SD Sat Nav or Technology Pack

Andyh1873

Andyh1873

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what say those who have experienced both?

What's the 'huge' difference making the technology pack £1k dearer?
 
I've had both. My TDi had the tech pack but when I ordered my S3 I went for the SD card sat nav. But these are for my personal preferences which are not likely to apply to many (any) others perhaps.

The bigger display (note the screen is the same size) was nicer and the quality of the display is better. I didn't use the other features so couldn't see the point is spending another grand.

However I know there are many on here who love the technology side of the car, so make your own choice.
 
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I've ordered the SD pack, I'd never use the DVDs side, but I like the idea of the 10gb storeage for music, although an SD card can do this job.

Is there much difference to the sat nav between them?
 
My car came with it..... I have Car WiFi and I can send Destination Directions directly to the car. TBH I am not sure I would spend £1k on this feature tho.... unless it affects the PCP payments.

Oh Google Maps is a great feature too!
 
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I had a demo car with SD Nav which did the job perfectly well, but when I came to order my car I opted for the full Technology Pack with Connect.

Main reasons were the Google maps, better resolution screen. Simple things like the touch sensitive control wheel which let's you write the postcode, etc is really cool.


And because I'm a Geek too!
 
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The mobile app is also amazing, wifi streaming and auto parking location, send to car from Google maps and import from my work / personal calendar, send to car from phone / web picture nav.

The list really does go on!
 
I'm old school but also a geek so went for the standard Tech pack without connect.
Couldn't see myself using Facebook or twitter in the car, and using the Audi maps would be just as good as Google maps.

Plus I'm being cheap and not wanting another SIM plan for the car alone lol
 
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Liquidfusion-S3 said:
I'm old school but also a geek so went for the standard Tech pack without connect.
Couldn't see myself using Facebook or twitter in the car, and using the Audi maps would be just as good as Google maps.

Plus I'm being cheap and not wanting another SIM plan for the car alone lol
Click to expand...

Everyone says that about Facebook and Twitter lol.

Leave those to the side and connect still offers a LOT. The brochure does not advertise it anywhere near enough as it should.
 
I've got standard Maps and its a little slow at times and misses a few features that I see the tech pack added but never knew about such as messages from your phone and enhanced media options.
 
The Challinor said:
Leave those to the side and connect still offers a LOT. The brochure does not advertise it anywhere near enough as it should.
Click to expand...


That's just a myth :p

Leaving aside Facebook and Twitter.....

Connect gives you (over Tech Pack):
  • Google Earth Overlay (not Google Maps)
  • Google Street View
  • Coloured roads showing traffic
  • Remote destination entry from your home computer via myAudi
  • Weather, News, Rail info ?
  • Wifi Hotspot
  • What else?

Both Tech Pack and Connect offer the higher res display, Same map database, same traffic info, dynamic nav re-routing, picture destination WiFi Audio Streaming etc.
 
veeeight said:
That's just a myth :p

Leaving aside Facebook and Twitter.....

Connect gives you (over Tech Pack):
  • Google Earth Overlay (not Google Maps)
  • Google Street View
  • Coloured roads showing traffic
  • Remote destination entry from your home computer via myAudi
  • Weather, News, Rail info ?
  • Wifi Hotspot
  • What else?

Both Tech Pack and Connect offer the higher res display, Same map database, same traffic info, dynamic nav re-routing, picture destination WiFi Audio Streaming etc.
Click to expand...

Remote download of pictures via connect opposed to SD card.

RSS feeds, Internet radio streaming

Excellent mobile apps ( send addresses to car sync'd from your calendar, pictures or any ad hoc address )

For the £300 it's a no brainier, Connect is brilliant.
 
You can do picture navigation via mobile phone without the need for going via SD card on Tech Pack without connect.

Internet radio streaming can of course be done via your mobile phone, don't need Connect ;)

What the hell would I want more mobile apps or URLs sent? I'm enjoying driving my S3, not a smart phone !!!

Spend another £300 for everything I can already do on my smart phone? No thanks ;)

I'm gonna drive my car, not browse t'internet !!
 
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veeeight said:
You can do picture navigation via mobile phone without the need for going via SD card on Tech Pack without connect.

Internet radio streaming can of course be done via your mobile phone, don't need Connect ;)

What the hell would I want more mobile apps or URLs sent? I'm enjoying driving my S3, not a smart phone !!!
Click to expand...

Someone's telling themselves this as they did not order connect.

I did say you can do picture Nav without connect, I did say that.

Internet streaming is integrated into MMI hence a lot better.

App is excellent, very handy as set it all up before leaving the house, planning routes, etc ill use it a lot.
 
Nope.

Of course I could have ordered connect, as you say it's only an extra £300 in top of Tech Pack.

But as I play with Tech all day I definitely do not want it while driving an S3 ;)

Any RSS, Facebook, Twatter online services is always going to be compromised in the car, so why pay more for less functionality.

Anyway. You're in no position to preach, you were going for SD Nav until I talked you round ..... How quick you forget :p


(Plus the ongoing costs, and nobody knows at the moment how much the licensing for Connect is going to cost the owner after Year 3, something which Audi hasn't published widely - extremely naughty of them)

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/audi-connect-is-it-worth-the-money.220316/#post-2235288
 
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I would have ordered it regardless, was still finalising spec. Initially my fault for assuming SD nav would be half decent and not looking into all the features tech pack and connect bring ( there are some excellent vids online ), which made the decision for me.

