Night vision...worth the price of admission?

I've done the search, but cannot find many testimonials about the night vision option. I live in the country with a lot of deer in the area. Will this be a good option for me? I am ordering my car in the morning and am conflicted. Thanks.

Heat signatures at 375 yards. You won't have a problem with deer.

For country driving, I think it would be very useful.

In city driving (mostly in Vienna and Munich) I found it fun but not really helpful.

Originally Posted by Jspira

For country driving, I think it would be very useful.

In city driving (mostly in Vienna and Munich) I found it fun but not really helpful.

+1

Hey there!

Okay, first post. My 'cherry' post!! yee haw!

Anyway, I was intending to ED my 550 but my dealer gave me an offer that I couldn't pass up...so....I ended up with an 07 550 with options that I would not have ordered with. I do have night vision. While it is very cool, I think that it's usefulness is quite limited. Having said that, if I lived in the country where there is a lot of deer, it might be worthwhile. But here is the problem. you have to look away from your forward driving vision to the center center pod for NV info. This is distracting. Sort of like looking in your rear view mirror. You can't fixate on it. So, if you have night vision and a deer happens to be ready to cross your path, you have to be lucky enough to actually be glancing at your night vision screen when the deer pops up.

You would need a 'weapons officer' to improve your odds.

I would much rather get HUD or Active Cruise.

I only have 1 week with my car and 350 miles, so I may change my mind somewhat as i get used to my car.

Hope this helps.

Steve P.

spmd11...your post did help, but I ordered the car with it this morning anyway. I know I'd regret not having it if I didn't get it.

I will use my wife or passenger as my "weapons officer" to monitor the display if on that 5 mile country road with deer, or in a fog situation.

You're right about having to look away...I wish it could be incorporated into the HUD some way.

I had night vision in a cadillac and they did incorporate it into the HUD, even then I found it more gimmick than usefel. However, I do live in the city and never find myself on the look out for deer.

Ii can also work like x-ray vision to see through clothes - if the person is hot enough and their clothes are cool enough

Not sure if that helps you out or not....

Every answer a treasure...

Samplemaven,

What other options did you get? Congrats! You'll love the NV and the car! SP

Originally Posted by spmd11

Samplemaven,

What other options did you get? Congrats! You'll love the NV and the car! SP

The car will be titanium silver with black leather. The other options ordered are: Sport Package with Active Steering, Navigation, Head-Up Display, Logic 7 sound system with satellite radio, cold weather package, heated rear seat with side impact air bags, rear and side sun screens, and comfort access.

With this being a September build and October delivery, I am hoping that I will be able to integrate my ipod with the Logic 7 with a connection in the glove box.

Originally Posted by samplemaven

With this being a September build and October delivery, I am hoping that I will be able to integrate my ipod with the Logic 7 with a connection in the glove box.

No reason you cannot purchase the iPod Interface from your dealer.

Originally Posted by Jspira

No reason you cannot purchase the iPod Interface from your dealer.

That's good to know. I thought to completely integrate with the sound system and Idrive that the access was through the glove box and was only available in September'06 and later production dates.