[Darkmann]

Late last year I drove a W164 with the latest NAV on it (I had it for several days, went on a family thanksgiving trip) and was actually frustrated at how unfriendly the darn thing was. The W164 system is extremely well done - nice color, voice, options, features (maybe too much?), etc. However, it's so loaded with data and features and options and whatever else that the engineers have yet to figure out how to relate all that info to the user in a clean way! The W163 NAV has been dissed several times as old and cumbersome, but is that really true? Compared to what? On my 163 system, I can simply type in a phone # and, bingo I have directions to where I'm going. On the 164, I had to go through several menu items to get the options I wanted. Going to a previous menu wasn't so obvious either - in most cases, I had to start all over again. I don't think it was because my brain was wired for the 163 system because I had the car for a long time and I made an effort to understand it. So, what do the xperts say?

 

[benzml350]

Not an expert, but I'm underwhelmed by the detailed map coverage. Unless you're in a major city, the turn by turn directions are non-existent. I live in one of the few included tourist areas and coverage ends less than a mile from town. Most of the local points of interest are well outside that.
Otherwise I think the GPS function works very well and software seems OK from what little I've used it.

 

[HiltonFerg]

I don't like mine either. It will soon be up for sale.

This probably won't help me sell it, but a $130 Garmin beats the hell out of it.

 

[asianml]

The W163 may be easy to use, but that's about it. Not just the MCS, but the COMAND systems of that generation and time period were terrible as well. Slow, cumbersome, lacked significant coverage, etc. Only with the most recent generation of COMAND (W221, W212, W204) has the Mercedes system finally caught up with the systems of the competition.

 

[Gene Horr]

Not an expert, but I'm underwhelmed by the detailed map coverage. Unless you're in a major city, the turn by turn directions are non-existent. .... Otherwise I think the GPS function works very well and software seems OK from what little I've used it.

That is also my experience. It is really for the "soccer moms". In large cities and on major freeways it has excellent detail. But do any sort of normal traveling and the cheapest handheld works better. It isn't a software issue but more of the p*ss-poor database. In some respects the UI is better than my backup, an TomTom-based ipaq.

 

[Darkmann]

The W163 may be easy to use, but that's about it. Not just the MCS, but the COMAND systems of that generation and time period were terrible as well. Slow, cumbersome, lacked significant coverage, etc. Only with the most recent generation of COMAND (W221, W212, W204) has the Mercedes system finally caught up with the systems of the competition.

I don't know about that. The latest COMAND may be fast but it was definitely more cumbersome to use than my 163's - like I said, way too many functions and no way to easily deliver access to the user. In fact, in more than many occasions between home in MD and the state of Georgia, the new one gave me instructions that made no sense with what was on pavement. Lack of coverage is probably true, but in reality, it doesn't make that much of a difference - neither the new one nor the old one can locate my home, so no advantage to new one here.

It's certainly more fancy and talks a lot more but in actual functionality, it's really no better than the old one. One thing I like about it is the independent channels for NAV audio and other audio. The thing doesn't even have a direct MP3 player input. However, the controls for the glove box mounted iPod input are very good.

 

[asianml]

I don't know about that. The latest COMAND may be fast but it was definitely more cumbersome to use than my 163's - like I said, way too many functions and no way to easily deliver access to the user. In fact, in more than many occasions between home in MD and the state of Georgia, the new one gave me instructions that made no sense with what was on pavement. Lack of coverage is probably true, but in reality, it doesn't make that much of a difference - neither the new one nor the old one can locate my home, so no advantage to new one here.

It's certainly more fancy and talks a lot more but in actual functionality, it's really no better than the old one. One thing I like about it is the independent channels for NAV audio and other audio. The thing doesn't even have a direct MP3 player input. However, the controls for the glove box mounted iPod input are very good.

The COMAND in the W164 is still horrible. You're right about the W164 still, too many functions with no easy way to get to those functions.

As far as the better system, I was referring to the style in the W221, W212, and W204 which use the knob controller similar to the iDrive and MMI system.

 

[kar don]

asianML, the W164 09+ NAV is virtually the same as the W212 W204 and V221 NAV less the comand controller. HDD based with the same user interface. All the 09+ MB models now have the new Comand.

 

[asianml]

asianML, the W164 09+ NAV is virtually the same as the W212 W204 and V221 NAV less the comand controller. HDD based with the same user interface. All the 09+ MB models now have the new Comand.

Man I've had a terrible way with words the past couple weeks. IMO, the Controller what makes the difference even if the systems are the same. As good as the interface and system is in the W164, I found the lack of the controller so frustrating. When I was at the dealer not too long ago, I jumped back and forth between an ML63 and S550 trying to do the same things with the Comand and the controller just made everything so much easier in the S550.

 

[bocabenz]

I'm actually a big fan of the w163's DVD based nav system. I do, however, live in a metropolitan area and it's quite accurate and loaded with POI's. To me, the interface is much, much easier to use than it's neighbor in the garage- the 08 E350's COMMAND system. I still can't get used to that.

Of course there's always Garmins, Tom Toms, Navigons, and whatever other handheld units there are out there now. I've tried a few and always found them lacking compared to the MCS. I also like the convenience, always-there integration, and uncluttered feel of a built-in unit.

 

[Mike's ML]

My complaint is more with NavTeq than the MCS. I always use Google Maps to see where I am going first than use the MCS during the actual trip. The last two times I used the Nav it sent me off in the wrong direction. Once at the beginning of the trip and once on the last turn to my destination. In both cases it was NavTeq's fault.
I also use it from time to time when going to places that I know how to get to. Several times it has given wrong information like "Keep Left at the Fork in the road" when there is no Fork in the road.
I use the Nav in the Providence - Boston area so the map coverage is very good.

Mike

 

[gwwaterman]

Garmin all the way. Don't even know if the OEM one still works. Stopped using it about the same time the rear CD changer crapped out. now it is MP3's through a RF link. Would seriously like an AUX input to that stupid radio before the truck hits the recycle pile.

 

[Darkmann]

My complaint is more with NavTeq than the MCS. I always use Google Maps to see where I am going first than use the MCS during the actual trip. The last two times I used the Nav it sent me off in the wrong direction. Once at the beginning of the trip and once on the last turn to my destination. In both cases it was NavTeq's fault.
I also use it from time to time when going to places that I know how to get to. Several times it has given wrong information like "Keep Left at the Fork in the road" when there is no Fork in the road.
I use the Nav in the Providence - Boston area so the map coverage is very good.

Mike

Definitely a NAvTeq problem. I have had similar problems since I upgraded to the latest nav from NAVTeq. Same roads that worked just fine with the OEM disk now start misbehaving after the updated $200 NAVTeq disk. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to have NAVTeq fix my issues. Can I go back to the original disk? Anyone knows if these units are backward compatible?