GPS/bluetooth

[E46Fanatic]

Ya true. Its a custom made Garmin. Thats the ambiguous part and ETK makes it clear we have to buy the associated map part no. Anyway, if its a group buy, no harm umm.. sharing the cost of 1 copy of the orginal BMW map part no . Thats what I like about this E9x community .

 

[Schwepps]

I think if it's integrated, the ori map would give you all the features. The pro version is amazingly seamless and must be one of the best in the auto industry. But it costs +RM2K. So Euro 74 is nothing.

Sounds like someone can crack the copy protection...

 

[racheltoh]

I understand from CK that the update of maps is by subscription..ie rm2k per year, done at BMW. No longer can we duplicate CDs. Thus, if one dont get updated, meaning the GPS is useless. WIth 2K, can buy Garmin already?

 

[MSport]

I must say the Navigation Pro that comes factory-fitted with the shark fin antenna works even when in underground car parks and tunnels. :top:
.

Actually, I've always been wondering, how on earth does the shark fin antenna work when we are like in Basement 3 or Basement 4 of a carpark, where I don't think the satellite signal can penatrate. Yet, it still works and the compass "North" will always change accordingly.

 

[E46Fanatic]

Rachel,

It might be cheaper to buy the maps in from parallel importers. Cost of it is ~Rm1.2k after conversion. Let me know if you wanna tumpang shipping with the group buy (if it happens). I think can be cheaper that way.


DVD Map Singapore/Malaysia Professional 65 90 2 147 297 2009-1... — '08, September 1 0.134 kg / 0.295 lb €248.00

 

[Schwepps]

I understand from CK that the update of maps is by subscription..ie rm2k per year, done at BMW. No longer can we duplicate CDs. Thus, if one dont get updated, meaning the GPS is useless. WIth 2K, can buy Garmin already?

No lah, my dear, the GPS won't be useless. Just out-of-date a bit. Like you're driving in the jungle if you're on Duke highway. Like there are no restaurant listings for Solaris area. Still very usable wor.

You just buy the current year DVD, and yes, it won't work if you make a copy. Even dealer staff have tried to.

 

[Schwepps]

Actually, I've always been wondering, how on earth does the shark fin antenna work when we are like in Basement 3 or Basement 4 of a carpark, where I don't think the satellite signal can penatrate. Yet, it still works and the compass "North" will always change accordingly.

Yes, I wonder how too. I've tried slowing down and speeding up in tunnels like Penchala, Karak and Jelapang. It always tracks exactly. :top:

 

[MSport]

I am suspecting maybe the OBC has some kind of sensor on the wheels, like the turning and how many turns will reflect in the changes and distances....... all these will show up on the display accordingly.

 

[racheltoh]

Buy buying a parallel, means, i remove the current dvd n put this 'parallel dvd in'? will it cause un-necessary disruption to my idrive?

Roads in Klg Valley keeps on changing..thus i dont use the gps anymore

 

[E46Fanatic]

Its a original BMW part + part number the exact same one as what the local dealer will give to you. So it won't cause any issues. But its mid year already. Best is to wait for 2010 maps and then upgrade it. From the read of it, BMW seems to lock down the maps for each year in Sept. So maybe come Sept/Oct, you can buy 2010 maps for Malaysia/Singapore already.

 

[saat]

Rachel,

It might be cheaper to buy the maps in from parallel importers. Cost of it is ~Rm1.2k after conversion. Let me know if you wanna tumpang shipping with the group buy (if it happens). I think can be cheaper that way.


DVD Map Singapore/Malaysia Professional 65 90 2 147 297 2009-1... — '08, September 1 0.134 kg / 0.295 lb €248.00

The DVD map you are talking here is the map for the iDrive GPS. This map is produced by Teleatlas and another. I have bought Teleatlas maps at GBP49 (at 50% Christmas discount). BMW sells their maps at approx 2K.

