Subject: perhaps your departure from supporting this type of unit is premature.... Author: Q : member since February, 2004 : 6420 posts Posted on: 2006-03-07 09:04:25

as GPS systems have become more popular as of late...maybe the initial thrust into the market preceeded the demand for this type of product.

It seems that there is considerably interest in an integrated GPS system in older BMWs, now. Your product is "price" positioned very well between the thousands of dollars a buyer has to spend on the newer LCD monitor type GPS systems if purchasing a new vehicle...or on an aftermarket unit. To walk away from this market and not support it with upgraded software and products, in my estimate, is a mistake.

As I read through the owners manual I found on line, I was blown away at how multi-faceted the 4771 Traffic Pro is. It had layers of features that weren't immediately thought of when first presented with the product. And the concept in which the system operates is fascinating. The more I read and the more I thought about how the system works...I am convinced that the simple display and the instructive verbal directions...is really a better and safer navigational system than the color LCD monitors in the more modern systems.

The Traffic Pro allows you to focus more on driving safely with its simpler display. I believe 5-7 seconds is the maximum recommended length of time that a driver can safely divert there eyes away from the road. The Traffic Pro's simple display, with its directional arrows and yard/mileage display, allows you to absorb pertinent info with a glance...and coupled with the verbal directions...allows you to navigate safely and quicker without the distractions of the LCD monitor with a color map overlay.

Well, I've done my part in trying to persuade Harman/Becker to continue supporting the BMW 4771 Traffic Pro and/or at least update the maps & software. I know there is not much you can do with the built in 8 meg of memory...but it would be nice if we could continue to use these systems. Is it possible to use the updated CDs from other marques like Porsche or Ford etc.?

Q
95 525iT (Alpine White)
97 740iL (Arctic Silver)

