2010 Nav comments

[ABMW]

No problems in major cities, but in small locals, it has taken me off-course to a surprising degree.

It's always been relatively obvious, but I have TomTom's top-of-the line portable GPS unit, and have had a GPS on every vehicle I've owned since 2003, save for 1.

They've all had their flaws, and every GPS unit from the one on my iPhone to the one in my Nissan has had its share of issues.

If you're looking for 100% perfection, each and every time, within any GPS system currently sold to the general public, please let me know when you find it.

I'll agree that some are better than others, but the 2010 GPS is really no better nor no worse, than any other system I've used over the last 7 to 8 years.

With any GPS system, it's not a question of if it will send you off course, but when.

One thing that is noteworthy about the X5 is that accuracy to which it calculates when the vehicle is approaching a turn or individual intersection.

It's by far, the most accurate system, I've used. In fact, I don't know who makes the GPS receivers, but they're close to the level of the ones on my Meade 12" GPS - 200 Telescope (some will know how accurate those are).

I'm betting the GPS receivers are made by Sony or Philips, and are not made in Germany. I could be wrong, on who makes the receivers, but the point I'm trying to make is that the GPS, while it's not perfect, is satisfactory to say the least.

If you're resorting to the having to use an axillary unit, there may be an issue with your GPS receivers. They can be damaged, and they should not be sending you off course to the point that you're having to resort to 3rd party units.

I'd have BMW either calibrate your GPS receivers or have them diagnosed and possibly replaced.

I've had my 35d for 3,000 miles, driving in completely familiar terrain for the majority of the car's mileage that I've accumulated since taking delivery on December 21. If it's only sent me off-course once, that's not too bad.

For reference the location in which it sent me off course was in Sedona, AZ. With that said, Sedona is known for having some fairly aggressive magnetic disturbances which have been known to create malfunctions within GPS systems. On the other hand, my Nissan worked there without flaw (visit there 2 to 3 times per year).