iDrive, Safety Cameras...

M

Maniac

Elite
It may have been asked before, and I've done a search yielding little.. is it possible to get the iDrive in the e89 to warn of safety (speed) cameras?
 
Not on the official nav discs, but copied (which no one on hear condones) ones usually come modded with them (for the E85/E86 anyways).
 
As Peddy said for the Idrive and I am not aware of anybody having modded the E89 yet as you would need to update the hard drive. Still seems to me that it was very cheap of BMW not to include safety camera warning with what is a very expensive Nav option :thumbsdown:
 
MikeS said:
As Peddy said for the Idrive and I am not aware of anybody having modded the E89 yet as you would need to update the hard drive. Still seems to me that it was very cheap of BMW not to include safety camera warning with what is a very expensive Nav option :thumbsdown:
Click to expand...
:thumbsup: X2 MikeS - I'll second that emotion :thumbsup:

Hi Maniac
Like Peddy says there is a workaround on the non E89 Z4, however the E89 has the Map Data installed onto the hard disk of the CIC, so E89 is not running a DVD like the old model; so you cannot therefore use an alternative disk (i.e. a copy of the original disk map data +the safety cameras added to it, then installed into drive)

I'm a bit cheesed off that the safety (speed) cameras are not available on the current CIC / Nav Pro system on the E89. I have done a fair bit of digging around and have not come up with anything as yet to enable safety camera ability on the current model, however I will continue to look and will post the information once I have a definitive workaround / hack etc.

I have read the BMW internal info file for the CIC system (Car Information Computer) that's used by the BMW techs; this shows a range of interesting (technician only) items, like how to reset the CIC for example; the codes for unlocking the service manual :D :thumbsup: and more detailed information on the true abilities of the Gracenote software that runs the music database etc.

I can confirm though that the maps data can be updated in two different ways:

(1) Updating the BMW programming system:
In order to update the BMW programming system the map data in the CIC is updated through the Ethernet connection in the diagnostic connector. The data is enabled by means of an enable code that needs to be downloaded and entered into the BMW programming system.

(2)Using a complete DVD set
The DVD is loaded directly into the head unit. The enable code can then be entered directly into the iDrive system by the customer or service technician using the "speller”. The customer can still continue navigating with the old map material after loading the CD and starting the update procedure. A reset is triggered in the CIC immediately on completion of the update procedure and the customer continues to navigate with the new map material. The navigation destination, last destination and contact data are retained. The update can be interrupted at any time and continued when ever the trip is resumed.

SO: In order to create a workaround hack for this I would really need a loan of a set of current CIC disks (both the Gracenote DB update CD and the complete Map Data DVD set; and obviously the enable code for them) to be able to have a go at it.

If anyone out there can loan these to me I would much appreciate it :thumbsup:

In the meantime, until I can get hold of that lot, I have decided to use a Snooper Lynx- great investment- and these ones use the aura database too- currently on offer at snooper (down to £99)
http://www.snooperuk.com/products/snooper_lynx/index.html

Which is cheaper than a £60 fine :police: & the increased premium of 3 points on your insurance - go figure :cpilot:
 
iwatchlive, Thanks for the info. I too spent a fair bit of time hunting for a safety camera update without success. Put me at the front of any queue if you find a solution :) Thanks for the Snooper Lynz link as well - I keep thinking about getting one but have not got around to it yet!
 
Sorry to drag this one back from the dead, but I've searched in vain for some definitive information on the availability of custom POI / speed camera locations for the professional nav system on the E89. Did iwatchlive manage to find a way to do this, or is there any other way of getting this done?

I'm pretty sure the BMW sales guy told me it was possible when I asked during my recent test drive, but now I'm a bit concerned he was fobbing me off...
 
Jules

I have not heard of anyone yet managing to get this working on the E89 - pity really when a £100 plug in Satnav does a better job than the expensive BMW unit.
 
I'm still using snooper lynx myself, although I can add I just haven't spent any time on finding a solution TBH, as the lynx does the job well as it is.
 
Isn't it easier to stick to the speed limit that way you won't miss those pesky policeman with mobile units that aren't on gps? :o :wink: :whistle:
 
Thanks for the replies - looks like a separate unit then which is a real shame given the slick built-in satnav.

braingirl said:
Isn't it easier to stick to the speed limit that way you won't miss those pesky policeman with mobile units that aren't on gps?
Click to expand...
NOT going to bite on that one... :P
 
braingirl said:
Isn't it easier to stick to the speed limit that way you won't miss those pesky policeman with mobile units that aren't on gps? :o :wink: :whistle:
Click to expand...
what's a speed limit? :exitright:

FYI- lynx is the system that uses the Aura database, so if one were to see a mobile unit, one can press the magic button to load that location onto the database and snooper very kindly updates that info to every other unit using the aura database (& obviously paying for a subscription) anyone then driving in that area gets notified, great idea huh!

This saved me numerous tickets on the continent for sure :wink:

Note: if your vehicle is E89 and uses CCC with HDD for NAV then you are under warranty. Be aware you would invalidate the warranty on the CCC if you had a hickup with a hack disk, that's why I left it alone, plus the fact that my CCC was fully replaced in the first month of ownership which I have been informed would have cost approx £4500 if not under warranty.
 
Thanks iwatchlive - very useful information and enough to finally convince me some sort of external unit is sadly the only sensible option.

After some research into the various dedicated units at the weekend, I'm going to try an Android app on my phone first and see how that works out. I downloaded one called CamerAlert yesterday (made by the people that run gpsworld, another site that shares speed camera information for a monthly subscription) and it seems to work really well based on a few local test routes. At 59p for the app, £20 for an annual database subscription and the cost of a dashboard mount and power cable for the phone it's likely to be a fair bit cheaper too!
 
The new iPhone Road Angel app works well on the iPhone too and their annual database subscription is slightly less at £17.99 pa or £1.79 per month.

The only niggle I have with the app is that the audio alerts currently stop the ipod playing. I've exchanged emails with the developers and they've plans sort that out and add more audio alert out options in the next release (e.g. send alerts via bluetooth, dock connector or iphone etc). That will be very useful for the way I'm using it.

Having said that I'd much rather have the safety camera database integrated into the on-board Sat Nav system!
 
Thoughts.........................................

We Brits are talking about an integrated speed camera system are we not.....no other country has 'chipped-in' here....
Take a short hop across those Dover Straits and..............
BINGO..........
VOILA..........
Avez vous un camera-de-vitesse-spotting-systeme mon ami?
Oui Monsieur Plod.
Pas de problem tosh, nous sera crushez votre automobile n-est-ce-pas.....
Au revoir et bon vacances...........

But seriously, maybe BMW makes it as difficult as possible to ensure market satisfaction?
Hell, what do I know?!)(*$ :headbang: :driving: :rofl:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom