BMW Navigator 2 info..

[John Armstrong]

Data cards

The adverts I've seen, seem (and I've looked at a lot) to have the USA ones with the 128 and the European 2610's with a 512 mb card. So the Nav 2 would appear to come with the "standard" card.

BTW the BMW USA site is showning only the Nav 1, and that's at $1295.

 

[Greg Masters]

Re: Data cards

The adverts I've seen, seem (and I've looked at a lot) to have the USA ones with the 128 and the European 2610's with a 512 mb card. /B]

According to Garmin, the Euro 2610 is shipped with a 256Mb CF card.

Greg

 

[roadrider]

Attended training today on Navigator and came away with the following facts. The BMW unit is petrol proof in case of fuel splash when refilling. The Garmin unit isn't, as it is designed for cars. It does not have a cradle (BMW USP) and therefore no sound on a bike from the Garmin version. BMW runs version 6 maps, Garmin is version 5. BMW unit has built in compass, Garmin doesn't. BMW has 2 year warranty, Garmin 1 year.

Hope Garmin aren't reading your post as there is a lot of misleading info you have given out
The Garmin unit is petrol splashproof.
The Garmin 2610 is designed for any vehicle inc bikes. (see pan euro posts, he's a beta tester for Garmin).
It has voice guidance, just like the SP3.
Garmin latest mapping is Ver 6.
Garmin does have a cradle (see other posts)
Be careful about what you post as there is always someone to let you know when your wrong
Johnhazar

 

[PanEuropean]

Oh Boy...

Let's try to keep it all friendly, because we are all here for the same reason, which is our common hobby of riding (usually with GPS guidance!)

I'm going to TRY to list what the SP 2610 and the BMW Navigator II have in common, and try to list what differences there are between the two. I'm no expert on this. If anyone spots an error or omission, by all means post a correction, but when you write your correction, keep in mind it will be read by other people, perhaps in 3 months time, who are trying to gather facts about these two products.

Common Features - Both Products

- same processor, same display screen, same system software, same cartographic software* (see note at bottom)

- Included in the package (besides the GPSR itself) is an AC power adapter (100 to 240V, 50 to 60~). The power adapter is the same design as the ones used by Motorola for their portable phones, so if you want an adapter to fit UK or Continental AC receptacles, just go to a mobile phone store, you can buy one that slips right on the end.

- An industry standard USB cable.

- Handheld remote control.

- Beanbag base for use on a car dashboard.

- 12 DC volt automotive cigarette lighter adapter (actually works fine from 12 volts up to 28 volts DC) with integrated speaker.

Specific to SP 2610

- 128 mb CF data card with Americas units, 256 mb CF card with Atlantic (European) units.

- Grey colour case.

Specific to BMW Navigator II

- BMW cradle for motorcycle mounting, including 4 additional buttons and security screw, screwdriver for security screw.

- 12 volt cable.

- 512 mb CF data card with all units (Americas or Atlantic)

- Heading indicator function (4th page of 'PAGE' button), BMW dealers included in nav database, BMW specific splash screen when you turn it on.

- Black colour case.

Additional Considerations when buying a SP 2610 for motorcycle use

- Probably you will need a bigger data chip than what comes with the unit if you plan to do international touring.

- You will need to buy a Garmin motorcycle bracket and motorcycle power/speaker cable, list price USD $50.

- If you want to hook up sound output (either to a speaker or to a helmet, whatever) you are going to have to read the fine print and proceed with caution - it is not just a matter of hooking the two sound wires up to whatever you find nearby. The little speaker in the Garmin 12 volt DC adapter has some kind of special characteristic, if you don't do your homework correctly, you risk damaging the GPSR's sound output capabilities. On the BMW Navigator II, the sound output comes out of a special connector on the BMW cradle, I assume (not sure here) BMW has done what they need to do to make the output suitable for headsets, motorcycle intercom systems, whatever.

Additional Considerations when buying a BMW Navigator II for motorcycle use

- You will need to buy a BMW motorcycle-model specific cable to hook your GPSR and fancy cradle into the motorcycle's DC electrical and sound system. See this page for further details: BMW Motorcycle Navigator II Specifications

Unknown Issues

I have no idea what the answer is with the "petrol resistant" characteristics some claim for the BMW product. I suppose it's possible. However, I have now looked at both units 'in real life' (went to the Swiss BMW dealer today), and other than the case colour, they appear to be of similar construction. In any case, you would have to be pretty fuggin stupid (or drunk) to splash fuel on your GPSR, especially if it located in a BMW handlebar mount. Think about it - when was the last time you got your handlebars wet when you were refuelling your moto? Still, I suppose it is possible that the BMW product is petrol-proof. It is also possible that the Garmin unit is also petrol-proof, but Garmin is simply not claiming this. Read what BMW says about the fuel-resistant issue here:BMW America News Release

Concerning map software (the * I put at the top) - the early model SP 2650's shipped with version 5 of CityNavigator Europe simply because the CD's for version 6 were not available at the time all the little boxes were being stuffed in Taiwan. Later stock coming to the stores will have version 6 CD's included in the box. Either way, it makes no difference, because if you get a box with version 5 CD's, you just email Garmin, they send you a version 6 CD free of charge, then you go onto the website and generate your (free) unlock code for CityNavigator Europe version 6. The BMW Navigator packages were not assembled until after version 6 CD's became available - so, they all get version 6 shipped with them. In a couple of months time, this will be ancient history, because everything in the stores should have version 6 CD's inside.

