Impressions of BMW Navigator III

[db1]

Hi,

I am about to purchase one of these for my R1200 GS and was wondering whether anyone has one and if so what the good, bad and ugly reports might be. I was at the BMW dealer today and they don't have much information available, ie what maps it comes with, additional memory, expandability and POI databases etc etc.

I would really appreciate a "user report" if there is anyone out there who has one.

Many thanks in advance

DB1

 

[Yellow Peril]

Not a bad bit of kit, unfortunately no additional memory, comes preload with the alantic base map of Europe, basically full maps of the majority of Europe. To see the maps it has preloaded go to the Garmin website, currently using Europe V9 maps

You can do custom POI and basically appears fairly similar to the BMW Nav 2. The ability to use Mapsource mapping on the PC and then loading to the unit is very useful and Garmin do a small program to specifically download additional custom POI's

However that said some here have gone for the Garmin unit, which is cheaper and has more functions, personally I had the Nav 3 as it was a warranty replacement of a Nav 2, but I do find the 4 additional buttons come in handy with gloved hands

I found that my Nav2 was great piece of kit, at the moment I can see no reason why the Nav3 will be any different.

 

[db1]

Thanks! Very useful. I have a GPS 60, but that doesn't have any Bluetooth for directions etc - that mainly for mountain biking off road.

I have also used Tom Tom Mobile 5 when driving abroad which has been great, especially the subscription traffic services which you access via the phone. However a number of people on this site seem to have had negative experiences with Tom Tom rider.

I am also considering the Zumo, but that has also had some poor reports.

I am finding it quite challenging finding one that people universally agree is good! I guess there is always some form of compromise with these things.

thanks again

DB1

 

[John Armstrong]

The Nav 2 was better IMHO in every day use as the zoom in / out was a bit of a PITA. The 2820 has two areas on the screen so the cradle additional buttons aren't such a benefit.

But there is a 2 year warranty on the Nav 3.

 

[Yellow Peril]

And that warranty comes in very handy on occasions, but remember the nav 3 is not a true 2820.

 

[steveuk]

consider buying a garmin 2820 - cheaper than nav3, +all the functions of the nav3 and more -

do a search on the forum...

 

[beemerboy9]

My supplying BMW dealer (and others so I hear) offered a very good deal on the NavIII. I am pleased I did not take it. Because the NavIII has no microphone input, it would have proved awkward to integrate its mobile phone facilities with my exisiting Autocom intercom system. It do not miss the cradle buttons.
I would suggest considering the Zumo as it has a very neat mounting system compared to the 2820. The hard-core users find the auto-route recalculation a PITA - but that might bother you.
In summary, the NavIII is not a particulary good deal, even at a discount. It is insured for theft or damage in an accident if you use BMW Bike insurance - otherwise not. Knowing that is insured for theft half-way round a European tour is not particularly reassuring - always keep it secure!

 

[Andy Higgins]

Just had an autocom bluetooth dongle fitted today and can connect NavIII and Mobile Phone to it. Therefore i can recieve AND make calls via NavIII screen. So far very impressed, just need to sort out volume!

I find now with bluetooth connectivity there is not much else i think i need from a GPS, it's the whole of Europe pre-installed so no faffing with loading maps for a long journey. I find the cradle invaluable especially mounted on GSA screen brace, that's a nice position to glance at GPS without too much distraction.

Hope this helps.

 

[beemerboy9]

Just had an autocom bluetooth dongle fitted today and can connect NavIII and Mobile Phone to it. Therefore i can recieve AND make calls via NavIII screen. So far very impressed, just need to sort out volume!

Hope this helps.

It does Andy. Especially as I have had a face-to-face, point-blank denial from an Autocom employee at a recent motorcycle show that their dongle would not fix the problem. I'm going to give it a whirl now.

 

[db1]

agreed - very helpful.

I am in the process of upgrading my Autocom with the new Bluetooth "gadget" for which I have been quoted 75GBP plus my unit needs to go back to Autocom for an adjustment to allow the BT to function.

I am close to making a decision on a Nav system, but not quite there yet - especially now having compared my TT vs Garmin GPS 60 for route mapping. I prefer (and I realise this is personal preference) the TT style over the Garmin, but I have not seen the Zumo in action yet.

Lastly, I don't think the Nav III is easy to use for things like real time traffic updates and "over the air" POI updates like Tom Tom with their PLUS service? I think this service is excellent.