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A Few Observations

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the X6 (E71).
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Don Coffey
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A Few Observations

Post by Don Coffey » Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:01 pm

For anyone interested, I have some views with regards like for like functions that I have both on the X6 and my previous F10 as well as other points of interest, well to me  ::)

Cruise Control.  I find I'm using it more with the X but boy is it fiddly.  The F10 is all controlled via the multifunction steering wheel and very easy/intuitive.

Main beam Assist. On the F10 it's a button on the left stalk. Push once to activate, push again to disable...simples.  With the X I find it strange that to turn it off you in essence have to flash the main beam. 

The black instrument panel of the F10 was very nice and had a wealth of info if you so desired. 

I know that the F10 came into production two years after the X6 and congratulate BMW for always pushing forward with useful technology, and know the next incarnation of X5/6 will have these features and more.

Larger sat nav screen on the F10 was nice but soon got used to the Xs, although I must need an update sat nav disc as I'm not getting full colour or all the functions I had on he F10

With the F10 it has keyless start stop, but comfort access is an option, and one that I felt should have either been standard or encouraged by the dealers as it sort of spoils the point of keyless start stop if you still have to fish out the key to open the car, so having it with the X is wonderful. 

Comfort seats, yes they certainly are!  I could sit in these all day long and then some.  Just have to make sure the misses always uses her key and doesn't start adjusting my perfect seating position.

I've already waxed lyrical about he HUD and rightly so, oh so very very useful.  Even the wife, who's a bit of a techno phoebe likes it. 

So ask me where I'd rather be....X6 or F10.......you the answer to that.  8)

Don ( still in the sweet shop)
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Re: A Few Observations

Post by X5Sport » Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:07 pm

I still fail to understand why on earth BMW put the cruise control 'stick' into the X6 when the previous X models used buttons on the steering wheel!  Fiddly is definitely the term for it!

Is your nav set in 'Greyscale'?  You should have colour, 3D views, weather etc.  My map is certainly colour, but you can sekect greyscale or night mode.  Oh and the update is 3 DVDs and a licence key - or a Dealer download - both of which are expensive!.  The DVDs themselves are cheap, but the single use licence key isn't (you need it with either Dealer or DVD option).

Have you registered the Connected Drive access yet?  You need an Account set up to get some of the functions.  Your Dealer should have done that and told you the password/account name?

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Last edited by X5Sport on Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: A Few Observations

Post by Don Coffey » Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:16 pm

[quote="X5Sport"]
Is your nav set in 'Greyscale'?  You should have colour, weather etc.  my map is certainly colour.  Oh and the update is 3 DVDs and a licence key - or a Dealer download - both of which are expensive!.  The DVDs themselves are cheap, but the single use licence key isn't (you need it with either Dealer or DVD option).
[/quote]
There is a little colour but mostly greyscale.  I had asked the dealer if the car came with the latest software to which he replied 'yes', so will place a call to see what he has to say on the matter.

Don
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Re: A Few Observations

Post by X5Sport » Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:17 pm

It should have had a security patch and updates done very recently.  Sounds like your map may be in the wrong mode?  I think there's one that drops the map into greyscale and highlights trouble spots, but that is not the default mode.
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Re: A Few Observations

Post by Don Coffey » Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:24 pm

[quote="X5Sport"]
It should have had a security patch and updates done very recently.  Sounds like your map may be in the wrong mode?  I think there's one that drops the map into greyscale and highlights trouble spots, but that is not the default mode.
[/quote]
It has indeed had the security patch and therefore updates, not sure about the wrong mode?  Does this require some sort of deep penetration into the menus to resolve?  Any ideas how I can find out?

Don
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Re: A Few Observations

Post by Sanj » Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:38 pm

[quote="Don Coffey"]
Does this require some sort of deep penetration into the menus to resolve? 
[/quote]

RIGHT! The pair of you - take this offline with you and your new pink cars!  :spiteful:
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Re: A Few Observations

Post by Don Coffey » Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:44 pm

[quote="Sanj"]
[quote="Don Coffey"]
Does this require some sort of deep penetration into the menus to resolve? 
[/quote]

RIGHT! The pair of you - take this offline with you and your new pink cars!  :spiteful:
[/quote]

You're just colourist!  :P open up your mind!

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Re: A Few Observations

Post by X5Sport » Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:53 pm

It's all right Don, Sanj knows all about 'Grey' scale........rough and smooth.. >:D :))

It's in the system somewhere (and the book), but it's dark, p!ssing down and cold outside so I'm not looking 2nite..... :P

Richard
Last edited by X5Sport on Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: A Few Observations

Post by Spike » Wed Nov 21, 2012 10:03 pm

[quote="Sanj"]
[quote="Don Coffey"]
Does this require some sort of deep penetration into the menus to resolve? 
[/quote]

RIGHT! The pair of you - take this offline with you and your new pink cars!  :spiteful:
[/quote]

Nice one Sanj    :))

The easy way to check the colour is to call up the RTTI traffic option on the nav abd take a look at some of the warnings. The map should show these in green, red, etc.

