discussion In Dash Navigation over the years.

[IJA]

I used to be in the navigation space and was around when Navigation was first launched in vehicle. Interested to know who uses in vehicle (built in) navigation still as opposed to Waze/ Apple Carplay / Android Auto and why. Navigation in SA was an interesting launch process but today BMW still puts more into their systems than anyone else.
Do you use it?
What do you most like, most dislike and what would you want that you don't have.
Would a dataset like Tracks4Africa be beneficial?

 

[MR_Y]

Hi

When I had my Volvos (pre 2017 models), I felt that nav was as good as Google Maps (in terms of route guidance and avoidance/re-routing). The Volvos of that era used HERE maps. However, the live traffic feed was via a TMC receiver, which I understand is operated by Altech in South Africa. The traffic updates via TMC were generally more up to date and relevant than Google Maps (I have not used Waze to compare). Also, the dynamic route guidance/avoidance on the 2016 Volvo Senus Nav was much better than the Nav on my 2018 G01.

Worth noting too that the Volvo HERE maps had to be manually downloaded, but that is free forever. Unlike BMW which charge you to download the latest maps.

On my current cars (G01 X3 and Porsche Macan), the Navs are very poor (in terms of route guidance/avoidance) compared to my 2016 and 2017 Volvos. I use Google Maps exclusively.

 

[FISAACS]

Hi

When I had my Volvos (pre 2017 models), I felt that nav was as good as Google Maps (in terms of route guidance and avoidance/re-routing). The Volvos of that era used HERE maps. However, the live traffic feed was via a TMC receiver, which I understand is operated by Altech in South Africa. The traffic updates via TMC were generally more up to date and relevant than Google Maps (I have not used Waze to compare). Also, the dynamic route guidance/avoidance on the 2016 Volvo Senus Nav was much better than the Nav on my 2018 G01.

Worth noting too that the Volvo HERE maps had to be manually downloaded, but that is free forever. Unlike BMW which charge you to download the latest maps.

On my current cars (G01 X3 and Porsche Macan), the Navs are very poor (in terms of route guidance/avoidance) compared to my 2016 and 2017 Volvos. I use Google Maps exclusively.

Can attest to your Volvo statement.
Was given a lift to a work function by a colleague who has a 2020 XC40.
The venue that we were going to was not a pre-installed route on the in-car nav.
He merely called Volvo and it was installed OTA and almost instantaneously. Really like the fact that the map displays not just on the screen but on the instrument cluster.
I'm a Google Maps user but the Volvo in-car nav would be my default nav app if I had a Volvo.

The Volvo SUVs should definitely be on your short list if you're in a market for a good functional SUV.

 

[TurboLlew]

So I use the bmw maps built in more often than not despite having CarPlay. There are dead spots where you need data that doesn’t exist. The live traffic and object alerts are also accurate with BMWs system. However for quick checks and nav google still works fine. I feel like it uses a lot of power and battery life from my phone. For instance using CarPlay to stream lossless plus navigate and using the wireless charger the battery charges at an extremely low rate and the phone has even overheated before. I can offload one task to the car and as a plus it’s also in my HUD.

Apple is still HORRIBLE anywhere outside of the actual city. The other day I gave it another bash and it took me to some warehouse instead of comic warehouse 😂😂😂

 

[Mytfine]

I use google maps regardless if the car has navigation or not. Even if I know the route I still follow google maps directions.