I searched through other posts, but couldn't find an answer...sorry if this is a re-post. Does anyone know if the RTT is only valid for the first four years - like BMW Assist is?
Also, saw on someone else's thread that it alerts you to common cop lookout points...anyone actually have experience with that?

One month until the car is delivered to DC...this is torture!

Thanks :)

The system is free forever. Because it relies on a combination of radio stations broadcasting traffic info, it does not tie into BMW Assist. I'll see if I can link up a video of the system's features for you to view. I dont know anything about cop hangouts, I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

If you're in DC, then here's a lifetime traffic update for you


YES there is traffic!

Same as in Socal. Traffic. Yes.

The "official" BMW statement is that it will be free for at least 4 years and will continue to be free if BMW maintains a relationship with the traffic info supplier beyond that. As to what that last means, your guess is as good as mine. It is certainly a fee based service for other 3rd party GPS navigation systems but it doesn't appear that there's any mechanism in place for service to be denied after the 4 years.

As to cop hangouts, there's nothing now and no symbol that could be used for it. That would depend on info from the traffic info supplier and I imagine it would be a sensitive area.

There are how-tos all over the internet on how to add your own points of interest. the cop hangouts are added.

bimmergirly,
you were kidding about the traffic cop lookout points, right? hmmm.. well, if you weren't, no they aren't listed on there. you'll love RTT though.

also - cops don't have routine points they are *always* at. wouldn't make it much of a lookout point if we were expecting them, would it? :)

There ARE tutorials particularly on putting the locations of local speed traps (cameras) on the iDrive nav, that might be what she's referring to.

bimmergirly,
you were kidding about the traffic cop lookout points, right? hmmm.. well, if you weren't, no they aren't listed on there. you'll love RTT though.

also - cops don't have routine points they are *always* at. wouldn't make it much of a lookout point if we were expecting them, would it? :)
They definitely have preferred spots. The locals usually know those locations, but people who occasionally drive by or as just passing through usually get nailed. They don't necessarily stick there 24/7, but they frequent those spots more than others. And yeah, those are usually spots where people are more likely to be speeding.

Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but I though Navigation is to help you get from point A to point B. As for the police and where they hangout, I thought that's what radar / laser detectors were for. When did this change?

Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but I though Navigation is to help you get from point A to point B. As for the police and where they hangout, I thought that's what radar / laser detectors were for. When did this change?
Yes, radar/laser detectors are good, but are helpless against an instant on in the middle of the night when you are the only car on the road doing 80 on 50 trying to get home in time to watch your favorite infomercial. And yes, those pathetic cops do exists, sitting with an instant on at 2AM. I ran into one in NH and all my V1 could do is make me deaf when it went full blast when he zapped me. Nothing beats knowing where cops may be. Combine that with a good radar detector and you might save your a#$ from a ticket.

I just find it hard to believe that the system (as it is), could be deemed useful for finding out where cops may be. The way that system works is that it relies on a comprehensive network of FM radio systems available in most metropolitan markets. The system is monitored by traffic command centers and the data verified for accuracy. Everything is gathered and updated from video cameras, digital scanners, speed sensors, aircraft spotters, police, tipsters, and public transportation departments.

I doubt they would publicize the location of the police just so people could drive around them (but that would be nice).

Sorry to hear about the ticket.

I agree that finding cops probably wouldn't work so well, but speed traps definitely.

My Nav systems knows where the Krispy Kreme's are located, so that kinda helps.

Sorry, had to go there.

I just find it hard to believe that the system (as it is), could be deemed useful for finding out where cops may be. The way that system works is that it relies on a comprehensive network of FM radio systems available in most metropolitan markets. The system is monitored by traffic command centers and the data verified for accuracy. Everything is gathered and updated from video cameras, digital scanners, speed sensors, aircraft spotters, police, tipsters, and public transportation departments.

I doubt they would publicize the location of the police just so people could drive around them (but that would be nice).

