nav 6 or new connect and ride nav?

[kwackless]

Just curious to what us bmw riders prefer to use for the satnav? I've always used the bmw satnav either the 5 or the 6 .. I know there is better or just as good to choose from but found the bmw sat navs 5 and 6 suit my need's.. still got the bmw satnav 6 from my previous r1250 gs.. so as anyone swap over to the new connect and ride satnav its a expensive upgrade for some one "like me" who is not bothered about the extra functions it offers over the 5 or 6 satnavs.. as I got a good deal on the connect and ride satnav from the bmw dealer when buying the r1300 gs.. my question is it worth upgrading from the satnav 6 as not installed the connect and ride satnav yet.. just been using my old satnav 6.. whats the pro's and con's if any?

 

[pbbanks]

Have I got this right --- you have a Nav 6 & a Connected ride device you got with the 1300gs ??.
And you are asking on here which you should use??.

Put the Connected ride on and then you decide which you prefer.

Sorry I misunderstood the question but that's how I read it.

 

[kwackless]

Yes you kind of read it correct. Seems the logical choice to compare both.. which I will do.. but I new some one who wanted to buy the satnav 6 from me.. so ordered the connect and ride satnav as got a good discount at the time with me ordering the bike.. then he decided to trade is r1200 gs in for a triumph so obviously did not want it.. thought just sell the sat nav 6 but then heard of the problems with the connect and ride sat nav.. Never had any problems with the satnav 6.. I don't bother with phone calls/music/ way points or other functions the connect and ride offer over the satnav 6.. just use for GPS speed/temp/ tyre pressures in the 4 block squares and navigation when required.. so just though would ask other users who as change from the 6 to the connect and ride nav is it worth it over the nav 6. but you are correct.. best to try then choose what suits me best.

 

[Easy_Rider]

Keep both, I have a Nav 5 and a XL. The Nav 5 is used just for the bike info when riding and the XL as a sat nav. so if you are able to mount both try it.

 

[pbbanks]

Yes you kind of read it correct. Seems the logical choice to compare both.. which I will do.. but I new some one who wanted to buy the satnav 6 from me.. so ordered the connect and ride satnav as got a good discount at the time with me ordering the bike.. then he decided to trade is r1200 gs in for a triumph so obviously did not want it.. thought just sell the sat nav 6 but then heard of the problems with the connect and ride sat nav.. Never had any problems with the satnav 6.. I don't bother with phone calls/music/ way points or other functions the connect and ride offer over the satnav 6.. just use for GPS speed/temp/ tyre pressures in the 4 block squares and navigation when required.. so just though would ask other users who as change from the 6 to the connect and ride nav is it worth it over the nav 6. but you are correct.. best to try then choose what suits me best.

Just one thing to remember with the Nav VI, is it the latest version with the "capacitance" screen? . Think Garmin only started sending them out at the beginning of 2024.
If it isn't that version it will probably eventually have issues with the screen ghosting .
Garmin are replacing faulty Nav VI with the latest version free of charge. Don't know how long that will continue ??.
I have had 5 x Nav VI s go faulty over the last 4 years with the screen ghosting issue. My latest new cap screen one has been ok so far. If you do decide to keep the Nsv vi might be worth contacting Garmin via the support link in Garmin express and say its "ghosting" they are well aware if the problem and just ask for the serial number of yours.

 

[Wapping]

Garmin are replacing faulty Nav VI with the latest version free of charge.

Garmin are replacing any generation one or generation two devices, which land on their mat.


As to the rest? Take a brief step on the wild side OP. Fit both and decide which one you like best. Risky, I know, but it’s an Adventure (with a capital A) bike.

 

[kwackless]

pbbanks.. thanks for the reply.. but I'm I correct in thinking the new connect and ride satnav is not Garmin.. sure I heard its now tom tom.. I could be wrong as it's only what I've heard.. Sorry if I've read your comment wrong!

 

[roundincircles]

pbbanks.. thanks for the reply.. but I'm I correct in thinking the new connect and ride satnav is not Garmin.. sure I heard its now tom tom.. I could be wrong as it's only what I've heard.. Sorry if I've read your comment wrong!

That's my understanding and it doesn't take gpx routes.

 

[the woodster]

That's my understanding and it doesn't take gpx routes.

Oh yes it does.

 

[roundincircles]

That's good to know.

 

[Wapping]

BMW severed their relationship with Garmin, to plough their own furrow, based on a TomTom platform.

