TFT screen & Navigator 6

[Petefinlay]

Hi Guys, I have downloaded the Motorrad app and it appears to be working well. The bike and my headset have all connected ok with my mobile.
I have put in a route on my phone and up it pops on my TFT screen, all good!
I thought it might also show the route on my Navigator 6, but it doesn't look like it will do that?
If I use the app to navigate, it kind of looks like the Navigator 6 is a bit redundant?
I used to use the nav on my 1200 to show speed, tyre pressures and distance to next turn, as I got close to a turn, I would toggle to the map for detailed nav info, but as all that info is now on the TFT screen, I'm not sure which is the best one to use.
What is the general opinion, keep the Nav 6 for navigation only and leave the TFT for speed, revs, etc.?
Cheers, Pete

 

[BobT]

In my opinion the Nav 6 is redundant. The TFT will show tyre pressures and stuff like that.
When using the phone and BMW app to navigate, it just shows the next turn if you are on the Nav screen, on the sport or normal screen it will show you next turn either just before you get there or give you instruction through your headset by pushing the jog wheel to the right.
If you are one of the many who like to see the whole route set out ahead then just mount the phone where you can see it and it will show that.
If you plan a route and load it into the BMW app, you can ride that route, but any pictures that you take with your phone will also be inserted into that route. You can then overlay route info onto the pictures should you want to do that.
Most modern mobile phones have a much better GPS chip in them than dedicated GPSs.

 

[Flamair]

I'm of the opposite opinion to BobT.

I think the TFT connectivity is poor and ignore it, preferring the Nav 6. The Nav handles music, routing I've pre-planned, audio books and phone calls without dropping the connection every time I switch the ignition off. Nothing I've done to the TFT software has improved the situation.

In short, if the TFT works for you, great. But I prefer the reliability of the Garmin (Nav 6).

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

 

[Jeremy]

UKGSER could write a book about this subject. After a short period of ownership, I've concluded that Waze and Spotify via my iPhone to my Headset is fine. Having to continually connect my helmet to the TFT every time I stop the engine is a joke.

 

[Flamair]

UKGSER could write a book about this subject. After a short period of ownership, I've concluded that Waze and Spotify via my iPhone to my Headset is fine. Having to continually connect my helmet to the TFT every time I stop the engine is a joke.

Couldn't agree more.

For a 20k bike it's scandalous tbh!

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

 

[richardbd]

I’m with Flamair. Nav6 is a much better unit for anything other than simple stuff and given that it’s perfectly simple to run music and phone through it too, I don’t really see the point of connecting to the TFT, so I don’t bother...

 

[ncpierce]

I don't have problems with the TFT connecting, apart from when I forget to start the map. Using the bike a lot to hack through London at the moment what I find I am doing is routing through the TFT but using my Nav 5 as an old fashioned AtoZ to show me the road names etc...

 

[Petefinlay]

Think I might just stick with using the Nav6 for navigating and leave the TFT screen alone.
At least I'm used to the nav.
Thanks for all your input.

Cheers, Pete

 

[richardbd]

I don't have problems with the TFT connecting, apart from when I forget to start the map. Using the bike a lot to hack through London at the moment what I find I am doing is routing through the TFT but using my Nav 5 as an old fashioned AtoZ to show me the road names etc...

What’s the upside of routing via the TFT rather than the Nav5 Nige?

 

[MIKE R]

I'm of the opposite opinion to BobT.

I think the TFT connectivity is poor and ignore it, preferring the Nav 6. The Nav handles music, routing I've pre-planned, audio books and phone calls without dropping the connection every time I switch the ignition off. Nothing I've done to the TFT software has improved the situation.

In short, if the TFT works for you, great. But I prefer the reliability of the Garmin (Nav 6).

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

When I first saw the TFT screen at the bike show c2018 the BMW rep asked how I liked it. I asked him what it could do that the old speedo/rev counter/info screen set up + sat nav couldn't. He didn't like that!

I like the TFT screen for the speed, revs and some info but i prefer to use my Nav 6 for navigation, music. telephone etc so most of the TFT 'features' are wasted on me

Mike

 

[richardbd]

When I first saw the TFT screen at the bike show c2018 the BMW rep asked how I liked it. I asked him what it could do that the old speedo/rev counter/info screen set up + sat nav couldn't. He didn't like that!

Good observation. I’ve yet to find a single piece of useful information that I have on my TFT dash that I didn’t have before with the old-style dash and the Nav5/6. In fact, I reckon most of the info was faster to access with the old set-up than it is now.

