German Car Forum

Article by Auto-Motor-und-Sport (transleted by Google): HERE

They prefer BMW's system, but admit the combination of both system would be perfect.

Also read the difference between the systems (NightViewAssist = NIR, NightVision = FIR) HERE.

Introductions of
- MB NightViewAssist HERE
- BMW NightVision HERE

I havent tested them but its good to know they prefer bimmers system

They like BMW system better since it requires less attention from driver.

MB system projects B/W high resolution pic of a road ahead in a screen instead of speed dial (speed info is displayed as a horizontal bar), while BMW system projects B/W high-contrast image of road in central screen - where warm objects (especially people, animals) are projected as bright white silhuetts on gray background.

Driver more easy recognizes the dangerous object on the road on BMW's system - since the projected image is more alerting. MB system is more distracting since driver has to concentrate more on image reading / recognizing. But BMW system only projects objects that radiate heat, while MB's system show all the objects ahead (e.g. parked car on the street, or a stone) - but are difficult to recognized in the screen. BMW claims that for such cases (parked cars with reflecrtors or stones) high beam is sufficient - especially because MB's system can detect the objects only 150m ahead, whil BMW's can do it 300m ahead.

I wonder how both systems work in snow, rain & fog conditions.

How much does these nightvision options cost?

BMW: 1.950 Euros (available in 7er, and also in 5er & 6er from March on)
MB: 1.925 Euros (available in S-class)

Thanks for the info Tine. Somehow I feel that this is an nessecary option. By the time you have tried to identify if it's a human, sheet of flying paper or creature, and hit the brake you will allready have hit what ever's infront of you.


Although gangsters might like nightvision for assasinations during cold and dark winter afternoons.

Although the image projected by the BMW may show more of a contrast, I dont see how they would come to the conclusion its the better system since it still relies on differences in heat between the object and its surrounds as with all the old systems fitted to Lexus and Caddilac vehicles. The Mercedes system picks up all objects regardless of wheather they are dead or alive.

Interesting facts:

- MB system doesn't work under 15km/h speed, since IR light beams coud hurt human eyes

- In paranoid US market BMW would advertise or just stress in the system description that the system could detect hidden robbers / attackers in parking lots, drak areas, etc.

- BMW system is unable to recognize cold object (like stones, parked cars) on the road, MB does

- MB system is much more complex and more expensive to build - indicating BMW woud make more profit from the system

The problem with MB NIR system is that it requires more attention from driver - it is ergonomicaly questionable. Driver have to watch screen for longer time to recognize the image - that means longer time not lookin on the road through windscreen. Meanwhile BMW FIR system needs only a glance look - just like a glance at rear or side mirrors to check for obstacles on the road.

They've driven the cars and found out BMW system is more driver friendly.

exactly, unless you havent tested both systems yourself then you can decide which system is the best. AMS tested them both and prefer BMW system

Did they comment on the positioning of each screen? I wonder which one they prefer?

You know whats funny about these systems is you wouldnt really get to test them properly at a dealership test drive since theyre always during the day.

i think its a big minus that the BMW sys cant detect cold objects.. a system like that has been in cadillacs that are several years old..

True.

But such a systems were developed in first place to prevent pedestrians & cyclists to be run over in night traffic. And in such case BMW system proves to be more effective.

But, yes. When a stone or a dead person or deer or dog or cat lies on a road, you'll have to rely on you own eyes to see it when driving a BMW.

well isnt that best really.. use your eyes.. .. but ofcourse there night view systems are fun.. and good car candy.. but i rather do it old fashion way

The screen position dos not matter.

In Mercedes' case you have to took a long look from a road - to look at the screen and read/recognize the images. The problem is you are not looking at directly road.

In BMW case you just take a glance at a screen with your eyes - to check for "white spots" = for warm objects like cars, motocycles, animals, humans. It takes you only a friction of time - just like checking the traffic behind the car in your rear mirror.

They had a problem with MB system because the image was so perfect all details were displayed - even the ones not important, so driver had to think about them and select/recognize important objects (obstacles) from not important ones. That was too distracting and took a much more time than checking the info from BMW system.

