Sat Navs

jonnreeks

Anyone out there out there own a sat nav, and what your experience are like ?

thebiglad

Use it all the time, even if I know where I am going for traffic alerts.

The problem with sat navs is that the maps need to be updated and that can be costly - otherwise a standalone sat nav attached to the windscreen is useful, particularly due to the larger screen.

However I use google maps (through Android Auto so, on the cars centre display) - it's an option to put your phone into a cradle and use Google Maps in that way, maps are kept updated for free and have traffic delays/alternate routes. Others use the app Waze so it's a preference thing.

Unless you need a larger screen just buy a phone holder and go with Google Maps or Waze as opposed to a dedicated sat nav.

I take driving holidays in USA and have a sat nav which I picked up in US with their maps loaded, I update it before each trip. Also, download (offline) the maps for the areas I will be travelling in on my google maps as a back up in case the sat nav breaks. I find the sat nav useful and easy to follow but always be looking at 1 step ahead as sometime turns or instructions can come up very fast after each other.

You'll get used to driving with sat nav instructions fairly quickly

I use Google maps. It works much better if you have a decent GPS on your phone/tablet. An external GPS antenna makes a big difference. If you don't have GPS it can be very patchy if you go into a phone blackspot. It also tends to get sketchy in built up areas.

I also use igo which is an offline satnav but it doesn't have any search features so can be a real pain if you can't pinpoint your destination on the map.

I hotspot off my phone onto a Chinese head unit in the van.

BraveDonut

I have a sat nav but I tend to use the Waze app as it has live traffic info that drivers on the road provide in real time

Free download

drunkmonkey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120925118#Comment_120925118

That's a suble way of putting it.. : )

OP Use Wave and get your friends to as well and don't forget to use the alerts function to help other Waze users.

Lewis_Benson

Waze FTW.

newmember2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120925278#Comment_120925278

Surely the whole premise is wrong with motoring GPS users to text in with traffic updates?? If you're sending the info after you've stopped or completed your journey then surely there's a real risk of the info no longer being current/relevant?

Timfy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120925342#Comment_120925342

No texting required... literally two button presses, report and then hold up type.

Reports decay in time unless re-reported by another user.

Waze also anonymously monitors all live users and if for instance several cars are doing 30 in a 100 zone it marks the road on the map in orange as possible delays. If a road appears at standstill it marks it in red, estimating extra time required and offering detours.

Very handy piece of kit and miles ahead of standalone GPS units (and a lot of in car units as well!)

greasepalm

I have a Garmin with updates for life and just started to use my Android phone on Google Maps and must remember to switch volume to assist where i am going and need to put phone mount in car as cant read phone on side.