Unbeknown to most of the motoring world, BMW/MINI has just recently released V26 of their navigation operating system. While this in itself isn’t any real news per se (as new releases of the operating system are common in order to
correct bugs in the system, etc.), the latest release is definitely something worth writing home about.
My Baby Just Got A Brand New Pair Of Shoes!
I really like the MINI’s navigation system (which shares its heritage with the BMW on-board navigation system). While it’s far from being the best factory navigation system out there, it does work extremely well at what it does. However, the navigation system’s user interface is a bit out dated and I’ve long since given up on my hopes that someday BMW/MINI would update it and make it look and feel more like a modern navigation system (such as those systems that come in the Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans, etc.). Well… Much to my amazement, BMW has done just that with the latest V26 release of their navigation operating system.
The changes that have been made to the user interface aren’t miraculous by any means (e.g. there’s still no 3D view for our MINIs), but they are significant to say the least. The operating system’s user interface has been substantially reworked and includes the following list of changes (please note that the list isn’t complete by any means. Rather, it’s made up of changes that other users have noticed after installing the update [credit here goes to Paul Martin] – I’ve yet to see an “official” list of changes from BMW/MINI):
Display:
- Much improved Antialiased display (no longer ‘blocky’ looking) with smooth scrolling
- Coloring improved (water, forests, roads, etc – better contrast & much clearer)
- Car ‘icon’ is now much clearer (white ring, with blue triangle, with shadow)
- Destination icon is now a Checkered Flag
- Points Of Interest (POI) icons are now grayscale in white boxes (much cleaner icon design)
- ‘City Center’ or ‘Suburb Center’ icons are now small grey targets which are much more subtle that before
- Use of subtle shadows (on road labels, POI icons, car icon, etc.)
- Street names are easier to read, but only show at scales of 200m or less
- Landmarks (parks, etc) have a font which looks embossed.
- When zoomed out, cities are labeled with a small square next to the name (see images).
New ‘Direction of Travel’ viewing mode:
- Car icon is fixed in its position on the monitor and the map rotates around it
- Rotation is fairly quick and smooth, particularly at lower scales
- this works even when zoomed out to 200km, above which it reverts to a ‘North Orientated’ view
Function:
- POI Icons appear at larger scales (start to be seen at 5km scale of 2km)
- POI Icons can be switched off (Function under ‘Information – General Destinations’ called ‘Disable Icons’)
- When a POI is selected as a destination its icon is replaced by the flag icon
- Route List shows list to the destination even if guidance never started and it updates on the fly.
While BMW hasn’t officially announced the update for use in the MINI, I can attest first hand that it does indeed work just fine with our precious little go-karts (and you can see for yourself in the photos). At the time of this writing, I don’t believe that the North American MINI dealerships are even aware of the update. However, with any luck, they’ll soon receive it and you will be able to take your navigation-equipped MINI into your local dealer and have its operating system upgraded.
The update is also now widely available on the Internet and so if you feel so inclined, you can search out a copy of the update CD and install it for yourself. However, please be forewarned that if something goes wrong during
the update, it could potentially mess up your MINI’s navigation computer and you’ll have to take it into the dealership and possibly pay large sums of money to have it corrected. Also, please note that there have been reports of users trying to install the update on the older CD-based (i.e. MKIII) navigation systems and running into problems. Therefore, as far as I’m aware (and unfortunately), the update is ONLY FOR USE IN THE NEWER DVD-BASED NAVIGATION SYSTEMS (i.e. MKIV). The older CD-based navigation systems
probably just don’t have enough horse power under the hood to run the new interface.
If you’re unsure of what version your MINI’s navigation system is, you can easily find out by clicking the “MENU” button located just below your MINI’s navigation screen. Select the “Settings” (or “Set”) menu item, and look in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. If your MINI’s navigation system is CD-based, it will have a number like 3-1/xx. Whereas, if your MINI’s navigation system is DVD-based, it will have a number like 4-1/xx. Where the 3 or 4 is the navigation computer’s model number, the 1 after the dash signifies that your system has a premium color display screen, and the xx numbers after the slash represent the version number of the operating system that’s currently installed on your navigation computer. The latest V26 upgrade will take your DVD-based MKIV navigation system up to version 4-1/60.
All I can say is way to go BMW! This is a substantial improvement to the look and feel of the MINI’s navigation system and you’ve really done a great job with it. I feel like it’s Christmas time and my MINI has just received an all new navigation system from you as a present. Thanks!
Updated! You can now download the official BMW bulletin on the NAV software update here.
