Discussion
Thanks for the replies, I just use a map at the moment or directions off the internet so I know very little about the various systems available. The BMW sat nav looks good as part of the dashboard but I'm not sure I would pay a premium for it (unless it would help sell the car on in the future).
I have the e46 prof (HIGH) widescreen nav and think its good, you do get postcode search (5 digit, but only on the newer map discs), the TMC feature is very good, (but not always right up to date), the routing function is also good, it is also quick to recalculate a new route if you go wrong, I've also modded mine to give me all the UK speed camera locations and this also works quite well.
Remember, the nav is more than the map... ask yourself the following: (The TomTom is just an example).
Can the Tom Tom still provide you with working navigation when there is no GPS signal? Like in tunnels, underground, garages etc
Can the Tom Tom give you instant guidance from the second you switch it on, or must it wait for a GPS fix?
Can the Tom tom show you arrival time and distance to go in your car's instrument cluster?
Can your Tom Tom transfer arrival time and distance data be transferred to the vehicles trip computer?
Can the Tom Tom mute the radio automatically when it needs to issue voice instructions?
Can the Tom Tom voice instructions be played back over the entire car stereo?
Does the Tom Tom's voice instructions volume automatically compensate for vehicle speed?
Does the Tom Tom map show up on the car's large, widescreen, central colour display?
Will the Tom Tom automatically interrupt the Radio/CD/Tape/TV etc display to show you the next instruction?
Does the Tom Tom mount in a position out of sight to deter from theft?
Does the Tom Tom system provide a world-wide spares system maintaining parts availability for over 10 years?
Does the Tom Tom let you integrate the phone system and have VR control?
With a bit of effort you can also mod the BMW Nav system, (as with the TT).
Create your own POIs
Create your own Splash Screens
Create and/or modify your own Colour Schemes (sp?)
Create your own Pointers
Create your own Sky
Create your own Menus
Modify your own Menu text
Set speed reminders (gong)
Modify for different languages, both spoken and read.
You can save your current (or any) location for quick address lookup.
This the TT can't do:
Use it to connect Aux devices, DVD players, Ipod's, Carputer, Play station, Xbox etc and have the sound play through the sound system.
Dimms the display when it gets dark.
Use the MFSW to control the sound.
Use Voice commands to control the navigation.
Use Preloaded POI's stored on the Nav disc.
Use Preloaded Information about hotels etc (ratings, telephone numbers etc).
Find the closest BMW Dealer/Service centre.
Now yes I agree, the BMW system has its flaws, but so has the TT (or any aftermarket nav system), you put up with the flaws of the TT because its cheap, and you don't want to put up with the flaws of the BMW system because its expensive, its as simple as that.
I put up with the BMW system flaws because of the flaws in aftermarket systems are too great (for me).
I like the BMW system, it works well (IMO), it looks good and it is well integrated into the car.
I don't like TT type systems because, they invite thieves, they look ugly stuck to the screen, they have fiddly trailing leads all over the dash or console, no integration into the sound system, and if (god forbid) you have an accident the TT is going to be bouncing around inside the car like a brick (fancy that thing hitting your child in the head in a 70 mph crash).
Like I said, the system is not perfect (nothing ever is), but IMO it is better than the aftermarket systems out there, albeit with the caveat that all systems have flaws.
At the end of the day, any system (which ever) is an aid, a device to help you get to your destination, it is not an autopilot, you the driver make the decisions, you don't drive into a river just because the SatNav tells you too, do you?
Having the SatNav does not remove the thought process of finding your destination, its an aid that’s all, its like having a mate in the passenger seat that thinks he knows the way.
I always get a full address and look it up first, on either the web or a plain old map or an A to Z, it takes five minutes.
Would I recommend it, yes, would I have paid over £2k for it, no.
Just my 2 pence worth.
P.S Sorry about the length of the post I got a bit carried away...
ops:
Remember, the nav is more than the map... ask yourself the following: (The TomTom is just an example).
Can the Tom Tom still provide you with working navigation when there is no GPS signal? Like in tunnels, underground, garages etc
Can the Tom Tom give you instant guidance from the second you switch it on, or must it wait for a GPS fix?
Can the Tom tom show you arrival time and distance to go in your car's instrument cluster?
Can your Tom Tom transfer arrival time and distance data be transferred to the vehicles trip computer?
Can the Tom Tom mute the radio automatically when it needs to issue voice instructions?
Can the Tom Tom voice instructions be played back over the entire car stereo?
Does the Tom Tom's voice instructions volume automatically compensate for vehicle speed?
Does the Tom Tom map show up on the car's large, widescreen, central colour display?
Will the Tom Tom automatically interrupt the Radio/CD/Tape/TV etc display to show you the next instruction?
Does the Tom Tom mount in a position out of sight to deter from theft?
Does the Tom Tom system provide a world-wide spares system maintaining parts availability for over 10 years?
Does the Tom Tom let you integrate the phone system and have VR control?