 

[Greg Masters]

As we have now come to expect from PanEuro, a comprehensive and well researched response!

However, I did look at the BMW link and found the following note:

"The compass function tells you exactly which way the wind is blowing "

Now I'm confused!



Greg

 

[PanEuropean]

...which way the wind is blowing???

Geez, they're blowing the wind right up your *** if they expect you to believe that. I think that is just a bad translation from the original German text. What they probably mean is "the heading indicator function allows you to determine (by looking at your present heading and calculating the offset) which way the wind is blowing from, and where the sun will set.

I wonder if they mention, in the BMW instruction book, that the sun usually sets in the west.

 

[roadrider]

[B you hardly need a friggin' GPS to tell you that you have a crosswind... [/B]

I sure some people who would need confirmation.

 

[roadrider]

Just found the Garmin 2610 at Maplin ( not usually known for cheaper prices on GPS) but they have been reduced to £899 inc vat.
John
This starting to make the b*w navigator11 seem expensive.

 

[K2R]

Alternative

"- You will need to buy a Garmin motorcycle bracket and motorcycle power/speaker cable, list price USD $50.'

Another alternative is to buy a RAM cradle for the 2610 and the Garmin Power/Audio cable with a headphone output (010-10495-02). The power wire can attach to the bike's 12v power supply. In my case I attach the headphone connector to a Autocom cable ML-PI2 to a Pro/M1. Both are available now.

 

[L]

When I bought my SPIII last year from Staples, I bought a BMW bracket and cable from Wollastons for about £50, thereby giving me the equivilant to the Navigator for about half the price.

It seems that the 2610 is more complicated, but surely you can buy the parts from a BMW dealer just the same...

Incidently, I also bought a BMW cradle from someone who had bought the Navigator and upgraded to the Touratech part. This means I have a cradle permanantly mounted on the bike and the beanbag mount for the car. - very handy!!!

 

[PanEuropean]

K2R wrote: "Another alternative is to buy a RAM cradle...

Yes, this is possible. There are 4 different motorcycle specific mounting brackets for the Garmin SP 26xx series that I am aware of:

1) Garmin's Bracket - This is the one that I use, and the one that I prefer. It's small and does not protrude forward beyond the back of the GPSR. I think this is an important consideration, because you will be 'touching' the front of the GPSR a lot to operate the buttons and the touch screen. The Garmin bracket also incorporates a security screw. Although I don't think I'd leave the GPSR in the bracket overnight if I parked on the street, at least now I can leave it in the bracket when I stop at a service station to have a coffee and go to the washroom, etc.

If you purchase the Garmin motorcycle bracket, you will also need to purchase some Ram-Mount components to attach the Garmin bracket to your moto. The Garmin bracket has 4 holes in it that are spaced to fit a Ram-Mount "RAM-STD" backing plate.

USD $35 with the cable, or USD $ 14 for the bracket and screws only (street prices).

More info, pictures here: Garmin Mounting Bracket

2) Ram-Mount's Own Bracket

Works OK, but has parts that stick out past the front of the GPSR at both the top and the bottom. Also, no security features, the GPSR just pops out. RAM recommends that you use a "safety tether", which is going to require some creative engineering on your part, because the SP 26xx case has no loop or hole for attaching a tether.

Inexpensive, though. USD $10 for the bracket only.

More info, pictures here: Ram-Mount Bracket for SP 26xx

3) Touratech's Bracket

What can I say? Typical Touratech, way over-engineered considering what it has to do, also with parts that stick out beyond the screen at both the top and bottom. Probably more secure (regarding theft) than the Garmin mount, but the weak point for any GPS installation on a moto is what the bracket is mounted to, not the GPSR inside the bracket.

Expensive - € 70 without the keylock, € 85 with a keylock.

More info: www.touratech.de

4) BMW's Bracket

This is the fancy bracket with the 4 additional buttons on it. BMW does list this bracket as a "part", meaning, it has its own part number (72 60 7 679 219), but the price is listed as 'open' (not yet established) in the Swiss BMW parts database. I have no idea what the price will be, but I am sure it will not be cheap.

Uses the same security screw design as the Garmin bracket, which is sufficient for light duty security (keeping honest people honest).

I don't know if a standard Garmin SP 26xx that is inserted in the BMW bracket will accept signals from the 4 pushbuttons in the BMW mounting bracket or not.

PanEuropean

PS to Ellis: I'm not sure what the advantage of buying a BMW mounting bracket for a SP III (BMW Navigator I) is. I just used the Garmin bracket that came with the SP III for my motorcycle installation. (Photos here: GPS on the ST1100) All I did was remove the tiny Philips screw from the bottom, then slid the swivel base off and discarded it, then attached the remaining part (the bracket itself) to the Ram backing plate. The list price of a replacement Garmin bracket and a Garmin DC power cord for a SP III is less than ₤ 50, I think. But maybe I am missing something, so please let us know if the BMW mount for the SP III offers any advantage over the Garmin mount.

