More Sat Nav advice!

[996jimbo]

I've got a '98 W202 which (I guess) can't have the Mercedes Comand system. I'm looking at getting Sat Nav. Previously I've had a full aftermarket system which cost me about £2.5k, but I only kept the car for a year and the system went with the car. I'm reluctant to do the same again and am interested in what the removable systems are like.

Can anyone reccomend a particular system?

I would prefer as large a screen size as poss. Do the removable systems cope with towns without sticking you on the wrong road? Do they keep up with you accurately so's directions come in at the right time and reflect your speed? Do they take a while to fire up and calculate routes?

I'm also considerng the radio-Din type system which I could at least take with me though will cost a thick wad to buy and install.

All advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[nicky]

http://www.pdamods.com/You could try the Garmin street pilot,or go for one of the tom tom units as they are easily removed and dont take up a lot of space..

 

[The Editor]

Hi Jimbo,

Like you I've had the fully integrated as well as a stand alone.

Am currently using a Garmin Streetpilot which is absolutely excellent. As you proabably knoe ALL sat nav systems will hiccup at some point and they are only as good as the mapping software they are running and how up to date it is.

I have two Garmin units and can say in around fuve years of ownership I've only had about two or three 'lock ups' which necessetated a re-boot and then everything was fine. I've driven through France and Holland without issue and without taking a wrong turn so to answer your question... YES the stand alone systems can hold their own.

As an aside if there's anyone reading this post who has the current version of COMAND (4.2 I think it is) can you tell me ...

a) How many user waypoints can you store

b) How many routes can you store

c) Does it have postcode only entry

Many thanks to all/everyone/anybody

Mark

 

[jberks]

Hi Jimbo,
I run an IPAQ with TomTom - not really had a problem with it. They have a new version just out that should be even better, plus I believe they now have a traffic info feature too. The beauty of tomtom is that, with so many people using it, there is a good supply of add-on POI's - everything from speed cameras to Burger king and shell garages. Not sure about other systems but it also has a postcode lookup which is great. The full hardware tomtom has a good clear screen and is self contained - PDA versions have the added benefit of a PDA, but the screen is a tad smaller. The Ipaq has a nice loud clear speaker - some PDAs are a bit quiet. Given that I use mine maybe once a month, the hassle of sticking it on the screen and plugging it in, isn't a problem, but aside from security and given how good and flexible these and the Garmins are, the fitted ones look very poor value.

 

[996jimbo]

Cheers for that.

I'm gonna get me ... erm, not sure. Either Tomtom or Garmin. But then, which Tomtom or Garmin? Think I'll have a look at some tomorrow if I get a chance.

Further advice in the mean time welcome.

 

[pascal]

I 'm in the same position as you Jimbo (DIN apiture}, and have considered the the optiions above. I have also considered the top of the range Becker unit (DIN).

It basically does everything. Sat Nav, TMC enabled, CD, Changer control, handsfree Bluetooth. At the moment funds are needed elsewhere, so I still have not made up my mind.

I am also cosidering the PDA solution, as i could make use of it on its own also. There are wireless (blue tooth) receivers for the PDAs and some new ones charge themselves via solar panel.

Let me know what system you do eventually get.

There is also the option of buying a reconditioned MB/becker unit on Ebay for 300/400 quid.

 

[996jimbo]

Will let you know. The problem with a DIN type system (it occurs to me) is that fewer and fewer cars have this type aperture therefore my plan of it being portable rather fails.

Like the idea of something self charging as I don't like the idea of wires waggling about. But I think the PDA screen is just a bit too small and don't particularly want a PDA.

What's the recon unit you suggest? Would such a one be a full screen or the little black/white screen on a radio front type thing?

 

[pascal]

Yea I took your point about the DIN into consideration, as no new MBs have DIN. But the chances are my next car will have comand, and I would sell my prsent one with the SAT NAV.


BTW: I don't really need a sat nav at all, as i nearly always know where I am going, even in London.

 

[peterchurch]

only problem with the removable systems is the untidyness of the fittings...

I am still pondering either a pioneer Avic X1 or the alpine version... to be honest I would rarely use it but it is useful once a year or so

 

[pascal]

Hi Pete,

Would you have any good links to either of the above.

Thankyou

 

[peterchurch]

Hi Pete,

Would you have any good links to either of the above.

Thankyou

Yes

Here is the pioneer

http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_detail.jsp?
product_id=10149&taxonomy_id=25-112

You can get them for about £1000

but the alpine stuff is a bit more and would require the extra media haed unit

http://www.alpine-europe.com/conten...-leads-the-way--Alpine-Navigation-Systems.htm

 

[The Editor]

Hi Jimbo,

Like you I've had the fully integrated as well as a stand alone.

