NAV Systems vs. Quality
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Tampa, FL
2002 C320
NAV Systems vs. Quality
I'm interested in getting a Comand or similar unit for my '02 C320 but the one thing no one talks about is quality or detail of the maps. I was looking at a forum for the E320 the other day and noticed that some were unhappy with the map detail once they were outside of a major city. So on this bases do I want a Comand with CD technology or one of the generic (maybe Blaupunkt) with DVD technology. Which units offer the best detail, etc.
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From: Earth
CLS
Must be quite a few new C-classes in Tampa judging by the number of people on this board since I left there.. 
To answer your question I would go with the Pioneer AVIC-N1...beyond great nav. system along with DVD and the ability to monitor some of your car's spec's....If you dont mind the aftermarket look, this is the system to get..
To answer your question I would go with the Pioneer AVIC-N1...beyond great nav. system along with DVD and the ability to monitor some of your car's spec's....If you dont mind the aftermarket look, this is the system to get..
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
What I like about Comand is that it's integrated with the car. Yes, aftermarket units like the Pioneer are far better at navigating but Comand still gets you there and not worth the trade-offs of going aftermarket.
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Tampa, FL
2002 C320
I agree that the Comand is by far the preferred route to go based on looks and apeal. I guess I'm still going through the rationalization process and trying to judge the performance of Comand. Does anyone know who makes Comand? That would give some insite into performance.
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From: The OC
2003 Brilliant Silver C230 Sedan
Originally Posted by Kev04C320
Is it necessary to rewire the whole car if you chose to go with the Pioneer system?
i spoke to someone at car audio craftsmen in walnut, ca and was told that with most aftermarket navi's (except the alpine hu's), the speed sensor in the car (that feeds the gps info) would require customization to convert the signal to a pulsating one. can anyone else confirm this info?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
my favorite feature with COMAND though is the directions in the MFD as well as the voice directions and the map. plus it looks great not clumsy like some aftermarket installs IMO.
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From: The OC
2003 Brilliant Silver C230 Sedan
Originally Posted by CitronC230K_03
my favorite feature with COMAND though is the directions in the MFD as well as the voice directions and the map. plus it looks great not clumsy like some aftermarket installs IMO.
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
Originally Posted by JW230K
hey doug, can you give some more detail on the info that shows up on the MFD? ....is it basically "turn left on wilshire in 2.0 miles" type of info? .....and is it basically a text copy of the last message the voice unit gives out? thanks!
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From: San Diego
2002 C32 AMG
CD based COMAND is great in terms of integration, but overall it lags behind all of the Asian players. The detail is pretty bad - you cannot input an actual address, just a range. There is essentially no way of finding something of interest near your current location (notwithstanding the option to do so). There is no way to adjust views (north/south versus direction car is pointing - unless you are in the middle of receiving directions). There is no way to move the view around to see what is coming up next or click on the streets to see what their names are. And the spinny wheel thing?? Touch screen input is so much easier.
On the plus side: it is nice to have the map on the navi screen and the directions in the dash.
I know I've listed loads of negatives and only one positive, but I expected loads more from the COMAND than it actually delivers. It works for the most part, but the Acura I bought 5 years ago with navigation had a better system. Hope these comments help. I don't want to be flamed, but just wanted to offer some real world comments based on my experience.
On the plus side: it is nice to have the map on the navi screen and the directions in the dash.
I know I've listed loads of negatives and only one positive, but I expected loads more from the COMAND than it actually delivers. It works for the most part, but the Acura I bought 5 years ago with navigation had a better system. Hope these comments help. I don't want to be flamed, but just wanted to offer some real world comments based on my experience.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: The OC
2003 Brilliant Silver C230 Sedan
Originally Posted by Peench
CD based COMAND is great in terms of integration, but overall it lags behind all of the Asian players. The detail is pretty bad - you cannot input an actual address, just a range. There is essentially no way of finding something of interest near your current location (notwithstanding the option to do so). There is no way to adjust views (north/south versus direction car is pointing - unless you are in the middle of receiving directions). There is no way to move the view around to see what is coming up next or click on the streets to see what their names are. And the spinny wheel thing?? Touch screen input is so much easier.
On the plus side: it is nice to have the map on the navi screen and the directions in the dash.
I know I've listed loads of negatives and only one positive, but I expected loads more from the COMAND than it actually delivers. It works for the most part, but the Acura I bought 5 years ago with navigation had a better system. Hope these comments help. I don't want to be flamed, but just wanted to offer some real world comments based on my experience.
On the plus side: it is nice to have the map on the navi screen and the directions in the dash.
I know I've listed loads of negatives and only one positive, but I expected loads more from the COMAND than it actually delivers. It works for the most part, but the Acura I bought 5 years ago with navigation had a better system. Hope these comments help. I don't want to be flamed, but just wanted to offer some real world comments based on my experience.
