Thursday, March 7, 2013

Proton Preve CFE - Bosch GPS - it is a botched job

Sri Iskandar township in Tronoh came out blank
The Preve CFE comes with in car Bosch GPS.  It is part of the HU unit comprising of the radio and media entertainment system.

For information I also been a regular user of  GPS software on my hand phone.  On my old Nokia E73 the GPS software is Garmin XT while on my Galaxy Note is Papago M9, NDrive and Waze.

Comparing all these GPSs I must say that the Bosch GPS cameout very poorly and the best is still the Garmin XT on my old Nokia.

The bosch GPS comes with big limitation because it is using very old Malaysian map.  A lot of places came out blank on the GPS especially new roads and housing estate.   GPS is about having the latest map and good routing software.  Even though the map is stated as version 4 and dated Dec 2012 it is actually very very old map.  If you are a regular user of GPS you will instantly noticed it.

How I wish the Bosch GPS  systems is compatible with maps produced by MFM maps at http://www.malfreemaps.com/.  The maps produced by MFM is collaborated by other GPS users.  It is almost daily updated.  You cannot beat that.  Both Garmin and Papago users benefitted greatly from this.

Further more, the maps on the Bosch GPS is a a closed system and cannot be updated by users and have to be updated by the manufacturer.  This make me really wonder whether the fella who decide on this in-car GPS unit really review out the system properly from user's perspective.  To me the in-car Bosch GPS system is a botched up job as Proton has the opportunity to make Preve a more complete driving experience.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Such a great drive..it is addictive!!!

BAckground - Masjid University Petronas, Tronoh Perak.
Last Sunday we went for a two and half hour drive to Tronoh, Perak.  This time is to send my son back to his university after his short weekend in KL.  Normally he will be back to Tronoh using express bus.  But this time round we took the opportunity to test our Preve CFE for it's first long distance drive.  The mileage is now only at about 650 kilometer.

It is a pure joy to drive our Preve CFE. Hill climb is no problem.  With the maximum torque coming as early as 2000 rpm it is a smooth climb and overtaking.  Since the mileage is still below 1000 km I am observing the engine preservation limit of 120 km.  My son drove halfway and he is smiling all the way.  It is very hard to restraint this young man to the 120 km limit.  The handling and cornering is superb.  The road noise and engine noise and the road feel to the steering wheel is just right.  Making you really in tuned to the car.  Just cannot wait for the 1000 km service period.  My advice to those who never try to drive this Preve CFE...don try it..it is meth on wheel ..once tried you will be addicted.