Planet 9

Is the SATNAV really intuitive?

I couldn't test the SATNAV sitting idle in the car whereas I was able to test the SLK55AMG's SATNAV. The SLK's unit I found was really intuitive and smart, filling in the destination like clockwork.

Usability tests anyone?

I can say this.

I gave up on trying to read the manual. Its too friggin thick and about the most poorly written manual I've ever seen.

I haven't even got a clue as to what all the silly buttons do for the stereo, way too complicated for my old brain. When I do use the stereo, which is rare, I just turn it on and use XM ... AM/FM is a vast wasteland (IMO).

That said, we figured out how to use the NAV to get us home from the dealer without too much hassle (not like we didn't know where home was) and used it several times since ... yeah, fairly intuitive

However, we also have a Magallan 760 or something like that and its FAR easier to enter new destinations and extremely user friendly. Aftermarket GPS is usually much better than any OEM GPS in a car (and a whole lot cheaper).

i have it and it works fine...it may be helpful if you used a nav system before, but while not the easiest (the main problem is that it uses a knob to navigate thru menus), it is better than getting lost somewhere and worth having it as a stock installed item!

It's just OK. I rarely use the Navigation portion of it, however I do enjoy the high tech look it gives to the car even though it's not the most advanced NAV system out there.

Intuitive - no

Easy enough to use - yes

I like GPS's and have three. The one on the Porsche has the advantage of being built-in and so you just punch the button or two and you have a map, wherever you are.

Punch a couple of other buttons and you'll have a map and directions home. No real worries of getting lost on some curvy side detour you might decide to try.

So having PCM is worth it to me for the NAV and other reasons, but there are more intuitive GPS systems out there.

i played with the NAV at the dealership for like an hour before i bought my car and i recommend not getting it since it is unfriendly to use and the gui just sucks when compare to my Lexuses. IMHO, the germans never get the electronics right so i would definitely go aftermarket instead of OEM...

My experience with PCM on my CD-based 2004 Cayenne S has been very positive. Yes, spinning the knob back and forth to enter an address can become quite tedious. Yes, the interface is a little cumbersome in terms of its menu structure.

While all that is true, the actual map display is excellent. When zoomed in the higher levels, every street is identified by name on the display. This is a terrific feature as it lets you see whats coming up ahead or for simply identifying a street name. Sounds pretty basic but other systems, including the one on my wife's 2007 Volvo XC70, have lower resolution displays and are only capable of displaying street names of more major roads even when zoomed in all the way. Plus streets on her systems are simply represented as a solid line, not the more detailed graphic (looks like a street) on the PCM.

Furthermore, the Volvo nav will not allow you to view the entire route (PCM's Display Route option - or something close to that) so you really have no idea in advance the specific roads which the nav will be taking you on. With PCM, you can display the route in advance giving you the opportunity to choose an alternate route for segments that you are familiar with. Nothing worse than blindly following the nav and thinking "why on earth is it taking me this way!".

All in all, I'm quite pleased with PCM nav, especially in contrast to the disappointing system in the Volvo, and did order it on our Cayman S.

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2007 Cayman S My Gallery
Midnight Blue / Natural Brown Leather / Carrera Sport Wheels
Ordered 12/27/06 - Est. Build 02/28/07 - Completed 03/01/07 - VIN 03/07/07 - Loaded on "Eternal Ace" 03/13/07 - Arrived POB 03/26/07 - Home 03/31/07

I have neem quite pleased with mine as well. After having several BMWs with iDrive, the PCM is a cakewalk to use.

Jees, can I type or what...I have "been" quite pleased...stop drinking at 7 AM Alias...jeez.

The input is a pain, but the NAV has negotiated me through some very tricky interchanges (highway splits off in seventeen directions at once or something equally stressfull). Considering I also tend to space out when there is only one off-ramp I need to consider, it's worth it for me.

Also, the display is really cool. Maybe not $$$$ cool, but I'm glad I have it.

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JayS