BMW GPS or Car PC cum GPS system

[BoomBox]

Hi guys,

I'm just throwing a wild question here but if possible, I would like to find out what kind of GPS Software is included in the factory GPS System of BMW cars. Also, if the maps, vectores, strings and nodes for navigation can be exported to a Windows-based computer.

I'm working with a partner on a GPS Navigation software for PCs as well as trying to implement a "touchscreen" MS Windows based miniature car PC. So far, the project has been standing still for the past 8 years due to the prohibitively high cost of miniature PCs (and lack of LCD touchscreens for automotive purposes) in the past. However, having recently been invited to work on the existing GPS system, I've come to realise that PCs for cars are more affordable now.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jaskin]

Re: BMW GPS or Car PC cum GPS system

If you could do a map for systems such as the Pioneer AVIC N2 or N1 or any of the Alpine units I'm sure that would be highly sucessful too.

 

[BoomBox]

Re: BMW GPS or Car PC cum GPS system

Well, the thing is that I have the map of Singapore with nodes and all. However, currently it's a Windows-based system. Therefore, porting it over to HU with their proprietory OSes will be an uphill task since it's unlikely that they'll give out the source code or even the particular OS the HUs are running.

 

[__iceman__]

Re: BMW GPS or Car PC cum GPS system

Bombox

I believe we met before and exchange views on this... hahahah

The current BMW GPS system is actually a VDO system that's rebadged and marked up to the heavens...

Touchscreens are aplenty... you just have to look for one that is industrial temp, not commercial temp.

Mini PCs are cheap nowadays wat. You can even strip out a laptop or barebones PC and tuck it away into your boot.

The trick here is to have programming knowledge and be able to work with the firmware and stuff.

 

[ferd]

Re: BMW GPS or Car PC cum GPS system

actually bmw asia contracted the vdo guys to do it .... for a rather sizeable sum .... nothing compared to the $ they make from selling us cars though ....

then again gps navigation has many different "grades" ... and its not a mass market product ... hence it commands a premium.

just like the extend i had to go to make my install look factory fitted.... when others think that a Mac Mini is only $1k ... why did i spend > $5k ? bulk of the expenses ... shipping charges and then pay gst for the item + shipping charges.... not to forget forex differences when you charge to your credit card...

slap a laptop or tablet pc in ... it'll work too... for maybe about half of what i spent ? ... if you want to see demo cars .... check out the sg police cars... heheh .... poor front passenger..... the chaps that installed it didn't think of usability aspects....

 

[diablo_728]

Re: BMW GPS or Car PC cum GPS system

actually i have the VDO system which i had transfered from my previous car and i have used the OEM GPS in the Beemers, personally its almost the same, VDO has not updated the Maps for a long time as the size of users is very small. Personally its just an aesthetic addition, quite useless as the Map is not up todate and the connection is a little unstable and the info on the GPS is not online as our current transport system is not that advanced, also the map details is limited to the road name. My advice is that if it comes with the car then great play with it if not dont bother to get it as it too expense, better to go for the Mac setup, more value for money.
VDO navigation is primarily the same setup, the "grades" are in terms of hardware difference, currently they only bring in the VCD setup compared to the OEM which i beilieve is DVD.

cheers

 

[ferd]

Re: BMW GPS or Car PC cum GPS system

thanks for the info on the vdo... i was beginning to wonder if they had updated the map on the newer systems...

yeah, actually the mac mini i use in the car is worth $1428 ... its a supped up version ...its much better than the base models....

 

[diablo_728]

Re: BMW GPS or Car PC cum GPS system

the VCD version is actually abt 3.5-4k
the DVD version is abt 5k but not available in sg.

The OEM is actually only abt 2.5k at cost w/o installation but PML charges abt 8k(for E38) quoted last year, not sure what the price is like now.

cheers

 

[darthm3]

Re: BMW GPS or Car PC cum GPS system

the VCD version is actually abt 3.5-4k
the DVD version is abt 5k but not available in sg.

The OEM is actually only abt 2.5k at cost w/o installation but PML charges abt 8k(for E38) quoted last year, not sure what the price is like now.

cheers

I thought the new BMWs came with DVD for their NAV??!

 

[diablo_728]

Re: BMW GPS or Car PC cum GPS system

the OEM Nav system is DVD but the Cd is still VCD (I think). I think they will be releasing or have released the DVD soon.

BTW the price that i quoted are for the VDO. and the VDO DVD is not available in sg at least thats what i was told. Anyway the map of sg is small so no need for DVD.