With Sat Navs ever changing and the BMW Navigator 6 getting a bit old now, BMW have released their new version called the BMW Connected Ride Navigator…. What's it like?
I have the new one its way better than the old nav VI but it is still not as good as like the zumo xt 2 from garmin especially when it comes to off roading and ease of use but still better than the old model but if do something like overlanding island for example i still take my montana 700i with me because it has a better gpx display thing and inreach which for me is really important when im driving solo
Thanks to one of your previous videos, I recently invested in a Garmin XT & 3DAM adapter, and I could not be happier….. An excellent sat nav that’s not connected to the bike, and therefore just works!! 👍
@@jetrex1986 cleaning helped make it work for a few hours.... I hated how when I touched the screen in one place, it thought I was pressing it somewhere else... Very frustrating!!
Brilliant review, best I've see on YT so far. Thank you. Maybe if I land on the side of a GS1300 this year I'll add this to the config list. Keep up this great work.
Great Video, thanks. My bike is R1250GS, an I am using connected ride cradle + mobile phone. After your detailed introduction, I think I am good now, no need upgrade. 😊
Thanks for a very comprehensive review, which was far better than one I just watched from another youtuber who was too much of a man to RTFM, and therefore didn't have a clue of how the unit actually performed.
The Connectedride Navigator doesn't duplicate the TFT for phone calls, it REPLACES the use of the TFT. You need to delete helmet and phone connections on the TFT and just connect both the helmet and phone to the Conenctedride Navigator.
thanks for the video. after watching your advanced videos the other day today i decided to go and part ex my z900 and got myself the f750 gs 40th edition. looking forward to collecting it some time in the next 2 weeks
Great detailed review and good mixing of discussion with friends. This would definitely be a “nice to have” unit. Based on the price I think I’ll stick with my phone in the cradle running BMW connected ride. Keep up the great reviews
I bought an F8650GSA a few days ago and wanted the GPS was informed by salesperson (in Australia) that there is a new navigation system coming in 1 month which BMW was apparently working with Tom Tom and not Garmin…..so I’m waiting for it…..this must be it!
Not surprised by the extravagant cost! The bike-specific mount is also expensive! Importing planned routes is not impossible. Tom Tom's maps are awkward to follow and often send you off the planned route. I'd rather spend the money on a new iPhone!
Thanks, and I agree about the ease of downloading routes. At some point I may have to trade in my bike for a TFT model. The analog dials are a bit too small for my eyes.
Nice review, thanks gents. I'm just about to "bin" my Nav 6, since it doesn't play nicely with my M1 MacBook for route planning, and replace it with one of the Apple CarPlay screens you looked at recently. Would you rather spend £700 on the new navigator or £150 on the CarPlay device you reviewed last year and trouser the £550 difference? I'm on a 2019 1250GS so don't have the connected drive option, and gave up using my phone connected to the TFT display.
The design itself of the hardware/pinouts comes from Garmin. The Garmin pinouts are documented because they are used in other areas such as their aerial GPS systems. I suspect BMW kept the design so it was backward compatible with the Nav V/Nav VI cradle that is already on many of their bikes.
Thanks for the demo. I use the Motorrad App on my IPhone with the Connected Ride Cradle, maps are great but small, what I do like is the interaction from the phone to the TFT showing turn by turn on the main screen, does the Connected Nav show on the TFT like the phone and cradle or not?
I have one and it's a GPS unit built by a car company. The hardware itself is amazing. The screen is sharp and clear, the unit is quick, responsive and feels solidly built. The software though ... 🤮Compared to the Garmin, there are no speed cameras, no interesting POIs (fuel stops, cafes, etc), no live traffic unless you switch you phone to a Wifi hotspot and connect the unit OR you buy a SIM card for the GPS unit (Why?! It's already connected via Bluetooth). Initially, it did not support GPX files. An update in November fixed that, but it's still lacking POIs so you get the route but no POIs. I'm not happy with the unit but I'll keep it for now as I think it can be improved with updates in the future.
I'm trying really hard to like this unit (because I paid a lot of money for it). But I also have the 3DAM adapter and tend to keep going back to my Garmin XT. While controlling the unit with the wheel is really nice, the screen and information the XT provides (ie... what street I'm on and the next cross street) is more important to me. Also, the Garmin XT screen is just easier to read. I have both units, and I am going to keep playing with and comparing both, but for now, I have to say the Garmin Zumo XT is the preferable unit.