For the Garmin, the map is very much cheaper and is downloaded from the website. They do not come on DVD disk. There are 2 maps approved by Garmin, City Navigator and from MSM. These will come with an unlock key which is tied to the unit id. These are about USD99 each.

All the above releases update at least once a year.

I use MFM which is a breakaway of MSM and it is free. MFM is updates every week.

 

[racheltoh]

Oh ok ok..remind me in Oct then...

 

[saat]

I think if it's integrated, the ori map would give you all the features. The pro version is amazingly seamless and must be one of the best in the auto industry. But it costs +RM2K. So Euro 74 is nothing.

Sounds like someone can crack the copy protection...

The "features" of the device is the same irrespective of whether it is made for BMW or not. The only possible extra you have is that the icon on the screen shows your BMW model.

As far as the other device features, it can be obtained or created easily e.g. The Splash scree, I can get the BMW one or customize one.

Now onto the map, With the exception of Junction View and Lane Assists, MFM is far more updated than the original maps for Garmin i.e. City Navigator or MSM.

 

[Schwepps]

I am suspecting maybe the OBC has some kind of sensor on the wheels, like the turning and how many turns will reflect in the changes and distances....... all these will show up on the display accordingly.

Don't think so bro. That would be an inertial guidance system with gyroscopes to sense distance and direction similar to SCUD missiles. Way too expensive and probably not allowed to be put in a public device. :wink: Even GPS was developed by the US military and accuracy for public use is limited to 5m or something like that. We would forgive BMW, like we forgive Hitz.fm and Maxis, if the signal can't be received in tunnels and basement carparks, so why would they add that expense into something that we don't even use 95% of the time?

It's not as if we can take a wrong turn in a tunnel, and if we're already in a basement carpark, we should know which building we're in already. Inertial guidance would be redundant.

 

[Schwepps]

The "features" of the device is the same irrespective of whether it is made for BMW or not. The only possible extra you have is that the icon on the screen shows your BMW model.

I'm referring to features integrated with iDrive, not generic GPS features bro.

 

[E46Fanatic]

For the Garmin, the map is very much cheaper and is downloaded from the website. They do not come on DVD disk. There are 2 maps approved by Garmin, City Navigator and from MSM. These will come with an unlock key which is tied to the unit id. These are about USD99 each.
All the above releases update at least once a year.

I use MFM which is a breakaway of MSM and it is free. MFM is updates every week.

I'm using the Garmin map for my device. Its a free download IF your device is a local unit with local warranty. Garmin struck a deal with MSM and is offering this map for free for legit local Garmin devices in Malaysia/Singapore. Just go to Garmin web site, key in your Serial no, and it'll validate your device for the free current map download. MFM is also good and free, and most of the folks who bought cheaper US/Euro version of Garmin GPS units end up using this one. There was a good article in the Star a couple of weeks back on comparing MSM and MFM. Both have its strengths and weaknesses in some areas.

 

[Megabucks38]

Can we get a groupbuy with Ingress, maybe can lower to RM 1600-1800!!

My 320, no GPS and bluetooth, no shiok!!!

any better suggestion?

 

[MSport]

No wonder BMW is moving away from the Navigation DVD to a hard disk based one in the LCI models since "backing up DVD" is a norm.

 

[E46Fanatic]

Can we get a groupbuy with Ingress, maybe can lower to RM 1600-1800!!

My 320, no GPS and bluetooth, no shiok!!!

any better suggestion?

I think Ingress parts pricing has to follow BMW Malaysia's price guidance. Best case with them is to use BMW Whitecard to get some discounts. We can compare this with 3rd party fellas who bring in the parts direct from Germany to see which is cheaper.

 

[E46Fanatic]

Bad news guys. The installation kit for the E90 doesn't come with the nice enclosure like that found on the X3. Freddie just confirmed that. Its only a clip holder mounted on the dash. Only the X3 has the enclosure.

In addition, only cars produces after 09/07 can have sound routed to the radio. Else the sound will just come from the GPS device. Bummer!

Freddie will get me the pricing for it for a group buy. At least we know a lot more about this retrofit now.