[JSpira]

Originally Posted by DanH

Also, can anyone explain why we are still messing around with map data on CD? Hard disk based nav has been available for a few years now and is far snappier. Not to mention they could sell you a 60 gig drive to fill with mp3s.

Better storage will come but we are not using CDs anymore; current systems use DVDs, which are faster and have far more capacity.

[sdnelson11]

I bought my car with it, only reason being to get die factory Navi (hate portables).

It's the poorest excuse for vehicle controls in history.
The FUNCTIONS and abstraction (that is layout and design) are okay. It's the execution that's just soooooooooooo poor. Having to literally jam the controller rearward to get it to respond. Waiting three seconds between screen transitions. Waiting 10-15 seconds at bootup before any audio.

Whoever mentioned M-B and others with MOST systems in their cars was right ... it's proof that it can be done right and BMW royally effed up this one. I don't mind if they keep the abstraction paradigm and general structure the same, even the same blocky graphics. Just make it easy to use und responsive.

Scott

[Kamando]

Despite its limitations the BMW Professional Navigation is still much better than the horrid navigation I saw in my friend's volvo. The arrow display would draw the path you are to take and place a moving red triangle inside the path to represent your car. The red triangle was never anywhere close to car's real position as it would always lag behind long after a turn was completed. With the top down only maps it was much harder to judge the correct turn point, something the iDrive perspective mode does very well. Also volvo gave my friend many CD's instead of one map DVD I'm glad I dont have to lug that many discs around. To top it all off the car would not even give voice directions, my friend was told by the volvo dealer that it would be an extra charge to enable that feature in the software. The one feature I did like was the detachable controller that sits near the gear shift. Although the iDrive knob is much better for map zooming.

Honestly I would rather not have a touch screen interface like the japanese cars have; thats more time I have to take my eyes off the road to make a selection. Also the fingerprints would drive me insane. With iDrive I usually don't have to look at the screen, or I will just glance using my peripheral vision, to do what I want as most of the control inputs have become second nature. Also, since having my car upgraded to progman 24 I find the iDrive a lot more user friendly with the menu layout especially when trying to bring up Navigation POI's (which were insanely difficult to get to in the old layout (Especially if you wanted info on your location or another destination besides the currently selected one.)

Just my 2 Euro Cents

[Bubbarossa]

My second bmw, my second idrive. Wouldn't have one without it. Just picked up my 335i (4/17), still like the idrive. IMO, nav works fine. People complain how hard it is to find a street...jeez, it's not like you have a keyboard in the car...and how "many" streets are there in the US??? You all sound like a bunch of complaining spoiled brats!!! Take it back, buy another one then.

[purplewidow]

i don't pick up my car until tuesday but i was under the belief that the new idrive after march production was a faster unit at least in the e92...

is there any truth to this?
________
MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES INLAND EMPIRT

[louIstat]

Well, dunno if my March production differs
But My gf and I both love this central computer very much...
the navi is great it recalculates route real fast, and the information section is just lovely

[Brett]

Originally Posted by louIstat

Well, dunno if my March production differs
But My gf and I both love this central computer very much...
the navi is great it recalculates route real fast, and the information section is just lovely

It is!

Originally Posted by GregL

I like the system, however I do agree with pretty much everyone else that it's dreadfully slow. I also dislike the inability to input a POI based on name/phone number.

Umm... the new version is much faster and DOES have the ability to search for POI

-Brett

[The Cleaner]

I have march production and have never had iDrive before. The system is great. People that complain about it generally don't have it and wish they did or have the pre 03/07 version that is noticeably inferior in almost every category that I have looked at. My system is fast, accurate and very easy to use.

[Revlis]

Actually I think a lot of folks don't like idrive cause they cannot be bothered to spend a little time and get familiar with it. The initial learning curve isn't all that steep but if you're casual and not a computer user, I could see it frustrating folks.

Then again I think there is a large contingent of owners who would never admit to it being anything less than gods gift to integrated controls.

Oh and BTW, I'm getting a new GPS and Controller next week.... Maybe I'll think the GPS sucks less after I get it installed.

In summary idrive is pretty cool, could be much better. (Think ipods interface and assumptions) GPS pretty lame.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by The Cleaner

I have march production and have never had iDrive before. The system is great. People that complain about it generally don't have it and wish they did or have the pre 03/07 version that is noticeably inferior in almost every category that I have looked at. My system is fast, accurate and very easy to use.

+1

I love it. March 2007 version.

Certainly there is room for continuous improvement, and I'm sure it will continue to evolve over time (or drift further behind better systems). But I think the choice of having it or not having it is no contest at all.

