Mini Sat Nav to stupid to avoid Congestion Zone?

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Hi all,

Sorry, that should have been - too stupid.....

So I have the Sat Nav option in an R53 and I have the most recent Sat Nav disk and firmware installed.

Generally I really like the Sat Nav although I absolutely HATE the fact that I have no temp gauge because of it!!!!!

The traffic side of things seems to work pretty well in terms of diverting around congestion - I was very surprised just after getting the car when it took me on a crazy off-the-beaten track route from Gatwick Airport to London during rush-hour - fantastic, only took an extra 15 minutes, was really impressed.

However...............
What is going on in regards to the Central London Congestion Zone??????
Even my Tom Tom Go 700 with no traffic subscription will navigate me around the Zone if I have "avoid toll roads" selected.
The Mini Sat Nav - oh no...... it wants me to drive straight through it.

I have to say this is rather lame for such an expensive option that is constantly in touch with traffic info - I actually feel that the Mini Sat Nav should automatically navigate you around the Zone (if you've selected "avoid toll roads") when it is active and through it during the "no charge" times.

Anyone else bugged by this?

Cheers, Geoff.

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Ok......
So I'm the only person with the Sat Nav option living in London?

[DaFlake]

That would be a map update.... What version of maps are you running?

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

That would be a map update.... What version of maps are you running?

Hi, I'm currently running 2007-2 so I fail to see why it's necessarily related to a map update.

The other consideration is that the Congestion Zone operates from 7:00am to 6:00pm Mon - Fri so the Sat Nav should be getting info re this from the traffic satellites in order that it only navigates you around it when necessary.

Seems a little on the lame side to me for such an expensive option - then again maybe London is considered a fairly insignificant city so why bother?

Think I will contact Mini UK re this for an explanation.

Cheers, Geoff.

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by drainaudio (original)

Hi, I'm currently running 2007-2 so I fail to see why it's necessarily related to a map update.

The other consideration is that the Congestion Zone operates from 7:00am to 6:00pm Mon - Fri so the Sat Nav should be getting info re this from the traffic satellites in order that it only navigates you around it when necessary.

Seems a little on the lame side to me for such an expensive option - then again maybe London is considered a fairly insignificant city so why bother?

Think I will contact Mini UK re this for an explanation.

Cheers, Geoff.

No such creature as traffic satellites. The NAV gets its traffic information via TMC from your radio. Do you have this option (would have a big green TMC on your nav screen)? Also, if it is not reported to the local radio/traffic station then it is not being broadcast. You could get it this way but it would not be the best method as it would have to be managed by a human.

The reason that I say it is a map disk issue is because if it is a standard thing (permanent closure or toll at specific times, the nav would pull that information from the disk and route as needed. Kinda of like pedestrian zones and such. You could report this to Navteq for future releases.

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Hi,
I see your point re the traffic updates and yes I have the TMC displayed on the screen.

Re reporting this to Navteq as an issue for a disk update, no offense but are you nuts!!
The Central London Congestion zone has been in place for aprox 3 years now - if you stray into it without paying an £8 charge for the day it's a £60 fine.

This is London we're talking about here - if Navteq need a reminder to get this info on their SatNav disks they certainly aren't very good at their job.

My Tom Tom was able to deal with this from day one and it did not cost £1500.

Cheers, Geoff.

[Goonery]

The Nav systems only know where Toll restrictions are, they don't cover operating periods, I'm surprised that the OE system didn't route you around the congestion charge area if you deliberately selected avoid tolls though. I've often used both MINI and BMW factory fitted nav systems for years all over the UK and especially in London and its worked fine if the avoid toll option is ticked when you plan the routes. Maybe your new version has a bug in it

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Goonery (original)

The Nav systems only know where Toll restrictions are, they don't cover operating periods, I'm surprised that the OE system didn't route you around the congestion charge area if you deliberately selected avoid tolls though. I've often used both MINI and BMW factory fitted nav systems for years all over the UK and especially in London and its worked fine if the avoid toll option is ticked when you plan the routes. Maybe your new version has a bug in it

Hi,
I'd be totally happy for it to just navigate me at all times around the Congestion Zone as I can obviously select or deselect "avoid toll roads" when necessary.

Maybe it is an issue with the 2007-2 disk - I've sent an email to Mini Customer Services and will see what they have to say about it - would be great if a simple disk update solves the problem.


Cheers, Geoff.

[CHRIS27]

JUST GOT THIS ON MY NEW MINI, ARE THE UPDATES TO THE SYSTEM FREE OR DO YOU HAVE TO PAY????

Sorry left caps lock on, and how good is the system I hve it on my new clubman s.

cheers any info about the system will be appreciated.

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by CHRIS27 (original)

JUST GOT THIS ON MY NEW MINI, ARE THE UPDATES TO THE SYSTEM FREE OR DO YOU HAVE TO PAY????

Sorry left caps lock on, and how good is the system I hve it on my new clubman s.

cheers any info about the system will be appreciated.

Typically no and no...

Firmware (NAV operating system) is usually done by BMW and there is typically a fee to get it serviced. With the MK3/4 we were able to get the updates from BMW leaks but I am not sure with the new NAV.

On maps, you have to pay to get the updated disk.