Factory nav - is it a rip off?
Discussion
Hmmmmmm
Just how much is the option of sat nav on a new car?
Let me tell you - its £855 on a new Astra, even more on other makes
Why the bloody hell do we put up with this?
A Garmin from Argos costs £80 and my Android phone has a superb nav/traffic app for free after you subtract the cost of phone and data contract which easily out performs the standard fit unit on my standard issue PH powerfully built company directors luxo barge which cost the original owner £2k plus as an option 5y ago
Discuss.......................
It depends, I wouldn't buy a BMW without it, it's more than sat nav now anyway, like new audis use the sat nav to direct the headlights etc, location services and stuff that is a gimmick but if your buying a new car you don't want basic
If it meant the car came with a screen then yes you need it such as I the e90 3 series I wouldn't even look at one without I drive for the other controls it's brings.
In a ford focus then no it is a rip off because the screen is something off a 90s phone
If it meant the car came with a screen then yes you need it such as I the e90 3 series I wouldn't even look at one without I drive for the other controls it's brings.
In a ford focus then no it is a rip off because the screen is something off a 90s phone
The 'nav in my M6 was absolutely useless. I was cheerfully quoted £300+ for a new disc by BMW, which the specs said was two years old anyway. Waste of time.
I ended up using the screen as a mount for my TomTom since everything else I needed came up on the HUD. Suppose it's worth thanking BMW for highlighting the downsides/disadvantages of the factory sat nav and making me buy my own. I saved a bit of money on my 370Z as I went for a version with the toys (GT pack) but without a satnav.
I ended up using the screen as a mount for my TomTom since everything else I needed came up on the HUD. Suppose it's worth thanking BMW for highlighting the downsides/disadvantages of the factory sat nav and making me buy my own. I saved a bit of money on my 370Z as I went for a version with the toys (GT pack) but without a satnav.
The latest BMW pro-nav is very good with Real Time Traffic Info. Uses GPS to monitor traffic speeds of vehicles in the vicinity giving a google map like traffic overlay of your surrounding area. With nav on gives you alternative routes and how much time you save.
Really accurate so far, unlike the woeful TMC systems in the past.
A special mention to Merc as well for giving all non-nav cars a glovebox slot that accepts a £250 Becker Map Pilot that integrates perfectly with the Built in Comand screen and I-drive control wheel thingy.
Really accurate so far, unlike the woeful TMC systems in the past.
A special mention to Merc as well for giving all non-nav cars a glovebox slot that accepts a £250 Becker Map Pilot that integrates perfectly with the Built in Comand screen and I-drive control wheel thingy.
Ozzie Osmond said:
I say "yes", it's a rip-off. Certainly in the context of the way I use my cars.
£100 TomTom from Halfords - job done.
Any issues - just buy another.
Problems learning the different systems in different cars? Nope.
£35 for TomTom mapping for my iPhone, even better value £100 TomTom from Halfords - job done.
Any issues - just buy another.
Problems learning the different systems in different cars? Nope.
In two minds about this. In terms of basic nav, no question, a Garmin is just fine.
However, manufacturers are integrating a raft of services now (at least in Canada) so that Nissans for example have nav systems with full voice control and concierge services and commands like "near" so you can say..."it there a steak house near the instruction of xx?" or "is there a Shell station near here?" and so on.....
Its a moving target. I must say when I bought my Cayenne S which I use as a hack for towing and long distance I got the biggest engine with the least stuff, so no nav. I use a Garmin.
However, manufacturers are integrating a raft of services now (at least in Canada) so that Nissans for example have nav systems with full voice control and concierge services and commands like "near" so you can say..."it there a steak house near the instruction of xx?" or "is there a Shell station near here?" and so on.....
Its a moving target. I must say when I bought my Cayenne S which I use as a hack for towing and long distance I got the biggest engine with the least stuff, so no nav. I use a Garmin.
Have no fear....Apple are to the rescue on that front. Coming to a new car or as an aftermarket retrofit gizmo near you soon.
Apple CarPlay
http://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/
Apple CarPlay
http://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/
It depends, I wouldn't buy a BMW without it, it's more than sat nav now anyway, like new audis use the sat nav to direct the headlights etc, location services and stuff that is a gimmick but if your buying a new car you don't want basic
If it meant the car came with a screen then yes you need it such as I the e90 3 series I wouldn't even look at one without I drive for the other controls it's brings.
In a ford focus then no it is a rip off because the screen is something off a 90s phone
If it meant the car came with a screen then yes you need it such as I the e90 3 series I wouldn't even look at one without I drive for the other controls it's brings.
In a ford focus then no it is a rip off because the screen is something off a 90s phone
As most people are saying, I certainly wouldn't pay more than a couple of hundred quid for a sat nav system, but integrated ones often provide other stuff too. Having said that, I almost certainly still wouldn't buy it because I generally don't value any of the features that they offer.
We've got an integrated system in the Octavia and still use a Tomtom simply because it's better.
I wish manufacturers would offer a touch sensitive LCD display with an HDMI input as an option. Then you could simply plug in your own unit and have it nicely integrated into the dashboard.
ETA: Hmm, I wonder if I could rip the screen out of the Octavia, buy a monitor of the correct size (or a tablet that supports the right features in itself), and rig up such a system.
We've got an integrated system in the Octavia and still use a Tomtom simply because it's better.
I wish manufacturers would offer a touch sensitive LCD display with an HDMI input as an option. Then you could simply plug in your own unit and have it nicely integrated into the dashboard.
ETA: Hmm, I wonder if I could rip the screen out of the Octavia, buy a monitor of the correct size (or a tablet that supports the right features in itself), and rig up such a system.
Edited by kambites on Friday 11th April 08:23
The one in my current BMW handles just about everything except the climate control and the heated seats. Everything else is on there - sat nav, CD/USB music info, parking sensors, surround-sound settings, service information, TPMS and so on and so on....plus the screen stops the dashboard looking like a huge slab of black plastic.
It's a liability. In 3 years when you sell the car it's out of date, in 6 years it's a dinosaur
If you need anything its a bracket for a tomtom iphone ipad.
Until they build in 32" screens tehres nothing to touch a large bookmap for checking the direction its sending you
If you need anything its a bracket for a tomtom iphone ipad.
Until they build in 32" screens tehres nothing to touch a large bookmap for checking the direction its sending you
Edited by saaby93 on Friday 11th April 08:31
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