[TiedendJones]

So after a ride the map detail is clearer with subsidiary & local side roads a lot clearer.

The update came from BMW central with no real info as to what had been changed which is very poor. You'd think they'd want to trumpet improvements.

There do not appear to me to be any other major changes especially things that I would like e.g.

1. Access to routes via the TFT. You have access to favourites so why not routes? I fully understand BMW trying to avoid distractions while riding but if that is the objective why allow access to favourites & POI's?​

2. Waypoint names announced. The app just says 'you have reached your waypoint'.​

3. As well as distance & time to destination distance & time to next waypoint as well.​

4. Tracks to be tracks & not routes that recalculate.​

5. & most important to me to be able to turn off automatic recalculation. There are times when on tour with others my experience has shown it is best to have recalc turned off.​

​

These 5 were available in all the Garmin based BMW Nav's so why not in the app.

So what did BMW think when they looked at replacing the Garmin based Nav's with the TFT & App. Having at least what the Garmin Nav's had should have been a starting point.

Rant over.

It should be said that I am using an iPhone & I am assuming that the items I mention are not materially different on other phones.

Happy to stand corrected if I've got anything wrong.

 

[Fast1]

especially #4 and #5...

 

[DavidJax]

So after a ride the map detail is clearer with subsidiary & local side roads a lot clearer.

The update came from BMW central with no real info as to what had been changed which is very poor. You'd think they'd want to trumpet improvements.

There do not appear to me to be any other major changes especially things that I would like e.g.

1. Access to routes via the TFT. You have access to favourites so why not routes? I fully understand BMW trying to avoid distractions while riding but if that is the objective why allow access to favourites & POI's?​

2. Waypoint names announced. The app just says 'you have reached your waypoint'.​

3. As well as distance & time to destination distance & time to next waypoint as well.​

4. Tracks to be tracks & not routes that recalculate.​

5. & most important to me to be able to turn off automatic recalculation. There are times when on tour with others my experience has shown it is best to have recalc turned off.​

​

These 5 were available in all the Garmin based BMW Nav's so why not in the app.

So what did BMW think when they looked at replacing the Garmin based Nav's with the TFT & App. Having at least what the Garmin Nav's had should have been a starting point.

Rant over.

It should be said that I am using an iPhone & I am assuming that the items I mention are not materially different on other phones.

Happy to stand corrected if I've got anything wrong.

#3. You probably already know this but you can show distance & time to next waypoint or destination. The problem is that you have to go into settings on the TFT and set your preference.

I would also add the ability to have "shaping points" along with waypoints.

 

[dpickens]

Why do you kill the app anyways?

When not in use I dont see it consuming any appreciable battery on my Iphone...its just "there" and connects when the bike comes on because I never kill it.

1) Just because the current version of the app doesn't eat your battery doesn't mean the next one won't (as previous version had). Previously it was also very unstable and would crash anyways.

2) It is using bandwidth and also providing data to a 3rd party source while you're using it. I'd rather not if I can easily avoid it.

3) I'm riding 1, maybe 2 days a week - so I'm not going to leave it run if all I'm using it for is those couple of rides. Now when I'm on a trip, that'd be different - more worthwhile to keep it running (if it doesn't crash).

 

[Trilergy]

I ordered a Zumo xt today and want to explain why. And then listen to opinions. I have a 2022 RT. I very seldom use a gps for true navigation. Mostly I use it to see where I am at the moment. I like knowing the cross streets. I plan the routes in my head. Typically if I know I’m gonna make a turn then I like to keep an eye out for the street before my turn. With the TFT I can’t see the street names so I can’t always tell I’m coming up to my turn.
I keep the map on the small screen because otherwise I lose my tach. I believe I have the updated version and the street names are just too small to read. I also like to see what the road ahead is gonna do. How sharp is the curve ahead? Does the road curve on the other side of the hill? Garmin gives much better detail for this info. I also don’t like having to reconnect every time I start the bike. My system does connect but it can take a few minutes When I ride with friends, when they’re ready to go, they go! No waiting. If I was going to plan a trip and really wanted to map it out and use my navigation to get there, then the BMW system would be absolutely fine. But that’s just not how I typically use a gps. So I decided to bite the bullet and get the XT. Does my logic make any sense?

