2007 R500 Navigation
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Matthews, NC
2011 ML550 w/all the bells & whistles
2007 R500 Navigation
For a vehicle that was over $65K new, the navigation system just plain sucks. I have the most current disc installed. I live in a city that has a metro population of over 1 million and the damn thing can't even find a house on a street that has been there for 20 years. I have had so many bad experiences with it not being able to find addresses, that I keep a Garmin in the glove box. IT'S A MERCEDES! THE DAMN THING SHOULD WORK!!
This being said does anyone know of any third party options to the current navigation disc? IMO, Garmin, Tom-Tom or Magellan could rack up with their own disc.
This being said does anyone know of any third party options to the current navigation disc? IMO, Garmin, Tom-Tom or Magellan could rack up with their own disc.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 2
From: Woodbridge, VA
2007 R500
dwnash,
I feel your pain. 2007's nav is no different than 2002, 2003, or 2005 in my experience. I have an android phone and use VZNavigator (Verizon) and Google Maps as backups when I'm driving the R. Someone elsewhere in the forums recommended getting a a later model COMAND unit that has a hard drive that allows downloads of maps from the service provider. I did an eBay search. They are available for a price.
JR
I feel your pain. 2007's nav is no different than 2002, 2003, or 2005 in my experience. I have an android phone and use VZNavigator (Verizon) and Google Maps as backups when I'm driving the R. Someone elsewhere in the forums recommended getting a a later model COMAND unit that has a hard drive that allows downloads of maps from the service provider. I did an eBay search. They are available for a price.
JR
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 2
From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
Although I agree the NAV system is not user friendly and seems outdated, comparing it with a device like a Garmin of today is unfair. Comparing it with a Garmin of the same era would be more appropriate. NAV units have come a long way the past ten years and the one in our Rs is ten year old technology. As far as updates, one need to blame NAVTEQ and not MB.
I have read on the forums that upgrading to a new NAV unit is not plug and play and it requires retrofitting.
I have read on the forums that upgrading to a new NAV unit is not plug and play and it requires retrofitting.
Super Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 25
From: Warrington, PA
08 R350, 12 Mercedes R350
Although I agree the NAV system is not user friendly and seems outdated, comparing it with a device like a Garmin of today is unfair. Comparing it with a Garmin of the same era would be more appropriate. NAV units have come a long way the past ten years and the one in our Rs is ten year old technology. As far as updates, one need to blame NAVTEQ and not MB.
I have read on the forums that upgrading to a new NAV unit is not plug and play and it requires retrofitting.
I have read on the forums that upgrading to a new NAV unit is not plug and play and it requires retrofitting.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
2011 R350 BlueTec
My 08 was pretty good on the nav finding addresses.
Then I upgraded to the "new disc" & all my stored memories started being a few miles off and I could never get them back.
My 11 is perfect on miles but the destination time will be way off - like 2 hours or more.
Then I upgraded to the "new disc" & all my stored memories started being a few miles off and I could never get them back.
My 11 is perfect on miles but the destination time will be way off - like 2 hours or more.
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 203
Likes: 21
From: Doylestown, OH
2015 Audi S4, 1982 Fiat Spyder, 2010 R350, 2013 E550 Cabriolet
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Canada
2012 R350 BT - Acura TL SH AWD 2011 - Mustang GT 1994
R500 Navigation
The GPS in my 2006 R500 works OK, but is not user friendly and the data is not up to date. If we need to navigate then we use our Mio C520 of a similar vintage but performs much better.
The GPS in my 2007Acura TL was much superior to that in the 06 MB. The 2011 Acura system is outstanding as it should be since technology has advanced.
Is an updated navigation disc available for the MB?
The GPS in my 2007Acura TL was much superior to that in the 06 MB. The 2011 Acura system is outstanding as it should be since technology has advanced.
Is an updated navigation disc available for the MB?
