2021 Nav system alternate.

Having problems with the BMW Navigator V VI or the TFT display?
User avatar
donmarco
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2018 3:07 am

2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by donmarco »

Being really tired and frustrated with the nav system on the RT awaiting for it to activate on the TFT screen, I've come upon two methods to get better performance. 


The first is when it's trying to connect, exit the screen and immediately go back to connect.  It connects almost immediately.


The second is to eliminate using the cheesy nav and switch to a nav unit, e.g., Garmin 6.  The BMW system is cell phone driven and if you lose cell coverage, so goes the nav.  Obviously a real asset when exploring out of the way areas.  If the RT was ordered with GS bars, it appears that a GS nav system mount can be attached and hardwired to the motorcycle thus eliminating the frustration of dealing with the BMW system.  Phone, helmet . . . can all be added to the Garmin unit and since it's satellite driven, there should be no loss of coverage. The TFT can now be full speedo, or speedo and computer or speedo and whatever you like.  I'll be going this direction at the next service. If you don't have the GS bars, I think you could be out of luck on where to attach the Garmin.
User avatar
michaelc2710
Posts: 516
Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2017 11:31 pm
Location: Greater Manchester
Has liked: 6 times
Been liked: 22 times
Great Britain

Re: 2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by michaelc2710 »

Hi, If you are using a Iphone you may find that is the problem.
I've toured Europe a few times and the only time the screen goes off is when you don't have the full maps downloaded (as I found out in Spain) but if you have the full updated maps normally you won't loose the screen even if you have no phone signal.
For example we rode over some remote moor lands and we couldn't fine an area to stop and make a call due to no coverage but the TFT screen and maps never what off.


I have both an RT with TFT which works perfect and an S1000XR with the cradle, the phone and connect app works perfect on that as well.


My GS riding buddy had problems with his cradle until he changed his phone and now he's more than happy with the Connect App, neither of us would go back to a Nav6.


It's worth trying different phone options or setups before going back to a Nav.


Hope you sort it soon.
dpickens
Posts: 25
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2021 3:01 am

Re: 2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by dpickens »

There are a few options for mounting a Zumo XT or other GPS:


1 - Use a RAM mount via a Telferizer mount ([size=78%]http://www.telferizer.com/[/size])


2 - Use a RAM mount via GS/GSA mirror mount (left or right)
      Pipe Clamp Left - BMW-Motorrad (32728534366)
      Pipe Clamp Right - BMW-Motorrad (32728548506)


3 - FMS Accessories mount for above TFT ([size=78%]https://www.fmsaccessories.com/bmw-navigator-mount-2021-tft[/size])

Marvin2Shoes
Posts: 117
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2022 2:50 am
Location: Queensland, Australia
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT 2011 MOD
Has liked: 76 times
Been liked: 17 times
Australia

Re: 2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by Marvin2Shoes »

Install a quad lock and simply use Google Maps... Costs about AU$115 including new phone case, so about 60 quid I'd imagine (unsure of exchange rate there after recent Liz issues).
20221024_092008.jpg
20221024_092008.jpg (255.92 KiB) Viewed 1814 times
2011 R1200RT Highly Modified
User avatar
Arek
Posts: 128
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2019 12:11 pm
Location: Oxfordshire
Has liked: 5 times
Been liked: 7 times
Contact:
Great Britain

Re: 2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by Arek »

donmarco wrote: Wed Jul 27, 2022 10:55 pm The BMW system is cell phone driven and if you lose cell coverage, so goes the nav.
Not really. it is on the phone, however all maps you want to use have to be downloaded onto phone. That means it is more like TT or Garmin rather than Google.
If your phone see satelites it will be working. This same way like dedicated sat nav system.
Yes, I agree it is sometimes clunky and slow connect to dashboard. But instead of spent another money on SatNav and mounting I just switch ignition ON, and then start putting on helmet and gloves. When I'm ready, the nav is ready too. From my point of view it is not old style 24h Le Mans where drivers run to the bikes/ cars and start them there. I definitely have a time for myself when I'm riding. That minute or two will not make any difference.

On the plus side, having BMW Connected Nav and MRA on this same phone is so easy to plan and change route in MRA, then export GPX immediatelly to Connected. Done that many times on the road.
Excellence
Posts: 66
Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2022 8:19 am
Location: Aberdeenshire
Bike Model and Year: R1250RT 2021
Has liked: 25 times
Been liked: 29 times
Great Britain

Re: 2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by Excellence »

