Hi guys!

I am planning to get a C320 w/Navi system but wondering is it worth the money, First becasue i just found out that it is using CD-rom instead of DVD rom. I have tested drive the ACURA CL w/NAVI which is DVD-ROM BASED (Touch screen and point of interest and many more etc) and it is very very nice system. I don't know how good is the C class NAVI compare to ACURA Navi system?

Any comments would be very appreciate!

The COMMAND system, IMHO, has a few problems. Before buying the car I have read about the complaints on the COOMAND system. Since I had had an ML430 with the GPS, I thought, “How bad can it be? They are both coming from the same manufacturer and ML’s GPS is just fine.” Well, I think was wrong.

My first frustration comes from the fact that the data entry operations change from screen to screen. In one screen, you hit the turning nub once to select an item (like selecting an option). In another, you type the street name and hit the turning nub for two seconds so that it accepts it (what is wrong with putting an OK button, just like ML’s). And yet, on another screen, you type the street number and then go to the block list and select the block number for the number you just typed in (why does it not understand what I just typed? And again what is wrong with putting an OK button?) I can keep going on and on. The bottom line is; it is inconsistent and confusing. For a better implementation please take a look at Mercedes ML or Lexus SC430. You’ll understand.

Here is another one. When you are in the mapping mode it does not show you the name of the street you are on, or the one you are going to turn into. So you either have to keep looking into the screen or listen to the voice instructions, which I find coming a little too late. Imagine driving 70-80 and all of a sudden it says “turn the next left”. Yes, there is a way you can look at another screen which tells you which street you are going to turn into, but that is another screen you have to switch to. Again, what is wrong with ML’s implementation of merging the two screens?

Once you get going, the system does not let you move around the map. You practically have to blindly wait for the voice instructions, or yet again switch to another screen looking at the list of streets you are going to take.

Having said all those (and I can keep adding), be honest with you, I would buy it again just for the looks.

I agree, it's all about aesthetics. I never use it but it looks cool. But i agree with c32aus, I have seen better navi's in different manufacturers.

Works ok for me...

I had a 2000 ML with the nav system which I liked very much. It would stay in mapping mode, until a direction was about to come up--such as a turn or freeway exit. At this point, it would show an arrow and the name of the street onto which I should turn. Can the COMAND system in the C Coupe really not be programmed to provide the same level of functionality? Do you really have to toggle back between mapping screens and direction screens? It would seem that such a user-customizable/programmable unit would allow you to do this. Anyone? My C Coupe w/ COMAND will be here in 3 weeks or so, so I'm curious to know. Thanks in advance.

I have a C320 with COMAND, I've had the car three weeks. With practice, the COMAND commands are easy to use. The maps do not show street names, but if you turn onto another street, the name of the street you turn onto is highlighted in a box at the top of the screen. You can also use the "mix" mode to give you a combination map and symbol diagram with highlighted arrows and the street name on the route you are following. The routes generated by COMAND make sense, at least in my geographical area. I have found it useful in unfamiliar parts of my city and I look forward to using COMAND on my first long distance trip.

Thanks aborwick. I thought it would be strange id COMAND didn't show street names automatically. I'm learning that this car can be customized/programmed almost infinitely.

Now, could someone tell me where the screen is that makes the espresso nozzle rise hydraulically from the cupholder???

i like my comand, it looks great, works ok, and gets lots of oooos and ahhhhs from folks. i do think that for $2080 it should come with all regions or a 4 year subscription to the region of your choice.

all in all, if i had to do it again, i wouldnt change my mind on comand.

greg

To me, it's a waste of money... I'm pretty good with maps, and with internet always available things like GPS aren't really needed... Off-roading folks may think otherwise, of course, but the C Coupe is not an off-road vehicle.

Even when I go overseas, Mapquest.com-produced directions take care of all my navigational needs.

Aesthetically, it's arguable whether the console screen improves the look... I'd say - no, it doesn't.