2021 R1250rt Navigation

[blaser1234]

Still playing with my cellphone, TFT, Connected Ride App and BMW U1 Com Hemet System trying to get everything paired and working despite the complexities, which all of you have probably gone through to one degree or another.

Regarding the BMW installed Navigation System, is it signifigantly superior to Waze, Google Maps, etc?? Love the display options on the TFT but really wonder overall is it a better or just different system to use from those who have been on road trips?
Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[gregp3]

Still playing with my cellphone, TFT, Connected Ride App and BMW U1 Com Hemet System trying to get everything paired and working despite the complexities, which all of you have probably gone through to one degree or another.

Regarding the BMW installed Navigation System, is it signifigantly superior to Waze, Google Maps, etc?? Love the display options on the TFT but really wonder overall is it a better or just different system to use from those who have been on road trips?
Thank you for your thoughts.

I've been trying to learn TFT app. I have no problem connecting it to phone and helmet. I don't like the screen projection. names of streets are so small as to be unreadable. A lot of detail on the phone app I downloaded doesn't appear on TFT screen. I don't like the fact that if you stop, when you restart bike you have to reconnect!

 

[blaser1234]

Thank you so much for your thoughts and taking the time out of your holiday. I have always believed simple is better. Regards, Andy

 

[mneblett]

I really wanted the TFT navigation to be great, so I wouldn't have to install a separate GPS.

I now have a Garmin XT2 on the dash.

The TFT nav concept is great, but the execution is very poor. Between the Rube Goldberg Bluetooth + WiFi linkage, a display that is unmodifiable when in split screen (e.g., can't zoom in or out), a full screen mode with *very* limited interaction ability, the need to use your cell phone to find and set a destination before the desired destination is visible in the TFT nav menu, the bad implementation of routing/waypoints in the Connected Ride app, the ... well, you get the idea. In real world practical use, the "system" is *far* too much of a faff to be useful.

Some people complain bitterly about the built-in navigation on the 2018+ Gold Wing (I have a 2021), but it's a far superior user experience. FWIW, my tolerance level is pretty high -- while not "great," I at least find the Wing nav to be serviceable/useful. But for me, the TFT nav continues to be a source of frustration.

Oh, and to answer your question, the TFT nav can't hold a candle to Waze, Google Maps, Apple Maps, etc. If you want to use one of these, you'll have to mount a phone or a Carpuride unit to the bike due to BMW's unwillingness to make Apple CarPlay available on the TFT.

 

[jandhumphreyme]

Contrarian I guess. I have two issues, first is the ability to control the volume of the SMH10R with the wonder wheel ain't happening, that's frustrating. Second is limited POI's, gas stations rest areas, restaurants, etc are not up to date, very inconvenient. My phone connects automatically, I can create and download .gpx routes easily, I don't need another $600 plus piece of hardware. Perfect, nope, but neither was the Garmin or TomTom Rider I had, but works fine for finding my way.

 

[PGlaves]

My favorite author/publisher is Rand McNally.

 

[blaser1234]

Thank you all. Although new to the TFT and Connected Ride App I have worked through most of it. So far you all have basically confirmed that although the BMW Navigation System is supplied; it appears it is really a poor substitute for use of the cellphone with available navigation online apps. Why BMW did not offer a way of integrating online nav. apps in conjunction with the TFT display is frankly beyond me. Thank you.
Andy

 

[zip50]

Andy, the main reason you might prefer the TFT with the BMW Ride app instead of a phone app is if you plan to do multi-point routing for a trip. I frequently program complex routes for my riding group that have 100 or more turns or points of interest. It is difficult to do that with Waze or Google. There are some phone apps that allow you to do it, but I prefer to program on Garmin Basecamp or GPX.Studio and then transfer to my on-bike GPS. I don't have the TFT on my R1250RT, so I use a Zumo XT. I have rented a few RT's with the TFT and found it somewhat lacking compared to my Zumo (less on-screen detail/waypoints), but I was able to lead a couple long complex trips using TFT's once I got the hang of it. Side note - Greg3P above said their TFT/app needed to be re-connected on restart. When I have been on trips in the past the reconnection was automatic.