Sure does. I now have the XT.
My decision was based on clarity and detail on the TFT screen. It is not very good for me, plus on the fly changes are difficult. Even getting the phone out to redo a map is more difficult than the XT.
I often run both the XT and TFT maps.
I create them in basecamp (typically multi day trips and I already had all my via points etc so easier to use) and save a copy to MRA which makes a good tomtom map that (mostly) works.
The clarity and ease to change things is much better on the XT.
Im not against the TFT map (the rest of it is great). Its just lower on the scale of usefulness for me.
I also note that TomTom maps do weird things. Today it wanted to reroute me 600kms because of something it thought. I later realised it was a bridge opening (in place of an old one) and it must have thought it was closed. No idea where it got that info. there were no alerts of a closure. Funny thing was it didn't take me back on the road I was already on but another one that was out of the way. Ive had this a few times with TomTom. Not with Garmin.
I'll stick with the XT for the moment. Maybe BMW will catch up to proper GPS mapping and clarity.

 

[Fast1]

I create them in basecamp (typically multi day trips and I already had all my via points etc so easier to use) and save a copy to MRA which makes a good tomtom map that (mostly) works.

Are these tracks (not turn by turn routes) you have created in Basecamp that you copy to MRA for use on the TFT? If so, does this prevent the TFT from recalculating the "track" if you venture off the track?

 

[Trilergy]

Are these tracks (not turn by turn routes) you have created in Basecamp that you copy to MRA for use on the TFT? If so, does this prevent the TFT from recalculating the "track" if you venture off the track?

I think I am creating routes..not tracks. I select from and to, and then add waypoints to go the way want I want to go.
Yes it helps. But sometimes needs more than I put. I ride a similar route (dont actually need the maps) and have gradually worked out where it goes astray.
Some may ask why bother...I like to know traffic and times as I ride.

 

[TiedendJones]

Silly question as a Garmin user over many years (never had a Tom Tom). Do tracks on Tom Tom sat navs show a route that does not offer turn by turn directions & does not recalculate if you go off route?

I know that other brands of Say Nav are available but the majority of car & bike users are probably Garmin or Tom Tom so its more likely that most of us have one or the other.

I have created tracks in Basecamp & My Route App and imported them to the Connected App but they all come out as a route not a track.

 

[DavidMcK]

@TiedendJones If using MRA download your route as HD Boombox pre 2019 (route)

You will then get two GPX files one shows waypoints and the other is a track, import whichever one you wish. This is the Waypoint version which allows the route to be modified in the Connected App

Both of these options will give Instructions and re-calculations.

 

[TiedendJones]

Thanks DavidMck

Followed your insight into the TFT & its problems from the word go.

That was my experience with tracks. I did try the HD Boombox (2019) track & route in MRA but as you say it recalculates.

I am a little blinkered in that I have only used Garmin & BMW nav's so have no experience about how other hardware & software interacts.

I became very proficient at using Basecamp & suppose I was looking at the Connected App from that perspective. I've never really used tracks on my Garmin devices other than converting them into routes to store away as potential future routes but saw a track as a half way house for not being able to turn off recalc.

In real terms having access to routes from the TFT & being able to turn off recalculation would be 2 things that would make the app work much better for me.

Here's hoping.

Stay safe.

 

[Fast1]

Thanks DavidMck


I became very proficient at using Basecamp & suppose I was looking at the Connected App from that perspective. I've never really used tracks on my Garmin devices other than converting them into routes to store away as potential future routes but saw a track as a half way house for not being able to turn off recalc.

With basecamp you can create a route and also turn that exact route into a track (which has no turn by turn and will not recalc). You can also load both into a Zumo XT and run both track and route simultaneously.