 

[K2R]

I would disagree in part with your assessment of the RAM mount. I don't find that the RAM cradle impedes the 2610's operation in any way. True, there is no screw attaching the cradle to the GPS but there really doesn't need to be since the cradle holds the 2610 very securely (almost too securely). As far as leaving the device while gassing, either cradle can be stolen by merely detaching the entire RAM mount. Can the Garmin cradle be used with the bean bag mount or must it be removed? I agree that a tether would be a plus but could easily be attached to one of the mounting screws if desired. As always I appreciate your assessments but agree to disagree on occasion.

 

[John Armstrong]

Interesting picture

If you click on PanEuropeans garmin mount link, and go to the post of 25 Feb (at the bottom now) it has a link to the 2610 add on prototype.

 

[PanEuropean]

Hi Bill:

Regarding your question "Can the Garmin cradle be used with the bean bag mount or must it be removed?" - I'm a little confused, I'm not sure what you mean. The SP 2610 and 2650, unlike other Garmin GPSR's, don't need any kind of bracket to fit into the beanbag mount or the sticky-base mount, because they have the round fitting for the beanbag and sticky-base mount moulded right into the bottom of the GPSR.

So, the only place you would install the Garmin [motorcycle] mount would be permanantly affixed to a moto. When you buy the 2610 or 2650, you don't get a cradle-mount with the device, like you did with a SP III or GPS V, because a cradle mount is not needed for automobile use.

But having said all that - if the Garmin motorcycle mount was affixed to the back of the SP 26xx, it would probably interfere with installing the SP 26xx into the beanbag mount, as the lower part of the moto mount surrounds the circular portion of the GPSR that fits into the beanbag mount.

 

[K2R]

You answered my question in your last paragraph. With the RAM, you can just pop it out of the moto cradle and onto the beanbag for use in the car. That is a convenience to me that might not be to others. Of course there is more than one way to accomplish that.

 

[PanEuropean]

Bill:

I still think we are not comprehending each other. With the Garmin moto mount, you also "pop it out of the mount and onto the beanbag". See the photos at this URL for a better explanation (or, let me know what part of your message I am not understanding): Garmin SP 2610/2650 Motorcycle Mount details (photos)

 

[K2R]

Pan European

I guess not. I suppose I was thinking that each time you swapped from the Garmin cradle to the beanbag, you had to unscrew the GPS from the Garmin mount. Actually, none of this is terribly important, just trying to be clear on how each works. I use the RAM and have not put my hands on the Garmin. Those pictures were very good. I probably would have bought the Garmin if it had been available but it is just now shipping in the States. I like the way the Garmin covers the plug.

 

[PanEuropean]

Hi Bill:

OK, I'm glad we got it sorted out. If you don't screw in the security screw on the top of the Garmin mount, then it is a half-second process to remove the GPSR - just lift up on the sliding lock at the top. If you have screwed in the security screw (security in the sense of anti-theft, not preventing the unit from falling out), then you need to take the special tool out of the fairing pocket (or wherever) and loosen the security screw.

Gotta go - just got a new beta software build in the e-mail! Wish I had a moto nearby to test it on (I'm in Zürich and the moto is in Canada). No fun doing beta testing in a VW.

Michael

 

[PanEuropean]

In an earlier post on this thread (page 2), I gave the BMW part number for the BMW Navigator II cradle.

I guess BMW's thinking, in selling the cradle by itself, is that some customers might own two motorcycles, and want to buy a second cradle to allow them to install their BMW Navigator II GPSR on either motorcycle, without having to buy two complete BMW Navigators

This will work fine as described. But if you put a normal SP 2610, 2620 or 2650 in the BMW cradle, it will not respond to the buttons. The only GPSR that responds to the buttons of the BMW cradle is the BMW Navigator II.

Just wanted to clarify this, so that no-one went out and bought a cradle, hoping to use it with their SP 26xx.

PanEuropean

 

[leigh]

Re: Navigator 2

Just been looking at the Navigator 2 in Rainbow with Swooper and Dave.
The battery pack is another add on unit which slides into a slot built into the extra 4 buttons back plate which the Nav.2 comes with.
The button bracket is a bit cumbersome and has 2 plugs - one which connects to the units original multi pin connection whilst the other connects to a multi pin round socket on the back of the button bracket. This then all routes to the standard BMW power plug. The bottom of the button bracket also has a 2.5mm socket for the speaker output - if you want to go through an Autocom or headset.
The case of the 2610 is not normally petrol proof but the Nav 2 is and also has an anti glare screen as standard.
If you have the button bracket installed then the unit wont fit into the Touratech bracket and will have to be mounted using BMW's little black box affair with 4 screws through the extra buttons bracket.
All in all, IMHO, it doesn't warrant the extra dosh over the cost of the heavily subsidised SPC III (or the American price of the 2610) as the touch screen seems to work perfectly with gloves on
Ta Ta
Sherpa