With a bit of effort you can also mod the BMW Nav system, (as with the TT).
Create your own POIs
Create your own Splash Screens
Create and/or modify your own Colour Schemes (sp?)
Create your own Pointers
Create your own Sky
Create your own Menus
Modify your own Menu text
Set speed reminders (gong)
Modify for different languages, both spoken and read.
You can save your current (or any) location for quick address lookup.
This the TT can't do:
Use it to connect Aux devices, DVD players, Ipod's, Carputer, Play station, Xbox etc and have the sound play through the sound system.
Dimms the display when it gets dark.
Use the MFSW to control the sound.
Use Voice commands to control the navigation.
Use Preloaded POI's stored on the Nav disc.
Use Preloaded Information about hotels etc (ratings, telephone numbers etc).
Find the closest BMW Dealer/Service centre.
Now yes I agree, the BMW system has its flaws, but so has the TT (or any aftermarket nav system), you put up with the flaws of the TT because its cheap, and you don't want to put up with the flaws of the BMW system because its expensive, its as simple as that.
I put up with the BMW system flaws because of the flaws in aftermarket systems are too great (for me).
I like the BMW system, it works well (IMO), it looks good and it is well integrated into the car.
I don't like TT type systems because, they invite thieves, they look ugly stuck to the screen, they have fiddly trailing leads all over the dash or console, no integration into the sound system, and if (god forbid) you have an accident the TT is going to be bouncing around inside the car like a brick (fancy that thing hitting your child in the head in a 70 mph crash).
Like I said, the system is not perfect (nothing ever is), but IMO it is better than the aftermarket systems out there, albeit with the caveat that all systems have flaws.
At the end of the day, any system (which ever) is an aid, a device to help you get to your destination, it is not an autopilot, you the driver make the decisions, you don't drive into a river just because the SatNav tells you too, do you?
Having the SatNav does not remove the thought process of finding your destination, its an aid that’s all, its like having a mate in the passenger seat that thinks he knows the way.
I always get a full address and look it up first, on either the web or a plain old map or an A to Z, it takes five minutes.
Would I recommend it, yes, would I have paid over £2k for it, no.
Just my 2 pence worth.
P.S Sorry about the length of the post I got a bit carried away...
ops:I feel I must leap to the defense of tomtom (well a bit).
To answer some of the questions...Based on a go 520
Can the Tom Tom still provide you with working navigation when there is no GPS signal? Like in tunnels, underground, garages etc
>>It does to a degree, so finr instance when you drive through a tunnel it will use some logic to suggest where you probably are. Not really an issue as I head for the big light at the end where it kicks back in.
Can the Tom Tom give you instant guidance from the second you switch it on, or must it wait for a GPS fix?
>> Err, yes. It uses GPS to to get a more or less instant fix
Can the Tom tom show you arrival time and distance to go in your car's instrument cluster?
>> Of course not, but it does show them..
Can your Tom Tom transfer arrival time and distance data be transferred to the vehicles trip computer?
>> No, but why would you need that?
Can the Tom Tom mute the radio automatically when it needs to issue voice instructions?
>> You know I have a feeling this can be done, with a little work.
Can the Tom Tom voice instructions be played back over the entire car stereo?
>> Yes
Does the Tom Tom's voice instructions volume automatically compensate for vehicle speed?
>> Yes
Does the Tom Tom map show up on the car's large, widescreen, central colour display?
>> Alas not
Will the Tom Tom automatically interrupt the Radio/CD/Tape/TV etc display to show you the next instruction?
Does the Tom Tom mount in a position out of sight to deter from theft?
>> I've always mounted it to the right hand side, it is amazing because it unclips and can be carried easily.
Does the Tom Tom system provide a world-wide spares system maintaining parts availability for over 10 years?
>> Do tomtom dealer charge £100 to take a look at stuff?
Does the Tom Tom let you integrate the phone system and have VR control?
>> yes
Can you plug your car into your computer for easy upgrades?
>> ??
I'm not trying to be confrontational as I was faced with the same choice recently, whilst I really wanted the factory fit option there was no way I could justify it at nearly £2k. The integration with the car and the bigger screen are clear benefits however the TOMTTOM is a better sat nav (being honest I have used tomtom for a long time, however I did test the factory fit option quite extensivly and felt that for satnav tomtom was better).
It is also more upgradable and only £200.
If the factory fit Prof version had been £1k I would have done it, £2k is just too much money.
D
To answer some of the questions...Based on a go 520
Can the Tom Tom still provide you with working navigation when there is no GPS signal? Like in tunnels, underground, garages etc
>>It does to a degree, so finr instance when you drive through a tunnel it will use some logic to suggest where you probably are. Not really an issue as I head for the big light at the end where it kicks back in.
Can the Tom Tom give you instant guidance from the second you switch it on, or must it wait for a GPS fix?
>> Err, yes. It uses GPS to to get a more or less instant fix
Can the Tom tom show you arrival time and distance to go in your car's instrument cluster?
