My BMW Navigator VI is possessed

[Ray]

We are getting it from all sides.  The BMW Connected app is not nearly as good as Apple Car Play.  The Garmin GPS's are unreliable.  It's a good thing we (mostly) know where we are going.

Speak for yourself - I'm still happy, running a NAV V with gpx data from REVER pro (Butler maps) and a smartlink overlay for weather.  And my wife will tell you, I often and blissfully have no idea where I am going....

Still haven't figured out why Darrell continues to try to set the record for most NAV VI units shipped free from Garmin. (5 so far? Are we sure they are not simply recycling the returns?) Especially as he has carried a back-up NAV V. 

(Note - if you join Revzilla's RPM discount club, you also get the REVER pro membership and access to the maps and app for free.)

[Grumpy Goat]

We are getting it from all sides.  The BMW Connected app is not nearly as good as Apple Car Play.  The Garmin GPS's are unreliable.  It's a good thing we (mostly) know where we are going.

Ain't that the truth. That said, and as a technophile, I will still take the Garmin over the rest, especially a map. Too much added functionality on top of navigation. Best recommendation? As a backup, get a good cellular data plan and use Google when in service, and when not use an app with downloadable maps like CoPilot.

[Pyrrho]

We are getting it from all sides.  The BMW Connected app is not nearly as good as Apple Car Play.  The Garmin GPS's are unreliable.  It's a good thing we (mostly) know where we are going.

Ain't that the truth. That said, and as a technophile, I will still take the Garmin over the rest, especially a map. Too much added functionality on top of navigation. Best recommendation? As a backup, get a good cellular data plan and use Google when in service, and when not use an app with downloadable maps like CoPilot.

You can download offline maps in Google Maps. Having used a Nav6 as well as the ConnectedRide cradle & app for several thousand miles... the Garmin is a far better riding companion IMO, the information presented is more useful and easy to access (and there's a LOT more of it).

While the Garmin is physically buggy, the app has issues reliably reconnecting to the bike to the point where I have to restart the bike, the phone, etc to get things talking to each other. At some point last weekend my Pixel 6 worked in cradle mode and was paired to the bike (showing phone battery status on the bike's TFT) but the bike wouldn't connect to the app to display nav & speed data on the TFT. Had to tell the bike and phone to forget each other, reinstalled the app and reset its settings, repair and re-set everything up to get things working again. Things got weird when I upgraded from Android 12 to 13 two weeks ago and hopefully this "reset" will make things more reliable moving forward.

TL;DR - it feels like a kludge. Bikes at this price point should have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto built-in.

[Pyrrho]

Opened a ticket with Garmin to replace my failing Nav VI. Said they are out of replacements and to send mine in anyway so I'm in line for when they expect to get more.

Ugh. Now that Garmin announced the XT2 I'm thinking why even bother.

[rschenkels]

On my R Nine T, I did use several apps (Calimoto, Waze, Google Maps) but the 'connection' is not always reliable, sometimes you loose internet connection.

For my 1250 RS, I was looking into the BMW Nav 6 because the OEM Cradle was already factory installed, but then this device has older technology, is very expensive and has a lot of complaints/issues.  So I purchased the Zumo XT2 instead and re-located above the TFT.

I am in contact with a Greek guy who makes an OEM like Cradle for the Zumo XT and is now working on a Zumo XT2 version, cost price is € 160.

Ron

[Grumpy Goat]

For my 1250 RS, I was looking into the BMW Nav 6 because the OEM Cradle was already factory installed, but then this device has older technology, is very expensive and has a lot of complaints/issues.  So I purchased the Zumo XT2 instead and re-located above the TFT.

I am in contact with a Greek guy who makes an OEM like Cradle for the Zumo XT and is now working on a Zumo XT2 version, cost price is € 160.

Just saw this on eBay: BMW GS GPS Adapter to Zumo XT XT2 / Retains Stock Key Lock and On/Off with Ignit

   

[Paughco]

I've got the Nav VI on my R1250RS. This is a replacement unit sent under warranty by Garmin, all due to that "ghosting" touchscreen problem. This one has been working fine - so far. Recently I purchased a 2022 Ford Bronco, with the 12" screen, Apple Carplay, etc. I like that also. 

Bronco with Apple Carplay: This is perfect for driving around in the Bronco! I look up a place on Google Maps on my home computer or my iPhone, and it's there waiting for me when I fire up the Bronco! How cool is that? Sometimes, about every 5th time or so, the Google Maps screen is black when I start the Bronco, but it comes on when I shut it off and start it up again. That's a drag. Hopefully Ford will solve that during a future update.

