159 Sat Nav

[zygote]

Hi everybody!

I'm thinking of buying a 159 diesel and would want to have the factory fit sat nav, however I seem to read a few negative posts about it and wanted to try to determine what it is that people don't like about it.

I currently have a 2005 Volvo S60 with factory nav and although it doesn't have postcode input, it's OK. Fairly standard sat nav as far as I'm concerned. Also, my girlfriend's 56 Civic sat nav is pretty much the same. (although it has postcode input).

So what's the deal with the Alfa unit? I'd be really keen to hear peoples opinions.

TIA.

[Fraser]

I have no experience of the standard satnav but the new '08MY cars come with a different set up that incorporates Blue&Me. This should be superior.

[BigFoot]

Moved to ICE Tech Lounge

[Sandy379]

I bought a 159 SW diesel earlier this year. It was an in-stock ti model without satnav so I opted for a 'dealer fitted' pioneer system (referred to (with photo - it looks very good)) in the recent 159 SW Ti mini review on this page) which I know many dealers have recommended, referring to the shortfalls of the factory system. My dealer suggested that this would soon become the Alfa factory fit of choice (for 2008 models?) but I have seen nothing to confirm this. For what it's worth, I much prefer the pioneer to the Volvo system - it is touch screen, has a good bluetooth system for mobiles, has post code selection and works well with ipod. The only drawback of my system is that the satnav operates off a single loading CD but as I use my ipod for all 'canned' music it doesn't really cause a problem.

[euroboy]

The original Alfa sat-nav is basically awful.... even admitted to by the dealers!

However you can now spec a pioneer unit, which has been confirmed to me by those in the know to become an official Alfa option very shortly.

The Pioneer unit is well worth having, the original Alfa Sat-Nav is akin to setting fire to your money IMHO

[GTcoop]

I recently fitted the Pioneer Avic-D3Bti to my Brera and it's a great improvement over the Alfa fitted Navteq crap.

I managed to buy the system from a hifi dealer on the net (Roadradio in London) for £675 and spent another £100 on the facia adapter and the can-bus interface which allows the system to function through the steering wheel buttons. That also included the bluetooth hardware too which is every bit as good as Blue & Me.

You can customise the splash screen and AV backgrounds by downloading your own pictures onto the system. The satnav is light years ahead of the Navteq and it's also a DVD/CD/MP3/Ipod player too. It's all touch screen controlled and straightforward to operate.

Cost me £70 to get it fitted by a local hifi installer so all in I think it's a bargain at less than £850 considering the Navteq's a £1470 option.

[cyberdog]

I have the factory fitted SatNav and for sure it is not very bright. I recommed you fitting an aftermarket device which will be also cheaper.

[zygote]

Thanks for your replies. Can anyone expand on what it is that's so crap about the system. Wasn't it updated for the '08 model year?

I need sat-nav to make visiting new clients a bit easier which is why I've always opted for factory fit units (after struggling with an aftermarket unit), it's just so much more convenient to dial up a destination as soon as I need to rather than stopping, fitting up the tomtom or whatever and setting off again, then there's dismantling it when I arrive. There's also the benefit that the factory fit unit will mute the radio when it needs to issue an instruction.

TIA

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by zygote

Thanks for your replies. Can anyone expand on what it is that's so crap about the system. Wasn't it updated for the '08 model year?
TIA

That's what I thought and that the new system incorporated Blue&Me.

[Sandy379]

The Pioneer unit is a console fit (i.e permanent fit) not a mobile hand held unit, that fully integrates with the car, including the use of steering wheel controls. To all intents and purposes, it looks and feels like a factory fit except it is better than anything else Alfa have provided to date. The bluetooth / phone works well including radio mute, as it does with Satnav instructions and ipod connections. I use it frequently and did not want a mobile, handheld unit. Having used the volvo system on an S60, this is way better including a simple touch screen operation and post code entry; the system exceeded my expectations.

[jdrrco]

Originally Posted by Sandy379

The Pioneer unit is a console fit (i.e permanent fit) not a mobile hand held unit, that fully integrates with the car, including the use of steering wheel controls. To all intents and purposes, it looks and feels like a factory fit except it is better than anything else Alfa have provided to date. The bluetooth / phone works well including radio mute, as it does with Satnav instructions and ipod connections. I use it frequently and did not want a mobile, handheld unit. Having used the volvo system on an S60, this is way better including a simple touch screen operation and post code entry; the system exceeded my expectations.

Where do you connect an iPod? Do all the steering wheel functions work (ie phone, voice commands and radio etc)?

Originally Posted by Fraser

That's what I thought and that the new system incorporated Blue&Me.

Blue 'n' Me Nav is not a map based system.

It uses voice controlled address/postcode
input with vocal and direction guidance
from the main display. ("Turn left", "Turn right"
etc.)

Or that's what I've understood it to be.

[Sandy379]

Originally Posted by jdrrco

Where do you connect an iPod? Do all the steering wheel functions work (ie phone, voice commands and radio etc)?

The Ipod connects in the glove compartment - easy access. The steering wheel works for radio / ipod / volume but not with 'voice' or the phone - the blueandme system does not function. But the pioneer has a perfectly good bluetooth system, which works well, including options for 'voice', operating off a touch screen.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by Nev

Blue 'n' Me Nav is not a map based system.

