R56 Brand recommendation on NAV systems
#26
07-19-2007, 03:59 PM
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Let me repeat myself one more time, MINI!!! And yes, $2100 is WAY over priced, and MINI/BMW should be ashamed of themselves for overcharging for Nav, ALL cars should come STANDARD with Nav today, period.
But remember, it's NOT just Nav, it's integration with PDC, software settings, menus, bluetooth phone connections, MP3's/radio displays..... maybe ya'all need a different angle???
But remember, it's NOT just Nav, it's integration with PDC, software settings, menus, bluetooth phone connections, MP3's/radio displays..... maybe ya'all need a different angle???
#27
07-19-2007, 04:05 PM
Ah, not sure where your lookin', but the LCD Nav screen in my MINi and pictured above, is round. 
..and, an aftermarket unit stuck to the dash somewhere with an antenna and power wires dangling around looks "real clean". 
That said, I could care less what it looks like to be honest. What I look for for is functionality and ergonomics. The car is too small for an aftermarket unit to be dangling around the dashboard already 1/2 blocked by the mamoth rear-view mirror.
You can plan trips, ON the MINI nav. Select as many "destinations" as you wish by entering in the address, searching for things (like restuaraunts, hotels, attractions...), or just plain old pointing the crosshairs at a position. Then off you go in the order you entered them or in the order best selected by MINI.
If you ask me, the ONLY excuse NOT to get the built in Nav, is simply $$. If you can't afford it, I can fully understand that. Like I said, it's a ripoff, and one MINI/BMW should be ashamed of, and I'll post that till lthe day it's $100 extra or FREE. But if you can afford it, or are borderline, GET IT and thank me later.
..and, an aftermarket unit stuck to the dash somewhere with an antenna and power wires dangling around looks "real clean". That said, I could care less what it looks like to be honest. What I look for for is functionality and ergonomics. The car is too small for an aftermarket unit to be dangling around the dashboard already 1/2 blocked by the mamoth rear-view mirror.
You can plan trips, ON the MINI nav. Select as many "destinations" as you wish by entering in the address, searching for things (like restuaraunts, hotels, attractions...), or just plain old pointing the crosshairs at a position. Then off you go in the order you entered them or in the order best selected by MINI.
If you ask me, the ONLY excuse NOT to get the built in Nav, is simply $$. If you can't afford it, I can fully understand that. Like I said, it's a ripoff, and one MINI/BMW should be ashamed of, and I'll post that till lthe day it's $100 extra or FREE. But if you can afford it, or are borderline, GET IT and thank me later.
It's really no big deal to hardwire a GPS or anything else cleanly, and mount in a clean fashion.
There is no way I'm going to sit in my car for a couple hours planning a trip.
Can I put the built in Nav on my motorcycle? No. Can I put in in my jeep? No. Can I take it in the house and load 8 gigs of MP3's on it? No.
I am happy you love your built in Nav, but price is not the only reason not to get it.
#28
07-19-2007, 04:07 PM
they would be better off if they never EVER mention the word "idrive" anywhere on any mini documentation
idrive is the worst navigation software & interface on the market, EVERY other nav system is better, I have yet to use one that was harder than the "idrive"
and every review I've ever read stated the same thing, idrive is horrible
idrive is the worst navigation software & interface on the market, EVERY other nav system is better, I have yet to use one that was harder than the "idrive"
and every review I've ever read stated the same thing, idrive is horrible
Late Entry: Using the search feature on the R56 forum I checked on, "iDrive". I didn't find a single complaint about the way it functioned in the R56, though there was one individual who's voice recognition wasn't working (this individual is/was awaiting a software upgrade).
Last edited by Ken Cooper; 07-19-2007 at 06:04 PM. Reason: Late Entry:
#29
07-20-2007, 05:24 PM
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#30
07-20-2007, 05:58 PM
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Haven't gotten one yet and maybe I'll figure it out then but....where do you all put the screens? Attach to dash board? Thought maybe to glass on speedo - don't use it as I use digital on Tach but then it would block gas guage. Also is it worth upgrading to larger 4.3" screen or is 3.5" adequate? (quoting these dimensions from memory - could be wrong.) seems like a pretty strong concensus for Garmin
#31
07-20-2007, 06:04 PM
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#32
07-20-2007, 06:31 PM
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#34
07-20-2007, 06:57 PM
Well, guess I'll join Birdman as one of those folks who get on ucbrother's nerves. As I understood it from early R56 reviews, BMW cleaned up their iDrive act on the MINI Cooper version. Am I wrong here?
Late Entry: Using the search feature on the R56 forum I checked on, "iDrive". I didn't find a single complaint about the way it functioned in the R56, though there was one individual who's voice recognition wasn't working (this individual is/was awaiting a software upgrade).
Late Entry: Using the search feature on the R56 forum I checked on, "iDrive". I didn't find a single complaint about the way it functioned in the R56, though there was one individual who's voice recognition wasn't working (this individual is/was awaiting a software upgrade).
What is it with you guys...this thread is about non-oem navs...we have extensive threads on on all the opinions of the OEM NAV else where...Yes you are being pests with this OEM NAV....I'm happy you love what you got...we get it...We know it incorporates other things...we get it...We all love Mini's thats why we are here...This borders on OCD...and we have a thread on that as well.....
Last edited by h20baby; 07-20-2007 at 07:08 PM.
#35
07-20-2007, 08:21 PM
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What is it with you guys...this thread is about non-oem navs...we have extensive threads on on all the opinions of the OEM NAV else where...Yes you are being pests with this OEM NAV....I'm happy you love what you got...we get it...We know it incorporates other things...we get it...We all love Mini's thats why we are here...This borders on OCD...and we have a thread on that as well.....
#36
07-20-2007, 08:42 PM
What is it with you guys...this thread is about non-oem navs...we have extensive threads on on all the opinions of the OEM NAV else where...Yes you are being pests with this OEM NAV....I'm happy you love what you got...we get it...We know it incorporates other things...we get it...We all love Mini's thats why we are here...This borders on OCD...and we have a thread on that as well.....
"they would be better off if they never EVER mention the word "idrive" anywhere on any mini documentation
idrive is the worst navigation software & interface on the market, EVERY other nav system is better, I have yet to use one that was harder than the "idrive"
and every review I've ever read stated the same thing, idrive is horrible"
When I see an undeserved slamming I believe it deserves a response. It doesn't deserve to go unanswered on this forum where potential MINI Cooper buyers come to research.
Also, I don't believe Birdman deserved to be tongue-lashed simply because of exhibiting a bit of over-exuberance and then responding to people who were putting down the OEM NAV system.
P.S. As mentioned earlier, I strongly recommend the Garmin Nuvi 350 or 360 (just to get us back on topic here).
Last edited by Ken Cooper; 07-21-2007 at 07:02 AM.
#37
07-21-2007, 12:58 PM
#38
07-22-2007, 07:45 AM
I'd suggest Garmin or TomTom. I opted not to get Nav in our MCS (and I CAN afford it) because the interface is just not intuitive to use. In my mind, the only thing it really offered was a better way to integrate with other electronics, such as phone. Just not worth it in my opinion. I bought a garmin for $200 and it works fine for when I need it (which is maybe 1x a week at MOST).
I've played with both the 2007 BMW nav and Mini Nav, and frankly, they're both very, very bad.
I've played with both the 2007 BMW nav and Mini Nav, and frankly, they're both very, very bad.
#40
07-22-2007, 03:03 PM
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Thank you all for the input. I ordered a Garmin 350 yesterday and it should be here in a few days. It was at Best Buy for $479 (Not too "best") and I ended up getting it online at Buydig.com for $355.49. They even offered free shipping but I opted to get it here a little sooner and paid $7.95.
#41
07-22-2007, 03:25 PM
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Thank you all for the input. I ordered a Garmin 350 yesterday and it should be here in a few days. It was at Best Buy for $479 (Not too "best") and I ended up getting it online at Buydig.com for $355.49. They even offered free shipping but I opted to get it here a little sooner and paid $7.95.