The two devices, Garmin and BMW, are very different. Garmin’s is a stand alone GPS device, which (depending on model and BMW branding) will integrate well with the wonder wheel thing. The BMW offering is not a standalone GPS device per-se, as it relies on a phone to do the donkey work. That said, it does (or at least should) integrate well with the wonder wheel, too. it is fully capable of displaying bespoke and quite complex GPX routes.

As to which is better? As with crash helmets, boots and gloves, everyone will have their favourites and / or demands as to their usuage. There is no right and wrong to it. Some bods (me included) run both and / or have dumped both in favour of a Chigee and / or a tablet affair…. Or just use their phone and nothing else.

 

[kwackless]

BMW severed their relationship with Garmin, to plough their own furrow, based on a TomTom platform.

The two devices, Garmin and BMW, are very different. Garmin’s is a stand alone GPS device, which (depending on model and BMW branding) will integrate well with the wonder wheel thing. The BMW offering is not a standalone GPS device per-se, as it relies on a phone to do the donkey work. That said, it does (or at least should) integrate well with the wonder wheel, too. it is fully capable of displaying bespoke and quite complex GPX routes.

As to which is better? As with crash helmets, boots and gloves, everyone will have their favourites and / or demands as to their usuage. There is no right and wrong to it. Some bods (me included) run both and / or have dumped both in favour of a Chigee and / or a tablet affair…. Or just use their phone and nothing else.

thanks for the reply

 

[kwackless]

Thanks for all the replies.. I've always used the bmw nav 5 then the nav 6.. which I found to be fine for my needs.. saying that I've never been one for way points/using phone while riding/traffic updates or listening to music.. Rather keep my mind concentration on the road.. plus I'm a old sod so tech and me don't get on to well.. lol.. So why did you buy the new connect and ride satnav I hear you mutter! well I know a guy who did want to buy the bmw satnav 6 off me so when I ordered my r1300 gs I ordered the connect and ride satnav then he traded is bmw r1200 gs in for a triumph.. DOH! so will give the connect and ride a try to see if I get on with it.. sure I will as surely it's got to be better than the nav 6 "hopefully" then decide if I sell the connect and ride nav or the nav 6.... just hope the connect and ride is worth the expense as heard some have been having various problems and have gone back either the nav 5 or 6 or another option.

 

[Wapping]

just hope the connect and ride is worth the expense as heard some have been having various problems and have gone back either the nav 5 or 6 or another option.

You’ll hear all sorts of things. It’s up to you whether you believe them all or not.

 

[the woodster]

Yes you kind of read it correct. Seems the logical choice to compare both.. which I will do.. but I new some one who wanted to buy the satnav 6 from me.. so ordered the connect and ride satnav as got a good discount at the time with me ordering the bike.. then he decided to trade is r1200 gs in for a triumph so obviously did not want it.. thought just sell the sat nav 6 but then heard of the problems with the connect and ride sat nav.. Never had any problems with the satnav 6.. I don't bother with phone calls/music/ way points or other functions the connect and ride offer over the satnav 6.. just use for GPS speed/temp/ tyre pressures in the 4 block squares and navigation when required.. so just though would ask other users who as change from the 6 to the connect and ride nav is it worth it over the nav 6. but you are correct.. best to try then choose what suits me best.

Just my very humble opinion: If you have both, hold on to both for a while and try them. The 6 isn't going to plummet in value whilst you decide. One thing to bear in mind is that the 6 is a finished product but the ConnectedRide Navigator isn't (I hope ). It is improving slowly with software updates. I have a 5 and there are features I'd like to see on the CRN which are on that. One aspect they have got sorted is the interaction with the wonder wheel. I bought mine 'as new' from someone on the forum and had to get used to the Tom Tom graphics etc. I have not had the connection problems that some are plagued with and had some time on my hands to get to know how to use it PROPERLY, as opposed to blaming the unit for my own stupidity. BMW can't hide that they've dropped a clanger on this one, though. Lastly, on a positive note, I was in Romania recently with three bikermates, all with versions of the BMW Garmin series. The CRN proved itself the one that could be relied upon when routes diverged. I put that down to the MRA/CRN combination and my knowledge of both. I've done two trips with it and haven't been tempted to go back to my 5 yet, although I still have it.

 

[Victor c]

I’ve owned and used a Nav V, Nav VI, Garmin XT and currently running a Connectedride Nav. As with many tech items, the two BMW nav’s and the Garmin XT, have a host of features I would never use, but you have them should you wish to.