Sorry to hear about the ticket.
Oh, I got away with a verbal warning :stickoutt. The cop wasn't a jerk afterall. But yeah, I assumed they are talking about common police radar traps and sheriff late night hangouts which are usually static, not the real time stuff which I doubt would be allowed to be advertised. I ran into a website once that had a list of common speed traps listed by state/roads. Not very useful since you can't remember all of them, but if they were to be integrated as points of interest on the nav, then it is interesting. I don't rely on that nor on radar detector (which is illegal here in canada and I learned that the hard way *cough* confiscated 400$ V1 *cough*). I use the old method of being attentive, keeping a mental note of usual hangouts in my areas, having someone faster than me on the road, and slowing down in suspicious location (e.g. those hidden U-Turn spots on the highways).

Oh, I got away with a verbal warning :stickoutt. The cop wasn't a jerk afterall. But yeah, I assumed they are talking about common police radar traps and sheriff late night hangouts which are usually static, not the real time stuff which I doubt would be allowed to be advertised. I ran into a website once that had a list of common speed traps listed by state/roads. Not very useful since you can't remember all of them, but if they were to be integrated as points of interest on the nav, then it is interesting. I don't rely on that nor on radar detector (which is illegal here in canada and I learned that the hard way *cough* confiscated 400$ V1 *cough*). I use the old method of being attentive, keeping a mental note of usual hangouts in my areas, having someone faster than me on the road, and slowing down in suspicious location (e.g. those hidden U-Turn spots on the highways).

I thought the cops up there all rode horses. You should be able to outrun them...:)
I think this got a little off topic.

I thought the cops up there all rode horses. You should be able to outrun them...:)
I think this got a little off topic.

:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol I wish, but they are far fewer than in the US.
What was the original topic again?

mryakan,

sorry about getting pulled over, but ... uhm, you WERE speeding right?
i hate getting a ticket too, but if it's warranted, why blame the cops?

i'm guessing you no longer drive a bright red car? :)

mryakan,

sorry about getting pulled over, but ... uhm, you WERE speeding right?
i hate getting a ticket too, but if it's warranted, why blame the cops?

i'm guessing you no longer drive a bright red car? :)
hmmm, so you don't speed at all? If not, good for you.
I'm not getting defensive, I chose to speed and yes I sometimes have to pay the "speeding tax". I am not blaming anyone, just saying that there are few words to describe a cop manning an instant on radar on an empty highway at 2AM. But then, probably his boss ordered him to do it, what do I know.
And you are right, I switched to stealthy black, less visibility, less headaches.

mryakan,

oh, i speed. and i haaaaate getting pulled over, trust me.
didn't mean to give you a hard time, really.

ps: the black rocks

Yes, radar/laser detectors are good, but are helpless against an instant on in the middle of the night when you are the only car on the road doing 80 on 50 trying to get home in time to watch your favorite infomercial. And yes, those pathetic cops do exists, sitting with an instant on at 2AM. I ran into one in NH and all my V1 could do is make me deaf when it went full blast when he zapped me. Nothing beats knowing where cops may be. Combine that with a good radar detector and you might save your a#$ from a ticket.


the radar/laser detectors work up till one point, and like you mentioned, if there is no traffic and he's sitting on top of a bridge, you have no chance

On the note of speeding, I've received 23 tickets in my lifetime...and I haven't been on the road that long. I've probably been pulled over twice as much, but have managed to weasle out of that half. I went to court for every single one - one time I had to write a 600 word essay on why speeding was bad...can anyone tell me what backwoods bfe town I was passing through? So, if navi can yell at me to slow down when I'm nearing common speed traps, it's a service I would probably pay for!
Jules - you do-gooder! :) Why blame the cops? Cause they're only there to make us pay for the joy of driving a car more fabulous than theirs. Everyone speeds, but I'm the only punk that gets caught. ;)

On the note of speeding, I've received 23 tickets in my lifetime...and I haven't been on the road that long. I've probably been pulled over twice as much, but have managed to weasle out of that half. I went to court for every single one - one time I had to write a 600 word essay on why speeding was bad...can anyone tell me what backwoods bfe town I was passing through? So, if navi can yell at me to slow down when I'm nearing common speed traps, it's a service I would probably pay for!
Jules - you do-gooder! :) Why blame the cops? Cause they're only there to make us pay for the joy of driving a car more fabulous than theirs. Everyone speeds, but I'm the only punk that gets caught. ;)

