E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Can/will Navi be upgraded to gain new 3D views??

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Old Oct 2, 2005 | 09:59 AM
  #1  
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Can/will Navi be upgraded to gain new 3D views??

Just curious if the MBZ Navi has the potential to be upgraded to gain new views...specifically I'm wondering if a birds-eye / 3D image will ever be an option on the current units. BMW is going through this change right now and current BMW Navi owners can gain the new view with updated software (seems like they are coming out with new software revs every other month...really [but thats not a good thing in my mind])...here's an example of a birds-eye screen shot

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Old Oct 2, 2005 | 03:30 PM
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According to previous threads, other M-B models have a nav system made by a different manufacturer than the nav system in the W211, and those other systems have the birds-eye view already. The views available in a nav system are a function of the software/firmware and the database, not the hardware, so M-B could undoubtedly upgrade the W211 nav system to offer birds-eye views (and other missing functions) if they wanted to.

Whether M-B wants to spend the money is another matter. They aren't exactly in a spending mood right now. Birds-eye views are one of those things, like being able to select radio presets from the steering wheel, that people just assume will be included. When they find out it isn't, it's too late. M-B has little market/financial incentive to make the change. It's been three years since M-B introduced the W211 without the ability to select presets from the steering wheel - probably as an error - and there is no credible indication that M-B intends to make even a simple fix like that. People don't buy a Benz for cutting-edge nav systems, M-B knows that, and so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the W211 nav system to enter the 21st Century. Fine by me. I don't have it, and so long as it's primitive, I don't feel that I'm missing anything by not having it.
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Old Oct 2, 2005 | 04:07 PM
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Bird's Eye View

Very nice!!!! The squeeking wheel gets the grease! We need to organize some complaints!!!
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Old Oct 2, 2005 | 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by chenry
Just curious if the MBZ Navi has the potential to be upgraded to gain new views...specifically I'm wondering if a birds-eye / 3D image will ever be an option on the current units. BMW is going through this change right now and current BMW Navi owners can gain the new view with updated software (seems like they are coming out with new software revs every other month...really [but thats not a good thing in my mind])...here's an example of a birds-eye screen shot

The facelift E-Class will have the same head unit as the S-class and SL and that would be the Siemens unit capable of 3D views.
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by jimbo1mcm
Very nice!!!! The squeeking wheel gets the grease! We need to organize some complaints!!!
I called them on several issues.. you need to do the same, or else we'll all go unheard. MBUSA is the problem, no MB... 1/2 the goodies that our cars are lacking were choices made by MBUSA no be excluded for the US Market.
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 01:38 AM
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Originally Posted by CE750
I called them on several issues.. you need to do the same, or else we'll all go unheard. MBUSA is the problem, no MB... 1/2 the goodies that our cars are lacking were choices made by MBUSA no be excluded for the US Market.
Accoding to Psychology text books there is such a thing as operant conditioning where you can train someone to believe they can make an event happen by allowing them to carry on in such a way until they stumble on a reward. Thus creating the belief that a certain behaviour will produce a given goal.

Its already in the future specification, all you have to do now is loosen up.
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by benzmodz
Accoding to Psychology text books there is such a thing as operant conditioning where you can train someone to believe they can make an event happen by allowing them to carry on in such a way until they stumble on a reward. Thus creating the belief that a certain behaviour will produce a given goal.

Its already in the future specification, all you have to do now is loosen up.
I don't get it, what's in the specification? what do you mean loosen up?
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 11:13 AM
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The Oz-->American translation is that we can petition M-B and MBUSA all we want, and it might make us feel better, but it won't have any tangible effect. If we think our efforts have an effect, it's only coincidence, not causation. That's definitely a cynical outlook, and probably accurate as well.

