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navigation system comparisons By James Carlisle #196730 What is the best navigation system for a BMW motorcycle? Well, asking that question is liable to send you down a rabbit hole with similar discussions involving tires and oil. However, there are many more options for motorcycles equipped with BMW’s Navigation Prep than just the Garmin Navigator these days. After writing about the Chigee AIO-5 Lite a few months ago, several MOA members asked me about Carpuride motorcycle devices. Initially, I had not considered this device or others similar to it because I was interested in the multi-functionality of the AIO-5 Lite. Recently, Chigee launched the AIO-5 Play for BMW (a dedicated Android Auto/Apple CarPlay device) and down the rabbit hole I went. I already had a BMW Motorrad Navigator VI, Garmin XT and AIO-5 Lite on hand, so I traded the Nav VI for a new Carpuride W702B and asked Chigee if they would loan me their new AIO-5 Play for BMW. Then, a friend supplied me with the Carpuride W502B. The Carpuride and the Chigee units can be installed directly into the BMW Nav Prep cradle. Let’s start with the BMW Motorrad Navigator VI, an absolutely fantastic device with one fatal flaw. The Nav VI integrates perfectly into the BMW electronics, can be controlled with the Wonder Wheel, and provides a screen to monitor motorcycle data. But at some point, while riding, the device starts changing screens randomly and suddenly becomes useless as a navigation device. Garmin was quick to replace it under warranty, but at almost $900 I expected more reliability. Some then opt to replace the Nav VI with the Garmin XT, which has a slightly larger screen and all the best navigation features of the Nav VI but is more reliable while sacrificing Wonder Wheel and On-Bike Data. The XT requires a $70 adapter to use with the BMW Navigation Prep which brings the cost of the device to almost $600. Many of us have experience with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and prefer phone navigation apps. The naysayers often point to the need for offline maps in cellular service dead zones. Since these devices are app-based and dependent on a link to a cell phone, there are many options for offline mapping. The initial Android Auto/Apple CarPlay options for motorcycles used universal mounting and wiring options, which offers some advan-
30 BMW OWNERS NEWS | December 2024
tages for additional features. The previously reviewed Chigee AIO-5 Lite is hardwired, adding front and rear cameras with Blind Spot Detection. However, these hardwired devices require more work than many users are willing to invest. The total cost of this device with the Wonder Wheel Adapter is almost $800, but it comes with many features that are usually purchased independently. Most BMW Motorcycles come delivered with Navigation Prep, which includes a mounting assembly and dock for the BMW Navigator series GPS devices. Almost all BMW Motorcycles have a three-wire power and data plug from the main harness even if Navigation Prep is not factory installed. Carpuride came out with a preinstalled adapter plate to mount their five and seven-inch devices using the BMW Navigation Prep mount. The adapter plate adds quite a bit of thickness to the installed device. Both devices do Android Auto and Apple CarPlay very well, with clear, responsive, and glove-friendly screens. The seven-inch device will not fit on the RT or other BMWs with limited dashboard space and overwhelms the dash on many other bikes. Both devices are dedicated Android Auto and Apple CarPlay devices that use the GPS Prep for their power supply. At $300 and $440 respectively, these are the price leaders. However, there is no Wonder Wheel support, and the missing data connection seems like a lost opportunity. However, it does not appear to be easily remedied without a significant design overhaul. The perceived materials and manufacturing quality do not rise to the level of the BMW Navigator or Garmin XT. In August 2024, Chigee released a BMW-specific version of its AIO-5 Play device that natively snaps into the navigation cradle already installed on many BMW Motorcycles. Unlike the hardwired AIO-5 Lite, the Play does not include front and rear cameras or Blind Spot monitoring, but it also does not require a CanBus adapter to work with the Wonder Wheel. Because the BMW Nav Prep does not provide enough power to run the cameras, there are no plans to add cameras to this device. The BMW data connection is a part of the device rather than an add-on adapter. Installation is as simple as unboxing, snapping the unit into the BMW Nav Prep Mount, and pairing your phone. The Chigee uses all the pins from the BMW mount to read on-bike data such as RPM, engine temperature, tire pressure and more and this data can be displayed on one of the landing screens