Volvo Sat Nav (C30)

[niva441]

Hi all

My father has suggested to me that it would be a great idea if I gave him my V50 D4 so that I could upgrade to a C30 (all the space I need most of the time).

Ideally I'd just order the similar spec to my V50 SE Lux, however they have reshuffled the model specs, so that does quite work out. The Lux hasn't got the Xenons anymore and some other kit, but does have Sat Nav. I am right in thinking that the Sat Nav isn't much good, so I may as well stick to my year old Garmin, go with the SE spec (not bothered about leather) and keep the decent sized glove box?

Looking at the Sat Nav manual the display does seem a bit out of date. There is no mention of how many digit Postcode entry it accepts (6 or 7), neither does it mention being able to import points of interest. Am I right in thinking that as it isn't mentioned, it doesn't exist?

Thanks in advance.

Todd

p.s. apologies if this has been covered before, but the PH search function is operating at its usual efficiency.

Edited by niva441 on Friday 31st August 17:56

[FiF]

Sorry not sure which satnav system you are talking about.

Is it the portable garmin system fitted to the A pillar



This is basically just like any other Garmin though a bit expensive.

Or is it the integrated system standard on SE lux aka the RTI system?



If it is the latter then the menu system looks a bit clunky but tbh it works quite well.
I know the likes of Clarkson and co say it is the worst satnav in the world, but that isn't quite true. There are better however.

My last one was in a 58 plate V50, and that didn't take 7 digit postcodes, BUT I am less than enamoured of that facility and never use it on my current car nor the Garmin portable.

Also you are not able to upload Points of interest such as speed cameras, or if you have a big address book say like you can with some of the VAG satnavs, ie upload to a SD card and then into HDD. Volvo system doesn't allow that. I can't remember how many places it will allow you to key in. I never ran out of slots, but then I don't use a camera database.

imo the steering wheel controls, assuming it is the small "joystick toggle" behind the steering wheel spoke with the two buttons is the best system for a driver to control the satnav. However it prevents passengers from entering stuff for which you have a remote control.

I used these systems for work and private motoring for about 7 years, more or less all over Europe. The only time one got me seriously lost/confused was when Gothenburg road network around Nordstaden was in the process of being completely reworked, and the area on the south side of the river was basically just a massive area marked out only by cones, and the signs were all to blazes. In the end I called in a hotel, blagged a map and went the long way round to the ferry port using the Alvsborg suspension bridge as I just could not find the ramp onto the Halmar Brantingsgatan bridge. Other than that it was spot on, no strange routes.

The Garmin I have has a really nasty tendency to send you up really narrow twisties just to save 200m and 0.2 seconds on the journey.

[niva441]

Hi thanks for taking the time to answer, especially given how comprehensive an answer it is.

The system I'm referring to is the fully integrated, built in system. Although my current Garmin is the same as used with the windscreen mounted pillar system. I specced an SE, but with the features I wanted it ended up more expensive than the SE Lux.

I some ways I'm considering that after the initial included map updates I will look into removing the integrated system and seeing if I can replace the glovebox box with an equivalent system, but with cheaper updates that can still use the existing display screen, audio system input, GPS and traffic aerials.

I did asked Volvo and eventually after several emails asking the same question Volvo finally admitted that the system couldn't import POIs, which is a problem for all the locations I have stored as well as the cameras. Hopefully hotels and garages I use are included in their points of interest list. I'm wondering whether the points of interests on the update disc can be modified, however I haven't read of anyone successfully doing this on the internet.

I downloaded the Pocket GPS World android app during the week and I'm quite impressed with it, so that should cover the camera warnings. Apart from the POIs the other Garmin feature I will miss is the speed limit information, which I have got quite accustomed to, especially abroad as it converts the limits to MPH. However I may be able to find another app for that as the Pocket GPS World app only shows the limit around cameras.

[FiF]

tbh in 7 years of driving my cars over Europe and Scandinavia, there weren't many points of interest that were not in the database, garages, hotels, tourist attractions, some restaurants but not very comprehensive and all the usual stuff, eg train stations, ferry ports, parking, golf courses, rest areas, service areas, banks, I forget everything.

If you rely on a camera database I can see that is a pain, I don't use one so not an issue for me.

btw I never ran out of spaces to store destinations and waypoints that were sufficiently regularly used to warrant a memory store point of their own.

[niva441]

Thanks for the confirmation. Seems like I should be covered for hotels etc, but one of my first jobs will be manually transferring all my personal points of interest. Still it will give me practise in using the system, rather than attempting initial negotiations with it on the move.