So far as the suggestion that all good things will come in time ("in the future specification") if only we patiently wait for them ... well, in time, we're all dead. Meanwhile, while I'm still alive, I would look to the Japanese brands if I wanted the latest in electronics.
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 11:18 AM
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Well then he's wrong, since MBUSA already changed the wording on their website since I (yes, yours truly) harassed them about misleading wording. Now it says MB-TEX as standard with leather inserts, and not just "Leather Standard" for seating... That happened as a result of my calling them (alone mind you).

Pick up the damn phone, and tell them what you want, they can only pass it on to their higher ups..
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by DWP
The Oz-->American translation is that we can petition M-B and MBUSA all we want, and it might make us feel better, but it won't have any tangible effect. If we think our efforts have an effect, it's only coincidence, not causation. That's definitely a cynical outlook, and probably accurate as well.

So far as the suggestion that all good things will come in time ("in the future specification") if only we patiently wait for them ... well, in time, we're all dead. Meanwhile, while I'm still alive, I would look to the Japanese brands if I wanted the latest in electronics.
The US 211 has a different arm rest to European models, so clearly Mercedes-Benz USA listen's to someone???

Originally Posted by CE750
ll then he's wrong, since MBUSA already changed the wording on their website since I (yes, yours truly) harassed them about misleading wording. Now it says MB-TEX as standard with leather inserts, and not just "Leather Standard" for seating... That happened as a result of my calling them (alone mind you).

Pick up the damn phone, and tell them what you want, they can only pass it on to their higher ups..
I do not accept that a phone call will get a car manufacturer to change policy, advertising etc.

A phone call might point out something, but it will not get actioned by word of mouth? Someone will have to make the effort to actually put something on paper???? (Now there's a novel idea)

I am not saying those events did not occur, please don't think I am, but writing a letter generates a paper trail that will get a proper response, and credit will go to the correct source.

Regards,
John
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by glojo
The US 211 has a different arm rest to European models, so clearly Mercedes-Benz USA listen's to someone???


I do not accept that a phone call will get a car manufacturer to change policy, advertising etc.

A phone call might point out something, but it will not get actioned by word of mouth? Someone will have to make the effort to actually put something on paper???? (Now there's a novel idea)

I am not saying those events did not occur, please don't think I am, but writing a letter generates a paper trail that will get a proper response, and credit will go to the correct source.

Regards,
John
I agree with the letter, also emailing... but believe you me! And I know you're not saying it didn't happen.. but that website changed as a direct result of my calling them no less than 10 times about this issue and raising hell at two different dealerships. I am still waiting on a resolution for my cars, but at least the misinformation will end now.
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by DWP
The Oz-->American translation is that we can petition M-B and MBUSA all we want, and it might make us feel better, but it won't have any tangible effect. If we think our efforts have an effect, it's only coincidence, not causation. That's definitely a cynical outlook, and probably accurate as well.

So far as the suggestion that all good things will come in time ("in the future specification") if only we patiently wait for them ... well, in time, we're all dead. Meanwhile, while I'm still alive, I would look to the Japanese brands if I wanted the latest in electronics.
In your lifetime to date look at how the E-Class has evolved. You need to give me some kind of plausible explanation as to how or why that evolution will increase or decrease in its rate because someone in the USA is complaining.

Since the 2015 model is already being talked about in the design studio then someone should tell me how this years W211 is going to influence the W212.

Sure, if Mercedes could just update the equipment every year like they do in Japan - where the average life span is 24 months - then we could deal quite happily with Steve every 12 months and have the head unit replaced.

But seeing as the 2005 W211 has the same head unit as the 2002 model then we are forced to conclude that this technology was purchased under contract back in 1998 and for something pushing 7 years the result is really impressive.
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by CE750
Well then he's wrong, since MBUSA already changed the wording on their website since I (yes, yours truly) harassed them about misleading wording. Now it says MB-TEX as standard with leather inserts, and not just "Leather Standard" for seating... That happened as a result of my calling them (alone mind you).