[Hatorade]

i really like the idrive in my 750i (ONLY RED 7 IN NEW ENGLAND)

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

+1

I love it. March 2007 version.

Certainly there is room for continuous improvement, and I'm sure it will continue to evolve over time (or drift further behind better systems). But I think the choice of having it or not having it is no contest at all.

agreed, def. worth an extra 2k. its probably my favorite option, especially combined with 6FL. now that rocks!!!! :rocks: :rocks: :rocks:

[MikeTerp]

I don't "hate" my iDrive; however, it is not a "nice" system. It is overly complex, cumbersome and distracting. While most of us figure it out and use it successfully, I would bet a large sum that if BMW knew what they know now, and had it to do over again, we would not see iDrive as it exists.

[PI Guy]

Originally Posted by matt_335Ci

agreed, def. worth an extra 2k. its probably my favorite option, especially combined with 6FL. now that rocks!!!! :rocks: :rocks: :rocks:

Can't wait to get mine !

[bigJnyc]

i'm not an I-drive fanboy but i have to say i love the system.... i couldnt imagine living without navigation...gone are the days of driving while looking down at a printout from mapquest. other than some slowness and hiccups when entering the destination it works flawless for me, its really no big deal. I got used to it quickly and now i love it... plus i think it looks really cool and makes the interior look way more luxurious, non-idrive i think looks rather plain and blah. anyways everyone has their own opinion and preference thats the beauty of life and why BMW offers you a choice. for those who still havent bought their cars its very simple, test it out im sure your CA will let you test it on one of their cars if you like it get it, and if you dont like it dont get it, and you even save some money.... now how easy is that?

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by MikeTerp

I don't "hate" my iDrive; however, it is not a "nice" system. It is overly complex, cumbersome and distracting. While most of us figure it out and use it successfully, I would bet a large sum that if BMW knew what they know now, and had it to do over again, we would not see iDrive as it exists.

That is true without doubt, just as Bill Gates would probably not re-introduce Windows 3.1. I still think BMW did it right with the concept of the the single controller and non touch screen. Voice controls go a long way to making it a hands off system. But every system must improve and evolve.

Where they lack is in the design of intuitive menu navigation and available shortcuts. They are, after all, Germans.

I'm lovin' mine!

[Hogson100]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

That is true without doubt, just as Bill Gates would probably not re-introduce Windows 3.1. I still think BMW did it right with the concept of the the single controller and non touch screen. Voice controls go a long way to making it a hands off system. But every system must improve and evolve.

Where they lack is in the design of intuitive menu navigation and available shortcuts. They are, after all, Germans.

I'm lovin' mine!

There are shortcuts for example if you hold the controller to the left for 2 seconds the I drive will take straight to the last screen and cursor position that you last used then after you make your adjustment on the climate screen you could then pull and hold the controller to the rear and again it will take you to the last screen you used in the entertainment menu cd or aux or FM , whatever you were last using , press and hold it forwards it will take you straight to the last screen you used in the phone menu eg phone book.
This makes getting around quite easy and minimises button pressing and having to navigate sub menus etc.
Paul

[bigJnyc]

Originally Posted by Hogson100

There are shortcuts for example if you hold the controller to the left for 2 seconds the I drive will take straight to the last screen and cursor position that you last used then after you make your adjustment on the climate screen you could then pull and hold the controller to the rear and again it will take you to the last screen you used in the entertainment menu cd or aux or FM , whatever you were last using , press and hold it forwards it will take you straight to the last screen you used in the phone menu eg phone book.
This makes getting around quite easy and minimises button pressing and having to navigate sub menus etc.
Paul

nice! great tip hogson, one of my gripes was having to go into navigation and set it to map direction of travel each and every time, its a little cumbersome. this shortcut secret is wonderful, cant wait to get home now lol.

[Inkidoo]

I don't hate mine, but it is a pain in the freaking ass sometimes. It is weird, sometimes it just stay there in the same screen while you press buttons. They, the Sat Radio, doesn't want to change the channel, AND the Bluetooth is very rebelious.

[Northernlight]

Seriously the thing is MIND NUMBINGLY slow at times. Does anybody know if BMW cheaped out on a slow processor or badly written software code? The up and down arrows on the steering wheel do not make sense (SAT and Radio) seem to be opposite of one another. The wheel is opposite to my sensibilities. If you want to get a zoomed image it would make sense to turn it clockwise, like your screwing down closer.

Other than this it is a fine system and I would get again but they have to help with the speed. I am hoping a software update for my 07 335i will help, but I am waiting for the bugs to be sorted out through this latest update. Sigh...

[iatacs19]

I think it's running Java right? Java is generally slow...

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by iatacs19

I think it's running Java right? Java is generally slow...

VxWorks