 

[The_real_hati]

You can also load both into a Zumo XT and run both track and route simultaneously.

Yes, but I think @TiedendJones means "track" as in a line on the map, in a set colour, that you can choose to follow, or not. No turn by turn guidance at all. Garmin does that well but Connected does not do at all.

 

[Fast1]

Yes, but I think @TiedendJones means "track" as in a line on the map, in a set colour, that you can choose to follow, or not. No turn by turn guidance at all. Garmin does that well but Connected does not do at all.

That is exactly what I am referring to with the term "track". I use (prefer) tracks all the time, especially when doing long distance offroad rides on my FE501 and 5000 mile rides on the BMW. No turn by turn guidance at all but rather a line on the map one can follow or stray off of without any re-routing or recalculating to the final destination. The benefits of a "track" for me is that I can use the search and then "go to" function on the XT for fuel, water, camping without changing the intended "track". This also keeps other group riders on the same intended "track" if they all are using a "track" on their XT. No one gets lost if they stay on the "track". The leader can go look for another rider that is not keeping up or may have had a get-off, mechanical, flat tire without the intended (track) ride getting "recalculated". It becomes much more important when riding dirt thru the mountains on minimal use trails and forest roads.

My question was whether the use of the TFT on the BMW would allow the use of a Basecamp built "track" without any navigational instruction or re-routing.. Just a line that is displayed on the map that one could follow (similar to the XT).

 

[The_real_hati]

Sorry, misunderstood some of your intent.

My question was whether the use of the TFT on the BMW would allow the use of a Basecamp built "track" without any navigational instruction or re-routing.. Just a line that is displayed on the map that one could follow (similar to the XT).

No, unfortunately not possible, Connected will do guidance only. I was a big fan and frequent user of the Garmin tracks, both on the XT I had on my old RT and the 595 as well, I wish the app would offer the same.

On that note, a question to Tom Tom users: does it do tracks at all in the same fashion Garmin does?

 

[SvFiat]

I finally went for a ride with the new ver of the connect app. It seems like the roads have more definition and side roads are easier to see, but maybe it's just me.

 

[The_real_hati]

It seems like the roads have more definition and side roads are easier to see, but maybe it's just me.

No, not just you It has changed and now only things like single line laneways down here are showing in white. Every other road type has some colour to it.

 

[60Aviator]

With 4.2.2 the map mode drops off and then shows Connected App disconected on the TFT about 1-2 times per hour of riding. After about 20-30 seconds it comes back. Previous version didn't do this. Samsung S22+

 

[jono]

With 4.2.2 the map mode drops off and then shows Connected App disconected on the TFT about 1-2 times per hour of riding. After about 20-30 seconds it comes back. Previous version didn't do this. Samsung S22+

Map mode is taking much longer to connect at startup on my iPhone - so it seems they did something to the connection software.

 

[EszeLeny]

First ride in this season. First try with the updated 4.3 (430255) android app.
Everything went well except the lady is mute. Again.
I tried to set the new options in the navigation settings "audio stream phone / music" but nothing.
On the other hand music playing in helmet seems ok.
I know, good work needs time.
This tft thing is only 3 years old.
I trust you BMW, you will do it!
Sometime in the future. Maybe.

 

[EszeLeny]

First ride in this season. First try with the updated 4.3 (430255) android app.
Everything went well except the lady is mute. Again.
I tried to set the new options in the navigation settings "audio stream phone / music" but nothing.
On the other hand music playing in helmet seems ok.
I know, good work needs time.
This tft thing is only 3 years old.
I trust you BMW, you will do it!
Sometime in the future. Maybe.

Update: miraculously the problem has solved itself. Apologies BMW. I don't know how but after a day the lady speaks again, the music is playing, the volumes can be set independently. Huzzah!
New question: how can I use a dual sim mobile with the tft? My Samsung S10e is set to ask me which sim to use in a popup before making a call. On the tft the popup doesn't appear, it only shows the initiate call screen but it won't go out just freeze.