As facelift model year, manufacturers BMW 5 Series 09 held a sizeable listing ceremony, showing that manufacturers emphasis on the car. In fact this car is only apparent improvement car multimedia control system mdash; upgraded iDrive system; mdash. Then the new system with them and in the end the feeling of the old models any different? A few days ago we got the 5 Series test vehicle, but this time we did not test its performance, because this area 09 does not change, and we the main in-depth experience for the new iDrive system, now please follow shot a look at this subtle but significant improvements it.
● no bullshit straight cutting theme mdash; mdash; the new iDrive system Detailed
we got the luxury of a BMW 530Li, which is domestically 5 Series Sedan highest allocation models, but for aspects of shape, interior space, and we have repeatedly covered in previous articles in detail before, so this will not repeat them here. The only car that can interest us a bunch of keys next to the handbrake surrounded by a metal knob equipment mdash; mdash; the famous iDrive system, actually, it is an evolution.
The earliest iDrive system appeared in the 2001 listing of the previous generation BMW 7 Series, this is the time to configure a new car with a sense of weighing, it appears that the vehicle information, multimedia systems, navigation and other functions It is integrated as one designed user-friendly configuration and control of these operations right. But the first generation of iDrive operating system due to the way some lame, form of expression is not in line with people’s habits, so once was accused of users and reviewers. The subsequent emergence of Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND system and although the introduction of Audi’s MMI’s a little late, but the operation should be easier than the iDrive system, which BMW is certainly intolerable. So after 3 after the upgrade, the latest iDrive system is equipped on the BMW 5 Series and the new BMW 7 Series sedan, this is before our eyes.
let’s look at the difference between the new and the old section on the control. The new controls are surrounded by seven shortcut keys seem more complex than some of the old models, but older so simple, but it is precisely these newly added shortcuts to make iDrive system with easeMany of the extent upgrade. This we will explain in detail below.
iDrive a marked change in the input system, the LCD is also responsible for information output impressive. Screen comparison of old and new can clearly find that the new 530Li equipped center console LCD screen more clearly, after the introduction of large-size TFT screen, the new system interface more beautiful, but to bring more sense of technology to the user.
In addition to the interface more beautiful, the options we can find on the main menu interface is also more. Older iDrive system main menu only five options, communications, air-conditioning, audio-visual equipment and navigation system is relatively easy to find, but in fact if the next press the control knob can also enter the vehicle information interface, but this interface is not on the main menu here any tips, very easy to find. Under the new system compared to the more intuitive and convenient. Eight control knob to adjust the option, press the knob to enter the next option.
just said the new iDrive system is more convenient to operate, and now look at specific analysis. Control consists of seven shortcut keys and a knob composition, carry out their duties in charge of shortcut keys to enter the corresponding interface, just to familiarize yourself with the location of each key can be very convenient to use, and which avoids the old section from the navigation system want to switch require complicated operation when the problem is to sound. The knob is used to switch between the system interface.
designed to effectively prevent the reflective screen
In some vehicles equipped with a center console LCD screen, often encounter the reflective screen we see the screen content, which in the sunshine sunny weather next morning or evening when the sun dipped more likely to occur, but the BMW 5 Series iDrive system’s basic LCD screen will not encounter such trouble.
using the BMW 5 eaves shade cleverly designed console effectively block some of the light is incident, but they are not enough. In front of the liquid crystal panel 5 based also placed a transparent protective layer toward the concave, it not only serves to protect the screen, but also allows the outside light reflected downward toward the screen, instead of forming the scattering reflector impede the driver viewing screen.
the iDrive system functions
on the main menu adjusted by knob ldquo; provided rdquo; option, enters the press knob OK option. Here IWe see a hierarchical breakdown, clear and intuitive user interface. Second, the contents of the directory to make three in front, and the right of ldquo; + rdquo; after that there are lower-level representatives of the menu, then you can use way toggle knob mentioned above into the lower menu on the right.
When we enter ldquo; provided rdquo; option when two directories, a directory in the left and right sides of the two, we can see two different icons. Icon on the left with two small circular arrow indicates the left if you want to enter the parent directory need to use toggle toggle knob to enter the way to the left, while a special icon on the right indicates if want to get into the right side of the lower level directories need to use by the next way. Overall, this is about the directory disaggregated form to be more in line with people’s daily habits than the old models, and therefore older than the iDrive system easier to get user acceptance.
there is a little more interesting is that, on the center console panel below the BMW 5 Series DVD slot with 8 shortcut keys, in general, these shortcuts is to serve the audio system for radio or storage select CD, but here they function than we imagined and more powerful. When we stay in any iDrive system interface, you can press one convenient button to store the interface through a long down, for example, when I adjust the iDrive system to ldquo; saved stations rdquo; when this interface, I long 1 shortcut keys can be ldquo; saved stations rdquo; storage interface down later if I want to call out ldquo; saved stations rdquo; when the screen just press the shortcut key 1 on the line, very convenient.
Bluetooth hands-free system is to emphasize the necessary configuration on luxury models, in which we have been operating a mobile phone and connected via iDrive system. And on general models, Bluetooth hands-free iDrive system provides also need to look, pairing, connecting three steps in order and connected to the phone, the whole process clear and easy to understand, just follow the prompts do not have any difficulty at all. After connected to the phone book in your phone can be queried through the iDrive system, but also the name of a contact in the phone book are by the letters A-Z are classified, more convenient to use. Content
navigation system is also more concerned about us, in the way back we will throughout the company as the destinationVoice navigation. In the bottom right of the left of the main screen, we can see the time and distance of the destination system is calculated, and when each required to turn out of the main or side roads, the right side of the small screen will have specific directions, while next to the exact distance to the intersection of the display, visual guidance is very clear. But the voice prompts aspects iDrive system do not quite perfect. Although the road is the voice prompts, such as ldquo; turn left in front of 500 meters rdquo; and the like, but to reach the intersection, he was not any real voice prompts, if not familiar with the route can only really know where to turn by looking at the screen, but general carloads of people crossing are complicated place, where distracted looking at the screen, then there may be a security risk, in this regard iDrive system also considering less comprehensive.
Finally, we find in the vehicle setting options in a more fun thing mdash; mdash; rear right. We all know that, although the BMW 5 Series is not the law-abiding public service vehicles, but its rear passengers are usually extraordinary identity, which is set by adjusting the button on the back of the co-pilot can be seen. But they did not expect the front passenger can also limit the authority of the rear passengers, if you just move my chair I will not let you watch movies, figure it out, huh hellip; of course, this scenario appears only in the BMW 5 Series is as family car trip travel.
Summary:
by day we experience a better understanding of the new iDrive system, which indeed see and feel it at the evolution. But in fact, me personally, I feel older iDrive system over time as long as the habit is not good to use, but more beautiful clear screen, the operation more convenient, more in line with the daily habits of the menu settings to make the new iDrive system more attractive