I hope its better than bmw s last connect cradle and phone app, I think you will find the rt uses the old phone app only? Don't think I will be getting caught out again using anything with bmw connect written on it.
Thanks for the comprehensive review of the Nav6. Currently riding R1250gsa and thinking of adding this to the cradle. Just one question for Toby - can you provide info about the mesh vest you are wearing? I am looking for one to improve visibility on winter riding, but don’t want fluoro. Cheers boys and keep up the good work👍👍
Thanks for the lovely presentation boys, nicely done. As for the new nav, the only thing putting me off is the price. I've got Nav 5 and it's getting on my nerves constantly, slow, buggy, you need a computer degree to make it work properly (which I have), using Garmin Base camp is a pain sometimes, updates are giving me the fits all the time... But ultimately, it works and the price of this thing is way to much. If they set it at around 550-600 euros I would probably go for it, but hey, it's BMW and we who own their bikes know very well how things stand with them. Cheers!
That’s crazy that it does not fit in the older bikes…what with all the ghosting issues people have suffered with the Nav6 ? You would think they would make a bracket to allow the device to fit by pushing g it out further from the console.
Hi thanks for el video, I have a query. Can I use this new connect rider only as a gps? And still use TFT to handle music? I like being able to see the road in the gps (like I did in the old navigator 6) and have the music, calls and so on be used by the tft? I like the fact that I can change the song just by moving the wheel and being able to lower and increase the volume also just by moving the wheel, if I use this new connect rider, I would have to leave the map, go to the music section and change the song, and then, return to the map, I don't know if I understand? Thanks in advance, greetings
Thankyou for the channel and the review, I am currently running a Zumo XT2 on my GS 1300, its great but not having the intergration with the whizz wheel is a little frustrating, so using your own money what would be your choice Chigee or this unit ?
Hi, great vid guys. Do you know if the USB-C on the nav outputs power as well as being used to connect to another device? The phone cradle allows power pass-through which I connect to my quad-lock qi-charger. In case you’re wondering, the phone cradle does not take the iPhone 15 Pro Max in a case.
Enjoyed the video. I have a 2017 1200 GS with a multi-controller, but no TFT. Can you tell me if the Connected Ride Navigator (CRN) will serve as a speedometer? Originally, I used the Nav VI as a speedo, but I had the ghosting problem so I switched to a Zumo XT. I quite like that the XT gives me my actual speed, the posted speed, and flashes red when I exceed the posted speed, but I wish I would use the multi-controller for zooming on the map. Was wondering if this new CRN would give me both speed and zooming functionality. Thanks!
It will allow you to scroll in and out but if you have the XT it’s an awesome unit and much easier to get GPX files onto it than the CRN. Should always rely on your bike speedo for the speed rather than the sat nav as if you are riding on the sat nav speed there is no toleren e at all and could result in a ticket for going over the speed. Especially in Europe
Thanks👍🏻 i think this will be better than Navigator 5 or 6 ever been. For all people how hate or stupid for Garmin-Base Camp, also me🤦🏻♂️ Could you also make a Video to route planing on pc😎 Greetings from South Germany
Went through the BMW Nav 6 hell and finally gave the last unit away for free to a buddy to use on a used XR that he bought. I made sure to mention to him that the Nav 6 unit might work for a week or a year or just crap out tomorrow. That unit was my third warranty replacement for the dreaded Nav 6 ghost screen issue. (I have another buddy who had been through 5 Nav 6 replacements under warranty). I will most likely NEVER buy another BMW branded navigation unit - they have simply lost my trust. My Zumo XT with 3DAM adapter works just fine albeit, the adapter does add some bulk. Say what you will about Garmin's own branded products (with their own issues) but, generally they work. The BMW Nav 6 I had was over $800 USD when I bought it new in 2019. Probably the worst $800 I have ever spent on a motorcycle accessory, hands down. When is BMW Motorrad going to learn that they should stick to their core competency building bikes and simply pay up for integration with Apple Car Play and the Android equivalent. BMW Motorrad's apparent "we can do it better ourselves" mantra on electronics based accessory products/software and, including their TFT software, is costing them terms of customer dissatisfaction.