<p>Cool! I’m gonna do it! I’m gonna do it now!</p>
<p><blockquote>The update is also now widely available on the Internet</blockquote>, </p>
<p>Uhmm…<em>Where</em>, on the internet, is the update available?</p>
<p>Woohoo!</p>
<p>My ’06 MCS with Nav should be ready for delivery at Mini Center (San Antonio) in less than 2 weeks. Hopefully it will have this new version pre-installed, but if not, where do I get it and how do I apply it? I’m a newbie, here, given that I haven’t even accepted delivery of my first Mini yet, so please, no flames ;-)</p>
<p>Ok… found it! Go to <a href="http://www.x5world.com/showthread.php?t=5226" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.x5world.com/showthread.php?t=5226</a> and keep reading. The download link is after the installation instructions and images.</p>
<p>Sorry about the text link… here it is as a hyperlink <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.x5world.com/showthread.php?t=5226"> NAV v26 update link</a>.</p>
<p>Hey California is shown on the top pic. I think I see my house.</p>
<p>There are reports now that MINI dealerships have the new software and are now scheduling appointments for updates.</p>
<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>There’s a lot more info about this update to be found in the following forum topics:</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?p=649196">NAM- NAV Software V26 Released</a> </p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1925709">MINI2 – New NAV Firmware V26. 4-1/60</a></p>
<p>Also, it now appears that the update is available from MINI dealerships in North America.</p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<p>This news post got me thinking about the R56 interior. As it stands now, if I want sat. nav., I’d have to go for the speedo on the column, which I find way too small. The new dash design looks like it’ll have the sat. nav. in the center with a large analog speedo on the outside of it. The best of both worlds as they say.</p>
<p>just had it done at my dealer. awesome update!</p>
<p>cheers – drew</p>
<p>Yeah, but can you make it talk to you in a <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2004/11/29/us<em>minis</em>again<em>speak</em>wbrit_english</p>
<p>“>british accent?
</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Yeah, but can you make it talk to you in a british accent? </p>
</blockquote>
<p>hmmn, okay try <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2004/11/29/us_minis_again_speak_wbrit_english">this</a></p>
<blockquote>Yeah, but can you make it talk to you in a british accent?</blockquote>
<p>Yes, you sure can…</p>
<p>For those MINI owners who were lucky enough to get DVD-based nav systems that included the “GB” voice option (i.e. nav equipped MINI’s built around November, 2004 and later), the GB language option remains fully intact after doing the V26 update.</p>
<p>For those MINI owners who ONLY have the “USA” language option and want their MINI to speak with a British accent. Then they can download and install a voice-hacked version of the V26 update where the USA and GB voice files have been swapped. This makes the USA language option speak with the really cool British accent of the GB language option. It works great and I’ve already installed it on many MINIs to date.</p>
<p>You can find all of the info you need (including download links) about the voice-hacked version in the MINI2 and NAM threads I linked to above.</p>
<p>:-( When I got my 03 CD-based Nav I thought it was so cool – then I lost the british voice – now there’s no more firmware upgrades for us. Sigh…</p>
<p>BTW,</p>
<p>I’ve just received a copy of the official BMW service bulletin for the V26 update. I’ve sent a copy over to Gabe so that he can post it for you all to see.</p>
<p>Nothing new in the bulletin really (except for the mention of a MKV nav computer that still uses the same OS as the MKIV???), but it makes things official I guess.</p>
<p>Enjoy..</p>
<p>Ooh, MKV… I am VERY curious to see what it changes. Probably a much faster computer and/or drive, which may allow better features in the future. Would be an expensive upgrade, but I can’t wait to see what is new!</p>
<blockquote>:-( When I got my 03 CD-based Nav I thought it was so cool – then I lost the british voice – now there’s no more firmware upgrades for us. Sigh…</blockquote>
<p>Nope, I’m afraid not. The older CD-based (MKIII) systems just don’t seem to have the horsepower required to run the new operating system.</p>
<p>Even the official service bulletin states that the latest update for the MKIII system is 3-1/63 (which actually came about in V22.1, or earlier, I believe). Thus, you’ll get nothing from the latest V26 release.</p>
<p>It really sucks I know. :-(</p>
<p>.<blockquote>Ooh, MKV… I am VERY curious to see what it changes. Probably a much faster computer and/or drive, which may allow better features in the future. Would be an expensive upgrade, but I can’t wait to see what is new!</blockquote></p>
<p>I imagine that this is what will be in the new 2007 MINI. The service bulletin says that it is for I-Bus vehicles only (and I believe that the current MINI uses a K-Bus).</p>
<p>I’ve read that the new MKV units get a true “3D” view. Thus, you’re probably right in that it uses a faster processor, graphics card, etc.</p>
<p>I’ve also read that updates from CD-based (MKIII) units to DVD-based (MKIV) units are pretty much plug-n-play (at least in the BMW’s – I don’t know about in the MINI), but somehow I doubt that a MKIV to MKV update will be the same.</p>
<p>Great writeup Mike! Thanks for the tip. I updated mine and it worked flawlessly! I love the checker flag at the destination point and the fact I can zoom out 10 miles or more and still read the icons.</p>
<p>You’re most welcome. :)</p>
<p>BTW, I’m really loving the update as well. However, complaints are starting to surface over on the BMW side of things that the new V26 operating system looses a lot of street-level detail at the higher zoom levels as compared to V25. Personally, I still think that it’s worth the price of admission though and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>Does the navigation have lag issues much like the navigation on the 2002 X5? I would be able to get to my destination faster then I could enter it in my navigation. Horrible.</p>
<p>My guess is that a 2002 X5 would have one of the older (and much slower) MKIII nav computers in it. The newer DVD-based MKIV computers are MUCH faster.</p>
<p>The MINI’s DVD-based (MKIV) nav system has always been one of the fastest I’ve ever seen (when comparing it to other systems). It calculates (and re-calculates) routes at lightning speed.</p>
<p>Personally, I don’t notice any real slow down of the system with V26 installed. However, I haven’t spent a lot of time with it yet either.</p>
<p>One thing I do notice is that I now get a message when first starting my MINI telling me to wait a moment while the software first loads. This didn’t happen with V25 and before. It’s no big deal though as it only takes a second or two before it goes away on its own.</p>
<p>Mike</p>
<p>Thanks for answering my question.</p>
<p>Cheers for the info Mike!</p>
<p>thanks mike
in the bmw bulletin it doesnt mention mini only bmw?
