$150K Mercedes fails to deliver decent GPS navigation system
Mar 6, 2007 gps navigation, reviews
The 510-horsepower Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG Roadster is one vehicle we (and most of our readers) can not afford. If you need a reason why you don’t own an SL55 we got one for you. The integrated GPS navigation system does not meet your standards. We found this review that pretty much says the GPS navigation system in SL55 AMG Roadster is worst than an after market sat nav system that costs $300 – $500.
The navigation system in this Benz SL55 is DVD-based. You need to keep your maps data on this DVD-ROM that is hidden in the trunk of this expensive vehicle. To get new maps you’ll have to buy it from Mercedes, about every year, and expect to spend about $250. This navigation system is hooked up to a 7″ screen that also is the interface for many other electronics in the car.
However the COMAND navigation software apparently is not using this large 7″ screen effectively. It continuously shows latitude and longitude which nobody cares about while looking for the next turn.
Mercedes has a large 7-inch canvas to work with, and I feel that they could provide much more information on the display. What little information is currently displayed is mostly of little value. Given the large size of the screen, there’s no reason why Mercedes couldn’t display:
- + and – Zoom buttons
- Time and distance to destination address
- Estimated arrival time
- Satellite signal reception bar
- Detailed street name of the next turn, and possibly the turn after that as well
One of the nice features of this navigation system is that its GPS speed sensor are connected to airbag accelerometers, providing map tracking even when the GPS can’t get satellite signal which is especially handy when driving through long tunnels. However the long list of CONS easily outweigh the few benefits of the COMAND navigation software that Mercedes engineers decided to install. The good news is most of the disadvantages (except non touch screen LCD) can easily be fixed by switching to another navigation system software provider.
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March 6th, 2007 at 8:36 am
AIUI, the nav in the SL is the same as the much cheaper SLK. It is far from perfect, but not as bad as this review might suggest. Things like the lat / long can be switched off in the preferences, and time and distance to destination can then be displayed. Your review is not as fair as one might expect – or hope!
July 25th, 2007 at 11:25 am
I agree with the review, my office is 12 miles from my house and the navigation system in my 2006 S model Mercedes can get me to the street my office is on, but not to the building number. And that’s not so bad since there is only four office buildings on the street. The problem arises when I attempt to find an office on Peachtree Street in Atlanta, GA which is approximately 30 miles long or longer. The system only give you a range of numbers and you have to find the one you are looking for while negotiating the traffic (irritating and dangerous). If you are looking for an address and the location is less than five years old, it is not even on the disk (Dec 2006 last update).
With all that said, I love my Mercedes, but hate the navigation system. I’ve purchased a $300.00 Garmin GPS for when I travel and it has successfully taken me directly to where I need to be both in the United States and Europe. But I’ve also purchased a $65,000 automobile that can’t get me from home to my office. What’s wrong with that picture?
I think the point of the article is “if Mercedes claims to make the finest automobiles on the road today, why in the world would they allow the engineers to equip their cars with such a substandard navigation system.
September 30th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
I agree with Tom.
I have a SLK 2007, and when I input a location, it doesn’t let me chose the street number that I need but only a range of numbers. This wouldn’t be that bad if I didn’t have to figure where to turn (left or right) when arriving to a intersection.
Solution? well… I just look (as I did) for a gas station and ask the clerk for directions. Silly!. I can’t believe that MB is installing this GPS!!!!!
My ML 2004 has a better GPS. Is technology going backwards?
November 27th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
I have an SL55 AMG and I am disapointed in the NAV system. I hope MB gets up to speed with Infinity’s system, the best I’ve seen out there.
January 13th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Can’t disagree with that. I own a 2006 slk and the GPS system is a piece of junk. It is worst than my Pharos PDR150 which cost me less than a hundred bugs.
I am very disappointed with Mercedes in this area when comparing to Japanese GPS system in Lexus, Acura…etc.
June 12th, 2008 at 1:55 am
I have just installed the software for the S 320 model 2002 and was very disappointed with the information provided, No details no exact addresses. For such expensive vehicle you would have expected first class accessories such as GPSs. I have switched to my Garmin which I purchased and fully satisfied with it’s detailed information.
August 16th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I have a 2006 SL 500 & a 2008 GL 450 The Nav on the SL is the worst I have ever used. Ever!!! GL Is not much better Though I do get to put exact address in that one. Mercedes is going to get its but kicked by the Japanese!! Just like GM & Ford did. They just collected the checks. Never made things better. Mercedes Navigation sucks BAD!!!! For a $1250,000 car I thought I would get first class.. But my Alpine nav in my truck. Is better than Mercedes!!!
August 24th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I agree that this navigation seems to be junk. I tried using the 06 SLK navigation and it is trying to take me the longest way possible rather than freeways. I haven’t looked at it to much, but hopefully there is a option such as my Magellan where you can select Use Most Use of Freeways or Shortest Time rather than trying to go 22 miles on some long backroad in the middle of the woods.
October 21st, 2008 at 3:48 am
Well, it is 2008 and the navigation system along with it’s other electronic features has not improved- Firstly the blue tooth was a nightmare to pair up and each time the phone needs recharging it needs to be re configured.
Secondly, I sell Real Estate and not only foed not get me to where I am going, it can not find my office or home. The navigation system sends me to streets that can not be crossed, and brings me to the wrong side of a highway that has a concrete median. IN one instance it sends me to the wrong town. This is just not acceptable for such an expensive car. Thankfully the Real Estate market is slow and I do not need to make as many phone calls or show as many homes….because I wouldn’t beable to find the clients anyway..
October 21st, 2008 at 3:51 am
SO aggravated left typos inthe post. The important thing is that it did NOT get me to where I was going. Period.
December 6th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Actually, I have a 2008 SL550, and other than the fact that the DVD does not show the recent completion of some roads, I think it works great. Hasn’t screwed up once yet, and I have had SL class with Navigation since 2004. Like I said, the only problem I have is that the DVD is not completely up to date.