my Qsilver7 cardomain site

• BMW/Becker Traffic Pro 4771 navigation system group buy (pic) (url) - davidc 2006-03-01 02:32:44 (5571 views)
  • Re: BMW/Becker Traffic Pro 4771 navigation system group buy - snekr 2006-07-12 12:10:45 (1108 views)
  • Talked to Becker Today - dcrane 2006-04-26 13:32:54 (1388 views)
    • Yes, it's $600 + $50 for the cable + shipping - davidc 2006-04-28 12:22:48 (1009 views)
      • Have you put it in yet? - dcrane 2006-04-28 12:47:32 (912 views)
        • Yes, it's installed in my '92 750iL. I think it's great. (pic) (url) - davidc 2006-05-05 00:39:53 (1340 views)
          • Very cool and very clean - great look, good luck (nt) - dcrane 2006-05-05 19:26:24 (909 views)
  • I want one group buy or not - tgray 2006-04-08 01:31:39 (973 views)
    • You'll have to buy directly from Becker (url) - davidc 2006-04-12 00:10:57 (1213 views)
      • Thanks David I finally got them on the line//All good now (nt) - tgray 2006-04-12 12:54:16 (926 views)
  • Re: BMW/Becker Traffic Pro 4771 navigation system group buy - hdhouse3rd 2006-03-22 08:01:28 (1105 views)
    • Sorry, the whole thing fell through. (nt) - davidc 2006-03-26 04:50:35 (975 views)
  • Let No Good Deed Go Unpunished - waltervee 2006-03-07 15:11:16 (1502 views)
    • I have no idea what this means. - WiseassBill 2006-03-07 15:18:35 (1074 views)
      • I wouldnt worry about it bill. (nt) - 740Sporter 2006-03-07 15:55:13 (999 views)
        • Thanks! I hope my suspicions are wrong. (nt) - WiseassBill 2006-03-07 16:00:47 (966 views)
    • Re: Let No Good Deed Go Unpunished - billm3 2006-03-07 15:14:26 (939 views)
  • Unfortunately, the group buy has been killed. - davidc 2006-03-07 14:25:46 (1029 views)
    • Hmm. Many thanks for your efforts David, at $649, I'm out. - autom8r 2006-03-08 02:23:26 (2985 views)
      • In an e38, I agree. For earlier cars, such as e32, the traffic pro still seems - davidc 2006-03-08 03:18:14 (981 views)
    • We can do a group buy. - WiseassBill 2006-03-07 14:38:11 (990 views)
      • At this point I am holding off on doing one here. - WiseassBill 2006-03-07 17:07:37 (951 views)
  • Re: BMW/Becker Traffic Pro 4771 navigation system group buy - billm3 2006-03-07 12:55:53 (992 views)
    • hey, hey, hey...don't be greedy! 8-) 8-) (nt) - Q 2006-03-07 13:58:45 (919 views)
  • I Am a Traffic Pro Dealer - WiseassBill 2006-03-07 09:32:40 (1362 views)
    • Re: I Am a Traffic Pro Dealer - jtsolakis 2007-01-09 01:05:03 (404 views)
    • Aftermarket Amplification - 740Sporter 2006-03-07 12:35:54 (987 views)
      • here's link to PDF Traffic Pro owners manual..... (url) - Q 2006-03-07 13:39:54 (3057 views)
        • Be careful of that manual - WiseassBill 2006-03-07 15:40:07 (979 views)
        • Just a suggestion here.... - WiseassBill 2006-03-07 14:07:02 (964 views)
          • I run both my TPs of backup CDs. Not sure why you had trouble... (nt) - Rey 2006-03-17 21:32:28 (993 views)
      • Re: Aftermarket Amplification - WiseassBill 2006-03-07 13:19:40 (969 views)
  • Re: BMW/Becker Traffic Pro 4771 navigation system group buy - trafficpro 2006-03-07 07:01:57 (2433 views)
    • perhaps your departure from supporting this type of unit is premature.... - Q 2006-03-07 09:04:25 (1036 views)
      • Re: perhaps your departure from supporting this type of unit is premature.... - WiseassBill 2006-03-07 09:32:35 (1003 views)
        • thanks for the info...updateable software is great news! - Q 2006-03-07 11:11:33 (934 views)
          • Yeah I'm back in Jersey... - WiseassBill 2006-03-07 15:38:19 (902 views)
  • Paging drive735 and blkonblk99 -- I need to know if you're in. - davidc 2006-03-06 14:35:54 (840 views)
    • David...are they suggesting that the wiring harness will already (pic) - Q 2006-03-06 17:33:35 (1604 views)
      • Hmm. I'm not sure about that. I've not seen the actual adapter cable yet. (nt) - davidc 2006-03-06 17:51:40 (876 views)
        • guess what I just found while looking for Phatbox info 8-) (pic) - Q 2006-03-06 17:58:39 (1211 views)
    • damn Yahoo. Never got the first mail but I just replied to todays! Thanks David (nt) - blkonblk99 2006-03-06 15:12:05 (871 views)
  • Question..as I understand it one could replace the CDC with a - 740Sporter 2006-03-06 13:46:49 (930 views)
    • Correct - WiseassBill 2006-03-07 13:20:52 (873 views)
    • not sure...but here's some links...report back what you find. 8-) (url) - Q 2006-03-06 17:52:28 (909 views)
      • A wealth of info as usual, thanks! (nt) - 740Sporter 2006-03-07 01:04:42 (891 views)
  • I have been reading on the Traffic pro board and the - 740Sporter 2006-03-06 13:34:36 (932 views)
