Traffic Pro

May 17, 2004 Update
See:

www.MYTRAFFICPRO.com
for the latest information from the manufacturer.
John F Keller's How to enable Traffic Pro AUX
Casey's mystery Traffic Pro with Phatnoise
Phatbox interface for Phatnoise
Please note that there are only 3 BMW-Branded Traffic Pro Units in America that I know of, mine, Casey's and Ron Stygar's. BMW decided not to go forward with the oem Traffic Pro. :( The aftermarket Traffic Pro units are a little different. Only Ron Stygar and I have the CD Cables that work with the BMW I-BUS CD Changer. There is a CD Changer sold by Becker that works with the Traffic Pro, but it wont work with the oem prewiring so you would have to have a wire run from the cockpit to the trunk. If the Phatbox works then it doesn't really matter because a Phatnoise is probably superior to a CD changer anyway, but I haven't tried it. I also read that the aftermarket (Crutchfield) Traffic Pro's "red" color does not match the interior lighting in Z3s. I haven't seen this myself. If anyone has some more information to update this page, please email me.
My Traffic Pro is was installed by finding the reverse back up light pinout in the connector under the gearshift here:

and connecting with a wire tap. This way the Traffic Pro knows when you are traveling in reverse.the SSV will connect in the plug behind the radio. We chose to wire the antenna through the vents alongside the V1 wire and place the little black mushroom-shaped antenna in the middle of the dash- unobstructed for better contact with the satellite.

It is easy (blonde proof) to route the wires through the vents as we did with the V1 hardwire in the Book Of UNGO along the windshield, down where the A pillar meets the dash, into the side air vent, through the passage in the dash to the radio behind the center vents.
The Traffic Pro fits in just like the stock unit. Imho it looks better and the buttons are more ergonomically correct than the stock unit.

I think it looks superb, and I like this display!
If you want more info about Becker's Traffic Pro GPS/CD/Radio please check their site at:

For any technical questions, please post them to their new Message Board.
or Email US Traffic Pro Information Please!

ASK ME about HK Traffic Pro at HC!!! I GOT IT! (archive)

Posted by Rachel- HK Traffic Pro Beta Tester on August 14, 2001 at 22:51:52:

Just a quickie....

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.

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)
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)

More things to love about Traffic Pro Navigation

Posted by Rachel on August 16, 2001 at 14:19:00:

Getting to job interviews or looking at real estate properties...
Giving it to your kids for their cars so they will never be lost- and if they need help they can always tell you where they are

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)

Rachel: what's audio quality on HK TrafficPro? (archive)

Posted by Tim UK on August 17, 2001 at 02:39:38:

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

Rachel

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)

found their way to Traffic Pro since August 17, 2001

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