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 203
Likes: 21
From: Doylestown, OH
2015 Audi S4, 1982 Fiat Spyder, 2010 R350, 2013 E550 Cabriolet
A new navigation disc is available from the dealer, but it won't add any features from the new Command system and Nav on the newer cars, just maps.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 556
Likes: 4
2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
Well, I am driving a 2011 ML350 loaner and the navigation is not much better. The voice command is pretty useless and I was having a hard time to go up and down of the menu.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Matthews, NC
2011 ML550 w/all the bells & whistles
My problem is that even with the most up to date disc, it still can not find a large percentage of the addresses I enter. Understandably, if the street is fairly new, it might not be in there, but when it is a 20 year old home in a city with a metro population of over 1M, I just don't get it.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 3
From: Southern Indiana
2006 R500 Red w/Tan interior
What I have never figured out on the R500 nav, is that many times the map displays the road I am, but states it is an area that it can not provide guidance for...seems to be mainly 2-lane roads...I carry a Garmin in the glove box when the Mercedes Nav just doesn't cut it. I like the size of the screen, the many POIs, but the whole joystick thing sucks...should have been touch screen. Definately much room for improvement for MB when it comes to their Nav units. Perhaps next time they need to team up with a better provider.
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
If you read reviews of the COMAND-APS NTG2.0 system (and earlier versions) they say that it is terrible. I had one in my 2007 ML500 (my inlaws have one in ther '07 E and '07 SL) and I agree it was horrible and yes, the joystick was horrendous. The BMW, NAVTEQ CD-ROM based NAV in my 2003 Range Rover was better.
Now, the COMAND-APS NTG2.5 in our 2010 R350 is nice. The bluetooth functionality is great (no $300 puck to get your non-mercedes approved phone to work) as well as the HD for music files and the iPod & mp3 interface cables in the glovebox. It also supports rear back-up camera. I wish it was touch-screen but Mbenz has not been a proponent of the touch screen for, as they calim, safety reasons. Personally, I feel the touchscreen is much quicker, safer and easier to use than the new rotory knob found in the current model line-up and and far better then the arrow/OK pad in our R.
If I still had my '07 ML500 I'd upgrade to the COMAND-APS NTG2.5. There are retailers that sell them, they are not cheap though. However, I am one for aesthetics and would not want a factory Nav and a Garmin (or other) unit sitting on my dash, but hey thats my opinion. Here is some more info: http://www.mercupgrades.com/COMAND+A...AQ-faq-14.html
Another simple, and less costly, solution already mention is your phone. If you have a smart phone you can buy mounts and holders to put your phone within your view while driving.
New Maps Discs are ~$200; I think. My street is brand new (still building houses) and doesn't show on our 2010 Map edition. I'll update in 2012.
Now, the COMAND-APS NTG2.5 in our 2010 R350 is nice. The bluetooth functionality is great (no $300 puck to get your non-mercedes approved phone to work) as well as the HD for music files and the iPod & mp3 interface cables in the glovebox. It also supports rear back-up camera. I wish it was touch-screen but Mbenz has not been a proponent of the touch screen for, as they calim, safety reasons. Personally, I feel the touchscreen is much quicker, safer and easier to use than the new rotory knob found in the current model line-up and and far better then the arrow/OK pad in our R.
If I still had my '07 ML500 I'd upgrade to the COMAND-APS NTG2.5. There are retailers that sell them, they are not cheap though. However, I am one for aesthetics and would not want a factory Nav and a Garmin (or other) unit sitting on my dash, but hey thats my opinion. Here is some more info: http://www.mercupgrades.com/COMAND+A...AQ-faq-14.html
Another simple, and less costly, solution already mention is your phone. If you have a smart phone you can buy mounts and holders to put your phone within your view while driving.
New Maps Discs are ~$200; I think. My street is brand new (still building houses) and doesn't show on our 2010 Map edition. I'll update in 2012.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
The Mercedes NAV system will get you to a number block on a street, but you can't enter a specific house number. Once you're on the 4000 block, you really ought to be able to find 4006 or whatever.
I can't live without the MAP function it seems, but in the 5 years I've had it I've used NAV twice. Both successfully.
I can't live without the MAP function it seems, but in the 5 years I've had it I've used NAV twice. Both successfully.
