Poll: In Car NAV preferences

[cathy63]

The problem I had with my old TomTom unit with lifetime maps is that the newer maps got so large they would no longer fit on the unit. Had to install sectional US maps to get any use out of it.

That happened to our Garmin too. At least it had a slot for an SD card so I could still load the bigger maps.

 

[easysurfer]

I'm actually quite happy with getting suckered into the Garmin Lifetime maps.

The lifetime maps did get large but on my Garmin device, there's the ability to use the external SD slot with SD card so no need to section off the US maps like with the very old Street Pilots brick type GPS.

 

[easysurfer]

That happened to our Garmin too. At least it had a slot for an SD card so I could still load the bigger maps.

You beat me to the explanation .

 

[steelyman]

That happened to our Garmin too. At least it had a slot for an SD card so I could still load the bigger maps.

That’s what I did for my LMT Garmin. I expect to buy a more recent model when it’s time. I prefer the standalone GPS (I could take mine with me but never do).

 

[PaunchyPirate]

My 2020 Ram Limited pickup has built in Nav with a 12 inch screen. I love it and have zero complaints about it. I tried using Apple CarPlay in my previous 2018 Ford F-150 and didn’t care for the integration at the time. Probably most importantly, I happily use a $25 per month Verizon phone plan that only provides 5gb of data per month. I don’t care to change that just so I can use Maps in my truck.

 

[2017ish]

Google maps and Waze are much better than the built in systems but they're are times you won't be in cell coverage that an app with built in maps can save you. I've got Copilot for those situations. Apple's navigation is a poor third choice vs Google and Waze.

We download the maps for anticipated iffy locations. Easy to do from within google maps app, and I assume it would be the same for Waze.

Another nice thing about the phone apps is that they go from car to car (and country to country). We had no issues with Gmaps in Jordan last month--and plan to use it in Iceland in June and July.

++++++++++
e.t.a.--none of our personal cars has a navigation system....

 

[RetireeRobert]

As a person who bought a smart phone less than two years ago and who uses it sparsely and mostly for texts, I like the car built in NAV systems. But even with those I don't use the "Navigation" feature which "tells" me where to turn etc., , but simply like to look at the larger area map it displays and the moving icon of where my car is on the map, and navigate myself to the desired street or highway or intersection.

My method got us through unknown territories (to us), in the dark of night, to motels or other destinations when we travelled cross country.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

When I was using Ting as my phone provider I used the built in gps since it didn’t use data. Now I’m on Mint with more data for less money I’m using CarPlay and Google maps. I wish the car (Honda) wouldn’t keep nagging me for an update.

 

[audreyh1]

I really like CarPlay and can use it with most car rentals.

Tesla cars have a built-in NAV and I guess I’ll have to learn to use that.

We got rid of all our Garmin devices looooong ago.

 

[athena53]

When I was using Ting as my phone provider I used the built in gps since it didn’t use data. Now I’m on Mint with more data for less money I’m using CarPlay and Google maps. I wish the car (Honda) wouldn’t keep nagging me for an update.

I use Ting but they rolled out a new plan that gives me 1 gig of data for just about the same price I was paying for 100 mg before. As long as I have an internet connection when I first input the address, I can turn cellular data off after that. Sometimes it tells me there's a disabled vehicle on a shoulder and it's been removed but Waze has been unable to get that update, but I can live with that.

 

[explanade]

I use Google Maps on iPhone for travel, mainly overseas.

You can preplan the destinations and other points of interest in Google Maps in a desktop browser and access them in the app.

Rental car companies are still trying to get you to pay a few extra bucks a day for built-in GPS.

For car manufacturers, it's a big way to pad profit margin. So they will allocate cars to dealers with many of them having a package where GPS is the big ticket item.

 

[donheff]

I added Car Play to my 2018 Lexus SUV and find it way better than the built in navigation. I was going to have to pay $150 or something to update the maps so I just popped $180 for Car Play. Most people like Waze but I can't get used to the interface. I do like Apple Maps which I had never bothered with before. I like the detailed instructions. "go thru the next light and then turn right at the stop sign."

 

[donheff]

Midpack, I spend a lot of time in the NC mountains and there are many roads with no cell service whatsoever. Verizon is by far the best but there are places where you cannot receive even a Verizon signal. I am always amazed that a tourist road like the Blue Ridge Parkway has so many stretches with no cell signal. It is a safety issue. A couple of summers ago we saw a car that had run off the Blue Ridge Parkway down a steep hill. We had to drive several miles to get a cell signal to be able to call 911.

The last road trip we did in 2019, we had miles of dead zones in CO, UT, NV, AZ. I even lose service locally when driving over the bridge that connects us to San Diego.

If I am going anywhere remote or overseas, I download the relevant areas map data so I can use Google Maps offline. It's particularly useful for navigating foreign cities without a cell signal. I use it with the walking routes or public transportation all the time.

 

[braumeister]

If I am going anywhere remote or overseas, I download the relevant areas map data so I can use Google Maps offline. It's particularly useful for navigating foreign cities without a cell signal. I use it with the walking routes or public transportation all the time.