25:29 is my reaction too... I like it Its £699 I don't like it that much! Garmin XT and a 3D AM bracket is half the price for way more than half the capability.
I don't know if it's mono, but the quality is way down when I connect as intended, that is phone to nav, Cardo Packtalk Edge to nav. If I connect phone to helmet directly the sound quality is great. Another thing is that when you don't connect the Packtalk to the phone, you lose the Cardo app connection which is really handy to connect to other riders etc. All in all it's not a good solution, I don't connect anything to the CRN now, I try everytime there's a new software update, but it is still not solved.
Thanks for this talk-through, Folks. It's nice that BMW is trying to do something about the Navigator (I've had two generations of frustrations, hardware and software headaches), but this still feels like they are 5-8 years behind. That map looks so basic, that it feels like looking at a Commodore 64 screen. Other than navigation, it doesn't provide any meaningful functionality. Dash already handles calls, helmet. Playing music, seriously? Oh, nice menu pictures 🤣 The Chigee AIO-5 Lite with a CarPlay, front and rear camera, WizzWheel integration seems to be so much better value for money. It feels much more technically appropriate for 2024 ... Sure, it's Chinese and not Bavarian, but build quality seems to be on par. I'm anxious to grab that now. Bye Navigator, I guess.
Hello m8. Saw on a review that its impossible to load a GPX file on that navigator, but its was on the launch with the first software version. Had you guys tried that? Thks for the vids :)
Hey buddy. Yeah you can I think by putting it into the connected app and syncing that way. A bit cumbersome to be honest but can be done with a bit of faffing about
Guys, bear in mind for the £699 you could buy a Nav6 and send it to GPS station in Germany to get it fixed and have change. Would you buy a nav6 and get it fixed of buy the connected ride? I am on my second nav6 which has just started ghosting!
Another over priced attempt by BMW. Given that the GS is the biggest seller it seems strange that this unit doesn’t even do tracks. I have a Nav6 and been very lucky as it has been ok. My next purchase will be a DMD or Carpe Iter, both big Android devices designed by motorclists. Why dont BMW just use a big Apple CarPlay screen?
So I just ordered my 2024 R1250RT, and I heard the nav system on it (from cell phone) is horrendous. So i'm looking for a nice (and reliable) alternative, but now you're telling me I can't have that ConnectedRide factory or dealership spec'd on it ?
Its just to expensive full stock, there's one thing buying a quality product like the bikes but everyday accessories like Satnav etc is a rip off. I have just purchased a new R1250RS with the touring pack of which this is part of, I wanted the heated grips centre stand and cruise and pannier brackets but the adapter is coming straight off.
Unfortunately, the Connected Ride Navigator works just like the Connected App - there is no provision for non-announcing shaping points (or via points). Better to stick with Garmin IMHO.
Hi, Is it possible to rename points marked as Favorites in BMW Navigator? For example, I could not rename my home address, which I marked as a favorite, as "Home".
I cannot get both my phone and the unit to connect to the BMW ID at the same time so its impossible to transfer pre planned routes from your desk top (Basecamp) via the Connected App on your phone to the unit, so I'm my opinion the Nav VI is a much better unit this unit is all smoke and mirrors unless this issue can get sorted. The Connected App team at BMW send me to my dealer and they have not a clue on how to resolve the issue, so anyone have a solution I'd be very interested to understand how they get it to work. Until then its the Nav VI for me.
This is a case of; It can do this and indeed that, most of which you will never want or need. For £700 odd it's just an over expensive trinket that makes it more value to potential thieves than the original owner. IMO.
Hi Toby. I bought a 2021 RT new. The whole phone /navigation was awful. As were the lights and plenty of other things. I gave it back to the dealer as not fit for purpose. 2021 GSA and nav six was faultless. I expect no WiFi will mean no navigation.