#42
07-22-2007, 03:40 PM
Garmin all the way!!! I've had one for over a year and it has proven to be one of the best Nav units out there. It's small enough to carry in your pocket. I've actually used it in the pedestrian mode when in Nova Scotia... and it was wonderful. I do like the MINI stock unit however, I think it's over priced... I had a mfg. nav unit in a TSX and loved it... It blended with the dash and overall look of the car... but I couldn't take it out and use it in walking mode or into another car... I just downloaded the MINI logo and MINI cars, really look good on the Garmin. Also, you can up grade your software free of charge... Garmin is always providing upgrades to their units. It also speaks the names of the streets and recalculates routes very fast. My vote is Garmin...
#44
07-23-2007, 09:15 AM
"Idrive"?? What's that?
Just for the record, who care's what the "drive" unit is called? I turn it on, it shows me where I am, and I can select in 2 seconds, a new destination wether it be from a list of menu's for exisint points (gas stations, returarants,...) or just an address I want to enter. Wallah! It takes me to that address.
As for the guys who says he doesn't want to sit in his car for "hours" to plan a trip?? I don't know where yur going or whta the heck your doing, but I can put in a trip to 10 location in about 2 minutes. What's to "plan"? Just put in the address , and MOTOR!!
And PS- the MINI Nav comes WITH the MINI logo!!!
Just for the record, who care's what the "drive" unit is called? I turn it on, it shows me where I am, and I can select in 2 seconds, a new destination wether it be from a list of menu's for exisint points (gas stations, returarants,...) or just an address I want to enter. Wallah! It takes me to that address.
As for the guys who says he doesn't want to sit in his car for "hours" to plan a trip?? I don't know where yur going or whta the heck your doing, but I can put in a trip to 10 location in about 2 minutes. What's to "plan"? Just put in the address , and MOTOR!!
And PS- the MINI Nav comes WITH the MINI logo!!!
#45
07-23-2007, 10:18 AM
#46
07-23-2007, 10:30 AM
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#47
07-23-2007, 10:35 AM
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#48
07-23-2007, 10:45 AM
Being able to pick all the waypoints for fuel and food along the way is really nice when you can do it in your home.
Being able to use the GPS in any car is the nicest thing for us. The same software, the same interface, the same voice. I could have gotten the Lexus and the Mini with their repsective NAV systems, but it would have been a nightmare for us to have to deal with those two very different systems.
EDIT: I am with welshmen... I just want a GPS. I have no need for bluetooth, or mp3,..or whatever. I just want a good solid GPS with a reasonable sized screen. One that can sit on the dash. One without a touchscreen. With voice prompts and automatic re-routing. One that with programmable waypoints.
Hehe. I know exactly what I want, but Garmin does not make it anymore. Darn it!
Last edited by Skuzzy; 07-23-2007 at 10:50 AM.
#49
07-23-2007, 11:47 AM
Yeah, what UCBrother said!!! See, I knew he would see it my way!!!
As far as non OEM brand units go, I would go with a Garmin. For the imple fact that Garmin has always been GREAT about software updates. I don't mean map updates, I mean software. If there is a bug in the system (and they ALL have bugs here and there), Garmin is the one company that ALWAYS seesm to fix the bug, and release an update you can download and instal on your unit to fix it.
You guys that just want to go from point A to B, your missing alot. One of the nicest things on the built in OEM MINI Nav (shamless plug!) is the MP3 filename and folder listings. I could not live without that.
As far as non OEM brand units go, I would go with a Garmin. For the imple fact that Garmin has always been GREAT about software updates. I don't mean map updates, I mean software. If there is a bug in the system (and they ALL have bugs here and there), Garmin is the one company that ALWAYS seesm to fix the bug, and release an update you can download and instal on your unit to fix it.
You guys that just want to go from point A to B, your missing alot. One of the nicest things on the built in OEM MINI Nav (shamless plug!) is the MP3 filename and folder listings. I could not live without that.
#50
07-23-2007, 11:52 AM