NAV - Order it????

I just ordered my 550i. It is not in production yet and I can still add NAV. The options I selected were Logic 7, heated seats (So. Calif. Resident), Satellite Radio, Sport Package, 19" 172 wheels and the M Aero Kit.

Is NAV something that you actually use if your profession does not require a lot of travel. I basically travel to and from the office. I have lived in the L.A. area for over 20 years and have a pretty good grasp on the area.

Is the NAV just a great toy?

Input please! ASAP.

Thanks.

Dan

$65000 car..

$1800 option...



Abe

I know the numbers....

But is there a real use for the item? - Thanks

you get voice commands, um a larger i-drive screen, bragging rights, and surely theres places in LA you dont know?

Abe

The screen is bigger? How detailed are the voice command? For example, can you change tracks or a radio station? Which is the most useful voice command?

hmm i dunno how detailed it is, my cars still in germany

screen is larger tho for sure

Abe

Thanks. I'll talk to my dealer (car).

I agree with the notion that it's an expensive car and not having a navigation system is kinda . . .weird.

However, these days they have the Garmin pocket units which are really cool and useful. And a lot cheaper.

I got it, and I like it. The screen is bigger and it's really cool. The voice commands are fantastic. My old boss' S500 had voice commands, and the E60's system is 1000% better in operation.

Get it. You only live once.

Can you please give me some examples of the voice commands?

Thanks.

Well, it gives you full function with the bluetooth phone connection . . dial name, number, redial etc. It's very cool.

It allows you to change track, change audio source, etc. You should try it yourself. You'll like it.

Can you please give me some examples of the voice commands?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by DanM3

Can you please give me some examples of the voice commands?

Thanks.

Hopefully this is what you are after.

http://www.e60.net/information/E60_Voice_Commands.pdf

Over 600 voice commands which can cut up to 80% of the idrive button use. Very good from the research I've done on other forums (I don't collect for 4 weeks).

That's perfect. Thanks.

IMHO, Nav is a great ption and I would not do without it once I tried it. I find myself always using it even around where I live. The few times I gt stuck in traffic, I just took an exit and the car did the rest or you can change the route option to back roads or highways an so on. I have no idea how I did it without it, I am not in sales and do work from home just so you'll know.

Thanks - Ordered it.

I didn't order NAV for my 2004 530i...

Everytime I'm lost I curse the $1800 "I saved". What an idiot I was...

Navigation will be standard soon in all cars, and not having it will kinda make your really nice car outdated. If that even makes a difference to you. And the Nav takes the guessing game, and headache away from you when lost. You might not need it if you don't travel away from your hometown and if yuor hometown is small. I live in NY/NJ metro area and I still find new roads everytime I drive. It also helps find the closest gas station, atm machine, etc.

With that said, According to what people have said, the BMW Factory Nav kinda sucks compared to other car manufacturers. For instance I read in the 6er forums that their nav doesn't have a search function which looks like is pretty standard with any other navigations on the market. I can't back up what I have said since I don't have my car yet, but I did order the navigation since I know it will be useful when stuck in traffic and I need to exit out and find a alt route, but won't expect much from it.

Thanks for the input. I have officially ordered it.

I don't need the navigation system but I've used it the past two weekends on mini vacations and it works great!. I don't know about the other systems but I do know that I am glad I ordered it and it is useful. I don't have to take maps, yell at my wife - and get yelled at back from her, regarding directions, turns , etc.

My first use was in Pittsburgh, PA to find my way back to a relative's house 20 miles away. No problem. This weekend, we used it to get to a friend's house in Pittsfield, Mass. and return. We had driven there previously and the kept the navigation on while we followed previous directons that were different from the "Fastest Route" in the Nav unit. When we missed or changed turns, the Nav recalculated a new route. This happened several times without a problem (One funny moment was wehn the Nav voice reccomemded that we make a "Legal" U-Turn as soon as we could?! We ignored this and everything worked out fine). On the return trip, we followed the Nav 100% and agreeded that it was the better route.

I don't have any maps in the glove compartment and I probably won't need them.

I was a Nav hater - a manly man who thought Nav was only for sissy poseurs who couldn't read a map or fold one. Frankly, I only ordered the Nav to get the voice command (which by itself is worth the price of admission).

Boy, was I wrong! Road closed? Construction delay? Accident ahead on the Interstate? With Nav it is NO PROBLEMO! Very utilitarian in that respect.

But what about "fun" you ask? Well... how about that interesting looking cut-off you pass on the 4 lane divided highway as you crrep along in mall traffic. Ever wondered where it goes? How curvy and fun it is? How lost you might be if you tried it as a "short cut?" Nav knows all and tells all!

Only problem I've found is that Nav knows TOO many roads. I tried a shortcut it showed me to my summer place on t he Cape. Problem was, 250 yards of it was 1-lane dirt road, pretty seriously rutted. Nav can be a cruel mistress; luckily the 550 was already in need of a good wash and detail, so no harm, no foul. You will NOT be sorry you ordered it.

On the other hand ... Heated Seats in SoCal?????

Thanks for the reinforcement. With respect to the heated seats, this may be hard to believe, but sometimes it gets cold here. I never had them until we purchased the X5. On cold mornings, it is much nicer than having hot air blowing on you.

Originally Posted by quackbury

On the other hand ... Heated Seats in SoCal?????

I'm a native of Colorado transplanted to Silly-con Valley (SF Bay Area). I figured I could walk around in shorts and t-shirts year-round.

Wrong! There is more humidity out here due to the ocean and it can get darn chilly with the wind always blowing off of it. SoCal isn't much different to be honest.

My wife also informed me that if you've never had ovaries, you don't know what it is like having warm seats vs. cold ones.

Originally Posted by brommy

Hopefully this is what you are after.

http://www.e60.net/information/E60_Voice_Commands.pdf

Over 600 voice commands which can cut up to 80% of the idrive button use. Very good from the research I've done on other forums (I don't collect for 4 weeks).

How good is the system in recognizing voice commands? Does it understand right most of the times if you speak clearly and distinctly?

Once it recognizes the command, does it instantly execute the command or waits for 5-6 seconds before the command is executed.