I have a 2004 MCS...I love it. But the NAV system leaves a lot to be desired--it contains a huge amount of Point-of-Interest information, but using it is a ridiculous chore. For example, the difference between "General Destinations" and "Travel Destinations" eludes me. To locate the nearest, say, OfficeMax requires lucking into figuring out where they decided to stick OfficeMax in their hierarchy--is it a General Store, a computer store, an "other", etc?

It baffles me why there isn't a simple search funtion where you can put in the name of the place you seek, or the beginning letters, and get a full list either sorted alphabetically or by nearest-first. This has been present on Garmin systems for years. I love having a NAV system, but the need to know what subcategory the programmers feel any given POI fits into is extremely aggravating.

Anyone know of any plans to rectify this?

Frank

 

What do you want for $1700, something that works?

 

Well dude, something tells me you should have researched the NAV a little better before ordering it. I don't have NAV in neither of my MINIs but I have spent some quality time with it (About a 1 week a few months ago when my dealer gave me a '04 Cooper CVT loaner with NAV) and I can tell you is a pretty little neat system but it has its quirks. The navigation prompts are mostly intuitive but looking for info requires the assistance of a navigator or to pull off the road completely.

I think paying $1700 for a factory NAV system is absolutely insane, when you can get better aftermarket alternatives from Garmin, Magellan, etc, etc for half the cost of the MINI Factory NAV unit. Aftermarket units can be used and taken out of the vehicle, something you simply can't do with the factory NAV.

I guess you need to voice your complaints to MINIUSA, but as far as I am concerned, there are no plans to change the factory NAV software navigation prompts, so in other words you are stuck...live with it.

 

Two very helpful posts.


It take a little work to figure out.
But if you want heres a name at the manufacturer of the system to ask some of these questions.

[size=2]Sean Lannoo

Application Engineering

Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation

Service & Special Solutions

4905 Tilghman Street, Suite 120

Allentown, PA 18104

610.289.0488 ext. 4010

610.762.2279 Mob

610.289.1766 Fax

lannoo@siemens.com


He helped me out with a pdf of the legend.

P.S. Look at the cost of DVD based nav system that have North America on it without having to load areas in by hand. You find $1299 prices. Big saving for something that isn't integrated.






Paul
[/size]

 

_____________________
Garmin Street Pilot III. $399. Removable for trekking trips.

 

I have the nav, and I pretty much always have it in map mode to check where I am.

I gave up on navigating through its stupid submenus to find anything. Besides, you search once for a damn restaurant, then all of a sudden you have forks and knives all over your screen!

 

I agree w/ you totally here. The price for the MINI (And pretty much all other integrated in-car NAV systems) is ridiculous. The Magellan Roadmate 500/700 is very nice and runs about half of what the MINI one does.

 

I think my only problem with a non-factory nav system is that you have to take it out of the car, put it back in etc.

My father in law had one of the Garmins. It was mounted via a suction cup to the windshield. But nothing to hold it from the bottom. So we put a piece of foam under it so it wouldn't rattle.

It was an impressive piece of equipment, however I think the screen is way too small.

Some car makers like Lexus, and Acura do a FANTASTIC job with their nav systems. Other car makers have a lot to learn from them.

 

Still have to download info in Garmin. Magellan road mate 700 North America, $1200 not exactly half of the $1700 Mini now is it?

Paul

 

That's suggested retail. You can get the Garmin or Magellan units for MUCH less than that at retailers (internet or brick & mortar). I'm partial to Garmin myself. I have the iQue 3600 Palm PDA/GPS which I got for $350 pr so. With 1 gig SD card I have all of the USA in it.
-BruinToo

 

im lookin at getting the vcommand that someone here posted awhile back

check it out

vcommand.com

it's SCREEN LESS!! all voice control

 

Post a link. I haven't found less than a $1100. Believe me I'm looking my wife wants nav for her car. We want to go portable because here car won't be around long..

Paul

 

This is the Garmin 2620 (their top of the line) which has an internal hard drive and has ALL of the US map preloaded. It's listed for something like $937 at Amazon.com.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...onics&n=172282
Lower models are cheaper I'm sure.

-BruinToo

 

We opted out on the GPS system, it's the only feature/option that we don't have! I love maps, and know how to use them. Part of the motoring fun is pointing to a spot on a map at random and heading toward it.

I think a portable GPS, like a Magellan Sport Trak is much more practical as it can be taken in any vehicle, or kept in your pocket while on a hike in the woods or a strange city.

Just as a portable cell phone is more practical then having a phone permenantly mounted in your car.

Besides, I would miss that big ol' pretty center speedo! :smile:

To those who have the SAT NAV, cheers, but, it's not for me.

 

fcarrano,


I wouldn't say the system has a lot to be desired. Each unit out there has it's issues, even the Garmin. What one person loves, another dislikes. Even if they added a search utility, people would complain about that as well. It does have it's quarks. I haven't heard of any fixes for this, so I am going to guess that you will have to live with it.

 

The first MCS I demo'd had nav. Hated it. Not even considered in my order.

 

Well one things for sure those people without the Mini nav system seem to hate it. Those of us with it have some things we woulld like different.

Well I f I were to do it all over again, I'd buy it. I have owned and used mine since Feb. But Like my counterparts that do not have one, have never used a portable in my car.

Does anybody here have Both?

I will in a few months.

Paul

 

Garmin 2620 1-2% of the time when traveling. The rest of the time it sits home in a bag in the closet.

 

I've got the NAV and absolutely love it. It's been an incredible tool in the past 25,000 miles for me. The first 4553 miles were just navigating the US while picking up my MINI, and having the assurance of finding nearest gas stops and motels was essential. Even finding the nearest Chinese restaurant for my pregnant wife in the middle of nowhere was something that I couldn't have done without a lot of effort and stress any other way.

Yes, I agree that the NAV isn't up to par on features to aftermarket units, but on the other hand, it's totally integrated and I love that. To each is own I guess, but I think the DVD based NAV works wonderfully.

As for finding the nearest OfficeMax? Hmmm, have you tried OfficeMax.com ? LOL. I'm just teasing you. I know it'd be cool if it had such features, but as a basic NAV that's simple enough to use with a single ****, that's easy enough to use while driving, and not overly complicated with menus and options, I'm very thrilled with it. I'm also glad I don't have to worry about it getting stolen, whether I remembered to take it off my dash.

As much of a power user I am with PC's, I'll take simplicity first, and would definitely get a NAV in my next MINI, if such a possiblity even existed.

Just my 2 cents.