Sat Nav Info??

[ChrisBuer]

A quick sat nav question…

Does anyone have a link (BMW site or otherwise) that tells you a bit more about the Sat Nav. I know that the nav on the Audi cars allows you to search for the nearest petrol stations. Does the Mini have any features such as this?

I’d just like to know a little bit more as I’ve ordered it on my car.

Cheers!

[Simon Jackson]

Yes it does have that feature, other things that feature include Rest stops, MINI Service depts, Restaurants, Hotels etc. Very useful features! Have used these a few times now!

[ChrisBuer]

I didn't realise it had this many features. Do you have any links to BMW / Mini sites that go through the Navigation at all? I can't find any on BMW GB or Mini.co.uk

Thanks

[miniyoda]

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisBuer
A quick sat nav question…

Does anyone have a link (BMW site or otherwise) that tells you a bit more about the Sat Nav. I know that the nav on the Audi cars allows you to search for the nearest petrol stations. Does the Mini have any features such as this?

I’d just like to know a little bit more as I’ve ordered it on my car.

Cheers!

The Mini nav system (at least the one I use in the US) does not allow you to search the nearest point of interest (petrol/food/rest/etc), but will show them as icons on the map. This is a link have about the maps for the US version of the nav system:

http://www.navtech.com/UserOrdersSer...&navigatorId=1

but it doesn't do Europe maps. Not sure of the company name or link for what you are needing. Sorry I'm not much more help

[ChrisBuer]

Quote:

Originally posted by miniyoda
...Not sure of the company name or link for what you are needing...

I was just trying to find out the features on the Mini Nav system.

For example, if you are out and want to find the nearest petrol station... Do you have to do a "search" for the stations by putting in a keyword such as "petrol" on the nav system?

All I have seen of the nav system is the map. What else does it do?

I assume that you get audible directions when you programme an address in and that you don't just follow a map. A friend of mine has nav on his Audi and it will say things like "In 100 yards, turn left", literally as you approach a junction, this really impressed me!

Do you get an address book on the nav also, so that you don't have to keep re-entering addresses?

Like I said, I've ordered this on my car, but at the time, the garage didn't have a demo car with sat nav. I haven't yet fiddled around with it, and would like to know the features (apart from the map) it comes with and the ease of use?

Thanks in advance

[kidtexas]

You get an address book as well as a recently entered addresses.

There is a whole list of points of interest that you can get directions too, including gas stations, hotels, restaurants, airports, museums, etc. Quite a big and varied list. It doesn't have everything in an area (all gas stations or all restaurants) but has enough to get by.

When you select a type of location, you get a list of the nearest ones, their direction from you, and distance. If you select one, it gives you an address and phone number (sometimes) and will let you set it as the destination. Also, the last selected type of location will show up on your map as a little icon (gas pump, plane, etc). Useful if you don't want to go to a specific place, but want to keep an eye out for them as you drive. There is another type of icon that shows up on the map as a little bulls-eye. Don't know what this signifies. Anyone know?

You do get audio prompting much like you described. You also get a little picture of the intersection and which way you should turn.

[ChrisBuer]

Thanks for your responses and details

I didn't realise the system contained so much. This will definately help when I'm out on my Mini adventures

[w3iwi]

Quote:

Originally posted by miniyoda
The Mini nav system (at least the one I use in the US) does not allow you to search the nearest point of interest (petrol/food/rest/etc), but will show them as icons on the map.

Actually, you can search the data base fairly easily, but it is buried several menu entries down.

To find gas stations (or Mini service center) near your current location, try this:

1. Press the center button and scroll down to [INFORMATION]

2. Press the center button and you will see a menu with items including [INFO ON DESTINATION] and [INFO ON LOCATION]. Scroll down to [LOCATION]

3. Press button and you will see a menu with entries including [VEHICLE]. Scroll down

4. Press button and you will see [GAS STATION], [MINI CENTER]. Scroll Down and select appropriate entry

5. Press button and see the nearest locations, including distance. You can select that entry and you will be routed to that destination. If you do this, you can resume your original destination by selecting [RECENT DESTINATIONS].

6. The search function also includes shopping malls, restraunts, airports, parks etc. Spend a few stationary minutes playing with the search functions so you learn what's there. Teach your co-pilot to use the functions 'cuz it would not be a good idea to press/scroll/press/scroll while driving.

Tom

[glade]

does anyone know if bmw/mini plans to upgrade their nav system from cd to dvd in the near future? i've heard the currently available cd-based system is frustrating, as one has to constanly switch cds in and out as they travel. most other car companies have switched to dvd. also, anyone know whether the cold-weather problem with the nav system has been solved yet?

thanks,
g

[w3iwi]

Quote:

Originally posted by glade
does anyone know if bmw/mini plans to upgrade their nav system from cd to dvd in the near future? i've heard the currently available cd-based system is frustrating, as one has to constanly switch cds in and out as they travel. most other car companies have switched to dvd. also, anyone know whether the cold-weather problem with the nav system has been solved yet?

The present CDs are only about half full; all 8 regions would fit onto one DVD.

IMHO, the reason that CDs are segregated in the 8 regions with no overlap is economic. They have decided that they want $1000 for full US/Canada coverage. Therefore if you get a DVD-based system, you will either have to put up with an equally annoying region-by-region licensing/security scheme, or else pay for a lot of maps that you will never use.

Regarding cold-weather problems, it seems to be a unit-specific issue. Mine has had no problem down to below zero F (-20C) this past month. I suspect that the isolated problems involve either wires/connectors, bad LCD displays, and/or mechanical tolerance on the CD player.

Since DVD players have MUCH tighter tolerances (~10 times as many bits squeezed onto the same size plastic), I won't be surprised if DVD-based units have even more cold weather problems!

Tom

[MiniMiniMini]

Quote:

Originally posted by glade
does anyone know if bmw/mini plans to upgrade their nav system from cd to dvd in the near future? i've heard the currently available cd-based system is frustrating, as one has to constanly switch cds in and out as they travel. most other car companies have switched to dvd. also, anyone know whether the cold-weather problem with the nav system has been solved yet?

thanks,
g

I have been told by a dealer that orders starting in March will have a DVD-based Sat Nav.

[davidac]

They are definitely switching to DVD based systems starting this spring sometime. I have witnessed the cold weather problem at the dealer. I don't think it is a media reading problem but rather a display problem from what I saw.

[IML337]

you can see a bit of a video of my nav in action here

Tim

[Andyman]

Has anyone got anymore information about when the DVD system will come into play? I'm expecting delivery of mine in March and was going to add Sat Nav to it, however I wouldnt be keen on getting 'old technology' if this is the case???? (Excuse any ignorance here!)

Thanks.

[paulgraz]

Nav question:

I've read the Nav manual - really, I did! And I can't find this anywhere.

While driving around with the Nav map displayed, and zoomed in to 450yds or less, I periodically see these little blue dots - they're basically a blue dot with 2 concentric circles around it - like a little blue bulls eye!

In many cases, they seem to be marking fire or police stations. (But yet I pass other fire stations with no such mark on the map) In one case near my house, it marks a convenience store. In another, just someone's house! I'm not picking up the pattern here - what the heck are these little dots supposed to be telling me? Are these points of interest?

My map is region 1 I think - NE USA...