Nav VI on the RS: I miss the wireless connection to Google Maps like in the Bronco, but I really like the ability to make custom routes using Garmin BaseCamp on my home PC or even on my MS Surface Pro, which I can load into my Nav VI. I develop my custom routes while planning rides with my pals. A typical custom route will be an "interesting" route from John Day, Oregon to Pateros, Washington, for example. While Google Maps would give me the most direct route, taking into consideration factors such as traffic, etc., it doesn't work well for carefully put together custom routes. 

I'll stick to the Garmin Nav VI on my R1250RS.

Oh yeah - I've got a Garmin GTN 650 or GTN 750 in most of my flight sim aircraft as well! 



Seeya
 ATB

[pej7445]

I can't even get my Nav VI to properly import a GPX file via BaseCamp. It shows up on the Nav VI when you are connected to a PC and browse for it, it's in the GPX folder, but the GPS unit will not find it when I go to Trip Planner. I've got a case opened with Garmin on it, waiting for an update.

[mspratz]

I can't even get my Nav VI to properly import a GPX file via BaseCamp. It shows up on the Nav VI when you are connected to a PC and browse for it, it's in the GPX folder, but the GPS unit will not find it when I go to Trip Planner. I've got a case opened with Garmin on it, waiting for an update.

From Trip Planner you have to select Import from the bar menu.

[pej7445]

I can't even get my Nav VI to properly import a GPX file via BaseCamp. It shows up on the Nav VI when you are connected to a PC and browse for it, it's in the GPX folder, but the GPS unit will not find it when I go to Trip Planner. I've got a case opened with Garmin on it, waiting for an update.

From Trip Planner you have to select Import from the bar menu.

I've tried this, but the GPX file doesn't appear.

[trudd]

If it's a gpx file is the Nav unit seeing it as a track rather than a route?

[pej7445]

After a week, Garmin finally got back to me. Below is their suggested remedy. I'll give this a try, hopefully it works.

1. Send the GPX file to the BMW Motorrad Navigator VI
2. Power on the Navigator VI
3. Touch Apps from the Where To? and View Map screen
4. Touch Tracks
5. Touch the Track you need to convert
6. Touch the Settings button (gear icon) in the upper left corner
7. Touch Convert to Trip
8. Select which direction you need the track to be converted (starting point to ending point or ending point to starting point)
9. Enter a name for the Trip
10. Touch Done
11. Allow the Navigator VI to calculate the trip
o This may take a couple minutes. When I tested this with your files it did take about 2 minutes for them to convert
12. Touch OK once its finished

You will now find the newly created trip in the Trip Planner app on your Navigator VI.

[Ray]

After a week, Garmin finally got back to me. Below is their suggested remedy. I'll give this a try, hopefully it works.

1. Send the GPX file to the BMW Motorrad Navigator VI
2. Power on the Navigator VI
3. Touch Apps from the Where To? and View Map screen
4. Touch Tracks
5. Touch the Track you need to convert
6. Touch the Settings button (gear icon) in the upper left corner
7. Touch Convert to Trip
8. Select which direction you need the track to be converted (starting point to ending point or ending point to starting point)
9. Enter a name for the Trip
10. Touch Done
11. Allow the Navigator VI to calculate the trip 
o This may take a couple minutes. When I tested this with your files it did take about 2 minutes for them to convert
12. Touch OK once its finished

You will now find the newly created trip in the Trip Planner app on your Navigator VI.

Make sure you turn off auto-recalculation. And, unless they fixed the software issue, the second time you pull up your new trip, it will still recalculate the route - whether you have auto-recalculate turned off or not.

[Liteitup]

Number 4 going back this week.

[Grumpy Goat]

Number 4 going back this week.

Are you going to get a #5 or forego the jog wheel and get a Garmin Zumo XT/XT2?

[Liteitup]

#5, I really like the wonder wheel. I am losing patience though.

[Pyrrho]

It's mostly about getting over the Wonderwheel. The XT2 w/an adapter to mount it in your existing BMW nav mount is worth the tradeoff IMO. Audible alerts when the speed limit suddenly changes to a lower value = win.

[Grumpy Goat]

#5, I really like the wonder wheel. I am losing patience though.

I too like the wonder wheel and will keep using Nav VIs until they start charging for it. When I put my Nav VI on my Tiger and I have to use the touch screen I find I miss the wheel enough to persist with the Nav VI.