I recently ordered a Cayman S with pcm. I understand there is a map data base in it, but where is the gps receiver? Other cars, specifically BMW 5 and 7 series had gps receivers on the roof. Does anyone else have feedback on the pcm screeen and its effectiveness or operation?
I believe the GPS antenna is on the dash center line near the windshield in my Boxster S. I have used the Nav and it tracked well. The manual says it needs some time (miles) to calibrate. I have driven thousands of miles with a Delorme GPS unit on my dash connected to a laptop. It also worked well.
Ruby
I have been using the NAV system a lot in the week I've had my car and it's pretty accurate. I must say though that the NAV system in my '03 Mini Cooper S was quite a bit more accurate and easier to use.Not that the Cayman system is hard by any means, but one can input into tthe BMW system while driving ( I know, I know. . .) and I won't try that in the Cayman. Also, the BMW system always put me right in front of the address I loaded. I mean in front on the correct side of the street and with a comforting congratulatory 'you have arrived' confirmation. (Also good for the ego.) The Porsche system is not that accurate. It get me within 50 feet or so of the target, but it does not distinguish from one side of the street from the other. All in all, I like the BMW system better, but the Porsche system is okay. If the BMW system is a 10, the Porsche system is a 7. One cool thing about the Porsche system is that you can change languages (is you want to practice your french, etc.) and you can pick between American or English accented male or female voices. I picked the female brit voice since it imparts a sort of Bond, James Bond flavor to the experience.
You can change destinations in the Cayman Nav as well. My wife and I found the Mini S Nav system unintuitive. She hasn't tried our Nav system yet (only during the test drive) so I await her opinion. Also, the Nav in my friends Mini S requires switching disks when traveling to West Virginia from Maryland.
Ruby
Here is my wife's opinion on the Nav system; she is the Nav expert in our family. (1) The PCM Nav is adequate but not as good as the one in our MDX. (2) Much better than our friend's 3 year old Mini Cooper S. Friend's Mini was frustrating because "cancel" required scrolling to a command vs. PCM button. (3) About even with the one in our Subaru. The Subi's interface is very good but you can't make changes while driving including voice on/off and volume! PCM wish list: (1) Display the name of the current road on the map at all times (even when not being routed.) (It is in the pictograph display when being routed.) (2) Provide a "Go Home" button for convenience. (3) Provide a way to organize stored destinations by user or something like that. (4) Give the name of the street to turn on instead of just turn in 100 yards.
We found the accuracy good but as Gene said, it doesn't indicate which side of the street as other Nav systems do.
As the driver, I really like that the routing pictographs are displayed on the dash. You don't have to look at the PCM display. My bottom line is that the Nav system is quite workable.
Ruby
