Navigation 50 v Comand

[thebook]

I have posted similar in the General thread but feel it may be better placed here.

I am waiting delivery on my new car for which I have ordered Navigation 50 as opposed to Comand.

Was this is mistake as nearly everyone seems to have Comand? What is the biggest difference between the 2?

Car is new E Class coupe.

Thanks

 

[chitaxmoto]

full colour screen, dvd, tv, visual traffic info, i'd have gone for the comand

 

[saorbust]

Can you change it at the dealer ? I'd ask.

APS50 to me is just a high end audio system with some added bits.

Comand is recognised as the premium system for navigation when it comes to selling - nothing else really factors.

I don't know which model of E Coupe you've gone for (v nice car btw - congrats) or how long you intend to keep it - but I'd definately go for the comand if you can change it.

 

[thebook]

Thanks for the response, not worried about resale value as the car is leased. My primary concern is navigation, is the underlying satnav system essentially the same? Nav 50 has TMC so would really paying for a glorified DVD player with Comand which I would never use anyway?

Please don't attack, just playing Devils Advocate and (trying) to justify to myself I made the correct decision...

 

[Alfie]

Thanks for the response, not worried about resale value as the car is leased. My primary concern is navigation, is the underlying satnav system essentially the same? Nav 50 has TMC so would really paying for a glorified DVD player with Comand which I would never use anyway?

Please don't attack, just playing Devils Advocate and (trying) to justify to myself I made the correct decision...

The new Navigation 50 in the E/C class cars is a big improvement on the old Audio50. You should get colour maps and possibly postcode support too. I would stick with it. I dont think you will be disappointed.

 

[dnw]

Hi thebook, how are you finding Navigation 50? I am considering getting an E-Coupe but don't really think I'll make use of Command over Navigation 50 - would be perfecty content with an old nano permanently in the glovebox.

Unfortunately, I've not found any cars with Navigation 50 on to play with, only Command and the basic Audio. I wonder if you could share your opinions and perhaps help me with the following-

-How is the screen resolution? the Comand screen looks to have a very high dpi, letters and graphics are not 'grainy' at all, whereas the Audio 20 system seemed much lower with grainy text etc
-Do you get the birds eye / perspective view in the Nav like in Comand or is it only the map view?

thanks!

 

[thebook]

Nav50

To be honest, I wish I had bit the bullet and gone for COMAND. I am disappointed with the lack of hotels in the satnav and it only zooms to 0.05 miles whereas my old Audi (2006 A4) would zoom to 50 yards.

The ipod connectivity is great (best I have seen in any car so far) and the sceen resolution is good (even though a slightly smaller screen than the COMAND). The issues above maybe exactly the same with the COMAND system but at least you know you have bought the best possible option.

 

[dnw]

Thanks for the reply. Good to hear that the screen quality is good - the basic Audio 20 system is quite 'low res' looking.

So does it have birds eye view on the Nav like Comand or just the plan view? If so it seems the only real advantage is the slightly bigger screen and the hard drive which is not really needed if you have a spare ipod.

 

[thebook]

So does it have birds eye view on the Nav like Comand or just the plan view?

I will have to check this, I use the normal plan view but will play with it tonight to check if there is a 3D option.

 

[dnw]

Thought I'd update this thread myself as I've now test driven two E-coupes with Nav 50.

Whilst the screen res is better than the very grainy Audio 20, it is nowhere near as sharp as the Comand system, which must have a significantly better dpi. Also, navigation mode only supports the overhead view (either north or direction facing) and not a birds eye / perspective view.

With that in mind, and adding in the voice control and hard drive, I think the Comand is worth the premium, however if you need to spend the £1000 somewhere else on the option list, the Nav 50 system is a good compromise.

Now I'm off to try to find a car with Harman Kardon to compare that with the standard stereo..

 

[G.O'Rilla]

I've got the retrofit system fitted by Alfie which works really well. However, I would still prefer the full Comand system, which is a little bit more integrated as well as having the bigger screen. The UMI Ipod connection is superb

 

[Aoraki]

Thought I'd update this thread myself as I've now test driven two E-coupes with Nav 50.

Whilst the screen res is better than the very grainy Audio 20, it is nowhere near as sharp as the Comand system, which must have a significantly better dpi. Also, navigation mode only supports the overhead view (either north or direction facing) and not a birds eye / perspective view.

With that in mind, and adding in the voice control and hard drive, I think the Comand is worth the premium, however if you need to spend the £1000 somewhere else on the option list, the Nav 50 system is a good compromise.

Now I'm off to try to find a car with Harman Kardon to compare that with the standard stereo..

I think it was £600 very well spent, a vast improvement over the standard I had in the W204.

 

[smiffo]

I went for the Nav50 as the salesman told me that the navigation engine is effectively the same. The ipod interface is great. I would never use the hard drive and unless I'm mistaken the DVD player/TV can only be used when stationary (for obvious reasons). I can't imagine ever wanting to sit in a car park to watch DVDs/TV.

I'm really pleased I went for the Nav50.

The only thing I hate is the lack of full postcode (even my Ford S-max had this 3 years ago!) which I was told was the same for Nav50 and Command

 

[sspeed]

My latest car has Command..
The problem is I have been spoiled by the latest 5" TomTom which I still say has the very best interface bar none.
By comparrison the input interface on Command is Archaic.
Also Command does not do full post codes (well mine doesnt).
To be totally honest my car is a late 04 so I suppose its possible the latest generation of Commands have come on some what.

On a slightly seperate tack, the latest VW/Audi sat nav systems are superb and Touch Screen !!!

 

[tich]

Navigation 50 v/s Command

Command is the way to go ask any dealer.

 

[Diesel Benz]

Command is the way to go ask any dealer.

You mean Comand? Do you mean it is good if the sales guy tells so? There is a small chance that a sales guy is after best possible profit from the deal.

My personal opinion is that Comand is better than Audio 50 APS but Audio 50 APS gives more per £.

 

[thebook]

Other e class users now reporting latest Comand can be upgraded to 7 digit postcode

 

[markjay]

On a slightly seperate tack, the latest VW/Audi sat nav systems are superb and Touch Screen !!!

A friend of mine just bought a Phaeton - the touch screen info centre is absolutely amazing - IMO MB has some way to go to catch up

 

[SL Boy]

To be honest, I wish I had bit the bullet and gone for COMAND. I am disappointed with the lack of hotels in the satnav and it only zooms to 0.05 miles whereas my old Audi (2006 A4) would zoom to 50 yards.

The ipod connectivity is great (best I have seen in any car so far) and the sceen resolution is good (even though a slightly smaller screen than the COMAND). The issues above maybe exactly the same with the COMAND system but at least you know you have bought the best possible option.

You mention lack of hotels. The POI databases in the W212 APS 50 and Comand are similar and in my view are complete rubbish. The system's functionality and graphics are excellent but heaven knows who Mercedes asked to research the database. They are aware of this and have brought out a couple of updates in recent months but the restaurant POI's and to a lesser extent the hotel POI's are still woefully deficient. There is lots of data there but they aint restaurants, unless you count catering companies, restaurant head offices, fish & chip shops and indian takeaways as restaurants.

The route planning on the navigation side is also rubbish unless you like being diverted round the M25 in the rush hour or enjoy modifying your car's bodywork by driving through Richmond Park when the entrance gates are closed.

I kid you not.

 

[Sashalon]

Late to the party I am; but I have Nav 50 and in truth would have been happier spending the £1200 on something else. However I did want the Media interface - have an 8Gb flash drive with my driving music - and therefore Nav 50 was an integrated SatNav for £750 more. Also, it is now considered in residuals like COMAND, since it is so much better than the old Audio 50.

No comment on Nav 50 versus COMAND however sometimes think a simple TomTom for £200 would have been a better option.

Integration: Nav 50 wins... By a long shot.
Usability: TomTom wins - Nav 50 is cumbersome without a touch screen. Also 4 digit postcode sucks if you don't have a street name (or the damn street isn't in the database; had to use my HTC phone for that trip)
Accuracy: Onboard SatNav is much better. "Turn Now" on a big roundabout is really cool.
Lock Time: Onboard satnav seems to have permanent lock. TomTom and others seem to take up to a minute or longer if you are already moving.
Traffic/Routing: not sure - all satnav's I have used are sometimes quirky.