Comand Maps v Waze

[AMGeed]

Having recently taken a longish trip from Poole to Center Parcs in Suffolk, I found the latest Comand map V19 in my E63 just as useless as the maps from 2004 I had in my last car.
It sends you on the wrong route and in one instance directed me to turn into a private lane through Elveden forest with an electronic key pad to gain entry to the locked gate! How can it be so wrong?

How much better is Waze?
A thousand times better. No route errors, timely warnings of obstructions on the hard shoulder, speed camera warnings and a clear concise map.
I've had it with Comand for routing to destinations I've not been to before. Too many errors and if followed, miles of unnecessary driving.

 

[DriverLDN]

I personally never use the built in car SatNav. Waze or Google Maps hands down for me. Google Maps also has the option to offline maps as well, so if you're in an area with dodgy signal, you'll still be able to navigate.

 

[Teego]

Google Maps, Radarbot and Ulysse GPS speedo for me. It can be interesting to see Google and Comand arguing, especially when they are interpreting live traffic.
Anyway, there's no substitute for a discounted AA map and Post-It stickers.

 

[Will]

I remember some years back now (7?) when headed over to France for a trip to Paris in my 2004 E55 and I was all set for navigation on my iPhone.

Don’t recall what went wrong but for some reason it did, and I was very grateful for the built in maps on COMAND which safely navigated me to and from my destination without a hitch. I think I’d discounted using them and if I’m honest I was surprised it had European maps on it (was used to older COMAND that just had UK maps IIRC)

I tend to use my phone maps most of the time, but it’s sometimes nice to have a backup

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I use Google Maps or Waze for unplanned local-ish journeys when I’m not sure of the destination (result of a Google search) or when I’m tight for time and traffic is heavy (as traffic information is far superior).

For planned journeys over long distances I almost always use COMAND. The only times I’ve had problems has been when I have sent a destination to COMAND from Google Maps (destination incorrect).

 

[markjay]

I have in my other (non-Mec) car the latest maps (dated 12/11/2021) installed on the original factory-fitted navigation system, and even so it occasionally tries to send me down streets closed to traffic or the wrong way down a one-way street. But this is probably because in London there are frequent changes to traffic arrangements.

Nothing beats Waze, which hasn't set a foot wrong yet.... plus Waze knows about temporary road closures and roadworks.

And, Waze always knows the correct speed limit, unlike my very clever factory-fitted system that tries unsuccessfully to guess the speed limit by reading the traffic signs.

On motorways, the factory-fitted navigation system does work fine, though.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The community contribution is the key to Waze’s success, as it means that it’s always current to within a few minutes.

 

[m2287]

First thing I do when I get into my car is put Waze on, even without a destination it comes in very handy!

 

[RDclk]

I have Waze on my phone and would like to try it in my SL. How can I link my phone into the COMAND system please?

 

[RussJ]

Depends on how old your SL is. If its pre-facelift, then you have Comand NTG 4.5/4.7 and will need to fit a third party Android auto/Carplay box. Google Roadtop, Integrated automotive or Ninetom for options.
If its post facelift then it should have NTG5 which I believe can be upgraded via software to allow wired connections.
Also, talk to Comand Online in Surrey who will give you good advice - Catalog
Hope this helps...

 

[RDclk]

Thank you very much Russ, I've had a look on UT and I'll give it a go.
Cheers

 

[fabes]

You appear to have the age Comand as my E coupe. (circa 2016)

I had Android auto coded in alongside the existing Carplay by GeneNostics
Would recommend him (search him out on Facebook)

 

[RussJ]

If you're up for a DIY project and you need to install a box, this might help:

Step by Step CarPlay install - MBWorld.org Forums

SL-Class (R231) - Step by Step CarPlay install - Hello all! Most already know that some R231 models do not come with an Apple CarPlay factory option, bummer. However many of the facelift models do have that factory CarPlay option. Great for them! As an apple guy for many years now I too wanted...

mbworld.org

Good luck!

Russ

 

[markjay]

Depends on how old your SL is. If its pre-facelift, then you have Comand NTG 4.5/4.7 and will need to fit a third party Android auto/Carplay box. Google Roadtop, Integrated automotive or Ninetom for options...

As above.

...If its post facelift then it should have NTG5 which I believe can be upgraded via software to allow wired connections...

COMAND NTG5*1, and NTG5.5 - yes.

NTG5*2 - no (requires an additional hardware unit, just like NTG4.5/4.7)

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Google maps is just as good as anything out there , it's always upto date and gives good warning of traffic jams and parked speed vans ( cash cows ) .

 

[kcsun]

If you're up for a DIY project and you need to install a box, this might help:

Step by Step CarPlay install - MBWorld.org Forums

SL-Class (R231) - Step by Step CarPlay install - Hello all! Most already know that some R231 models do not come with an Apple CarPlay factory option, bummer. However many of the facelift models do have that factory CarPlay option. Great for them! As an apple guy for many years now I too wanted...

mbworld.org

Good luck!

Russ

Good tutorial
kc

 

[BTB 500]

First thing I do when I get into my car is put Waze on, even without a destination it comes in very handy!

I want to like Waze more, but find the interface pretty un-intuitive sometimes. E.g. when you set your home address you can only select from search results ... not by manually marking a location on the map. After a lot of trial & error though I found that you could manually save any location and type in 'home' as the label, which does over-write your previously saved home point

We live out in the sticks and regularly have local roads closed for fixing potholes etc. etc. and NONE of the satnavs we use (all with live traffic -TomTom, Comand NTG5.5, Google Maps, or Waze) are 100% reliable. This is a problem when towing the caravan as we can't get round some junctions/turns (very narrow single-track roads with passing places), and it's not possible to just turn around and go back!

 

[kcsun]

You should never put your exact home address in a GPS, should your phone or car (with front door key) is stolen the toe rags can be at your house before you are. Just enter your village or local landmark as home
kc

 

[markjay]

You should never put your exact home address in a GPS, should your phone or car (with front door key) is stolen the toe rags can be at your house before you are. Just enter your village or local landmark as home
kc

Or, if you live in a city, entering just the post code, is also fine.