory Nav will use steering and speed input to continue navigating even if it loses sight of the GPS satellites. I call this dead recockoning and I don't understand how any portable unit, regardless of cost, can do the same. Are there aftermarket units that connect to speed and steering?

I also like having the armrest that many people don't like, because it makes a perfect resting spot for my arm while using the toggle stick for the Nav.

I just posted in the POI thread that I would happily buy another MINI with factory Nav. Given the option, I'd also spend another two grand if I could get BMW's night vision option. I know it has very little practical use, but I think it's one of the coolest things I've seen in a car lately. I would at least like a back up camera. Once you have the screen mounted in dash, I'd think the camera should add very little to the price.

 

Dead reckoning was one of the features that helped me decide to get the factory Nav and not a portable (I already own half a dozen portables).

You hate loosing the money on the nav you bought, you'd made that clear in numerous other threads. Like I said in other threads, I tested the Nav system and drove the car before deciding on options. I never got the $10k you promised either.

Portable Nav's from Garmin for example that have dead reckoning have a hardwired connection to your car. It ties into the speed sensors and a gear sensor so it knows if you are going forward or reverse and at what rate to estimate the location until it can get a signal again.

 

One consideration is that the factory nav will not be stolen, while the Nuvi is much more likely to cause a breakin, unless you go through the ritual of taking it out before, and concealing it after, each use.

 

I have the NAV in a 2007 R56 MCS. I like it a lot. I like its navigation, rerouting around traffic jams, audio control, Bluetooth control, and car settings.

I use the trip computer frequently, just to see what a run into town cost in time, gas, etc. The NAV display of this is very nice. Can't to this on an aftermarket NAV.

I prefer it not attempting to pronounce street names. I've borrowed a friend's Nuvi when I took another car up to San Jose a couple of times, and have ridden with him while he was using it. The Nuvi frequently butchers street names. Even on highways, it annoys me when it says, "...highwayHaiti.........Five" when it means highway 85. During navigation I use the split screen with map and arrow. If I want to know the next street, I can glance over and see it with the distance and an arrow for the direction of the turn. The size of the screen makes this easy.

I also much prefer the look of the NAV's Star Trek 1 screen to the giant Mickey Mouse cartoon speedometer. I haven't had any problems with the interface of the NAV. Seems logical to me, for the most part. The interface is a bit 20th Century, but I wasn't that impressed with the Nuvi, either.

 

Thanks to all!!!
To all that posted comments on Fac Nav vs Mini Nuvi, thank you! Of course I plan to go to the dealership again and get some "hands on time" with the Nav before deciding. Your comments gave me insight on what to look for as I evaluate. This will make it easier as trying to understand the value of each function and how it works in the real world..is often hard to understand when getting overwhelmed with all the features during a test visit. Thank you for the thoughtful and insightful posts. ...Finner

 

I had the factory nav in my R56 and I now have the Nuvi 760T. I mostly agree with what Robin says. However, the Nuvi does have the trip computer, and it's a lot easier to switch between the 2 screens. What I like about the factory nav: 1. It's built in (less theft threat, looks better). 2. split screen with arrow. 3. Silences audio when giving voice commands. 4. Traffic info. What I don't like about it: 1. The POI search stinks. 2. Does not say what side of the street the destination is on. 3. Requires entering a city name. 4. No on-line map updates. 5. Too chatty. 6. Inconsistent in the amount of warning it gives regarding turning. Sometimes it will give 1/4 mile notice and sometimes, bu the time it mentions to turn, I have already passed the beginning of the turn lane.

What I like about the Garmin: 1. It's portable, so I can move it to other vehicles and can use it to locate my car in a parking lot. 2. Touch screen. 3. Don't need to enter a city name to find a location. This is very useful because I may think something is located in Silver Spring, but it's actually in Kensington. 3. Whether it's navigating or not, it shows what the next intersection is. 4. Trip computer info very easy to access. 5. on-line updates available. 6. Recent trips, favorites and POI's much easier to use. 7. Can change amount of detail on the map. Names of saved places, as well as user-definable icons, displayed on map. 8. Not overly chatty, but just the right amount of talking. What I don't like about the Garmin: 1. Theft-inviting. 2. The map screen shows anticipated arrival time, but not distance, although this is easily accessed in the Trip Screen. 3. Refresh time is slower than Mini's but not significantly. 4. When the ambient temperature is cold, it sometimes takes a long time to acquire signal. 5. Visible wires on dash. 6. And this is the biggest annoyance: When I arrive at a destination, it often does not stop navigating. 7. While it does have traffic info and avoidance, it doesn't seem as informative.

I have not found the voice guidance to be inaccurate, as Robin states.

Bottom line, I'd still have a tough time choosing, although I think on a purely objective basis, the Nuvi wins out. The main reason I got the Nuvi is because I did not like the placement, map options and controls on Mazda's built-in nav.

 

I had the factory NAV in my 06 Honda Accord and loved it except for one thing. Could not take it to another car. i travel a lot and frequently need a NAV to get around unfamiliar cities. I opted to get a Nuvi for my MINI instead of the factory NAV just for this reason. So far has worked out well. I know, I could have gotten the factory one and the Nuvi for travel but that is a lot more money. I went with the 775T as it has built in Europe maps and lifetime traffic. I go to Europe on business 3-4 times a year.