[RNorb]

iDrive 9 requires an internet connection to access Navigation maps. Is their a way to download maps for areas where there is no internet connection?

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by RNorb

iDrive 9 requires an internet connection to access Navigation maps. Is their a way to download maps for areas where there is no internet connection?

what if you use the off line maps with Google Maps?

[RNorb]

Originally Posted by tex2670

what if you use the off line maps with Google Maps?

That would work but I can't believe BMW doesn't have a way to access their Navigation maps without an internet connection!

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by RNorb

That would work but I can't believe BMW doesn't have a way to access their Navigation maps without an internet connection!

I've never heard of this feature for an in-car OEM nav system

[metapod]

Originally Posted by tex2670

I've never heard of this feature for an in-car OEM nav system

Usually in car nav has preloaded maps? (That never get updated very often)

I guess newer cars got rid of that concept?

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by metapod

Usually in car nav has preloaded maps? (That never get updated very often)

I guess newer cars got rid of that concept?

Preloaded maps? Like when nav systems used to be DVD based?

Even back then, you needed a GPS signal to know your precise location, although the car could do some level of dead reckoning if the signal was weak....

[rocketman99]

Are you serious? That's not an ideal solution. Especially say, where I live where I can easily take a road trip to somewhere where my phone or car wont have a cell signal while ON THE ROAD.

[metapod]

I assumed idrive 8 maps would work offline because it prompted me to download a map update OTA once.

My old F30 did the update over USB, not DVD.

Using offline Google maps works well in general though. If I'm going on a road trip to Canada or something I always preload them.

[rocketman99]

Maps have been offline in every other BMW I've had. Seems really odd if that's truly not the case now.

[MontyB1]

All the maps are offline you don’t need an internet connection to access them, however the advanced features such as live track you do need an internet connection.

[RNorb]

As far as I can tell, iDrive 9 does not have any downloaded maps...its all cloud based. No internet, no BMW navigation.

[Fahren German]

Here’s what BMW says:

Does my BMW with BMW Operating System 9 require a continuous Internet connection?

Yes. To use the full range of functions of BMW iDrive with Operating System 9, such as cloud-based navigation from BMW Maps or the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, your BMW requires an Internet connection similar to other mobile devices. The mobile connection is established via a SIM card installed in your BMW and will remain connected even without the "BMW Digital Premium" offer.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

am I the only person who still keep paper maps in the car as a back-up? do you young people even know how to use paper maps?(sure hope so)

you know, drive with the left hand and hold the paper map with the right hand.

[Fahren German]

Offline maps downloaded to my cell and all is good. Same thing when renting and driving overseas.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

am I the only person who still keep paper maps in the car as a back-up?

Yes

[rounderman]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

am I the only person who still keep paper maps in the car as a back-up? do you young people even know how to use paper maps?(sure hope so)

you know, drive with the left hand and hold the paper map with the right hand.

I always have paper maps handy (yes I am old) but satellites hide, power goes out, etc. Plus they could be used to start a fire if you are really stranded (if you have a fire starter or matches (or a magnifying glass or even 2 sticks, former boy scout)

mine are not as fancy but cover the areas I tend to be in. I also update then every few years (or when i remember at AAA

enjoy the ride

[Tomduck]

My id9 has never dropped or failed to work when out of mobile connection range, which it frequently is arounf me, so maps must be pre loaded with perhaps some extra features available via the internet connection.

[RNorb]

Originally Posted by Tomduck

My id9 has never dropped or failed to work when out of mobile connection range, which it frequently is arounf me, so maps must be pre loaded with perhaps some extra features available via the internet connection.

I think the system caches the maps in your immediate location when there is a connection. The problem would be when you travel to a new area and there is no connection.

[Tomduck]

Never happened in 5000 miles, so it could just be a case of imagining an issue that isn’t there.

[RNorb]

If anybody in the U.S. running iDrive 9 has ever got a "map update" or a map download, now is the time to speak up!

[MontyB1]

Originally Posted by RNorb

As far as I can tell, iDrive 9 does not have any downloaded maps...its all cloud based. No internet, no BMW navigation.

BMW even offers a download manager to help with major updates to entire regions rather than states countries, the maps are local. Does it use data from the cloud to calculate routes depending on how busy everywhere is yes, does it download updates mostly once a quarter, yes.

Are maps local yes, do you need to have an internet connection to get the best out of it yes, is it absolutely essential no, but the service would be inferior.

BMW is known to have hiccups and the map real time info doesn’t show but that isn’t often.

[RNorb]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

BMW even offers a download manager to help with major updates to entire regions rather than states countries, the maps are local. Does it use data from the cloud to calculate routes depending on how busy everywhere is yes, does it download updates mostly once a quarter, yes.

Are maps local yes, do you need to have an internet connection to get the best out of it yes, is it absolutely essential no, but the service would be inferior.

BMW is known to have hiccups and the map real time info doesn’t show but that isn’t often.

Are you talking about iDrive 8 or iDrive 9? There is no "download manager in the U.S. to my knowledge