Summary: MB system is too perfect, displaying too much information / details so driver is distracted with reading the image - recognizing the details. While in BMW they just had to pay attention to bright white silhouettes. But BMW system do not recognize cold obstacles like dead animals, stones, parked cars - yet system is primary there to prevent humans (pedestrians & cyclists) to be run over.

That why BMW have chosen the FIR technology. Only as an addition - while in most cases you'll have to rely on your eyes and high beam.

I'm sure will read a lot more of comparisons between the system in the near future.

VIDEO: BMW Night Vision

Posted Jan 30th 2006 2:00PM by John Neff
Filed under: Gadgets, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates

We recently reported that BMW's Night Vision technology will be debuting on its vehicles in March. The 5 Series sedan, sports wagon, and 6 Series coupe and convertible will be the first models able to see in the dark, and we've put together a little video to show you exactly what the experience will be like behind the wheel.

The system seems similar to the technology used by Cadillac on 2000-2005 DeVilles, except that Caddies displayed their thermal images on the bottom portion of the windshield whereas the BMWs will make use of their nav screens. GM and Cadillac dropped their version of Night Vision after the 2005 model year since sales had fallen to 600 units/year from a first year high of 7,500 units. We'll wait and see whether or not BMW can make a better go of it.

PS: We got a better handle on this whole video compression thing and promise this one isn't the beastly download the last one was, so don't be scared to start streaming as this one should begin right away and is of much higher quality.

I find this system useless if you ask me - especially on city streets. I mean who the hell in their right minds jog or skate at night on a dark road in the middle of nowhere.

I've driven on dark, rural roads and all I used is high beam all that time driving. Whenever I see a car coming from the opposite direction, I just turn off my high beam and turn it back on when the car passes me. Isn't this the reason Cadillac dumped theirs?

I find it usable - especially in Europe - in dry weather. Here many country roads outside towns (e.g. intervillage roads) are not not illuminated, yet you can often find cyclists or pedestrians even pets there. In such cases you can't use high beam, so such a system can help.

But the problem with this IR systems is they do not work well in rain, snow or fog since in such cases IR light is filtered in water drops - resulting in deterioration of displayed image.

So this can be quite useless in UK for example. Or anywhere in continental Europe in the Winter,

Yet BMW is developing the system further to be able to recognize the dangerous obstacles automaticly and warn the driver or even start braking. But the developent is stll in the early phases.

I find this system more interesting: HERE

But IMO such nanny systems make driver even more passive - not being so alert anymore. And that's dangerous.

"A scientific study in the US on behalf of the US Ministry of Transport showed that the high beam is only used in about 25 per cent of cases in which its use would be possible. As with windscreen wipers, the constant switching on and off of the high beam is an irritating and repetitive activity. So it was a logical step to exploit the potential of the high beam using intelligent technology in order to provide relief for the driver. "

ha

i think the MB screen is more logically positioned....people are used to glancing down at their speedo so it makes perfect sense to put it there, at least you dont have to turn your head, i would have like to see screens and cameras replacing the side mirrors also haaa
and also as for cold objects well...er....something like a tree in the road.....thats pretty useful if it can detect stuff like that

What intellegent technology are they talking about? The IR? The cool thing which I actually find more useful than IR is the system that turns itselves on and off automatically on the 7er. Not to say that I wouldn't want the IR, but high beam has been enough for me so it's nice to have that new invention. Is it available on the S?

Driving in the snow blizzard this morning, for some reason I wondered how useful would either Night Vision systems be in the snow. I mean I couldn’t really see anything – zero visibility. Would be really interesting to find out.

kind of off subject but when is this "record-breaking" blizzard gonna be over.........................its also affecting us in WEstern NY but what are conditions like in NYC

Yep, record-breaking 26.9 inches. I know some of you get more than that, but this is the most we've ever had around here.

I stayed at home all day after I went for a drive in the morning. I only went outside to get some food. Lots of snow, and it's a sunday, so most sidewalks are not cleared.

Don't you guys get like feet of snow up there in the Buffalo area?

Video: http://real.ny1.com:8080/ramgen/real...12_134619hi.rm

Poor lady was digging her car out LOL

You have got a lot of snow there!

In the UK we have had hardly any this winter!

Although night vision isn't useful all the time, it may be the difference between having an accident and not having one, so I think it's useful, but only in certain situations!