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      01-08-2012, 06:04 PM   #1
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Polling Interest - Dynavin aftermarket navigation/etc unit

Hey all,

This is in no way anything official. I am starting this thread as a feeler for how many Z4 owners might be interested in an aftermarket NAV unit for the cars in an effort to see if we could approach Dynavin about adapting one of their platforms into a package for the E85/6.

Dynavin is a foriegn company that has been making OE *like* NAV units for a few different BMW platforms, along with Audi, VW, etc.

The units are funtional, cost effective but may not be the best unit on the market. The real thing that makes them work in how they are intergrated and their appeal of looking OE and not cheap aftermarket.

I tried two different versions on my old E46 and was very happy with the product, for the price. The first one I bough is almost two years old and a local E46 owner is still using it. The second sold with the car and the owner is still using it without problems.

So, moving on to examples and such.

Here is the unit for the 1 Series. I like how it is worked into the center vents, since that is easy to undo and wouldn't involve cutting the dash.







Here is one from the X3, which I think is nice since it can be folded down, but it would naturally require one that doesn't have factory NAV to cut a hole in the dash...which I think would shy away too many folks.




To give a general idea of features they are able to provide, prices, etc, consult the BEST place to get them for their currently offered platforms, Jeff at Dynavin Solutions (genuinely the only place I'd purchase in the states).

http://jandtdistributing.com/dynavinsolutions/

They have Window based units, Andriod units, they are customizable and all...really fun units for those who appreciate an easy install, an OE like visual approach and a cost effective unit (as prices are typically $700-$800 versus thousands and many hours for the OE NAV install).

For those wanting the best of the best, then I'll be the first to tell you these are probably not going to be the answer for you.

So, the question of the thread is, would folks here be interested in a unit like those examples shown? I've already put in an email to Jeff to ask his thoughts on the matter.

Please comment on what style you prefer, anything you'd like to see in a unit and if you'd potentially be interested in such a unit if we can talk them into producing something.
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      01-08-2012, 06:45 PM   #2
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If there was one that fit my Z4 I would go for it!
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      01-08-2012, 07:02 PM   #3
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If your looking for more support, the E83 X3 uses the same radio as the Z4
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      01-08-2012, 07:28 PM   #4
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I'd buy one in a second if they came out with it. I'd prefer the one that folds down since I have a built-in Nav unit already but not a deal breaker. I just want a more updated unit with better graphics and integration with today's smartphones.
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      01-08-2012, 07:47 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bhoch View Post
If there was one that fit my Z4 I would go for it!
Which do you prefer, the AC vent mounted unit or one that folds into the dash?

Quote:
Originally Posted by psygnosis View Post
If your looking for more support, the E83 X3 uses the same radio as the Z4
This might be really handy. I wonder if the dash portion could be mounted into the Z4 and be plug and play. I might have to track down a junk dash...

Quote:
Originally Posted by BaldTyres View Post
I'd buy one in a second if they came out with it. I'd prefer the one that folds down since I have a built-in Nav unit already but not a deal breaker. I just want a more updated unit with better graphics and integration with today's smartphones.
Thanks for the feedback.

From the updates I saw over my time following the E46 unit, they did a good job of trying to take feedback and make the setup the best it could be (with a big help on Jeffs part).

The real beauty of it is that it's all open format and if you're a tech savvy guy, you can really make the unit EXACTLY what you want it to be (there is even forums dedicated to the coding and customization of the interface).

I'm a good bit out of the loop on those types of things, so I'd be content with simply using it as is.

My hope is to get enough talk of interest here so we can approach Dynavin about adapting a product to the E85/6 platform for us.
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      01-08-2012, 08:25 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jmanscotch View Post
The real beauty of it is that it's all open format and if you're a tech savvy guy, you can really make the unit EXACTLY what you want it to be (there is even forums dedicated to the coding and customization of the interface).
Nice! I'd love to be able to customize it, too. This is getting better and better.
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      01-08-2012, 09:12 PM   #7
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"Which do you prefer, the AC vent mounted unit or one that folds into the dash?"

Definitely one that folds into the dash as a replacement for the factory Nav

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      01-08-2012, 09:52 PM   #8
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+1 on factory replacement
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      01-09-2012, 07:27 AM   #9
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Interesting, I was figuring more would go for the vent mounted unit. Seems there maybe a decent amount of folk not happy with the factory NAV.

Keep the comments coming though, the more input/interest we get the better chance we have at getting something to develop out of this.
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      01-09-2012, 07:53 AM   #10
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I'm not happy with the OEM nav unit and may be interested in replacing it.
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      01-09-2012, 08:08 AM   #11
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I would prefer the vent mounted one, as I currently do not have the one that folds into the dash.
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      01-09-2012, 09:35 PM   #12
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I'd be interested in a replacement for the factory nav. Even after getting an upgrade disc from bmwnav.net, the nav is still very dated--especially compared to my wife's '10 Audi Q5 or even my RS4. It's the only thing that detracts from the driving experience.
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      01-10-2012, 12:27 AM   #13
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my car does not have nav, so I think I would go with the vend mounted one.
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      01-10-2012, 09:37 AM   #14
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I'll take one with vented display...currently no NAV
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      01-11-2012, 05:13 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 45ACP View Post
I'm not happy with the OEM nav unit and may be interested in replacing it.
+1!!!

A folding replacement for the factory nav would be huge!
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      01-11-2012, 06:08 PM   #16
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Received an email back from Jeff at Dynavin Solutions. He noted he wasn't aware of any current plans for the Z4 platform, but that Dynavin was working on expanding their products., which means, "Who knows".

That said, we'll let the responses add up some here and see if we can get catch their attention and get them to feed us something!
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      01-11-2012, 09:22 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msh441 View Post
+1!!!

A folding replacement for the factory nav would be huge!
Or, just find something to connect to the display.
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      01-11-2012, 10:07 PM   #18
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I'd be interested in one. Especially if it also worked as a display for your audio system.
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      01-22-2012, 12:18 AM   #19
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I'd buy one of the integrated vent units the moment it becomes available! Keep us updated on what they say. I've been a fan of their stuff since they came out with the e46 stuff.
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      01-24-2012, 09:13 PM   #20
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As a previous owner of the e46 unit, I'd definitely be interested if they came out with a nav replacement unit.

When I was looking for my M, nav was a must-have but I'm regretting it now. Wish I'd gone for the non-nav unit now since the interface is soooo dated!

Honetly though, I'm not sure if there's a big enough market of our superseded Zs for dynavin to make us a priority :-(
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      01-25-2012, 06:57 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IWantAnE92 View Post
Honetly though, I'm not sure if there's a big enough market of our superseded Zs for dynavin to make us a priority :-(
The thought crossed my mind as well, but considering they have a unit for the X3, I'd think we could match that much of a consumer market.

They have the software and basic worked out, it wouldn't cost them that much to develop a new housing and wiring set to integrate it into the Z (considering the wiring should mimic the E46 platform, atleast on early models).
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      01-25-2012, 09:00 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jmanscotch View Post
The thought crossed my mind as well, but considering they have a unit for the X3, I'd think we could match that much of a consumer market.

They have the software and basic worked out, it wouldn't cost them that much to develop a new housing and wiring set to integrate it into the Z (considering the wiring should mimic the E46 platform, atleast on early models).
True about the SW. The diff with the x3 however is that it's a current model. And the E46 has been superseded but look at how many e46s are out there!

I just hope i'm wrong as I would love to be able to upgrade my nav!
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