Hey buddy. It’s behind the Speedo and instruments. There is a spare din type plug in behind it. Remove the top plastic trim and it’s under there. Plug and play :)
Hi Guys I’d value your opinion. I’m about to head off to Europe and my Nav6 has packed up. Which would you choose, the new BMW connected or the Garmin XT2 ? Thanks in advance 👍
Does anyone know how can I send a destination location from an iPhone/android phone to this nav? I bought it about a month ago and still can't really use because there's no easy way to share route from the phone
I’ve bought some rubbish in my life but the Nav6 was the worst 😂 Two replaced under warranty and then had to deal with the slow clunky out of date software supplied by Garmin. Thank god for eBay
It appears that there have been a couple software updates to address the initial deficiencies...turning off with the bike and importing routes...have you looked at it since these updates came out? @@RiderCamTV
Good video guys, but a hard pass for me. (1) It's not worth the Price & (2) I have a very old but still working Nav5 and my goto XT which seems just as good as this and at half the price...I think that's enough satnavs for now for my 2022 RS1250.
Same way the 1200 rt does. Uses longish press right to go from screen to screen and short press to right or left from icon to icon and the press in the cancel indicator switch to select the item/icon
@@RiderCamTV thx for answering. hmm, or rather the question should be: how does one exit the bike's internal menus(non-tft version) so one can use the wheel with an external device?
Looks like you can and a good guide/write up here www.ukgser.com/community/threads/using-mrarouteplanner-created-routes-on-the-bmw-connectedride-navigator.377776/
Been I using a tomtom for 15 years and works perfectly, and the 550 rider is in the 300 quid range, you keep having a go at them when you keep promoting and having £££££ worth of trouble with Garmin/ BMW.
You can use "hey silly"... That's how you should address yourself while riding after paying 700 quid for what is essentially a cheap mobile phone running BMW's Motorrad app
I find it absolutely astonishing that BMW has put its name to this! I’m a proper BMW fan, cars and bikes, but what the hell is this? It’s as though they don’t care about their customers and seem happy to insult everyone’s intelligence by thinking that it will satisfy that particular market. Do they not get it? BMW riders are generally a certain demographic, in that they are usually very well informed and know what they want. The map display is as dull as ditch water and, but hey… look at those lovely opening splash screens! They must think we’re stupid. Surely their R&D team are aware of the capabilities of the XT. Just build something that works the same, with the same functioning and interacts with the controller wheel. I really don’t understand what they’re thinking? Get it right and they’d sell like hot cakes! Instead, people are prepared to compromise the control wheel interaction (which is very useful) for a completely ’touch screen’ (more dangerous) navigation device. Unbelievable!
Dedicated GPS, whatever the brand does have it’s advantages- if you’re like me, and go to remote places, you don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket - so your gps is permanently wired, not to an adapter- I’ve seen all brands of adapters fail. And in an emergency if the GPS fails you have SoS on your phone and an emergency beacon. The Zumo XT2 is now far more usable than previous versions. Some ride tours won’t even let you on tour with them without a proper GPS because of reliability. Phones can cook in the sun and switch off. Now, if all you do is suburban riding, a phone is perfectly fine.
Bmw rip off to be honest who in their right mind is going to pay £699 for a sat nav when there are much better units out there at half the price,or just use your phone as most people do.i also had 2 Nav 6 replaced under warranty,screen ghosting .... I've a Zumo Xt and it's been faultless. I'm guessing I'm like most people who have a bmw who are totally fed up with them profiteering on servicing parts and clothes.They really do need to understand what customer service is.
We are in 2024, my friend where is the car play app?? New Navagation no options to add any apps!! Don’t waist your money Tom Tom is not the right choice for Navagation this is an insult to technology today!!
pains us to say hahaha, but i don't think TomTom is necessarily the issue, more a BMW thing limiting the unit to their navigation rather than adding the ability to use it on carplay etc.
Biggest piece of $900 junk you can buy! Auto time set sets the time to GMT no matter what time zone your in! Do yourself a BIG favor and save $400 and get a Garmin XT2.
The price difference will change depending on when you live. Here in Australia, it’s a $1000, and I hear that the Connected Ride Navigator will come in at about $1300. BUT! If you just use the stock Garmin mount, I wouldn’t trust it riding off road. So, if you buy the Touratech Zumo cradle that’s an extra $350. If you buy the Wunderlich adapter so you can plug the Zumo into the OEM cradle, that’s $270. So for me, price isn’t the issue, it’ll be usability.