I like like TFT but let’s be honest, the only material upside is that it look cooler...

 

[TheStammeringBiker]

I have mixed feelings about the TFT. I like it and I think it's a very clear screen with easy to read information, but from a nav point of view I think it's flawed and needs some major work to make it a viable alternative for a separate nav system.

I'm currently testing the Beta version of the BMW Connected app and while it's improving things it's not really in the key areas that need improvement which for me is the instructions it gives when using it for navigation. I get that the screen space is limited but for me I want to be able to glance very quickly and see where I'm going so I can focus on the road but the very basic graphics the TFT displays (in my opinion) require more than a fleeting glance, mainly because of the inability for it to display a map.

Generally if I'm using a dedicated nav device whether it be the Nav6 or Calimoto app I tend to not both too much with things like the road name I need to turn onto or how far ahead the turning I need is, as a quick glance of the map usually gives a fairly clear indication of where I'm going and where I need to turn.

For me the frustration with the TFT/Connected app are that, for instance, when approaching a roundabout there is one graphic, which is of a roundabout with the direction arrow pointing straight ahead so you have to take heed of the exit number and in some cases I've gone straight on at the roundabout instead of turning right. Arguably this is my fault and not a big deal but I just find to use the TFT for proper navigation I have to spend more time looking down and actually READING the information as opposed to just glancing and checking I'm more or less on course.

I'm also not a huge fan of the Nav6 and I rarely use it nowadays. I find the UI clunky, unintuitive and out of date but I will concede when used properly and programmed right it works well and is clear and easy to read. That said, when I was lucky enough to get away on the bike to the Alps last year we used one of those cradles that slots into the Nav6 mounting bracket and draws power directly off the bike and used my phone with either Calimoto for detail specific routes, or Waze for simple A to B planning and it worked a charm.

For me the TFT isn't and never will be a viable long term alternative for a dedicated nav device, until such time as the GS gets the larger display on the RT so it can show a map, then maybe my opinion will change.

There are other app related reasons why I'm not fond of BMW's Connected app but I'll keep those comments for another time haha

 

[digby]

I have had all sorts of connectivity problems with the TFT

It has forgotten my phone details and Cardo details many times and sometimes suffers communication issues

Also the Bluetooth connectivity between phone and tft is fickle - phone in chest pocket ok,phone in trouser leg pocket = poor communication

In addition if I am unlucky enough to receive a phone call then it stops the Navigation from working and a bike key-off is needed to sort things out

The tft software has been updated several times .....
Even BMW customer service could only say that there is a connectivity problem with apple .....

Surely the “good” solution would be to integrate CarPlay into the screen ??

BMW know how to this as it works in their cars ....??

 

[BobT]

Surely the “good” solution would be to integrate CarPlay into the screen ??

BMW know how to this as it works in their cars ....??

What and piss off the 95% of people who are happy with the TFT just to please the few Apple users who are having problems?

The best thing about it is that everybody can use just the bit that they want to use.

 

[autogs]

my tft works perfectly ta,connects every time to my phone and cardo! no probs since new praps im the chosen one? oh and keyless is brill !

 

[Mr Bean]

my tft works perfectly ta,connects every time to my phone and cardo! no probs since new praps im the chosen one? oh and keyless is brill !

Same here, but keep it to yourself and don't tell JB...

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

I’m with Flamair. Nav6 is a much better unit for anything other than simple stuff and given that it’s perfectly simple to run music and phone through it too, I don’t really see the point of connecting to the TFT, so I don’t bother...

Exactly this for me too. Connect Sena to Nav V, don't worry about connecting Sena to TFT. iPhone connects automatically to bike (if I leave BT switched on phone) and records the ride on Connected app. Pretty pointless for me, but I suppose some people must like it.

 

[ncpierce]

What’s the upside of routing via the TFT rather than the Nav5 Nige?

I don't think there is any upside - the arrival times are still out as the TFT does not seem to know that I am on a bike and accounts for traffic!

 

[richardbd]

I don't think there is any upside - the arrival times are still out as the TFT does not seem to know that I am on a bike and accounts for traffic!

 

[BobT]

I don't think there is any upside - the arrival times are still out as the TFT does not seem to know that I am on a bike and accounts for traffic!

The TFT would have no idea that you are on a bike nor the traffic situation, it is just a passive screen. You clearly don't understand how the TFT works without a separate BMW navigator. All the information that the TFT shows comes from your phone.