How good is COMAND?

[blueserenity777]

Wonder why the new generation Comands for the new models dont have touchscreen..makes it sort of tomtom feel and excellent also for other functions of radio,cd, aux..even better if it had GUI functions like a Itouch phone..That would be cool..

Although all newer models are now adopting the BMW style Idrive and central screen interface..

 

[BTB 500]

a tom tom is fine till you find yourself in an underground tunnel system and then your screwed

No you're not. Look at "Enhanced Positioning Technology" (EPT):

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2008/07/tomtom_go_930_review.php?page=4

 

[yachtman]

v 10 free upgrade

I've had my 08 E Class estate (W211?) for just on 4 weeks now and find that the Sat Nav is quite poor compared to my Tom Tom One. The Merc only allows 4 or 5 digit postcodes, then you have search by road, street etc, so you cannot quarantee ending up at the right part of a longish street/road - which has happened. Secondly, I tried to input a postcode near Edinburgh, EH19 3JB, but the COMAND wouldn't accept any postcode higher than EH15!

Am I doing something wrong or is the COMAND Sat Nav as bad as that?

Very happy with the rest of the package though.

Regards,

Tillman
http://www.tkimages.co.uk

I recently recieved a free upgrade from 9 to 10 for my clk comand, via my dealer.campaign b192 or162, cant remeber, however it was offered for about ver 6 or 7 upwards. It was to particularly fix street index,however is still 5 digit post code.

 

[wassap]

I cant thing of any OEM satnav that has been better than navigon/tomtom, not for you end paying for an OEM unit anyway, its just a pity tomtoms looks so rubbish stuck in your window!

 

[G-Force]

I cant thing of any OEM satnav that has been better than navigon/tomtom, not for you end paying for an OEM unit anyway, its just a pity tomtoms looks so rubbish stuck in your window!

I agree wassap, you just can't beat the look of the integrated systems.

My last 5 cars have all had in bult nav units, i used my missus Passat last month and must admit that the Tom Tom gets the job done great for the money, i just hate things stuck on the widscreen!!!!!
:bannana:

 

[lynall]

Some off the tunnels we went through recently in France the tom tom would show us as moving which is normal, other times it showed us as standing still in the tunnel entrance even though we had come out of the other side.
I have now updated it again so hopefully next time it will be okay



Lynall

 

[DanG]

Pioneer AVIC-F900BT

Has anyone out there got one of these installed in a face-lift W211. Think I need the following:

• AVIC-F900BT - £700
• Facia £50
• Autoleads PC910 X71 Mercedes Audio 20 CAN Bus Adaptor - £90
• Pioneer Patch cable to fit above - £20

If I right (please comment if I've got something wrong) that should get me 3D navigation, DVD, Bluetooth, Phone, custom POI's and Ipod connection whilst keeping steering wheel controls. For that price vs command retrofit I'll put up with the startup shortcomings.

Just waiting for the VAT cut...:bannana:

 

[Will Kelly]

i had my command retrofitted to my E320 53 plate just over an hour to fit £1000.00 from the nav doctor & i would not be with out it, next job heated seats?

 

[jeremytaylor]

Ha, just stumbled on this thread.

We have a Pioneer AVICS (DVD-based BT) in our bus, which was fine until ... It started to freeze, loose all power etc. Of course, guess where it first started doing this - in the middle of Paris!! Only solution was to switch off and re-start. Then it might do it again in 2 mins or 2 hours - totally random, and a total PITA. Out of warranty, so I guess we just have to live with it.

After all that, the Comand in my E-class is just fine - got us to Switzerland and back last week without breaking into a sweat. And of course it has steering wheel controls

 

[Rory]

I recently recieved a free upgrade from 9 to 10 for my clk comand, via my dealer.campaign b192 or162, cant remeber, however it was offered for about ver 6 or 7 upwards. It was to particularly fix street index,however is still 5 digit post code.

That's interesting - wonder if I could get my V6.3 in C Class (same COMAND as CLK) updated?

Did you have to mention "indexing" to trigger the upgrade offer?

It is a real pain that many streets aren't listed.

 

[MUGGY]

I use Command for Navigation most of the time but if I have a tricky destination or something Command can't handle I keep a Tom Tom in the glove compartment. Command is very cool and the TT stuck on the windscreen looks naff.

 

[SilverSaloon]

i've had COMAND 2.0 in my W208 CLK and satnav in my BMW 7 series.

both were much better than my current Garmin Nuvi and my wife's TomTom. (both new, modern units).

i used to think that tomtom etc would be better than the COMAND but now i'd prefer COMAND. Keep the maps updated and i reckon it is much better..... the rate it updates etc based on vehicle speed sensor & gps beats the GPS only of the aftermarket units. You wont find yourself on a big roundabout getting told to take the next exit AFTER you already have, for example.

 

[wemorgan]

The latest TomToms with 'advanced lane guidance' are very good in my opinion.

I've never used/seen Command so can't comment whether it's better or not.

 

[verytalldave]

I like my COMAND. I would now not want to own an MB without one.
I have no experience of any portable satnav units, so I cant give you a valid technical comparison.
There seems to be a fairly equal split between the thumbs up and the thumbs down on this one.
It really does seem to come down to a personal preference.
My opinion is that as COMAND is always there and cant be forgotten or lost is an important plus point.
It is however not a cheap plus point................

 

[maddog]

I have a Garmin 550c with full european mapping and speed camera poi.

Since i've retrofitted comand in my car i've not used it

I find comand quicker and better at giving directions than the garmin plus the large screen makes it easier to see at a glance

 

[shorty]

i had my command retrofitted to my E320 53 plate just over an hour to fit £1000.00 from the nav doctor & i would not be with out it, next job heated seats?

Its an easy retro fit on an early Audio 20 car or an Audio 50 . The later Audio 20 cars with CD are much more expensive and take longer , needing a new loom , audio gate way brackets and different MOST bus

 

[BTB 500]

I like my COMAND. I would now not want to own an MB without one.

You don't have much choice if you want (say) an R129.

 

[jaymanek]

Comand is great for aesthaetics and those who dont want the fuss of aftermarket systems or ipods sucking the windscreen...

Its NOT worth the money new IMO.. If you buy a second hand car with it then fine, but I wouldnt pay more than say £500 or so to have a car with it..

Its not as user friendly or flexible as a Tom Tom..

Tom Toms are cheap and effective...


Pays your money and takes your choice..