OK, let's clarify. Our long-term 2009 Suzuki SX4's built-in but portable Garmin Nuvi unit has nowhere near the features of the iDrive navigation system in our long-term 2009 BMW 750i. But this Garmin unit is better in two basic ways.
1. Unlike iDrive, the Nuvi tells me the side of the street on which I'll find my tall nonfat double latte fix. When driving in areas in which I'm truly unfamiliar, this is inherently safer, because (a) I'm not looking every which way to find my destination; and (b) I can get in the proper lane to turn into my destination.
2. I like voice instruction. I always turn it on when I use navigation systems. And I appreciate it when a system gives me directions in plain spoken English, pronouncing street and highway names pretty close to the way I'm used to hearing them. The Garmin does that well, even in the Australian male "Lee" narrator we've selected on ours -- he can even say "Starbucks." Not only is the 750i's iDrive unit too infrequent in providing voice prompts, it can't pronounce freeway names in typical American parlance.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 6,448 miles
DCuerpoJr says:
02:35 PM, 05/29/09
Garmin does make some of the best GPS Nav devices around.
I see that you are a coffee fiend. Unfortunately, I didn't realize I've become a coffee snob until my coworker looked puzzled at the drink I ordered at our local Starbucks. The people that work there pretty much know what I'm going to order so I rarely say it.
"Iced-Grande-Soy-Upside-Down-Quad-Shot-Caramel-Macchiato."
I'm lactose intolerant, but the drink itself is pretty easy to make.
brooksbell says:
02:45 PM, 05/29/09
I turned down the built in Nav option on my car and bought a Nuvi. Best Buy will install it - in this case I put it down under the radio and it almost looks custom built. I still have to hide it when I park but a glasses case covers the mounting arm which is bolted down.
Anyway, this Nuvi has voice recognition. After couple software updates it works really well. You tell it where you want to go.
carfreak8394 says:
03:20 PM, 05/29/09
Thanks. Now I want a vanilla bean frappuccino :P. And that navigation system sounds pretty slick; I've never really messed with a portable one, but they seem pretty cool.
adavis2493 says:
03:39 PM, 05/29/09
Don't forget the BMW Navigation System on Highways goes:
"Turn Right _________(Pause)____________In 1/4th of a Mile" (After I have already gotten off two exits too early)
And the fact that it tells you to turn in 250Ft. (when half of America does not know how to estimate 250Ft). -Including Me-
bimmerjay says:
04:37 PM, 05/29/09
It's disappointing that the new version of iDrive did not add both #1 and #2 in the new version.
cruiserhead1 says:
02:40 PM, 05/30/09
I acknowledge the built-in clean look and convenience of a OEM NAV but the Garmin (best NAVs you can buy) have several solid, huge advantages;
-You can pick your own features as needed. Even the top of the line Garmin is cheaper than a OEM Nav.
- Multi-car use
- Upload and download info from your computer for trip planning & info upgrades. You do that with ease and comfort of your home using Google Earth, Garmin software, etc, etc.
That alone is pretty huge.
- very easy to update software & roads
- Not one OEM Nav I know of has TOPO maps. This virtually makes them useless for offroad trips. They basically become a $2000 compass
- I think more auto makers should design a bin or access display door for aftermarket GPS units like the SX4 or the FJ Cruiser.
cruiserhead1 says:
02:42 PM, 05/30/09
Oh, and the obvious- if there is a technological leap, you are not stuck with a $2K 8-track player in the dashboard.