>> Of course not, but it does show them..
Can your Tom Tom transfer arrival time and distance data be transferred to the vehicles trip computer?
>> No, but why would you need that?
Can the Tom Tom mute the radio automatically when it needs to issue voice instructions?
>> You know I have a feeling this can be done, with a little work.
Can the Tom Tom voice instructions be played back over the entire car stereo?
>> Yes
Does the Tom Tom's voice instructions volume automatically compensate for vehicle speed?
>> Yes
Does the Tom Tom map show up on the car's large, widescreen, central colour display?
>> Alas not
Will the Tom Tom automatically interrupt the Radio/CD/Tape/TV etc display to show you the next instruction?
Does the Tom Tom mount in a position out of sight to deter from theft?
>> I've always mounted it to the right hand side, it is amazing because it unclips and can be carried easily.
Does the Tom Tom system provide a world-wide spares system maintaining parts availability for over 10 years?
>> Do tomtom dealer charge £100 to take a look at stuff?
Does the Tom Tom let you integrate the phone system and have VR control?
>> yes
Can you plug your car into your computer for easy upgrades?
>> ??
I'm not trying to be confrontational as I was faced with the same choice recently, whilst I really wanted the factory fit option there was no way I could justify it at nearly £2k. The integration with the car and the bigger screen are clear benefits however the TOMTTOM is a better sat nav (being honest I have used tomtom for a long time, however I did test the factory fit option quite extensivly and felt that for satnav tomtom was better).
It is also more upgradable and only £200.
If the factory fit Prof version had been £1k I would have done it, £2k is just too much money.
D
Vixpy1 said:
No postcode entry which makes it very frustrating to use
If you have the right CD/DVD then It does have postcode search, input the postcode in the town field, granted it's only 5 digit, but it's normally good enough for most needs, it will get you to the correct street, you just need the house number then.Vixpy1 said:
also its slooooow
I what way? davidd said:
I feel I must leap to the defense of tomtom (well a bit).
I did not mean it to come across as some sort of attack, don't get me wrong the TT is a fine piece of kit, I was just using it as a comparison, no slight intended.davidd said:
To answer some of the questions...Based on a go 520
My post was for the older TT, the one without the features, but point taken.davidd said:
I'm not trying to be confrontational
Neither was I, just trying to point out that the OEM nav is not just a cleaver map, its an integrated audio visual system with SatNav capability's, to call the system crap because its not as easy to use as the TT or it takes 2 more button pushes to do the same as a TT is IMO unfair.davidd said:
however the TOMTTOM is a better sat nav (being honest I have used tomtom for a long time, however I did test the factory fit option quite extensivly and felt that for satnav tomtom was better).
It's a fair comment and you could well be right.davidd said:
It is also more upgradable and only £200.
If the factory fit Prof version had been £1k I would have done it, £2k is just too much money.
I agree, the OEM setup is a lot of money, like I said would i pay £2k no, would I pay £1k, again no, it was in the car when i bought it and I've had no problems with it, but its horses for courses.If the factory fit Prof version had been £1k I would have done it, £2k is just too much money.
It's a bit like saying my £60 Seiko quartz watch is better than my £600 automatic Omega seamaster, well the both tell the time for sure...
The seiko will be more accurate, but accurate to 2 seconds over a month is not the be-all and end-all of a good time piece IMO...
Edited by ccfj1 on Friday 11th January 12:51
Edited by ccfj1 on Friday 11th January 12:53
davidd said:
ccfj1 said:
The seiko will be more accurate, but accurate to 2 seconds over a month is not the be-all and end-all of a good time piece IMO...
lol my breitling superocean davidd said:
is rated at 1000M, which is about 960 further than I have ever been 
Indeed, my seamaster rated 1000M and never been in the water, lol...ccfj1 said:
davidd said:
ccfj1 said:
The seiko will be more accurate, but accurate to 2 seconds over a month is not the be-all and end-all of a good time piece IMO...
lol my breitling superocean davidd said:
is rated at 1000M, which is about 960 further than I have ever been
Indeed, my seamaster rated 1000M and never been in the water, lol...NickXX said:
Vixpy1 said:
Marki said:
Vixpy1 said:
BMW Satnav = Chocolate teapot
Why is that exactly I could give you the same long explanations as above as to why the BMW system is better than the TT. Mine is modded up and I think its a bloody good system. Yes it has its faults but.... I wasn't going to do that. What I was going to do is tell you that my wife is now using different car, to go with it we got a TT 520 (i.e. one of the best TT's).
Wife has been using this for a couple of months and told me the other day she misses the BMW system. Found it easier to use, less fiddly and more intuitive to follow once underway.
Only worth it on a second hand car though.
Wife has been using this for a couple of months and told me the other day she misses the BMW system. Found it easier to use, less fiddly and more intuitive to follow once underway.
Only worth it on a second hand car though.
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