Having used two different portable GPS systems before purchasing my 2006 ML500 with a built-in GPS system I was expecting routing which equaled or excelled the portable systems. I have experimented with destinations where I know the route, but want to see how the GPS system routes me. So far it seems that the ML500 system isn’t the equal of the portable systems. Periodically the system wants to send me on a route that will take me to my destination, but isn’t the fastest or shortest and doesn’t even seem to make sense. The other day on a route through a city on a major highway, which went directly through the city, the system wanted me to make a turn off the highway, which was unnecessarily.
I wonder if Mercedes has improved their GPS systems over the years or just added new roads. Has anyone had any experience with updates of the DVD, and if so, have you seen any significant improvements in routing?
Having used two different portable GPS systems before purchasing my 2006 ML500 with a built-in GPS system I was expecting routing which equaled or excelled the portable systems. I have experimented with destinations where I know the route, but want to see how the GPS system routes me. So far it seems that the ML500 system isn’t the equal of the portable systems. Periodically the system wants to send me on a route that will take me to my destination, but isn’t the fastest or shortest and doesn’t even seem to make sense. The other day on a route through a city on a major highway, which went directly through the city, the system wanted me to make a turn off the highway, which was unnecessarily.
This new system doesn't have the routing options of fastest route or shortest route like some older NAVs. I would therefore suggest to try different setting for 'minimise freeways', 'minimise tollroads', 'minimise ferries' and 'minimise tunnels' until the routing comes closer to what's desired.
We've only had our new ML 350 for about two weeks now and I have been fairly impressed with the NAV. Although, it doesn't seem to know every spot on the map, it should be better as the 2006 updates come out. Our ML came with the 2005 DVD update and it doesn't have our street on it, but Mapquest & Google just recently started showing our address.
I have not noticed re-routing problems...yet. I live in Indianapolis, which is a fairly straightforward town to navigate but, things may be very different once we trek off to uncharted territory. I'll post an update should I notice any changes.
Linear Mode
