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      07-14-2011, 05:32 PM   #1
Mingstar88
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Anyone bought third party GPS for the new X3s?

Hey guys,

We had mix feeling of buying the tech package so we did not end up getting that since we already added 10k in other options.

We were looking to get ourselves a 5" Garmin or TomTom, I was wondering if anyone have experience with any GPS on the new X3 2011s.

THANKS
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      07-14-2011, 05:34 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mingstar88 View Post
Hey guys,

We had mix feeling of buying the tech package so we did not end up getting that since we already added 10k in other options.

We were looking to get ourselves a 5" Garmin or TomTom, I was wondering if anyone have experience with any GPS on the new X3 2011s.

THANKS
i got a 5" garmin with the bean bag mount. i mean it works well but there is something about having built in. i regretted the decision not to get nav almost immediately after i ordered, but it had begun building so it was too late to change.
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      07-14-2011, 05:59 PM   #3
Mingstar88
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jaybert View Post
i got a 5" garmin with the bean bag mount. i mean it works well but there is something about having built in. i regretted the decision not to get nav almost immediately after i ordered, but it had begun building so it was too late to change.
would u mind providing me with a picture of that setup?

appreciated man
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      07-14-2011, 06:02 PM   #4
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I don't have experience with the X3 as I haven't taken delivery yet. However, I do own a Garmin nuvi that I've used for several years now. I love Garmin products, they are very intuitive.

I do have another suggestion... Get an iPad with 3G and the navigon app. The app is quite large, but the maps are loaded on the iPad at install time. It takes more room on the device, but there is no lag downloading maps while navigating. Also, yo do NOT need a cellular data plan to use the assisted gps funtionality on the iPad. The screen is huge and easy to read. The drawback is trying to mount it. One other benefit is the app can also be downloaded to an iPhone at no additional cost. Two gps devices for roughly $50 US!
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      07-14-2011, 07:24 PM   #5
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I also have the garmin nuvi and it works very will. I have the windsheild mount. I mount it in the center of the windsheild about 2 inches off the dash.
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      07-14-2011, 07:43 PM   #6
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I have a 5" TomTom mounted on the windshield..... My sales person told me not to waste money for the tech package.....
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      07-14-2011, 08:15 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mingstar88 View Post
would u mind providing me with a picture of that setup?

appreciated man
We could not justify the Nav system since we typically only need to use one less than 1% of the time and could (and did) buy a set of winter tires and wheels for the same cost. Our $127 Garmin 1300 (4.3 inch screen) works great in the X3 and came with lifetime map updates (unlike BMW's Nav).

When We need it it sits on the dash on a Garmin beanbag mount which always stays put.

Please excuse the lousy photo, but it will give you an idea of what it looks like.
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      07-14-2011, 08:46 PM   #8
Mingstar88
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotus7 View Post
We could not justify the Nav system since we typically only need to use one less than 1% of the time and could (and did) buy a set of winter tires and wheels for the same cost. Our $127 Garmin 1300 (4.3 inch screen) works great in the X3 and came with lifetime map updates (unlike BMW's Nav).

When We need it it sits on the dash on a Garmin beanbag mount which always stays put.

Please excuse the lousy photo, but it will give you an idea of what it looks like.
thank you very much

I may pull the trigger on Garmin 1490 LMT - Lifetime Map, BT & 5" display $169.99 CAD
and get the bag from ebay
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      07-15-2011, 01:20 AM   #9
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BMW offers a mounting kit for 5" Garmins as an accessory in Europe, but it's not much use in USA as it sits where the idrive display is.
BMW themselves in Europe offer Garmins in their official accessories range.
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      07-15-2011, 12:46 PM   #10
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Not yet got my Nuvi fitted in the X3 but I intend to fit it the same as on my 535; the pics. are of left hand drive.
Just awaiting part to fit - a small disk that then takes the suction mount.
When the suction mount is removed the disk is hardly noticeable (pic3)
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Last edited by Bill S; 07-15-2011 at 01:08 PM.. Reason: added mount pic.
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      07-15-2011, 01:28 PM   #11
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I've had a Garmin Nuvi for about five years or more. Since then I have had 3 BMWs with Nav, and don't need to use it in them. But I still use the Garmin whenever I travel and have a rental car, so it is of some use. I have both the windsheild mount and the beanbag mount. I tend to use the latter more often.

If you don't have Nav, getting a Garmin or other brand is certainly a good option. It has some nice features that the onboard Nav does not - like calculating true speed based on satellites (and finding out how far off your speedometer really is). For a little fun, hold it next to the window next time you fly commercial and watch the map whiz by! I know BMW now offers a branded version (I think made by Garmin) but don't know how it compares to others in terms of price and features. If the BMW logo on it is important to you, that's an option.

I've never been too concerned about how it looks. I never left mine on the window or dash when I left the car anyway. Even though they are much less expensive these days, it is still a temptation to would-be theives to break a window and steal it.
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      07-15-2011, 02:30 PM   #12
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I've used Garmin in rental cars in the US and have it on my Blackberry for the UK. My wife has a TomTom, I've used Route66 too on a Windows phone. Garmin is ok, simple and very good UI but I find the instructions arrive very close to the time you need them or even just after sometimes, this is both with rentals and my Blackberry. TomTom and Route66 are more timely.
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      07-15-2011, 09:37 PM   #13
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I have a K1300GT BMW motorcycle that I got with a BMW Navigator IV. It's a Garmin Zumo 660 rebranded by BMW. Works great on the bike, and with the bean-bag mount in the car, gives you the chance to use both in the X3. The 660 is far easier to use, but I've had over a year of practicing with it. What's really nice is that the 660 stops trying to get you to your destination after you've reached it, without having to turn off the ignition.
You also get the current speed limit for the road your driving on, your speed (yup, the X3's a bit optimistic, but that's good), elevation, and some other route/trip info that's not available with the built-in one.

But, for the most part, the built-in one handles 90% of what I need, so it's usually solo when I'm driving.
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