Wow, that's quite a record there! I thought I was pulled over too many times, I'm uninitiated compared to your record "General" :stickoutt! Although I have to admit, I'd probably have a lot more if I were driving in the US esp. in a 335. I am more careful nowadays though, I rarely am the fastest car on the road unless I know the road very well and know where cops may or may not be hiding, still I prefer to have someone like you lead the way for me :D. I admire your guts.

BTW, What color cars do you drive?

On the note of speeding, I've received 23 tickets in my lifetime...and I haven't been on the road that long. I've probably been pulled over twice as much, but have managed to weasle out of that half. I went to court for every single one - one time I had to write a 600 word essay on why speeding was bad...can anyone tell me what backwoods bfe town I was passing through? So, if navi can yell at me to slow down when I'm nearing common speed traps, it's a service I would probably pay for!
Jules - you do-gooder! :) Why blame the cops? Cause they're only there to make us pay for the joy of driving a car more fabulous than theirs. Everyone speeds, but I'm the only punk that gets caught. ;)

Hello "BimmerGirly":

Sorry to hear about the tickets. The last ticket that actually "stuck" was in 1974. 85 in a 55. Of course considering the POS I was doing it in, he probably did me a favor.

Since then, a combination of things have kept me out of trouble. NEVER speed at night on an empty road. Use the best radar detector you can buy. Always follow someone faster and more stupid. Develop fast reflexes - all my passengers know that about a nanosecond after the detector even thinks about squeaking, I am on the binders faster than a blonde shiksa on a jewelry sale.

mryakan,

sorry about getting pulled over, but ... uhm, you WERE speeding right?
i hate getting a ticket too, but if it's warranted, why blame the cops?

i'm guessing you no longer drive a bright red car? :)

Hello "julesbmw":

Just a bit further off topic.

About a month ago, I was running blue shifted through the mountains up north. Every now and then when you crest a peak, you can see for miles behind you. On one such peak, I looked back and saw two state troopers with their lights on and it was clear even from a couple of miles that they were running as hard as they could. Since the V1 did not say anything, I did not care too much. I was at or above their top speed anyway and there was no way they would catch me in the 10-15 miles or so I had to go before my turn. Another couple of hills later, I still see them. They are absolutely smoking along. After further consideration, I thought it might be a good idea to get sub-light.

A few minutes later they come up behind me. Still no radar signal. Being a law abiding Sr. citizen, I slow down to about 10 MPH and pull over to the right. They pull in behind me and slow down. So, I am thinking, "What the hell???" After about 30 seconds more, I pull onto the shoulder and stop. They pull left, stand on it and take off.

What were they thinking? If they needed to get somewhere that fast, why waste a few minutes screwing with me? Anyway, I gave them a couple of minutes to clear the area and then set the speed at about 10 MPH under their top speed and did not see them for the rest of the trip.

I've seen a few officers do similar things, my take was that they were just having fun in the car, taking advantage of their ability to speed, so to speak. I once saw an officer blaze past on the opposite side of the freeway, then five minutes later he blazed past me, then several minutes later he flew by on the opposite side again. I figured he was testing his times ;-)

I've seen a few officers do similar things, my take was that they were just having fun in the car, taking advantage of their ability to speed, so to speak. I once saw an officer blaze past on the opposite side of the freeway, then five minutes later he blazed past me, then several minutes later he flew by on the opposite side again. I figured he was testing his times ;-)
lmfao :lol, maybe he kept missing his exit :D.

This subject came up the other day when I was sitting in traffic here in SOCAL, what a shock right:)

Well an idea came to me that I had not thought of so I grabbed my new Apple Iphone and dialed up the internet and Sigalert. Bam there was the whole LA basin and orange county in perfect picture form listing every traffic problem.

Thank you Steve Jobs, now please make them cheaper!!

Jeff
Eurobahn