BMW and MINI in the UK have launched a new range of portable navigation devices in co-operation with Garmin (Europe) Ltd. Available through the BMW and MINI dealer network, the Garmin StreetPilot c310, c320, c330 and nuvi 350 models are now offered from as little as £299.
The StreetPilot devices offer a number of easy-to-use features for navigating in the UK and Europe*. Destinations can be entered via a postcode or address alongside a myriad of interesting locations including hotels, restaurants and petrol stations. The unit navigates to the destination via the fastest or shortest route and guides by two- or three-dimensional turn-by-turn directions and voice prompts. Using touch-screen technology customers can also add their own points of interest into the device such as relatives’ addresses, frequently visited areas or speed camera locations.
Customers selecting the top-of-the-range nuvi 350 benefit from additional features of particular use when travelling abroad, thanks to the nüvi’s optional capabilities as a language translator and travel guide. Standard features include a currency and measurement converter, world clock, MP3 player and audio book player while a digital photo organizer adds to its functionality. The nuvi’s personal travel guide lets users perform tasks that make travelling more convenient such as browsing restaurant menus and reviews, reviewing historical information about landmarks, translating unknown words or phrases, and converting foreign currency.
To ensure operational safety, all Garmin units are attached to the windscreen using the suction-cup mounting bracket supplied. This ensures that the navigation maps and instructions are in the driver’s line of sight while driving. To further increase safety levels, customers are able to use a Safe mode that prevents information being entered into the unit while the car is moving.
Steve Nash, BMW’s Aftersales Director, said: “BMW and MINI have been evaluating the portable navigation marketplace for the last six months to ensure that any product we offer is of the highest quality with simple-to-use, logical menus and a high specification. In Garmin, we have found a range of products that meets all those criteria while being offered at a competitive price.â€ÂÂ
MINI UK Press
For Christmas I gave my wife a Garmin Streetpilot i5. Guys, this devise can save a marriage! I no longer have to give my wife directions.
The models mentioned in the press release are upline from what I purchased. Ms. Garmin, as my wife calls the devise, only takes a minute or two to find where she is when awakened from a slumber. Programming favorite locations is straight forward and easy. Shopping, gas, parks and many other locations are already in the soft ware. We have found only one or two places where the map software got confused – both in areas that were recently developed.
An added feature for MINI owners – Ms. Garmin can speak with either an American or British accent. It would be nice if MINI would offer this in the USA. It may be difficult to beat the box stores on price though.
disclaimer…
I have no stock in the company, just a happy husband.
John
What they’ve got to offer with this is alternate voices, like Tom-Tom offer. I want John Cleese telling me <em>‘You missed the turn, you bloody idiot!!’</em> I don’t really need one here in Calgary, but I’d buy it for the entertainment factor!
It doesn’t sound like there is anything “special” offered by MINI – is there any change from the standard Garmin units?
I received stock of the new units today. They’re standard Garmin Units with no rebranding. To reply to Ian C., there’s nothing special on offer from MINI, except to show people new technology they may not be aware of at keenly targetted prices.
I’ve had SatNav on my Nokia n90 phone from Route 66 for the last year, and happily used it. I got the top end Nuvi for myself today, and I’m very impressed with it by comparisson. It gets a satellite fix in about 10 seconds, works well in strong sunlight, and is slim enough to look like it belongs in the MINI.
I have a c330 in my mini, using suction cup mount. I put it on the left side of the driver and power of internal battery. It works great….
I was going to say “other than an advertisment, what does this mean to me?” but it was already said. I prefer the MINI nav option personally, no one is going to rip the nav out of my dash. These are just another reason to break into your car, and it takes up a power outlet. I figure a broken window and the cost of replacing it is well worth the factory option.
my $.02
once you go with nav, you’ll never be able to live without it. If you get a used or prespec’ed car these are the way to go.
I’ll be the first to say the Factory Nav is clumsy. The use of one wheel to input addresses is antiquated, and the 2d display is old hat. The factory nav is badly lacking for an extra that costs almost € 3000 here in Ireland. If it was touch screen, it’d be perfect, but it’s not.
The top-end garmin is embarrasingly good. It’s less than a third of the price, and has many more features as standard. PLUS, it’s portable. If I decide to drive to the International MINI Meet in Poland this year, I can take it from the car and use it as a portable gps, and language guide.
in the UK both Toyota & Vauxhall (GM) have been offering free TomTom Go units with certain models for some time. it would have been nice if BMW could do the same rather than charging for them as an option
The factory Nav may not be the best, but it does have a nice large, clear screen. I must be getting old, because I think most of these Garmin’s and Tom-Tom’s have screens too tiny to be useful to me…