This is my solution to a GPS mount for my Zumo590.
Having totally sorted this, my phone and the bike started talking to one another fluently at last but I'll keep the solution in place anyway. The unit rests atop the AV pads on the top of the tft and puts the GPS in my eyeline beautifully. The (lockable) ram base is held ultra securely by 3M VHB adhesive tape and the bolt heads are dummies to hopefully deter any wee oik who wants a freebie off the bike - so no drilling and the tape never leaves a mark. I've used VHB for donkey's years and it's never let go even with a brick like camera on it at ridiculous speeds but I still use a tether just in case! The setup renders zero bounce/movement in the GPS and it doesn't seem to be stressing the tft either.
Attachments
C2DC6486-AC5F-4551-9A47-6889F4EB93BB.jpeg
C2DC6486-AC5F-4551-9A47-6889F4EB93BB.jpeg (631.6 KiB) Viewed 1757 times
37CAEE87-B2CD-42AA-BB02-C533A62499C6.jpeg
37CAEE87-B2CD-42AA-BB02-C533A62499C6.jpeg (445.14 KiB) Viewed 1757 times
yorkie
Posts: 45
Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2021 4:29 pm
Has liked: 1 time
Been liked: 13 times
Great Britain

Re: 2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by yorkie »

@Excellence
Try getting your TFT software updated, you may find things run a lot better.
Excellence
Posts: 66
Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2022 8:19 am
Location: Aberdeenshire
Bike Model and Year: R1250RT 2021
Has liked: 25 times
Been liked: 29 times
Great Britain

Re: 2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by Excellence »

Hi
As I say, the bike and the phone are working together just lovely now but I'll keep the Zumo mount up there anyway. Getting a decent service from Motörrad up in Aberdeen is a bit of a challenge anyway. A couple of mates with K16s have had to ring and ring and ring to speak to someone about servicing after up to a couple of weeks with no call back as they were promised. I rang about 10 days ago about a software update (which I told them I was more than willing to pay for) and I've still not had the promised call back about it. I guess I'll be taking the bike to Edinburgh or anywhere other than Aberdeen for anything I need!! I have to say that John Clark as Motorrad are a bit rubbish! The bike however remains a superlative performer.
Blackrat
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2020 10:53 am
Great Britain

Re: 2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by Blackrat »

I have mounted a zumo xt above the tft, same as your 590. I get interference from the tft which results in loss of GPS signal. Is this a problem with the 590? It seems the loss of signal is a common problem and I'm looking for a way to minimise it.

Gary
Excellence
Posts: 66
Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2022 8:19 am
Location: Aberdeenshire
Bike Model and Year: R1250RT 2021
Has liked: 25 times
Been liked: 29 times
Great Britain

Re: 2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by Excellence »

You might have touched on something there!
It takes ages for the unit to acquire signals when it's mounted on the bike and yet when I slip it off for a second it suddenly gets the signal no problem.
While I'm riding it often loses the signals for them to return a couple of minutes later.
I'm wondering where any interference might be coming from and how I can stop it. Don't really want to put one of these on the tft!
Don't really want to move the unit as that would take it out of my eyeline.
If you think of a solution would you let me know please?
Attachments
2D454A16-DA7B-4F8A-A0E5-6AA57369383E.jpeg
2D454A16-DA7B-4F8A-A0E5-6AA57369383E.jpeg (43.78 KiB) Viewed 1706 times
Blackrat
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2020 10:53 am
Great Britain

Re: 2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by Blackrat »

There is a company in the states that makes an RF shield which would fit the sat nav mount above the tft. However, despite two emails I've not had a reply asking if they ship over here. Still looking for a solution, but in the meantime I have a ram mount on the handlebar assembly replacing the bmw logo. Not as good as above the tft but acceptable as it's only used as a back up.

Gary
User avatar
sakm
Administrator
Posts: 1297
Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:13 pm
Location: Hull, UK
Bike Model and Year: 2016 R1200RT
Has liked: 433 times
Been liked: 388 times
Great Britain

Re: 2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by sakm »

For those having issues do you have keyless ignition?
Excellence
Posts: 66
Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2022 8:19 am
Location: Aberdeenshire
Bike Model and Year: R1250RT 2021
Has liked: 25 times
Been liked: 29 times
Great Britain

Re: 2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by Excellence »

Yes I have keyless. I'm going to search for that shielding firm.
User avatar
David.
Subscriber
Posts: 8006
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:29 pm
Location: North Yorkshire
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT (Camhead) 2012
Been liked: 332 times
Great Britain

Re: 2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by David. »

Excellence wrote: Thu Nov 24, 2022 3:40 pmI'm going to search for that shielding firm.
Could it be FMS accessories, search for BMW Navigator GPS RFI Shield.
Last edited by David. on Thu Nov 24, 2022 4:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
sakm
Administrator
Posts: 1297
Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:13 pm
Location: Hull, UK
Bike Model and Year: 2016 R1200RT
Has liked: 433 times
Been liked: 388 times
Great Britain

Re: 2021 Nav system alternate.

Post by sakm »

Excellence wrote: Thu Nov 24, 2022 3:40 pm Yes I have keyless. I'm going to search for that shielding firm.
Then you need to go careful on how you shield I otherwise key may well not be picked up

You will need something to stop RFID I believe

Something like this might be worth a punt for testing purposes
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264603462216 ... media=COPY
Post Reply