Am currently using a Garmin Streetpilot which is absolutely excellent. As you proabably knoe ALL sat nav systems will hiccup at some point and they are only as good as the mapping software they are running and how up to date it is.

I have two Garmin units and can say in around fuve years of ownership I've only had about two or three 'lock ups' which necessetated a re-boot and then everything was fine. I've driven through France and Holland without issue and without taking a wrong turn so to answer your question... YES the stand alone systems can hold their own.

As an aside if there's anyone reading this post who has the current version of COMAND (4.2 I think it is) can you tell me ...

a) How many user waypoints can you store

b) How many routes can you store

c) Does it have postcode only entry

Many thanks to all/everyone/anybody

Mark

Anyone with recent version COMAND fitted able to answer these points??

Thanks

Mark

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Anyone with recent version COMAND fitted able to answer these points??

Thanks

Mark

yes thanks.........

a, dont know.never tried

b, 50 in the last used routes section...dunno how many in the memory databse thoug...if i remeber i shall dig out my book

c, yes,...but only as far as the first figure in the second part of you postcode..but it gives you a mnap option so you can select the bit you want to go to on the map once the postcade has you in the right area.

 

[The Editor]

Thanks slinky.... sounds very similar to my Garmin system I'm currently using which is good cos it won't hurt my brain too much to learn COMAND.

One more thing (or two actually)

a) Can you just have the map displayed (without a current active route) showing where you are graphically on the map and does it display the next road/junction your approaching in that mode by text somewhere on the screen?

b) Can you have either 2D or 3D views displayed?

Thanks... (That was 3 actually wasn't....LOL)

Mark

 

[pascal]

The oldest trick in the book. Two questions disguised as one :lol:

Mark what street pilot do you have. Is the software upgrades not very expensive.

 

[The Editor]

Hi Pascal,

I have the Streetpilot 3 (Which has been superceded now but still works fine)

The firmware upgrades are free (as so they should be) and the mapping software updates are usually somewhere between £90 - £120 depending if it's a 'major' update or a tweak.

To be honest I only bother with major upgrades which are about once every couple of years.

It comes with the whole of Europe on one disk and so far......... it's always got me to where I want to go !! Does what it says on the box !!

Regards

Mark

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Thanks slinky.... sounds very similar to my Garmin system I'm currently using which is good cos it won't hurt my brain too much to learn COMAND.

One more thing (or two actually)

a) Can you just have the map displayed (without a current active route) showing where you are graphically on the map and does it display the next road/junction your approaching in that mode by text somewhere on the screen?

b) Can you have either 2D or 3D views displayed?

Thanks... (That was 3 actually wasn't....LOL)

Mark

Well I forgot to look when i was at home....so sorry about that...maybes in a few weeks i will remember and mite be able to help further with the first set.

a, yes and no...you can have the map displayed at all times but in the text between the speedo, rev thingy it just gives you the compass info...ie n, nw s etc.

b, this depends on which model car you get. the S class you get 3 d veiws and the birds eye veiw. on the lesser versions you may only get COMAND that has a 2d version which either faces north so your car drives accross the map (I use this) or the car centre and the map drives round you. in other words you drive along the map. this is okay if you dont have the map zoomed right in and you are unsure of where you are going but know roughly. I prefer the other view as the car goes in the direction you travel. on the other your car cursor faces the bonnet and the map revolves round it.

the road names come up if you are in navigation and you approach a junction, if you are in map view they will come up on demand. if you press the info button.

i think it is excellent but then I am not use to any other devices and it works without any problems for me. I would order it again unless I end up with a device that i can move between cars. then i would probably get some other goodies from the option list. no i wouldn,t I would buy a nearly new SL...

 

[littlebrooklyn]

BTW: I don't really need a sat nav at all, as i nearly always know where I am going, even in London.

Ditto Pascal, I can't believe that people can't find where they are going without the aid of Sat Nav

 

[The Editor]

Oh...um...well...yes... I always know EXACTLY where I'm going at all times.... I errr.. only want it for the radio function you understand !!...lol

Thanks for that Joe - It would be the full COMAND on a new E-class I go for so I would hope it would have all bells and whistles.

Cheers

Mark

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Oh...um...well...yes... I always know EXACTLY where I'm going at all times.... I errr.. only want it for the radio function you understand !!...lol

Thanks for that Joe - It would be the full COMAND on a new E-class I go for so I would hope it would have all bells and whistles.

Cheers

Mark

nip into an MB dealer and ask...they will help....if they think you are after a new car..potential sale and all that....and it is what they are there for....they may even have the handbook for one..