OldGuy

I dont know how the Nav works on the GT3 but I am going to Kerlan Jobe tomorrow to see if my back is operable. I thought it would be a good chance to check out the nav on the AMG. I get in start it up and back it up in the driveway so the GPS can see the sky. I push the button on the wheel.
ME: Enter destination
AMG: youre home state is California would you like to enter street or town name?
Me: Street
AMG: Say Street
Me: Park Terrace Drive.
AMG pick a line with the street.
Me One (one has the correct name)
AMG say street number.
Me: 6801.
AMG 6801 Park Terrace Drive Los Angeles California. Would you like to start navigation now or save?
Me Save
AMG Say Name
Me Kerland and Jobe.

Done. Now I thought that was pretty damn easy, I should check out my wifes BMW 08 335i system so I grab the key and back it out. and I push the button on the steering wheel:

Me: Enter destination
BMW What part of the destination would you like to enter Street or City name.
Me: Street Name
BMW Sorry Street name is not a valid street name.
Me Street!
BMW Voice command ended.
Me GOD Dammit press button again.
Me: Enter street name.
BMW would you like to say the state in which your street name is located?
Me: California
BMW: California is your home state would you like to enter another state or province?
me: NO JUST CALIFORNIA
BMW Voice command ended.
Me FU@ING A! Push button.
Me: Enter street name
BMW: Please say the street name
Me: Park Terrace Drive
BMW: Did you say HART-FART-RED? (on the screen is says Hartford)
me: NO
BMW: Please repeat to enter street name
ME :PARK TERRACE DRIVE!
BMW: HART-FART-RED is not in your home state.
Me NO NO NO PARK TERRACE DRIVE!!!!!!!!
BMW Voice Command ended

We are taking the AMG down to Kerlan and Jobe tomorrow.

To be fair. I did not read either book on the operation of the Nav system for
either system.

Does the GT3 nav have voice command?

CP

Paul,

I think BMW should just out-source their electronics. They just don't know how.

On another front, I heard that the voice-activated NAVs in the Acuras and the Infinitis are really sweet.

Thanks to Terry, I'm now a Garmin convert. I would never buy a car with built-in NAV ever again.

CP

C.J. Ichiban

pong- I bought my lil bro a Acura TSX- it's a 2005 with voice command that works really well.

you hit the button and say

"nearest sushi"
"nearest dry cleaner"

etc and it comes up with maps, names, choices- for a cheaper car it's really the boss.

CP

C.J.

Good for your little brother. You care to adopt an 'older' brother?

CP

John Boggiano

The BMW system works best when you use a calm speaking voice.

The louder and 'clearer' you try to make it, the less mine understands...

OldGuy

Yea well on the way back from Kernlan jobe today my Merc had a few misuderstandings as well.

Crazy Canuck

anybody else think these integrated nav systems are really going to look dated in a few years?

OldGuy

Chris I should know as well as anyone being a EE that technology changes. Having said that
I was a GPS systems guy for 14 years. The first GPS receivers are still pretty much up to date with
displays other than not being in color. I will probably be on to a new car before the Nav system is out of date.

Crazy Canuck

I understand that you will be onto a new car but in 20 or 30 years I fear that the nav systems will make a car feel horribly dated a la 80s Corvette electronic dash.

OldGuy

You know I think the display technology maybe able to be upgraded . The rest is nav is just CPU and memory that maybe upgradable too.

prg

My impression has been that the Japanese brands are alway a couple steps ahead of the German brands with respect to the "consumer electronics" aspect of their cars. With limited exceptions , they always have seemed be a few steps behind on power train and chassis dynamics.