    • Yes, ours will have the latest 2.0 software and maps - davidc 2006-03-06 14:23:37 (898 views)
  • David have you heard anything from the manufacturer yet? - blkonblk99 2006-03-06 11:31:46 (815 views)
    • Still waiting on them. (nt) - davidc 2006-03-06 14:22:56 (866 views)
      • Ditto - WiseassBill 2006-03-07 12:16:25 (848 views)
  • Radio test results. (pic) - autom8r 2006-03-05 22:05:08 (1301 views)
    • the ''mini coax'' IS the diversity antenna cable....the connection between the (pic) (url) - Q 2006-03-06 12:17:26 (2684 views)
      • Well, that explains it Q!, I thought I was looking at digital audio. (nt) - autom8r 2006-03-06 15:35:57 (848 views)
  • is there still room for buyers on this project? - mfr3 2006-03-05 14:56:23 (944 views)
    • Yes, I've added you to the list. - davidc 2006-03-05 19:18:02 (931 views)
      • ditto...the GPS antenna mounts under the dash's top center grill... (pic) - Q 2006-03-06 12:25:03 (1213 views)
  • Re: BMW/Becker Traffic Pro 4771 navigation system group buy - jrs740 2006-03-03 11:38:52 (940 views)
    • mfg date before 1996 have CD changers that communicate on the M-bus...these - Q 2006-03-03 14:33:28 (1042 views)
  • if anyone is interested ...there is an ongoing discussion about the Traffic Pro (url) - Q 2006-03-03 09:42:42 (963 views)
  • does anyone have contact with WiseGuy (in Florida)? I believe he - Q 2006-03-03 08:32:14 (1185 views)
    • I spoke with him today. - davidc 2006-03-06 23:20:07 (977 views)
      • YAY!!!! That's what I wanted to hear!! 8-) I set a DSP memory setting that - Q 2006-03-07 06:30:46 (913 views)
  • 13 committments. Here's the rundown. - davidc 2006-03-03 01:12:12 (1005 views)
  • OK, we're at 11 units, so I'll contact the manufacturer tomorrow - davidc 2006-03-02 23:48:23 (1006 views)
    • Twelve. Where do you mount the satellite antenna? (nt) - autom8r 2006-03-03 01:05:23 (1030 views)
      • In the Z3, the installation directions say to put it under the vent grill - davidc 2006-03-03 01:08:22 (879 views)
        • Great place, I hope my IR windshield doesn't cloak it. (nt) - autom8r 2006-03-03 03:22:14 (980 views)
          • I think it will be ok, but in the worst case scenario, we'll just - davidc 2006-03-03 14:30:11 (850 views)
      • Will it need to be coded? (nt) - autom8r 2006-03-03 01:06:59 (942 views)
        • No coding is necessary. - davidc 2006-03-03 01:09:59 (886 views)
    • A big thanks to David for doing this!!! - Shayne 2006-03-03 00:11:35 (2789 views)
      • OK, Shayne is in. Plus autom8r above makes 13. (nt) - davidc 2006-03-03 01:07:09 (865 views)
  • Sign Me Up for the 4771 - waltervee 2006-03-02 21:16:32 (913 views)
  • Re: BMW/Becker Traffic Pro 4771 navigation system group buy - sevensamurai 2006-03-02 20:15:11 (1037 views)
  • here's a pic of the front opened to accept a CD... (pic) - Q 2006-03-02 17:26:50 (1152 views)
  • I am in. (nt) - blkonblk99 2006-03-02 17:00:09 (922 views)
  • David I'm in. Joe 1998 740i (nt) - zapperjoe 2006-03-02 16:29:38 (903 views)
  • Count me in! (nt) - WTH 2006-03-02 11:53:14 (848 views)
  • here's a review of the Traffic Pro in the March/2002 Roundel (url) - Q 2006-03-02 10:43:24 (1007 views)
  • here's a pic of the TP 4771 installed in a 1995 540i (pic) (url) - Q 2006-03-02 10:28:45 (1198 views)
    • Where is the navigation screen? (nt) - kevhouston 2006-03-02 14:18:23 (905 views)
      • It's integrated into the face of the radio. Here are a couple photos. (pic) - davidc 2006-03-02 14:29:47 (1095 views)
  • I have a 16:9 LCD with navigation, this unit will replace everything ?, or only - brosen 2006-03-02 07:14:25 (1035 views)
    • If you've already got the 16x9 widescreen display, you - davidc 2006-03-02 13:39:34 (957 views)
  • Count me in for 2. (nt) - Rey 2006-03-01 19:24:58 (893 views)
  • I'm in...sounds like I can hook it up in my e38 with no problem.. - Q 2006-03-01 15:54:07 (939 views)
    • An excellent idea. I hadn't even considered that. - davidc 2006-03-02 03:07:10 (820 views)
    • here's the parts diagram for the E38 & other BMW Traffic Pro (url) - Q 2006-03-01 17:58:47 (1145 views)
  • Re: BMW/Becker Traffic Pro 4771 navigation system group buy - drive735 2006-03-01 11:17:59 (1256 views)
  • Re: BMW/Becker Traffic Pro 4771 navigation system group buy - jrs740 2006-03-01 07:56:22 (1053 views)
  • Silly question... - davez535iyaiyai 2006-03-01 03:37:55 (865 views)
    • It's all integrated into one unit: AM/FM/CD/NAV (nt) - davidc 2006-03-02 02:53:06 (947 views)
    • Radio AM/FM and CD capable. - Shayne 2006-03-01 10:38:21 (920 views)
      • The documentation says it supports Canada and includes it in the maps. (nt) - davidc 2006-03-02 03:07:44 (910 views)