Navigation GPS Systems

fintail

Or not the same as in a 50K MB, I have yet to use the nav in a C-class, but maybe the same as in a 35K MB. My friend who has the Prius looked at an Avalon, and said the resolution and speed where just like his car. Either way, Toyota nav doesn't seem to be a leader.

I haven't used any of the onboard data services. Of course, if it eats a lot of data, that won't be free either.

gagrice

I got this series of pictures with a title GPS on dash in sun catches fire. There was a fire for sure. Was it the GPS mounted on the dash?

qbrozen

snopes says nope:
http://www.snopes.com/horrors/techno/gpsfire.asp

Including the very good point that the car obviously has in-dash navi.

Mr_Shiftright

Excellent research from the skeptic's point of view!

gagrice

I saw the NAV which made me question the photos. Of course if it was a POC Toyota NAV it made sense to have a backup GPS.

stever

Guess TomTom is trying to catch up with Google. Saw one of their camera cars yesterday shooting the UP.

fintail

Google Maps appears to be coming to MB looks impressive

Mr_Shiftright

Is there such a thing as an aftermarket monitor you could plug in to enlarge the screen on a smartphone using Google maps?

fintail

Seems like it would be easy, hook it up via USB and work in the same way as linking a laptop to a TV via HDMI. I bet manufacturers wouldn't run to it though - factory nav systems are a cash cow.

gagrice

You could make your smartphone a hotspot and use your GPSA equipped tablet. I did that with my Galaxy Note 10.1 and it worked great. I used a Verizon Jet Pack. Was planning to use it this time. They told me I could get 1 GB for $15. When I took my JetPack in the story changed to $60 minimum plus a new Simcard and activation fee. I am doing fine with the VW Builtin NAV. Only a couple glitches with their mapping. I am sure it is NavTeq which is not that great.

ateixeira

OEMs will shy away from this stuff since they want the $2 grand or so people are lining up to pay.

You could use any screen with an HDMI input, just add a Google Chromecast ($35). All you need is USB power and it can show your laptop or smart phone screen.

I actually did manage to order a Note 3. Had to make a deal where I will train users and stuff, but worth the extra work.

5.7" screen should be plenty good. I'll use a vent mount or something. Not sure yet. I got one of those cases that can be used as a stand. Maybe some velcro will do.

gagrice

The Note 3 may be what it takes to get into my wallet for a smartphone. Nothing else has really tempted me as much. I love my note 8.0. Just wish it had cellular access. AT&T is selling the Note 8.0 with 4G.

ateixeira

This thing is a BEAST.

I got a case that stands it up and put some velcro on the back, so it stands up on my dash. That way the GPS is near my line of sight but I can still reach it.

The phone is amazing. You can open a split screen view, say your photo gallery on top and text messaging on the bottom, and drag and drop photos in to an MMS.

Or you can watch a YouTube video and reply to the e-mail your buddy sent you with the link - while you're still watching the video.

Or open a 3rd window and open the stopwatch app or a calculator.

Hand write a phone number, then have it dial it.

It's not a smart phone, it's a computer in your pocket.

Dislikes? It does feel big in your pocket, so anyone coming from a smaller phone may be a bit shocked. It's a bit heavy, too. It's pricey unlocked.

Likes? 4k video it too good for any TV in your house. 3 GB of ram so you can actually run 3 apps at a time. Base model has 32gb of storage, too, so no 16gb model.

When it comes to GPS, Waze works well and looks great on the huge screen, but all the integrated stuff launches Google Maps Beta navigation, which is OK but doesn't offer as much info as Waze. I tried a voice launcher for Waze but didn't like it, so I removed it.

So I basically use Waze day to day, for my commute, but Google Maps when I'm entering new destinations. You can just 2-click and say "Navigate to ..." and that's it, next thing you know you're getting voice commands.

Sell your Garmin stock.

gagrice

Samsung is the company to beat. I played with the Note 3 at AT&T for a bit and was impressed. I am really tempted to jump on the Smartphone bandwagon with that one. I think I can get the Sr plan and data and forget the texting. I don't do that. Even with the stylus typing is too slow for me. I may change my mind but not likely I would use up $20 worth of texts a month at 20 cents a piece. I talked to someone in Indiana that likes Waze. I loaded it on my Note 8.0 and did not like all the adware. With Google owning Waze the inevitable has happened.

