A solution for those without I-Drive

Scarabeo · 07-30-2006, 03:33 AM

Works for me - I can play my favorite tunes/videos and still have access to the GPS (this model has TMC)....

http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=main/...1280.jpg&s=f10

Kit523 · 07-30-2006, 05:21 AM

sorry man, but i hate too many wire sticking out!

Scarabeo · 07-30-2006, 05:29 AM

As I said, for those who did not have I-Drive...the radar detector does add a few more cables to the dashboard. The GPS has the same Navegon software used By BMW and is easier to update. Not only that, I can take it out and transfer it to other cars/rentals..

Pretender · 07-30-2006, 06:19 AM

I use these below. The Bluetooth GPS receiver is in my glove compartment while I stick my Axim X5 on my dash. No wire whatsoever. Work great. I'm planning to connect the external 7" monitor to the Axim.

Scarabeo · 07-30-2006, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pretender

I use these below. The Bluetooth GPS receiver is in my glove compartment while I stick my Axim X5 on my dash. No wire whatsoever. Work great. I'm planning to connect the external 7" monitor to the Axim.

I used to use same type of setup - Bluetooth GPS/PDA (Palm T3). I now have my eye on this PNA: http://www.fujitsu-siemens.at/produc...100/index.html - it has the new MobileNavigator6 software...

All these new units have a SIRFire III chipset...My Transonic, which is brand new, will lock on 7 satellites from inside my living room...that is the problem of a built-in GPS - you can't replace old hardware.....I never lose a signal even when in downtown Milan....

Hawkshaw · 07-30-2006, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarabeo

Works for me - I can play my favorite tunes/videos and still have access to the GPS (this model has TMC)....

http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=main/...1280.jpg&s=f10

I'm afraid that's waaaay too busy looking...I prefer a cleaner look.

Scarabeo · 07-30-2006, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkshaw

I'm afraid that's waaaay too busy looking...I prefer a cleaner look.

Looks busy because of the radar detector power cord and TMC cable - I am experimenting by putting the detector in rear of car since it has that capability. I need to figure out how to hide the TMC cable or connect it to the radio/shark fin) - RDS channel). This not the perfect setup by any means, just a work-around...and everything can be removed in an instant. I was not impressed with the I-Drive - the resolution was not very good and seemed dark, and that extra hump on the dashboard was not very attractive...WIth this GPS I have loaded over 8,000 POI's (speedtraps) which is something you can't do with the built-in nav...it was just not flexible enough for my needs...

maximinimaus · 07-30-2006, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pretender

I use these below. The Bluetooth GPS receiver is in my glove compartment while I stick my Axim X5 on my dash. No wire whatsoever. Work great. I'm planning to connect the external 7" monitor to the Axim.

Can you tell me please what is the pc-card for? Where does it stick in?
The wireless solution attracts me very much.
Thanks.

LarryK1000 · 07-31-2006, 05:07 PM

For a clean look, look at the Magellan RoadMate 800. It has a lithium ion battery that lasts about 2 hours. So, you don't need ANY wires. YOu only need to plug it in if you drive more than about 2 hours.

Looks great and you can take the unit into the house to program or even walk around a city with it -- maybe silly looking, but you can do it.

Most nav units don't have an internal battery. So, this is an important feature for people who don't want a lot of wires and who want to program or work with it inside the house.

Nice.

And extra note: I just went to San Diego this w/e and used the Nav Unit in my new 330. It's OK, but is about 60% of what the Magellan unit can do.

So, if someone doesn't really like iDrive and would only get it for the Nav unit, think twice and look at the Magellan or Garmin units. Their software is SO superior and they are SO easy to use. You will be amazed. And, you can take it from car to car. In fact, we are taking it to Europe next year to use in our rental car (have to pay money to unlock the European maps, however.)

Larry in Los Angeles

07-30-2006, 03:33 AM	#1
Scarabeo Private First Class 5 Rep 172 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Milan, Italy iTrader: (0)	A solution for those without I-Drive Works for me - I can play my favorite tunes/videos and still have access to the GPS (this model has TMC).... http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=main/...1280.jpg&s=f10
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07-30-2006, 05:21 AM	#2
Kit523 Major General 386 Rep 7,074 Posts Drives: F80 M3/FK8/C63S Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: B.C. Vancouver iTrader: (27)	sorry man, but i hate too many wire sticking out!
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07-30-2006, 05:29 AM	#3
Scarabeo Private First Class 5 Rep 172 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Milan, Italy iTrader: (0)	As I said, for those who did not have I-Drive...the radar detector does add a few more cables to the dashboard. The GPS has the same Navegon software used By BMW and is easier to update. Not only that, I can take it out and transfer it to other cars/rentals..
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07-30-2006, 06:19 AM	#4
Pretender Colonel 159 Rep 2,419 Posts Drives: 06 330i, 07 328i, 16 X1, >17M2 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 06 330i [0.00]	I use these below. The Bluetooth GPS receiver is in my glove compartment while I stick my Axim X5 on my dash. No wire whatsoever. Work great. I'm planning to connect the external 7" monitor to the Axim. Attached Images __________________ It's a great time to be alive
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07-31-2006, 05:07 PM	#9
LarryK1000 Larry from Los Angeles 16 Rep 296 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles (SFV) iTrader: (0)	For a clean look, look at the Magellan RoadMate 800. It has a lithium ion battery that lasts about 2 hours. So, you don't need ANY wires. YOu only need to plug it in if you drive more than about 2 hours. Looks great and you can take the unit into the house to program or even walk around a city with it -- maybe silly looking, but you can do it. Most nav units don't have an internal battery. So, this is an important feature for people who don't want a lot of wires and who want to program or work with it inside the house. Nice. And extra note: I just went to San Diego this w/e and used the Nav Unit in my new 330. It's OK, but is about 60% of what the Magellan unit can do. So, if someone doesn't really like iDrive and would only get it for the Nav unit, think twice and look at the Magellan or Garmin units. Their software is SO superior and they are SO easy to use. You will be amazed. And, you can take it from car to car. In fact, we are taking it to Europe next year to use in our rental car (have to pay money to unlock the European maps, however.) Larry in Los Angeles
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