Richard Solomon

Has anyone purchased a pre-paid data SIM to use Audi Connect while in Europe? I understand the nav system won't be loaded with EU maps, but could I still use Google etc?

Q5forWife

If all you want with Audi Connect is to use Google Maps, there's no need, because if you order Navi on your ED car, Audi will lend you a portable GPS unit loaded with Euro maps.

Richard Solomon

I can accept that maybe it's a dumb idea - I have a Garmin with EU maps, but POIs and street view from Audi Connect seem like they'd be more up-to-date and useful? Last time I was in Europe it seemed like I could get a prepaid SIM with a gig or two of data for 10-20 Euros and good for a week - which seemed to fit this usage model just fine.

I guess I'm more asking if anyone else tried it and if so whether they thought it worthwhile, just a gimmick, or a waste

Thanks!

TIME89

RS, read the document I send you - they explain in this document that this is not possible.

Richard Solomon

Well, they say that It seems to me that if the MMI system connects to T-Mobile in the US, then maybe the frequency is wrong for EU, but T-mo's original US frequencies were the EU ones, weren't they?

I'm sorely tempted to grab a prepaid T-mo data SIM if I can find one easily and give it a try... Even if all I get is a wireless hotspot sharing the data SIM to the family's devices that's a win, and they'll all be setup to work when the car arrives in the US

HerrK

Don't depend solely on the Audi supplied nav. Ours took a dump on day 2. I had brought my Garmi Zumo from my cycle trips in Europe which is rugged and the beat goes on. Of course I will give them a ration of angst at turn in. Also have my iPhone with a Blau SIM card if that fails. 9 driving days remaining.

Richard Solomon

Thanks!!! I'm bringing my old Garmin Nuvi also, so we should have two plus smartphones at least What did Audi loan you?

I assume your iPhone is a micro/nano-SIM variant so it's not easy for you to try popping it into your MMI?

TIME89

Sorry about your navy issue, but car rental agency where you drop off has nothing to do with Audi navigation rental.

Richard Solomon

We had a few issues with the nice Navi "lady" - she picked interesting routes based on traffic, and I'm not sure they were always wins. As delivered, she beeps every few seconds that you're exceeding the speed limit - but that's an easy menu fix. Worse, she crashed a couple of times, usually due to loose lighter plug but once what appeared to be a hard crash. Disconnecting her from power and holding the power button for 15-20seconds then reconnecting her eventually got her rebooted.


Back on topic I must confess that I never found an opportunity to pick up a prepaid data SIM to try. I wanted to get a T-Mobile one to minimize potential issues - and we saw several places to get them, but none open on Sunday. We might have been able to get one at the airport, but it took us a while to clear customs and we were about the last ones out so our Audi driver looked like he had been about to give up!