If so what they like, are they prone to going wrong and are they expensive to fix ? ( oh, and are they really a £1500 option ? )

Cheers,

Paul

You can pick them up after market around £600 fitted but ask around as to what you think is best, some people doubt the origin of the after market units others question the equivalence. Everybody rates the factory unit but as you say fifteen hundred pounds . . . even man-logic struggles with that.

If so what they like, are they prone to going wrong and are they expensive to fix ? ( oh, and are they really a £1500 option ? )

Cheers,

Paul

I have a factory fit Columbus, which I have now had for about 6 weeks. As an "all in one" piece of kit I think they are excellent. No doubt if you bought the components separately ie a Head Unit, Sat Nav system etc you would probably get (individually) better performance and probably at a cheaper price (but on a like for like comparison you should include the cost of having the separate items installed).

The radio and related functions are really good, I find the media function good too (can store/play MP3s off an SDHC disc). There is a CD/DVD player (both as yet untried!) and a 3.5mm jack as standard to play MP3/ipod devices - you can pay extra for a unit connection that allows you to control, say, an ipod through the Columbus otherwise control functions are through the ipod device itself. The traffic messaging system is useful too (updated info shown as messages about delays on major UK motorways and A roads - can be narrowed down to just the route you are navigating along, if wanted).

Maxidot comes as standard with a factory fit Columbus. If navigating on the sat nav function some additional info shows up on the maxidot display (if that is on nav function too) - eg distance to next "thing to do". The maxidot is a "must have" device anyway. With Columbus you can control some functions (shown on maxidot display) via the right hand stalk - eg change radio stations, MP3 tracks etc.

The sat nav is ok. Biggest gripe is only 5 digit postcode. However if you know the address you are going to it is easy to "drill down" to the correct destination - ie the 5 digits give you the various roads that it could be and then having chosen the road you can put in the number (but not a name) of a house, say. I particularly like the ability to zoom in and out using one of the old fashioned radio control type knobs. Also I think the "current" version I have installed is actually 2-3 years old re how up to date the data it is.

Many can argue, quite correctly, that you can achieve the same as a Columbus more cheaply. However, for me, I like the neatness of an all in one, rather than say a separate sat nav stuck on somewhere with wires trailing all over the place (no working cigarette lighter btw!). Oh yes...I almost forgot - the touch screen is a first for me, a great novelty and works a treat!

In summary - an expensive extra (more than a DSG gearbox!) but it works really well - and I think it's great!

Edited 1 February, 201016 yr by fbrj

Thanks for the advice guys. Is there only one type of factory fit sat nav ? what im trying to get at is what kind is likely to be in an 07/56 plate L&K estate, would it be an all singing all dancing columbus ?

Is the one in the attached image a Columbus ?

Cheers,

Paul

Edited 1 February, 201016 yr by The Hat

That pic is not of a columbus but I think it may be the MFD2 (not certain though) which is an earlier similar system

lol beaten to it

Edited 1 February, 201016 yr by AHunterVRS

Cheers fellas.

Whats the difference likely to be between the Nexus and Columbus. Is the Nexus the lesser model. How much would it likely cost to up grade to a Columbus ?

would the Nexus have cost £1500 ?

Cheers,

Paul

The nexus was very expensive, and here are some differences.

Nexus:

No 30GB HDD

CD Headunit only, Columbus is DVD.

Cannot play MP3, Columbus can play MP3 from DVDs, SD Cards, and internal HDD.

Cannot play DVD, Columbus can play standard DVDs,

Nav CD must be inserted for navigation to function, Columbus stores data on HDD

Each disk typically contains only one country, Columbus is the whole of EU

2D navigation only. Columbus is 3D,

TMC for Motorways only, Columbus is all main roads,

No Lane guidance, Columbus fully supports lane guidance.

Seems like the Nexus is pretty cack then.

Paul

I have a factory fit Columbus, which I have now had for about 6 weeks. As an "all in one" piece of kit I think they are excellent. No doubt if you bought the components separately ie a Head Unit, Sat Nav system etc you would probably get (individually) better performance and probably at a cheaper price (but on a like for like comparison you should include the cost of having the separate items installed).

The radio and related functions are really good, I find the media function good too (can store/play MP3s off an SDHC disc). There is a CD/DVD player (both as yet untried!) and a 3.5mm jack as standard to play MP3/ipod devices - you can pay extra for a unit connection that allows you to control, say, an ipod through the Columbus otherwise control functions are through the ipod device itself. The traffic messaging system is useful too (updated info shown as messages about delays on major UK motorways and A roads - can be narrowed down to just the route you are navigating along, if wanted).

Maxidot comes as standard with a factory fit Columbus. If navigating on the sat nav function some additional info shows up on the maxidot display (if that is on nav function too) - eg distance to next "thing to do". The maxidot is a "must have" device anyway. With Columbus you can control some functions (shown on maxidot display) via the right hand stalk - eg change radio stations, MP3 tracks etc.

The sat nav is ok. Biggest gripe is only 5 digit postcode. However if you know the address you are going to it is easy to "drill down" to the correct destination - ie the 5 digits give you the various roads that it could be and then having chosen the road you can put in the number (but not a name) of a house, say. I particularly like the ability to zoom in and out using one of the old fashioned radio control type knobs. Also I think the "current" version I have installed is actually 2-3 years old re how up to date the data it is.

Many can argue, quite correctly, that you can achieve the same as a Columbus more cheaply. However, for me, I like the neatness of an all in one, rather than say a separate sat nav stuck on somewhere with wires trailing all over the place (no working cigarette lighter btw!). Oh yes...I almost forgot - the touch screen is a first for me, a great novelty and works a treat!

In summary - an expensive extra (more than a DSG gearbox!) but it works really well - and I think it's great!

Good review fbrj I agree on all points, expensive but a geat unit and a pleasure to use.

Seems like the Nexus is pretty cack then.

Paul

Ive got the nexus in my car 07 L&K.

Its pretty good as factory fitted go bearing in mind its age but the Columbus is def way better.

TomTom (don’t laugh ) has got to be the one.

What do you get, IQ Routes technology , Map Share technology , Hands-free calling (Bluetooth) , Voice command and control , Enhanced Positioning Technology and 6 digit postcoding .

You can also take it with you when you leave the car whilst visiting a new town or city. Set your position and you can always return without a problem, anywhere on the continent.

Can the Columbus do that :no: , and all for about £290? And a saving of £1210. (Bargain), RoystonB

TomTom (don’t laugh ) has got to be the one.

What do you get, IQ Routes technology , Map Share technology , Hands-free calling (Bluetooth) , Voice command and control , Enhanced Positioning Technology and 6 digit postcoding .

You can also take it with you when you leave the car whilst visiting a new town or city. Set your position and you can always return without a problem, anywhere on the continent.

Can the Columbus do that , and all for about £290? And a saving of £1210. (Bargain), RoystonB

Get a tomtom refurb and its even cheaper (and 12 month warranty too)!

+1 for tomtom

my satnav never leaves the cd/mp3 player screen