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
You have to understand that Comand was developed before the turn of the century by the same designers/craftsmen that worked on the clever high tech design of our cassette players which we treasure. It's that old world design that endears so many to the marque. It would be unfair to compare this recently developled systems with touch screens, navigating to precise addresses, entire U.S. on one DVD. You can however enter in a precise address and it will display what range it's in.
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
it gets you there within a blocks range. ive never had a problem. it would be nice to have exact directions but im used to it. plus its just like the old fashioned way of looking for an address. next time around ill get a DVD navi, but for now in my coupe im happy with my COMAND.
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After sitting in a relatives new Acura yesterday and fiddeling with the Nav system, all I can say is the Acura navi is probably 2000 times better than the Comand system from MB. That being said Im still getting Comand because its still a good system and it works.
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
Originally Posted by Noble C320
After sitting in a relatives new Acura yesterday and fiddeling with the Nav system, all I can say is the Acura navi is probably 2000 times better than the Comand system from MB. That being said Im still getting Comand because its still a good system and it works.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: West Covina, CA
2004 C230k (SOLD), 2005 C230k (Lease ended), 2004 Carrera 4 Cab, 2007 530i
My gf has the 05 command, I love it sooo much. Not too hard to use (will be much better if it was a touch screen), but its pretty easy as to entering destination and all. Routing is quick, usually within 10 secs or less. The "Point of interests" shows nearest gas station, grocery stores, parking, etc, etc, was super useful. It also lets you enter the exact address, or if you dont have the exact address enter a street with cross street and it will lead you to the intersection, or simply a phone number and it will find its address (only if the phone number is registered in the DVD). After entering address, you can see info of the destination such as how far away it is from your current location and how long it will take u to get there with the exact time you be arriving (all calculated base on your traveling speed) - I found it very accurate). Voice prompt is clear and detailed (sometimes too detailed I feel like an idiot following the directions :p ) but I will never get lost.
I think it is a great investment. Hope that helps you decide.
I think it is a great investment. Hope that helps you decide.
Last edited by I KOMPRZ; Sep 7, 2004 at 11:33 PM.
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IMO if you are bad with the streets and direction in general or you go out of town alot and are a lazy b@stard like myself, its a good luxury to have navigation. If you just want to have for the look and "pimp factor" it is not worth the money though.
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From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
Considering the fact that the US spec C320 comes with standard Bose - which means that the speakers are connected in the rear and the heaunit is connected to the Bose amp through fiber, I would think twice before going aftermarket...
greetingz,
greetingz,
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Tampa, FL
2002 C320
One follow up question regarding the Comand NAV; I understand from an MB dealership that the detail quality of the maps was improved significantly about a year ago. I saw an '04 C320 on his lot and I thought the map detail looked pretty good. So I'm wondering if the change since '02 has been in the CD software detail or was there some hardware changes in the Comand unit itself? Anyone know? Maybe this is a Steve question??
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E63 Kombi
Originally Posted by I KOMPRZ
My gf has the 05 command, I love it sooo much. Not too hard to use (will be much better if it was a touch screen), but its pretty easy as to entering destination and all. Routing is quick, usually within 10 secs or less. The "Point of interests" shows nearest gas station, grocery stores, parking, etc, etc, was super useful. It also lets you enter the exact address, or if you dont have the exact address enter a street with cross street and it will lead you to the intersection, or simply a phone number and it will find its address (only if the phone number is registered in the DVD). After entering address, you can see info of the destination such as how far away it is from your current location and how long it will take u to get there with the exact time you be arriving (all calculated base on your traveling speed) - I found it very accurate). Voice prompt is clear and detailed (sometimes too detailed I feel like an idiot following the directions :p ) but I will never get lost.
I think it is a great investment. Hope that helps you decide.
I think it is a great investment. Hope that helps you decide.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
sounds alot like the older COMAND except exact address. plus i heard it shows elevation and surrounding street names not just the street you are traveling on.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
Originally Posted by CitronC230K_03
it shows elevation and surrounding street names not just the street you are traveling on.
) shows the surounding street names but I couldn't care less about that...I don't need to know the streetnames of streets I am not travelling on and I don't want to be distracted by moving letters I am trying to read...A birdseye view would be an improovement - but surounding names...
greetingz,
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
surounding street names are helpful, but i suppose in the end just a novelty. Bridseye view, definatelty an improvement!
im happy with my COMAND 2.0, only improvement i honestly would like is the SAT feature. if nothing comes to change in the near future i will be changing out my current COMAND for one with the SAT button.
im happy with my COMAND 2.0, only improvement i honestly would like is the SAT feature. if nothing comes to change in the near future i will be changing out my current COMAND for one with the SAT button.