is this something the dealer will do as warrenty work or will they charge? and if they charge, approx how much?</p>
<p>WOW thats cool! NOw I want NAV…</p>
<p>Steve,</p>
<p>The MINI uses the same nav computer as the BMW does. Thus, the operating system updates as well as the map data disc updates (by NavTeq) will work just fine in the BMW or MINI. I’m exactly not sure why they don’t specifically mention the MINI in the service bulletin though.</p>
<p>As for your dealer installing it for you. Unless there’s a specific problem with your nav system that requires an update under warranty, I image they could charge you to do it if they wanted. They’d have to be jerks to do that though since it only takes less than five minutes to install.</p>
<p>I think that most dealers (if they even know about the update) would install it for free if you brought your car in for some other work as well (and not just specifically to have the update installed).</p>
<p>I hope this helps some…</p>
<p>well as soon as V26 version hacked to use the british voices is available that keeps the MINI Logo at startup I will go for if for sure! (once I find someone to burn me a disc) but I do not want tho have to have the BMW logo</p>
<p>so after finaly getting the british voice working vis the V25 hack last winter I sure do not want to give that up… does the hacked ISO have the MINI Logo?
Cheers
~R~</p>
<p>Randolph,</p>
<p>There is indeed a working version of the voice-hacked V26 available (and yes it does indeed keep the MINI startup logo). I’ve already instsalled it in quite a few MINIs and it is working just fine. There’s a download link to the CD image in post #58 of the following thread on MINI2:</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99908">New NAV Firmware V26. 4-1/60</a></p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<p>I am considering ordering an 06 to replace my 04 and was thinking about doing the nav system this time. Does nav system have voice command, and does it integrate with the head unit?</p>
<p>Mark,</p>
<p>Yes to both of your questions.</p>
<p>Mike, the term “voice command” could mean one of two things… I wonder which one Mark meant?</p>
<p>Mark, the factory Nav system will GIVE you voice commands (i.e. directions) as you drive. However, you cannot control the system with your voice – you have to do that with the buttons on the unit.</p>
<p>Since he said them both in the same sentance, I took it to mean that the routing voice commands were spoken over the built-in radio (i.e. head unit).</p>
<p>Maybe Mark can clarify for us as to what he really meant/wanted to know.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. As for the voice command, I was thinking on the lines of giving the system voice commands. I as in a friend of mines acura and he could just push a button and say what he wanted the system to do.</p>
<p>Thanks again for the info.</p>
<p>Hi Mark,</p>
<p>Nope, I’m afraid that the only MINI’s that can do that are the ones offered for sale over in the UK. In the US, we don’t get the cool (factory offered) voice command feature for the nav system.</p>
<p>Man, it seems that we always get screwed with the cool stuff!!</p>
<p>Fantastic Mike! Many thanks off to get it now I will install tomorow!</p>
<p>Just updated my nav, must say it is a really cool update AND EASY!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info!</p>
<p>this is nice. few questions if anyone has any info on either it would be appreciated.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>anyone think/know when/if we’ll see more features on the nav system other cars have such as “find the nearest gas station” or “find the nearest italian restaurant”?</p></li>
<li><p>anyone had success hacking the startup logo to replace the mini logo with something else? i’ve heard of multiple people doing this but no one ever says how!</p></li>
</ol>
<p>thanks // Jason</p>
Thanks for mentioning the feature summary is from me 🙂
Paul Martin
Australia