While just about any navigation system on the market will get you where you're going, not all of them are created equally. This is especially true in the world of OEM in-car navigation systems where screen size, interface design, feature sets, and (most importantly) price vary wildly from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some automakers offer cutting-edge Satellite navigators with innovative features that you'll wonder how you ever got along without. Others will make you wish you'd skipped the pricey navigation package and just packed a smartphone.
Here are the most recent OEM navigation systems to have graced the Car Tech garage that consistently knock it out of the park when it comes offering the best in-dash technology for getting from where you are to wherever you want to be.
Audi MMI Navigation
Audi's decision to roll an always-on cellular data connection into its MMI navigation is what makes this navigation system stand out from the pack. In addition to features like traffic data and weather forecasts, this Web connection enables advanced functions such as Google Maps satellite imagery overlays and web-connected destination search.
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BMW iDrive Navigation
BMW's iDrive-based navigation system features 3D building data for its maps and traffic data updates that notify you even if there's no destination input. Additionally, the automaker doesn't lock the driver out of altering the route while moving. When paired with an iPhone, the BMW Connect option allows drivers to automatically share their destination and ETA with friends and family via popular social networking sites.
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I am struggling with my newly fitted NTG 2.5 (specifically 2010 comand unit) to get any of the features that the two units possess. I am not implying that I don't like my comand unit but I believe that Mercedes could have done better than this especially in 2010, they could have gone past the technology used in the NTG 2.5 comand. In the same year consecutively, Audi & BMW did better. I am also aware that Mercedes own the Navteq company but I can't understand why Mercedes in-built Satnav do not look anything great as opposed to the ones proposed by Audi & BMW. For those who keep their cars for many years, the idea that one will get stuck with an in-built satnav for years will not work for them so I perfectly understand if such people will prefer a hand-held satnav ie (Tomtom or Garmin Nuvi). Additionally, the hand-helds cost about 1/10 of what the OEM units go for and they come also with free software update making it a potential rival to the OEM built-in ones. If anyone was ordering a brand new car today, would you opt out the in-built satnav in preference to a hand-held satnav? I know that OEM satnav cost a fortune but I would still go ahead and order one because I believe that any high end car that is not equipped with one looks completely bland but of course my view is subjective. What do you think?
Here are the most recent OEM navigation systems to have graced the Car Tech garage that consistently knock it out of the park when it comes offering the best in-dash technology for getting from where you are to wherever you want to be.
Audi MMI Navigation
Audi's decision to roll an always-on cellular data connection into its MMI navigation is what makes this navigation system stand out from the pack. In addition to features like traffic data and weather forecasts, this Web connection enables advanced functions such as Google Maps satellite imagery overlays and web-connected destination search.
BMW iDrive Navigation
BMW's iDrive-based navigation system features 3D building data for its maps and traffic data updates that notify you even if there's no destination input. Additionally, the automaker doesn't lock the driver out of altering the route while moving. When paired with an iPhone, the BMW Connect option allows drivers to automatically share their destination and ETA with friends and family via popular social networking sites.
I am struggling with my newly fitted NTG 2.5 (specifically 2010 comand unit) to get any of the features that the two units possess. I am not implying that I don't like my comand unit but I believe that Mercedes could have done better than this especially in 2010, they could have gone past the technology used in the NTG 2.5 comand. In the same year consecutively, Audi & BMW did better. I am also aware that Mercedes own the Navteq company but I can't understand why Mercedes in-built Satnav do not look anything great as opposed to the ones proposed by Audi & BMW. For those who keep their cars for many years, the idea that one will get stuck with an in-built satnav for years will not work for them so I perfectly understand if such people will prefer a hand-held satnav ie (Tomtom or Garmin Nuvi). Additionally, the hand-helds cost about 1/10 of what the OEM units go for and they come also with free software update making it a potential rival to the OEM built-in ones. If anyone was ordering a brand new car today, would you opt out the in-built satnav in preference to a hand-held satnav? I know that OEM satnav cost a fortune but I would still go ahead and order one because I believe that any high end car that is not equipped with one looks completely bland but of course my view is subjective. What do you think?