The Nav V and Nav VI were both great at navigating, but I hated the Garmin XT routing.
Even if bespoke routes were made and uploaded from MRA, the XT would quite often change it. I did find out by chance when on my last tour with it, that if you changed the MRA waypoints from tear drops to hand symbols, that it would route via each waypoint.

The thing I like about the Connectedride Nav, is its simplicity. It doesn’t have any fancy apps, which I would never use and the mapping (Tom Tom) is really clear and uncluttered.
When used in conjunction with the BMW Connected app, bespoke routes can be easily created (I find much easier than using MRA), and when sync’d, are exactly the same as when they are created in the app. It is also easy to create routes on the device itself.

As a quick memory dump, items to consider with the Connectedride Nav -

It will work as a standalone basic nav, regardless of if it is connected to a mobile phone or has its own SIM card installed.

It requires sight of the cloud to sync data and routes with the phone app. This can be achieved by Wi-Fi hotspot with your phone, or by fitting a SIM card. Whichever you chose, it still needs mobile coverage to complete the sync.

It requires mobile data, via one of the above methods, to get live traffic information.

When the bike shuts down and the nav is left in the cradle, it only goes to sleep. Just like the earlier BMW nav’s, it has to be removed from the cradle to power it down completely.

It has a really clear screen, which can be seen in all light conditions.

It has a really quick processor, and calculates routes far faster than any other nav I’ve used.

It has no setting to turn off “auto recalculate route” if you wander off it. I thought this was going to be an issue, but never really noticed it when away on my last tour. The ease of adding waypoints in the app, and the ability to easily skip the next waypoint when on the move, made any detours stress free.

Searching for a location or destination is easier than any of the other nav’s I’ve used and letting the nav do the routing for you is easy, and you have the normal choices of fast, winding, direct etc, as well as the ability to avoid the likes of tolls, motorways, unsaved roads, etc. For me, the auto routing is better than the Garmin XT.

Bluetooth connection to my iPhone and Sena SRL2 has been flawless and the call and music streaming quality and been perfect. However, Wi-Fi hotspot connection can be a bit hit and miss (I’m sure this is an iPhone issue, not the nav’s), but with the aid of iPhone automation set up, Wi-Fi hotspot works 100% of the time for me.

It has the option to load maps of the whole world, or just the areas you want.

It integrates with the bike and shows a full list of engine and operating data.

It doesn’t show gps speed.

BMW recommend you leave out all phone and headset connections with the bikes TFT and just connect to the nav. If you always ride with the Connectedride on the bike, this is not an issue.

BMW have taken a lot of flack over the Connectedride Nav, but with the recent software updates, the unit is getting better with each update.

 

[kwackless]

Vitor c.. It doesn’t show gps speed.. if that's correct will miss that! on the sat nav 6 it had the option of showing all the bike data then you could choose to have the nav screen to show gps speed alone.. or you could use say use 4 blocks such as gps speed/temp and tyre pressures as it was just big enough for a old sod like me to see. lol.. I assume that not change.. as when not using maps I had the 4 blocks of speed/temp and tyre pressures showing on the nav 6 screen. hopefully I can do the same with the connect and ride nav. will check for that next time I'm out for a ride.

 

[Wapping]

but I hated the Garmin XT routing.
Even if bespoke routes were made and uploaded from MRA, the XT would quite often change it.

I do wonder quite how some people are creating their bespoke routes in MyRoute and in which version they are uploading the route into their XT device. Mix in whatever preference settings (let alone recalculation) and the wonder grows still further.

I use MyRoute to create quite complex bespoke routes, placing a shaping point (what MyRoute calls, a waypoint) every 5km / 3 miles, as recommended by MyRoute.

I use very few if any ‘hands’ (via points, in MyRoute speak).

I export the routes in version 1.1.

I have all but all preference settings set to off and, likewise, recalculating set to prompted or off. In short, the XT cannot do much for itself, without my input.

The routes run perfectly.on my XT and (for what it’s worth) on my SIM card’less sacrificial iPhone phone, running MyRoute’s Navigation app.

 

[pbbanks]

pbbanks.. thanks for the reply.. but I'm I correct in thinking the new connect and ride satnav is not Garmin.. sure I heard its now tom tom.. I could be wrong as it's only what I've heard.. Sorry if I've read your comment wrong!

Nav Vi is the one I was saying about getting the latest cap screen version. Not the connect ride thingy.

 

[kwackless]

Thank for all the comments will report back on what I prefer..

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I have edited this post and created you a fresh topic / thread to deal with your audio connection question.

Richard