Business sat nav

[Planman]

Hello, business sat nav is just about affordable on my new company car options (3 series), but professional sat nav is not (£500ish more). Is there a great deal of difference between the 2 systems, and does the business nav allow full postcode searches?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[skeeterm5]

None of the BMW sat navs allow full post code searches

S

[Planman]

skeeterm5 said:

None of the BMW sat navs allow full post code searches

S

Seems a bit poor given cost (£1500-2000!) So you just get directed to the relvant street then? Ok if a short street, but maybe not so handy if a long road.

[sonnyb]

skeeterm5 said:

None of the BMW sat navs allow full post code searches

S

Yes, they do, my 05 330Ci has full five digit postcode search and is as effective as any Tomtom.

[Mattt]

Is the new iDrive the same as older system in that Business is crap with just turn indicators, where the Pro is what you'd expect?

[carl_w]

sonnyb said:

Yes, they do, my 05 330Ci has full five digit postcode search and is as effective as any Tomtom.

But postcodes are seven digits?

[cpufreak]

Mattt said:

Is the new iDrive the same as older system in that Business is crap with just turn indicators, where the Pro is what you'd expect?

new pro has 3d maps in some parts of the country etc, so you can actually see the buildings outside on the screen.. quite useful.. and a nice gimmic

compared to the old type of satnav, which I'd had in my e92 m3, the new one is brilliant.. rather than just the quick or short route options, its now got an 'efficient' route, which is actually a good route to take!!

[DennisCooper]

Hiya

Yep, I was about to say as well, there are 'some' UK postcodes that are 7 characters or digits as they're referred to long.

I've never been a fan of the way overpriced SatNav systems in any cars, I'm actually glad my Ex Police E39 didn't come with the system!

Although I've read lots about them, I do find it utterly and frankly shocking that BMW's satnav doesn't offer 7 digit searching! is this really true? I'm currently finding that very very short sighted from the design aspects!

Cheers, Dennis.

[sonnyb]

carl_w said:

sonnyb said:

Yes, they do, my 05 330Ci has full five digit postcode search and is as effective as any Tomtom.

But postcodes are seven digits?

Correct, it is seven digits, and mine allows seven digit postcode entry.

[richterswil]

Planman said:

skeeterm5 said:

None of the BMW sat navs allow full post code searches

S

Seems a bit poor given cost (£1500-2000!) So you just get directed to the relvant street then? Ok if a short street, but maybe not so handy if a long road.

You can enter the building number - so 114 High Street for example rather than just High Street. Takes you to the door.

[phumy]

sonnyb said:

carl_w said:

sonnyb said:

Yes, they do, my 05 330Ci has full five digit postcode search and is as effective as any Tomtom.

But postcodes are seven digits?

Correct, it is seven digits, and mine allows seven digit postcode entry.

But its a long winded process, its not just a straight seven digit entry on the same screen, its still crap, cos ive got it too.

[Remagel2507]

You get 3D maps for prof and only 2D on business,- though I think thats from 07 onwards

On the business nav you have to use radio, aux etc when using the nav as the drive is used for the sat nav

and I think the screen is smaller and the you cant have a split screen

[Austin3000]

I thought the difference was the split screen with the professional nav.

I have this in my E90 and it means the right hand side of the screen can display the maps whilst the left hand side can do entertainment (radio, iPod etc).

You can also display the 3d map on the left and arrow directions on the right if you like. Quite useful actually.

[paoloh]

sonnyb said:

carl_w said:

sonnyb said:

Yes, they do, my 05 330Ci has full five digit postcode search and is as effective as any Tomtom.

But postcodes are seven digits?

Correct, it is seven digits, and mine allows seven digit postcode entry.

So why did you put 5 in your first post?

[Sir_Dave]

I have a TomTom One, it cost £100 & works considerably better than any in built Sat nav i have ever used. In fact, i keep in the car for when the Golfs nav displays its utter uselessness - which as it happens is quite often.

So for me, i would never pay extra for a built in one - which of course is great when buying 2nd hand as everyone else gets moist over nav & pays a huge premium ...

[Mr Noble]

Just got a 2009 535d with the new Pro HDD nav and I was amazed to find that its not got full postcode entry!!


Dealer told me its because the Germans don't want to pay Royal Mail the millions of pounds they want for the PC database. Could be true I guess. But if Tom Tom and Garmin etc can afford it, why the hell can't BMW, Audi, VW etc, none of them have full PC. Its a joke!!

[skeeterm5]

sonnyb said:

skeeterm5 said:

None of the BMW sat navs allow full post code searches

S

Yes, they do, my 05 330Ci has full five digit postcode search and is as effective as any Tomtom.

If you have full postcode entry on a bmw integrated sat nav then you are not running standard BMW software.

BMW does not offer full postcode entry, they refuse to pay the fees to the Post Office.

S

[Gasswoman]

skeeterm5 said:

sonnyb said:

skeeterm5 said:

None of the BMW sat navs allow full post code searches

S

Yes, they do, my 05 330Ci has full five digit postcode search and is as effective as any Tomtom.

If you have full postcode entry on a bmw integrated sat nav then you are not running standard BMW software.

BMW does not offer full postcode entry, they refuse to pay the fees to the Post Office.

S

Pretty much seals it for me. I'll stick to my £100 Garmin I think. Much as I'd like phone/parking sensors to be on a screen, £1500 is a big price to pay, and buys some nice other options!

[sonnyb]

paoloh said:

sonnyb said:

carl_w said:

sonnyb said:

Yes, they do, my 05 330Ci has full five digit postcode search and is as effective as any Tomtom.

But postcodes are seven digits?

Correct, it is seven digits, and mine allows seven digit postcode entry.

So why did you put 5 in your first post?

Because its not something I think about very often!
Sure enough though, it IS 7 digit entry, and I don't think it is particulalry long winded.
I would not pay £1500+ either, but then I did'nt, the first owner did.

[sonnyb]

skeeterm5 said:

sonnyb said:

skeeterm5 said:

None of the BMW sat navs allow full post code searches

S

Yes, they do, my 05 330Ci has full five digit postcode search and is as effective as any Tomtom.

If you have full postcode entry on a bmw integrated sat nav then you are not running standard BMW software.

BMW does not offer full postcode entry, they refuse to pay the fees to the Post Office.

S

No, I am not running standard BMW software, because it is overpriced and has limited functionality.
The I discs I use are substantially cheaper, work just as well and have speed cameras as well as 7 digit postcode entry.