(posted from: 66-108-7-56.nyc.rr.com (66.108.7.56))

This is the navigations system/radio/CD unit that is now offered in Europe- *not in the US* by BMW for our cars. It rocks. It's like having a friend who knows the way sitting beside you. It uses SSV... so you still get the adjustment on the volume... it's an easy install... even the lights match the interior lights.

It's EASY to program... remembers many locations... you can go out and ride wherever the roads lead you... then when you decide to come home... you just tell it you want to go home and it will take you... you can specify what kind of roads you want to take...
You can meet anyone for dinner anywhere and not ask directions
and when you are leaving you don't have to ask directions home...
It talks to you. Nicely.
It shows you also graphically.
The controls are intuitive.

I haven't even opened the manual yet (OK once) and I still have set 3 locations... it's Blonde proof.

It looks GREAT!

Now the bad news... you can't buy it. You can't get one overseas and install it. The one I have is a specially modifed European version that I am beta testing. Maybe maybe maybe if we want it and we let BMW NA know in a NICE way (Hello- a NICE way) maybe maybe maybe they would see it as a good idea. It costs somewhere between $1500 and $2000 overseas... no idea what the price would be here. You can't use the BMW oem CD changer with it... or any CD changer AFAIK.

The whole United States is on two CDs...

All I can tell you is that this thing ROCKS.

I was following directions and saw a very deep large puddle in front of me... cars were up to their bumpers in it.

Not for me and my CAI... so I turned away from where it told me. No problem. It just gave me driections from where I turned.

I pulled over to put my roof up in a down pour. When I started again it picked up where it left off.

MUCH MUCH MUCH THANKS HAS to go to "Q"- Harvster. Once again he knew more than anyone about the wiring of these cars. More on that later. MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH THANKS HAS to do to "M"... which is my new name for TimUK. Without him, none of the would happen.

The folks at Harman Kardon are proud as hens about this gadget... and they have every right to be. I am grateful they allowed me to beta test the unit.

I will post more when I know more and when I can, I am on the road for the next two days.

Look for me at HC, I'd love to show you how well it works.

It frikin rocks.

See this article on MZ3.net for more info to explain.

OK... meanwhile, I need a little help... I managed to muck up my lights while poking around doing the install.

My dome light/footwell lights aren't working (could I have just disconnected the wires when I replaced the a pillar?) and my driver's side marker lights are out (that is the orange light in the headlight and the rectangular light below it in the bumper.

There also was a connector in the trunk that wasn't plugged in to anything, but none of us remembered disconnecting it so we left it.

Please don't misunderstand... it's not that installing the unit would muck up people's wiring... we figured that out AFTER we had taken apart the trunk that we didn't have to, there IS a connector in the gear shift with a pin to the back up lights, and there is a pin for the SSV.

Anyone know the quick and dirty of why these lights would be out so I could plug them back in????

Follow Ups:

• Re: ASK ME about HK Traffic Pro at HC!!! I GOT IT! Ron 19:40 8/15/2001 (1)
  • hope abounds :) nt Rachel 19:57 8/15/2001 (0)
• Re: ASK ME about HK Traffic Pro at HC!!! I GOT IT! ZWHZ 16:20 8/15/2001 (1)
  • they changed their minds... Rachel 19:56 8/15/2001 (0)
• Very, very COOL!! mario 15:17 8/15/2001 (0)
• No map though, that's bad Phil 11:29 8/15/2001 (3)
  • one man's map is anothers'.... Rachel 19:54 8/15/2001 (0)
  • Think map could be dangerous Tim UK 14:00 8/15/2001 (1)
• Best fun in a car with your clothes on Tim UK 00:56 8/15/2001 (2)
  • removes the last shred of stress Rachel 08:10 8/15/2001 (0)
  • coupla sneak pics... Rachel 07:41 8/15/2001 (0)
• Lft taillite out too? Try replacing 10A fuse F33 Ron Stygar 00:54 8/15/2001 (3)
  • Bingo. (the left tail light must be Hanukah) Rachel 15:29 8/15/2001 (1)
    • See Ron Stygar 22:44 8/15/2001 (0)
  • Many thanks- taillights are lit, will check fuses (more and pics) Rachel 07:36 8/15/2001 (0)
• Kewl! So - 2 CDs for the US - who made the maps? 23:01 8/14/2001 (3)
  • Mapping software Tim UK 08:14 8/15/2001 (2)

(posted from: 66-108-7-56.nyc.rr.com (66.108.7.56))

I just used to to travel in Manhattan- it worked like a charm.

Follow Ups:

• Sounds like it needs a real challenge... DaveR 17:21 8/16/2001 (2)
  • oh yeah- and the MUSIC sounds better too! Rachel 17:33 8/16/2001 (1)
    • So it eclipse the Eclipse? :) (m) Rippy 03:55 8/17/2001 (0)

(posted from: userau37.uk.uudial.com (62.188.137.239))

I have the BMW business radio/CD in the Z3 with standard speaker set-up. I stick a CD in Irene's Mercedes-badged TrafficPro and hear tones that just aren't there with my setup.

So I am thinking, should I upgrade my standard speaker set-up when I get the Traffic Pro installed.

What was your previous head unit and how does the TrafficPro audio quality compare with it? What's your speaker setup?

Tim

Follow Ups:

• Awesome- far better than stock or the Eclipse unit Rachel 10:12 8/17/2001 (0)