Today, Google is rolling out traffic incident data, provided by Waze, to 46 countries, Canada included. Tapping on the Traffic overlay on iOS and Android brings up the familiar green, yellow and red lines (in Toronto, more red than anything else), along with icons denoting user-submitted traffic snarls.

http://mobilesyrup.com/2013/11/11/google-adds-waze-traffic-incident-reporting-to- -maps-on-ios-and-android/

Mr_Shiftright

I'm not sure about Waze. I tried to read all that info while underway and it's too hard to see it all, if the phone is dash-mounted. I suppose it might be useful for the time before you leave but there are other ways to do that on a computer.

ateixeira

The Waze ads go away if you're moving.

Nexus 5 is a good budget buy at $349. It's not perfect (camera and speakers leave a little to be desired) but at half the price of other flagships who cares?

fintail

I've been using my Note 2 as nav for a few days, and am using basic google maps for it. It works pretty well, only had one incident where it took me to a random wrong location 10 mins from where I wanted to go. And sometimes it gets a little cryptic at large highway interchanges, and really guzzles battery. But, not bad for free.

gagrice

If you don't have GasBuddy APP be sure and download it. Finds the best price on gas and diesel for you. In San Diego the price can vary 50 cents or more from one station to the next. Usually Chevron is cheapest. This week it is Union 76. May give it a try. So far have only used Chevron and Shell. I think Google maps has the edge on all the OEM NAVs. I am getting used to the one in the VW T-Reg. Still not as good as Google.

fintail

Oh yeah, I've used gasbuddy since it was just a website. Funny as at home, I usually patronize the same station. But on the road, it is handy.

Google maps nav messed up 3 times today, 2 times making me turn around after highway interchange mixups. Also a couple times my connection failed to keep up.

Mr_Shiftright

You have to be careful with Google maps. It'll often take you the long way 'round, and sometimes it doesn't quite understand where an address REALLY is.

fintail

I've noticed I usually get options of 3 different routes - sometimes one of them is pretty wacky and inefficient. Not sure why it does that.

At least today it didn't take me to a random wrong spot - just in the wrong direction before it turned me around.

stever

A reporter is looking to speak with someone who recently bought a fully-loaded 2014 vehicle with all the bells and whistles, including navigation and infotainment features. If you can assist, please reach out to pr@edmunds.com with your contact info by 4/13/14.

oxter

Hi. I am completely new on here. I would like some help please regarding my Honda CRV (UK) 2009. It has a 2 VNO built in sat. Nav. System and I bought a copy DVD 2013 which worked very well but has recently started to make error "pings" and I have to press the reset buttons each time I start up. It does this even with the factory fitted original disc. The error appears to be "CLIMATE NG" which appears in red each time a diag check is done.
The codes which show up on the diagnosis seem to be different each time. The latest is DVD Error 8335 0 280000000 18300000 1000000 OK
Does that mean anything to anyone.

Thanks for any help.

gagrice

It looks like the future is getting better for those of us that want a builtin NAV that actually works well. Both Apple and Google will by vying for the chance to give us directions. My choice would still be Samsung with Google Android and maps. An infotainment/NAV that will mimic our smartphone seems ideal. It looks like it will be here next year if not already.

Google today unveiled the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), a collaboration with Audi, GM, Honda, Hyundai, and Nvidia that's intended to accelerate in-car tech innovation.

"Common platforms allow for one connected experience across our phone, tablet and PC, so we get the right information at the right time, no matter what device we're using," Patrick Brady, director of Android Engineering, wrote in a blog post. "But there's still an important device that isn't yet connected as seamlessly to the other screens in our lives – the car."

As a result, the search giant is joining forces with automakers to help make it easier - and safer - to access Android devices from behind the wheel.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2429123,00.asp

gagrice

It looks like Hyundai may be the first to market with a builtin interface for Android Auto or CarPlay.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=BCAWLKcohGE

stever

Bye bye the separate handheld nav?

Once-Popular Car Technologies at the End of the Road (NY Times)

stever

"Porsche has decided that owners of its classic cars deserve some of this high-tech help, and has designed a sat-nav system to fit into the dash of cars dating back to the 1960's."

Porsche offering retrofit navigation system for classic cars (Gizmag)