I'm seriously considering getting the NAV system in my yet to be ordered MCS. I'd like to make it clear that I can indeed read AND fold a road map. I do tend to favor the roads less traveled so it would be a help in that respect. Is there anything else that makes it worth having?

 

Much discussion on this in the Navigation/Audio forum

OEM Nav - Pro - Built in, no wires, british voice
Con - pricey, UI not top notch, can upgrade software but not hardware

I only got it because (gasp) I didn't want the center speedo, but that's irrelevant in the next generation. Now that I have it, I love it.

 

Considering the question is relating to a "yet to be ordered" MCS... it would imply a 2007, so this is an unknown entity.

I'm sure there will be a lot of differences between the 1st Gen Nav and the 2nd Gen Nav. I have heard, for example, that the Navteq/SIRIUS collaboration announced a long time ago (see 12/16/04 MotoringFile story) is going to come to fruition in the 2nd Gen factory Nav.

Had Warped1966 said specifically said he was getting a 2007 Convertible, then the previous commentary on the factory Nav would be relevant (since it isn't changing)... but the R56 hardtops will be completely different in this regard.

 

But ... there are generic differences that apply to any OEM GPS vice aftermarket regardless of make, model or vendor.

Simply put, no matter what is put in the vehicle, within a year it will be obsolete in terms of functionality and most likely technology ... and after 4 or so years ... far worse

 

True, but no matter what GPS solution you buy, the hardware will go out of date. The main difference in that regard is that replacement cost for an aftermarket solution is cheaper.

There are pros and cons to each. I'm happy I ordered the Nav with my car (even though it's the "older" 1st Gen) and wouldn't hesitate to do it again, especially if I benefit from the traffic sensitivity that the 2nd Gen is supposedly going to do.

I love the much larger screen, the fact it is much harder to steal or break, and the fact it takes up less (zero) interior space, with no wires.

The biggest downside is the cost, but for me, still worth it!

 

Way I see it, a portable unit can be transferred from one car to another...I travel a lot and would rather take one with me to a strange city than leave it behind in my garage.

Plus, I liked the Speedo in the middle, makes it unique. Of course now when my wife says "you're driving too fast" for the 15th time, I can no longer tell her that the parallax is fooling her

 

I like the built in one so much that I got hooked on NAV and ended up buying a portable for the other cars. I have not heard the details about the 07 NAV but I am sure it will be better than the one I have at present and I am happy with this one as it is.

 

Interestingly enough, reported today on MotoringFile as part of the new Official MINIUSA R56 accessories...

amongst many other things: "Portable Navigation System"

Here's the text from the bulletin on this:

"The navigation screen is mounted right next to the steering column. This portable unit includes, aside from the navigation function, an MP3 player and Hands Free Phone interface with Bluetooth. The navigation system is customized for MINI, with all MINI Dealership locations included and a MINI Cooper on the screen with roof graphic."

I'm sure it's just a rebadged and slightly modified aftermarket unit, but it will be interesting to see, especially since it is an "official OEM" accessory.

 

Well another pro/con (depending on how you look at it) is that the 2007+ Nav has iDrive. I will be ordering the Nav in mine. But this is because I travel a lot and am not always familiar with the areas I do travel to. Plus, I prefer the uncluttered look of the in-dash unit.

 

I got the factory Nav in my MINI, my wife has a aftermarket Magellan in the van. Alhough I am comfortable with reading maps, I really do enjoy the GPS systems in general. I was hesitatant in getting it at first, but now I can't see being without one.

Factory system Pros:
Clean built in look (which is a great plus considering the size of space we have)
Reaction time seems to be better than the wifes aftermarket

Aftermarket system Pros:
Portable: Just took it to NY / PA for the holiday in the rental!! Very nice!!
Cheaper

Overall, I feel the Factory NAV was the right choice for me!!

 

The oem NAV offers some integrated functionality that just isn't available for with the aftermarkets, such as sound system attenuation so you can hear it over the music, and display light attenuation to take advantage of the auto brightness features of the dash display. The OEM also can be used for DVD and television (requires a very long cable ) if you want to go crazy.

 

Interesting. They have followed the path Toyota had taken with the FJ. Portable GPS, a branded model, you can actually pop out take with you.

 

 

I have one of those "obsolete" 03 Nav and still love it!

 

I have had quite a bit of experiences with portable Navi, I just didn't like them. First of all, there are all the wires going everywhere along with mount making the whole set up messy and Cheap. The lag time is also a deal breaker for me, it takes a while for the system to initally log-on to your current location and start tracking and unlike a built-in Navi you have to turn on and shut off the Navi as you enter/exit the car. Also unless you are willing to put a external antennior on your car the tracking is sub-optimal for city driving (I live among highrises), it's worked fine with highway driving though. Finally the built-in integration is much better, with auto music muting, bluetooth, radio info etc.
So my recommendation is that if you are getting a Navi, get a built-in / factory unit. Don't waste money on portable.