On a similar subject, why when it's dark does my nav screen still light up the cabin like a 60W light bulb? I have the night colours ticked in the settings menu but it is still very bright and in what I would consider to be daytime colours. Oddly though the nav must know it's night as the motorway lane exit graphic shows stars in the sky!  :blink:  In my Audi the map backgroung went black at night.
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Re: A Few Observations

Post by squeaky2 » Wed Nov 21, 2012 10:20 pm

[quote="X5Sport"]
I still fail to understand why on earth BMW put the cruise control 'stick' into the X6 when the previous X models used buttons on the steering wheel!  Fiddly is definitely the term for it!

[/quote]

I actually dont mind the cruise control.  Works well with the HUD and I quite like being able to increase the speed in 5mph increments......good when getting away from tolls.......get it above 30mph and keep taping till you get to the desired speed....all very lazy really  ;)

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Re: A Few Observations

Post by Sanj » Wed Nov 21, 2012 10:21 pm

[quote="X5Sport"]
Sanj knows all about 'Grey' scale........rough and smooth.. >:D :))
[/quote]

Grrrrr... Grey scale almost shiny!
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Re: A Few Observations

Post by MJim » Wed Nov 21, 2012 10:31 pm

[quote="Don Coffey"]
[quote="X5Sport"]
Is your nav set in 'Greyscale'?  You should have colour, weather etc.  my map is certainly colour.  Oh and the update is 3 DVDs and a licence key - or a Dealer download - both of which are expensive!.  The DVDs themselves are cheap, but the single use licence key isn't (you need it with either Dealer or DVD option).
[/quote]
There is a little colour but mostly greyscale.  I had asked the dealer if the car came with the latest software to which he replied 'yes', so will place a call to see what he has to say on the matter.

Don
[/quote]

Have you checked that it's not in night mode? It's a setting buried in the sat nav menu - keep clicking the I drive controller over to the right and when as far over as can go then scroll (from memory) and should be there. Deselect night view and should get full colour.

It's slightly annoying that the car doesn't detect when it's dark by itself (which my old £100 tomtom one does).
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Re: A Few Observations

Post by pvr » Wed Nov 21, 2012 10:37 pm

Yes, rather blinding at night.

I do like the cruise better than the steering wheel controls and like the green light that shoots up along the speedo to the indicated speed. Also like the MPH for the cruise that appears on the dash so you know when you resume to what speed you will be going to.
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Re: A Few Observations

Post by Don Coffey » Thu Nov 22, 2012 4:57 am

[quote="pvr"]
Yes, rather blinding at night.

I do like the cruise better than the steering wheel controls and like the green light that shoots up along the speedo to the indicated speed. Also like the MPH for the cruise that appears on the dash so you know when you resume to what speed you will be going to.
[/quote]
Yes these features are good, just the stalk is fiddly compared to the F10. While punching up the speed a few mph I've flashed on coming motorists and indicated when intending to knock off the cruise control, oh and a couple of times I've hit the rest button and nothing has happened only to realise I was flicking through the obc!  Yes I know I've been using the wrong stalk and will soon get the muscle memory sorted, but so much easier when placed on the steering wheel.

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Re: A Few Observations

Post by Don Coffey » Thu Nov 22, 2012 5:00 am

[quote="MJim"]
[quote="Don Coffey"]
[quote="X5Sport"]
Is your nav set in 'Greyscale'?  You should have colour, weather etc.  my map is certainly colour.  Oh and the update is 3 DVDs and a licence key - or a Dealer download - both of which are expensive!.  The DVDs themselves are cheap, but the single use licence key isn't (you need it with either Dealer or DVD option).
[/quote]
There is a little colour but mostly greyscale.  I had asked the dealer if the car came with the latest software to which he replied 'yes', so will place a call to see what he has to say on the matter.

Don
[/quote]

Have you checked that it's not in night mode? It's a setting buried in the sat nav menu - keep clicking the I drive controller over to the right and when as far over as can go then scroll (from memory) and should be there. Deselect night view and should get full colour.

It's slightly annoying that the car doesn't detect when it's dark by itself (which my old £100 tomtom one does).
[/quote]
I'll look into this option and now it's been mentioned, the screen is very bright compared to last car which did automatically switch to night mode.

Don
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