Pick up the damn phone, and tell them what you want, they can only pass it on to their higher ups..
We never had that problem in Australia. The cars pretty much sell themselves and no matter what the seats are called there isnt enough cars to meet demand.

It was always called MB-TEX here. Just another example of marketing over reality.
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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 12:09 AM
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I agree that the Nav system is cheap in the 211 and will be happy to add my real name to a petition, if someone cares to make that happen. I'm not optimistic that anything will change, but what can it hurt?? And yes, I too have complained by phone to MBUSA in Jersey. Was told they have received "a lot" of complaints on this.
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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 01:00 AM
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Originally Posted by HotWheels500
I agree that the Nav system is cheap in the 211 and will be happy to add my real name to a petition, if someone cares to make that happen. I'm not optimistic that anything will change, but what can it hurt?? And yes, I too have complained by phone to MBUSA in Jersey. Was told they have received "a lot" of complaints on this.
Its bad compared to the car your parents drove when you were a kid or its bad compared to your expectations, wants, needs, whims ?
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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 01:02 AM
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Originally Posted by benzmodz
Its bad compared to the car your parents drove when you were a kid or its bad compared to your expectations, wants, needs, whims ?
Bad compared to EVERY other Nav system sold in a car over $20,000 US.

Also, the MB-TEX is not Leather... you're telling me that cars in your country don't come with any leather? is that a nor in your country on expensive lux cars?
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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 06:26 PM
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Yeah I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for mbusa to make any changes.

Here's a shot of the birds eye view:
https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-electronics/106770-birds-eye-display.html
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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by steph280
Yeah I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for mbusa to make any changes.

Here's a shot of the birds eye view:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=106770
... which happens to be centered on the MBUSA HQ in Montvale, NJ. Even the 3D (birds eye) view doesn't look like much compared to the 3D view of south London in the first post in this thread, does it? MBUSA knows their customers and they've apparently concluded that they don't have to have competitive electronic interfaces because most of their customers don't care. Mercedes drivers who post in an online forum probably expect more in the way of technology than your typical Mercedes driver.
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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 07:25 PM
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Yeah comparing MB's COMAND to Japanese navigation is like Windows 3.1 compared to Windows XP. So sad.

Just to illustrate the point, check out what's available in Japan:

-split screen navi where driver sees map while passenger watches movie. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=107400

-real 3D display including buildings. Not just roads.

And yes these are available NOW. Not some vaporware planned for 2999.
Attached Thumbnails Can/will Navi be upgraded to gain new 3D views??-nav0.jpg   Can/will Navi be upgraded to gain new 3D views??-nav1.jpg   Can/will Navi be upgraded to gain new 3D views??-nav2.jpg   Can/will Navi be upgraded to gain new 3D views??-nav3.jpg  
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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 10:36 PM
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Originally Posted by steph280
Yeah comparing MB's COMAND to Japanese navigation is like Windows 3.1 compared to Windows XP. So sad.

Just to illustrate the point, check out what's available in Japan:


And yes these are available NOW. Not some vaporware planned for 2999.
The market percentage of NAV ownership in Japan is about 90% and about 9% in Australia, maybe less.

It just goes to show that if you can get the volumes up that Mercedes will make a unit to fit the needs of the market.
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Old Oct 5, 2005 | 12:27 AM
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The fact that most Japanese streets have no names, and have a numbering system for buildings that could be called "unique", might have something to do with the popularity of nav in Japan. I have no idea how they construct their nav databases in Japan, given those constraints.

http://www.digi-promotion.com/tokyo-...s-address.html
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Old Apr 10, 2014 | 11:42 AM
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Back from the dead...

Have there been any updates to this for the older W211's to allow for 3D bird's-eye-view capability? My old 2002.5 M5 had this as standard, yet my newer and more expensive Mercedes doesn't...hmm. One of the few things Mercedes overlooked, like not having an illuminated headlamp switch or being able to utilize the fogs lamps in Auto-on mode.
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