That's the coolest feature for me. Walking around a European city you can see when the next bus or tram will be at a nearby stop in many cases. Providing you have a day pass for the transit system you can just hop on and let it tell you where to get off nearest your destination. I love that!

 

[iloveyoga]

My new car has Apple Car Play and I really like it. I watched my granddaughter use it in a rental car and was impressed.

 

[Katsmeow]

The built in systems seem universally awful.

Some of them have been. But, the Volvo nav system works well. I've used all the options in the poll and prefer the built in system.

Built in System -- Used to they often were not good particularly making it difficult to to put in a new address. My current system I can use the Volvo On Call app and send the address from my phone to the nav system. That works really well. I will use this even if I am sitting the car. Updates are free.

Airplay - I can do this. I have an iPhone. I have used it. But it basically takes over the whole display with the phone stuff and I don't like that as I may have other stuff I want to do. And, I don't like having my phone tied up this way. I am glad I have the option but the built in system works fine. (FWIW, I actually prefer Google maps slightly to the built in system but not enough to overcome the negatives)

Standalone system -- I had this a few years ago with a car that didn't have an internal system. It had me put the unit on the dashboard. I don't know if they still work that way. But I didn't like it. If I didn't have a built in system and I didn't have a screen to do Airplay on I would buy one of those mounts for my phone so I could use it as the display.

 

[FIREd]

I don't use the NAV system in my Audi. It works fine, but I prefer to use Google maps or Waze on my phone.

 

[FLSUnFIRE]

Usually Waze but used Apple Maps a bit recently when Waze and Apple Car Play were not playing nice. Apple Maps are better then they were when they came out and thought about permanently switching as I avoid "evil" Alphabet/Google when I can but I like Waze for the police and hazard info and really like using it through Car Play (when it works, a bit buggy with the never to be updated software on the car).

 

[audreyh1]

That's the coolest feature for me. Walking around a European city you can see when the next bus or tram will be at a nearby stop in many cases. Providing you have a day pass for the transit system you can just hop on and let it tell you where to get off nearest your destination. I love that!

Yes, navigating public transportation has been super useful! Timetables, stops, it’s all there! Including trains.

Also bicycle path routing - important in Amsterdam!

I haven’t run into a situation in Europe where I needed to pre-download map data.

 

[Car-Guy]

^^^^^
I've seen you posting before about Amsterdam and now I see you mention bicycling... I've been there a few times (~20 yrs ago) and taken a number of the bicycle tours in the area.... I assume the organized bike tours are still going on since they were certainly popular back in the 90's... My favorite ride/tour was just west of the city in a seaside community called Zandvoort. Lots of bicycle routes with some passing along the North Sea, "outstanding beaches ", national park, local race track and down to the casino area. I never needed a nav system since the paths were pretty clearly marked and I was usually riding with someone familiar with the area...

Great fun for anyone visiting the area and great scenery "if you are in shape for some extended bicycling". Glad I did it when I was still young enough to enjoy the rides and sites.

 

[skyking1]

Hands free I use Google maps and Android auto on both of our vehicles. I like the convenience of planning trips and doing searches with my phone and then plugging in to the car or syncing with Bluetooth, and picking those routes out of recent searches instead of having to enter them into a standalone nav system. Our new VW has nav and I never use it because it also has Android auto.

 

[HawkeyeNFO]

My 2020 Ram Limited pickup has built in Nav with a 12 inch screen. I love it and have zero complaints about it. I tried using Apple CarPlay in my previous 2018 Ford F-150 and didn’t care for the integration at the time. Probably most importantly, I happily use a $25 per month Verizon phone plan that only provides 5gb of data per month. I don’t care to change that just so I can use Maps in my truck.

Google Maps barely uses any data at all. I think you'd be surprised how little it consumes. I'm using a 1gb plan, so your concern is the same as mine. If you store a local map on your phone, it will use even less data. I've heard Waze uses more data, but I don't use it, so maybe someone else can speak to that.

 

[CRLLS]

I didn't vote because I use several different GPS's, sometimes all at the same time. I use the Ford Sync (old 2015 version) for a couple of reasons. 1) it is a larger screen and easier to zoom in/out etc. 2) it interrupts the radio when it gives audible instructions and the volume level is map specific. i.e. the radio could be low but instructions could be louder if wanted. I also use Google maps as it has the latest maps. I also use a TomTom that has lifetime map upgrades. Occasionally I also use WAZE when I want entertainment on where the traffic cops and accidents are. On a long journey, I may have 3 running at the same time. It is interesting to see the ETA's and the routes vary, especially when it comes to the back roads.

On a side note, I also use an Android app called iExit when planning a my next pit stop for food or gas. It tells me the available services at each of the upcoming exits and how far they are from me.

 

[unclemick]

I use Garmin, old Tom tom died. Plus smartphone on occasion.

DW prefers paper Road Atlas or even a local map showing county and dirt roads if available. Smart phone as a backup.

Heh heh heh - When she drives us to a new place - it is an adventure. to put it mildly. The road less traveled, the journey IS the destination, yada yada.

 

[harllee]

We have the topographic atlas for our state and surrounding states. We use the topo map for adventure driving especially in our Jeep Wrangler.