Social media probably won't be something I use a lot but @Scott put it best " why look at normal maps, when you can look at Google Earth"

Maybe this thread should be SD vs Tech vs Tech & Connect
 
Driving around with a Google Earth view is so 2010.

Honestly, Audi is so behind the curve. Latest tech my ar$* ;)

Mercedes-Benz is where it's at.

1qVqPxP.jpg
 
You could have cropped it first man!

What Merc is that on?

I never said latest tech, In some respects Audi's technology is a mixed bag now. The A3 gets connect and more then other ranges but obviously not HUD, night vision, etc that the other cars in the range can get.
 
Liquidfusion-S3 said:
I'm old school but also a geek so went for the standard Tech pack without connect.
Couldn't see myself using Facebook or twitter in the car, and using the Audi maps would be just as good as Google maps.

Plus I'm being cheap and not wanting another SIM plan for the car alone lol
Click to expand...
Well said.... Totally agree
 
d40d8b76d76d61d65624a6af28dc8b9f.jpg


Had a ride along in this AMG beast few weeks ago and it had the surround parking feature - its incredible! Although the E Class is fairly old now the tech has been updated on it very well. It has cameras everywhere.

Back on topic - SD Nav / screen is OK. Yes, would have gone for tech pack but such a waste of money when I only do 4,000 miles P.A. If I could justify the extra money I would have. Thinking about it however could have ditched the LED headlights and had connect / tech pack instead. :(
 
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IMO Connect will be largely redundant when CarPlay (and the Android equivalent) are available. Just a shame they're not ready in Audi-land yet :(

Next time though :)
 
The A8 has the birds eye view and has done for some time. I think this is actually merc playing catch up ;)
 
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Nah, A8 system is birds eye, but initially without the augmented reality that Merc has ;)

Plus the Audi system looks clunky and not as seamless as the Merc rendering.

Within the automotive industry, Audi are not innovators, they are what we term "fast followers". That's a deliberate strategic decision by VW Group.

The last time Audi innovated with a first-to-market concept was the Procon-Ten system. And that was a long time ago!
 
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Let others make the mistakes and see what works? ;)
 
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I'll try and dig out the article, but remember reading in one of the car magazines that Audi were leading the way with headlight technology (laser headlights / LED matrix etc) but BMW totally stole their thunder by introducing laser technology on the new i8 a good 6 months before it would be introduced on I think the A8.....

Thought the article contradicted itself because BMW must be leading the way also if they actually introduce the technology first to market.

Also am I right In thinking A3 was the first to add 4G connection and LED headlights to the segment?
 
Was going to say, BMW and Mercedes-Benz already have laser diode headlamps !

Pretty sure Mercedes had alread introduced LTE in the USA, but also - Seat Leon LED headlights on MQB ?

(Albeit neither of them LED matrix)
 
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Audi press release from Aug 13 noted as it's the first production car to have the LTE functionality. Doesn't mention if that's world wide or UK. Reading the article it would be easy to think that's world wide. http://www.audi.co.uk/about-audi/la...-connection-ahead-of-4g-launch-in-london.html

Regarding the LED headlights - Audi note they are the first for the "premium compact class". http://www.audi.co.uk/about-audi/latest-news/new-audi-s3-with-300ps-and-40mpg-bound-for-paris.html

Very cleverly written these marketing / press releases. They invent totally new classes! Thought it was just the compact class. Didn't know it was further segmented....
 
Press releases are like Party Political Broadcasts ;)

You have to tune out the "selective phrasing" :)

LTE penetration in 2013, USA, 20%, UK, 5% (by population)

And yes, the Seat Leon would be excluded from the "Premium Compact" class - a totally invented category, just for marketing, advertising and the Audi Press Release ;)
 
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veeeight said:
Press releases are like Party Political Broadcasts ;)

You have to tune out the "selective phrasing" :)

LTE penetration in 2013, USA, 20%, UK, 5%.

And yes, the Seat Leon would be excluded from the "Premium Compact" class - a totally newly invented category, just for the Audi Press Release ;)
Click to expand...

Good point. VAG have always been behind on in-car technology in my opinion. Bit of propaganda can make you think differently though :think:

Was thinking though - VAG seem to have a lot of "under the skin" innovations like MQB and DSG. I know MQB is not a new idea in terms of manufacturing process but it will be the future I am sure for mass produced vehicles. Same for DSG, think it was invented in the 1940's with Porsche perfecting it in 70's / 80's but they got it to mass market first. I guess thats what counts nowadays.

All Aluminium construction maybe on the A6 - that's two innovations / firsts to go with the Procon Ten system!

FSI at a push?
 
I seem to remember Mitsubishi was first with GDI or FSI, though can't remember the exact year to hand.



Edit:
Mitsubishi in1996
And before that, 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.

But obviously there were earlier variants too.
 
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Yes it was Mitsubishi! Another example of the VAG marketing machine :kissmyrings:
 
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Not biting as you clearly been after a argument for a while.

I was actually saying that in some respects Audi and  aren't always first but when they do focus on something it's amazing.

In recent times the MP3 player and Tablet computer come to mind.

Obviously in other areas they lead massively over the competition as well
 
I don't need to argue about how wonderful or how useless Apple are, there are plenty on here who would do that ;)

and I think I would know which side the argument would conclude on ;)

Remind me, the iPad, it can do true multitasking, or split screen, yeah? :p
 
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