 

[blaser1234]

Thank you very much for input. My nav is usually straight forward and simple. Usually point A to B with the exception of fuel and rest stops while traveling. I will give TFT a go and compare it to standard online navigation apps with cellphone. So far the BMW Navigation map seems less fully fleshed out than others. We will see. I paid for it; might as well go forward with some extended traveling to determine usefullness. Thank you. Andy

 

[tenequip]

I struggled with the TFT on my 2022 r1250rt for the first six months before I finally got everything working. Can’t control the volume on the handle bar, but I can adjust it with my Cardo head set. Now it works fairly well and I like the fact I can enter my routes on my phone the night before.
Tenequip

 

[strataj]

I struggled with the TFT on my 2022 r1250rt for the first six months before I finally got everything working. Can’t control the volume on the handle bar, but I can adjust it with my Cardo head set. Now it works fairly well and I like the fact I can enter my routes on my phone the night before.
Tenequip

The Sena 50 series does work with the WonderWheel to control the volume. Not to take this in a different direction but if you ride with others and communicate, mesh is the only way to go, you should all have the same brand of communicator.

 

[blaser1234]

Thank you for another perspective. BMW U1 Com kit operating well with cellphone. Test on TFT/Nav function next. Will also be looking forward to volume on BMW headset at freeway speeds. Previous Cardo system didn't make the grade on volume sufficient to overcome road noise. At worst earbuds and cellphone do the trick.
Hopefully U1 Com with TFT wonder wheel volume will work. We will see!!

 

[strataj]

Thank you for another perspective. BMW U1 Com kit operating well with cellphone. Test on TFT/Nav function next. Will also be looking forward to volume on BMW headset at freeway speeds. Previous Cardo system didn't make the grade on volume sufficient to overcome road noise. At worst earbuds and cellphone do the trick.
Hopefully U1 Com with TFT wonder wheel volume will work. We will see!!

Your problem with the speakers in the helmet could be they aren't in the correct location to lineup with your ear-canal. The speaker need to lineup perfectly or the sound level and quality are lost. I too had a problem, my solution is earbuds.

 

[blaser1234]

Location in my Shoei sort of dependent on placing speakers in provided speaker locations, which I did. Also built up with Cardo supplied pads. Improvement but still not as I had wished. Earbuds used with cellphone and all good. Will see if BMW headset better. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[advbrad]

Is there a way to get the area map to show on the tft without using it as navigation with a destination? In other words I just want to view an overall map view as I ride.

 

[mneblett]

When the BMW nav is working, I usually ride with the map on with no destination.

Once your phone is connected to the bike (bluetooth and wifi), start map mode. The map will show up in both the full-screen map view and in the off-on-the-right-side portion of the TFT (IIRC, at the main TFT screen with the speedo and rpm bar, right push the MultiController wheel to see the trip computer, again to see the second trip computer, and again to see the map. (If you desire, you can then push yet again to get to the media playback view.)

 

[advbrad]

When the BMW nav is working, I usually ride with the map on with no destination.

Once your phone is connected to the bike (bluetooth and wifi), start map mode. The map will show up in both the full-screen map view and in the off-on-the-right-side portion of the TFT (IIRC, at the main TFT screen with the speedo and rpm bar, right push the MultiController wheel to see the trip computer, again to see the second trip computer, and again to see the map. (If you desire, you can then push yet again to get to the media playback view.)

Thanks for the confirmation. I’m really struggling with getting the bike properly connected (and keeping my Cardo connected at the same time) The electronic tech of this bike have been a disappointment. I’ve given up trying to get Nav to work (I’ll use my XT) but I’ll keep working at trying to get a map view. Thanks again.

 

[mneblett]

Thanks for the confirmation. I’m really struggling with getting the bike properly connected (and keeping my Cardo connected at the same time) The electronic tech of this bike have been a disappointment. I’ve given up trying to get Nav to work (I’ll use my XT) but I’ll keep working at trying to get a map view. Thanks again.

I completely agree. I'm still persevering to try to get reliable service from it, but it has been so unreliable that it wasn't long before I mounted an XT2 over the dash.

 

[BrianAMcPhail]

here maybe this could help with connection, as well as explain a few things that come up often.. Attached.