It uses voice controlled address/postcode
input with vocal and direction guidance
from the main display. ("Turn left", "Turn right"
etc.)

Or that's what I've understood it to be.

INteresting. DOn't fancy that much then.

[zygote]

The brochure for the 159 and Brera both state that Blue & Me is not compatible with "any navigation system".

Bummer! I blame Microsoft.

[AlfaBadger]

just to add my experiences: I've been trying to spec my new company 159 ti with the Blue&Me Nav (as shown in the brand new brochure and on the website) but the dealer that the leasing company is using is adamant that alfa offer two factory fit satnav devices - the nav unit being incompatible with blue&me(!?!) and the other that won't work in the UK. Despite this clearly not being the case, they just won't have it. Decided to re-spec and had the bose and bi-xenon instead. Looks like I'll be asking for a tomtom for my birthday then.......

[jdrrco]

Originally Posted by AlfaBadger

...the leasing company is using is adamant that alfa offer two factory fit satnav devices - the nav unit being incompatible with blue&me(!?!) and the other that won't work in the UK...

I think they're right. IIRC Blue & Me Nav is the one that doesn't work in the UK (and hence isn't available over here). The other factory "full" satnav has a slot for a SIM card but doesn't use Blue & Me. The full satnav is crap according to those who have it - see various threads on here.

I would definitely (and indeed did!) go for the TomTom option. I'm very pleased with mine. Having had factory-fit units in my last 3 cars, I didn't think I would be but I have to say it's even better as you can program it at home or at your desk, then put it in the car and go. Also it updates itself with new maps, cameras, POIs etc when you attach it to your pc.

I spent a very pleasant evening at home entering about 30 or so chateaux, hotels, vineyards etc for a trip to France in Sept. There's no way I'd have sat in the car doing it, but now they're all in the memory and we can just pick them out and head off when we're over there - brilliant!

[strid]

Originally Posted by Sandy379

The Pioneer unit is a console fit (i.e permanent fit) not a mobile hand held unit, that fully integrates with the car, including the use of steering wheel controls. To all intents and purposes, it looks and feels like a factory fit except it is better than anything else Alfa have provided to date. The bluetooth / phone works well including radio mute, as it does with Satnav instructions and ipod connections. I use it frequently and did not want a mobile, handheld unit. Having used the volvo system on an S60, this is way better including a simple touch screen operation and post code entry; the system exceeded my expectations.

Sandy379 - What a great job.that's looks neat and tidy

I wondered if this works with the iPhone 1st generation (calls and music & via the steering wheel controls) and can the map data be updated via memory sticks sd cards etc.

Thanks for the assistance

[Sandy379]

Originally Posted by strid

Sandy379 - What a great job.that's looks neat and tidy

I wondered if this works with the iPhone 1st generation (calls and music & via the steering wheel controls) and can the map data be updated via memory sticks sd cards etc.

Thanks for the assistance

Sorry but don't know about the IPhone and as for the HD models you would need to check with the supplier / maker as to SD slots etc.

[nigelboyle]

Originally Posted by zygote

Hi everybody!

I'm thinking of buying a 159 diesel and would want to have the factory fit sat nav, however I seem to read a few negative posts about it and wanted to try to determine what it is that people don't like about it.

I currently have a 2005 Volvo S60 with factory nav and although it doesn't have postcode input, it's OK. Fairly standard sat nav as far as I'm concerned. Also, my girlfriend's 56 Civic sat nav is pretty much the same. (although it has postcode input).

So what's the deal with the Alfa unit? I'd be really keen to hear peoples opinions.

TIA.

I am well versed on this problem 57 plate 159sw the standard radio + satnav is well crap DO NO TOUCH IT! Alfa are now offering Pioneer as an option and (at my pushing) now have the F9000BT on the list. I have driven with the immediate predecessor and it is great. check out the Pioneer it is well cool! you can bolt on DAB and rear camera, ipod, SD DVD etcetc ARUK are swapping mine under warranty in a week or so. I'll let you know

[MikeCavUK]

Hi all. For those of you with the Pioneer system (which does look really good) does it still display the other car functions such as the setup menus and trip display etc?

[nigelboyle]

Originally Posted by MikeCavUK

Hi all. For those of you with the Pioneer system (which does look really good) does it still display the other car functions such as the setup menus and trip display etc?

Mine is being fitted next week, I'll let you know

[greggydm]

Reading all this has now made me think about avoiding the factory fitted satnav for my brera now so cheers guys... now its a toss up between the poineer one (supported with navgate software) or the kenwood one (supported by the supposed better garmin software).... erm??

[Feldone]

Just to re-enforce the message guys - Ive just taken delivery of a 159 with the infamous Blue&Me Nav....

The Nav part is preety much useless. Takes 10 mins to input address and then you get to the part of actually trying to input the EXACT destination and guess what - no postcode input... pants.

[nigelboyle]

Originally Posted by Feldone

Just to re-enforce the message guys - Ive just taken delivery of a 159 with the infamous Blue&Me Nav....

The Nav part is preety much useless. Takes 10 mins to input address and then you get to the part of actually trying to input the EXACT destination and guess what - no postcode input... pants.

Yup I was there too - ARUK replaced it under warranty for a Pioneer AVIC9000BT The sat nav and music is suburb, the ipod link and software are particularly great! and phone not so great!