 

That's what's great about the Mini Nav...it response fast enough to be used at the Dragon for the passenger to call out turns ahead...

 

Warped,
I've got the factory in dash system. I travel a lot for work so it is essential. Prior to having this, I relied on my Blackberry's Sprint navigation service. The latter is slow and more often wrong than the factory system. The facotry system has a DVD loaded with maps. This is probably why it is superior to my Blackberry's GPS-only based system.

You wrote that you like the unbeaten path. I can't figure out how to make any navigator help me to the point of satisfaction in this area. There are non-highway selections, but this is not the same as selecting an interesting route on a map. I'm a motorcyclist. I select routes for the motorcycle based on which map lines show the highest number of wiggles. The navigators don't allow this kind of freedom in selection. You have to know destinations in order to create a route with them.

 

Don't forget - MINIs equipped with NAV retain resale value longer also.

 

I use a Compaq iPAQ running iGuidance (v3.01) connecting via Bluetooth to a Holux SIRF/Star3 GPS device that is hidden in the boot.

The start-up time is about 4 seconds, that includes my docking of the PDA and finding the application

The aquisition time for enough satellites to pinpoint my location to within a couple of feet is about 2 seconds - new chipsets are really fast ! - My routine is to get in the car, start the engine, dock the PDA and fire up iGuidance. By the time I reverse out of my parking space iGuidance is registering my location and speed (backwards) !

There is zero lag regarding speed or direction chages, corners / junctions are tracked in close-to-real time - the countdown to the centre of junctions is almost spooky.

I have a cradle in the car and a hidden charging / power cable.

The Holux GPS device is hidden in the left hand storage space in the boot and is powered by the power outlet back there.

The Navigation abilities of iGuidance are very good - it has helepd us to cross the country numerous times.

I also have an indentical cradle and Holux device in my MR2 - I can dock the PDA and connect to that car in seconds too.

The advantage of using a PDA is that I can easily switch to an alternative navigation system - eg Tom Tom, upgrade maps (they are on a memory card) and even store and download tracks of my journey to replay on my home PC, also I can get directions to anyone in my (outlook) address book among many other facilities.....

I get the point about the voice prompts - I hate them so not having them and/or having them from the rather quiet PDA speaker only is not a deal breaker for me.

 

Brillant move.................. I totally agree with you about the 'no center speedo' issue.

Too bad that configuration is dropped in the R56.

JohnG

 

Read this customer feedback on the R56 Navigation: http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-i...der-again.html

 

Remember though, that's on the first iteration of the UK version.

Even my dealer will say that the UK gets, essentially, the beta version of the car so the bugs are ironed out for the US market.

Kinda sucks for them... they get it first, but they're the guinea pigs and find the bugs and pay way more than we do for the priviledge...

Anyway, no US market versions have been seen, not even at the press event. That says to me they were being tweaked due to 'not being ready for prime time." Also explains the 2 month delay in making them...

I predict the UK will get a software update available around the beginning of March as well addressing some of those issues.

By the way, does anyone know if the realtime traffic is still done in conjunction with Sirius? Is the car pre-wired for Sirius, and just needs a Sirius unit attached to hook it into the SatNav for sat radio?

 

I too disliked the center speedo and a single pod in front of the driver...looks a little imbalanced...

I also got it for the elimination of the whip antenna...although this feature was done away with in the later models...bummer for them...

 

I can't speak for the new system, but I have always been happy that I got nav in the cars that I did and the Mini is no exception. I love that it is there whenever I want it/the moment I need it with no need to carry it around or plug it in, it really updates quickly (which still impresses me, when I deviate from a route it knows it impressively fast and reroutes likethat) and the large bright screen is perfectly placed and the vocal directions loud and clear.

I do use it to find places I decide to go to on it (recently used for a grocery store and finding the address of a restaurant) and overall it is very handy for a sense of direction, a sense of time/distance, and the sense to know when to try another way with the security that you will always have some guidance to get where you are going even if you are completely lost.


PS: The "outdated" nav in the cars never hurt the resale, even when the car was 6 years old - afterall, even if they don't want the old system a built in LCD and/or place to put a new system can be very useful.

 

With my Garmin, it's really nice to be in a strange town and have it look up the nearest Mexican restaurant, and dial the phone number via Bluetooth so I can check hours of operation and make a reservation.

It's nothing that you couldn't do with a paper map, a cellphone and directory assistance, but it sure is handy.