Quote:
Originally Posted by ukwildcat
Most of my experience is with NAVTEQ, who many say is the better provider in North America, but..
From what I can find - which, surprisingly, isn't as much as I'd like - TeleAtlas is the better data provider in Europe.
So far, except for a slimmer POI database than I'm used to - but it's always hit or miss - the TeleAtlas map seems to be somewhat more accurate on actual "road positions" but somewhat less accurate on their address model.
But why would choosing TeleAtlas be "the wrong one?" Sorry, I'm only trying to learn more about this.
I won't hide the fact that I was VERY leery at first, but as I've gotten to use it more - the ETA issue I described notwithstanding - I've actually become IMPRESSED. Maybe it's just the graphics, but it's been very satisfying to use. A bit slower than I would have thought for a hard drive-based system, although not any worse than the DVD one I was used to.
Oh, and that startup time still kills me. The ancient Lexus DVD-based system was "instant on."
We've had a major off-ramp get closed and two major highways about to come online (extensions, really) in the next year or so, so I'll wait for another update.
In the meantime, I know BMW said recently they were going to go to the MeeGo environment going forward. Not sure if THAT'S a good move either.
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I agree about teleatlas being strong in EU. I've used BMW nav in Europe several times and it was very, very good. Better integration and functionality than the US in the last 2010 5 series I drove. I remember thinking "wow, I wish nav worked like this in the US"
So it is my belief that BMW changed vendors based- in large part- on their experience with teleatlas in Europe, and really did not understand the impact of the sub-par maps in the USA on the customer experience here... I can tell you that BMWNA is getting hammered with complaints and has dedicated staff to field calls about nav and forward those complaints onwards. The know precisely who to send the comments to, as it is a well-worn pathway....
Back to 'wrong one'.... there appears to be hidden data defects scattered throughout the Teleatlas database that makes the routing algorithm 'think' there isn't a through road when there is.... as a result many people get very whacky routing. Can it find a restaurant or an address- yes. But the bigger problem is that the routes are nowhere near optimal due to these occult flaws within the data describing the road.
I think over time this will get addressed- 3,4 years and they will pull it up...BUT at OUR expense, and only if BMW hammers on Teleatlas under the terms of their secret agreement (which hopefully includes performance and complaint clauses to force teleatlas)
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