What do YOU use for Navigation?

[TonyHzNV]

This is kind of an offshoot of another discussion but feel it warrants its own thread. Post here what YOU use for in-car navigation whether it's MFT/MLT-Nav, Google Maps, stand-alone GPS (Tom Tom, Garmin, Magellan - they still around?, etc), other smartphone app.....you get the idea. Please let us know WHAT you use, HOW you use it and WHY you use it. Tell us the advantages, disadvantages, likes, dislikes, etc. Tell us about that one device or app that WE SHOULD ALL BE USING! This should be interesting.....

Edited January 25, 2015 by TonyHzNV

[jeffo65]

Google Maps because it is easy and on my cell phone.

[corncobs]

Google Maps because it is easy and on my cell phone.

Me too! > Google maps!

 

It sends the direction either thru the USB or the BT. Sometimes it get a little confused with the BT "next direction phone call" and doesn't end the call but usually it pretty good.

 

Besides being easy to use for irregular trips I use it for my commute whenever there is an unusual backup to see the traffic information. Most times I just wanna know for how much of a wait I'm in for not to find a better route.

 

Just gives me more time in my FFH :)

 

Thanks Tony for picking up the suggestion on this separate topic.

[DeeCee]

I use Google Maps on my smartphone. Works for me.

[TonyHzNV]

I used to use my good old TomTom or Google Maps a lot in my 2012 (gas) Fusion and my 2013 F-150 because neither has navigation. I even bought an iBolt dock for my Samsung Galaxy S4 (see review here: http://www.cnet.com/products/ibolt-xprodock-connect/) because it comes with a cool little app called "Dock'n Drive that gives you access to up to 30 car related apps including navigation, and the dock has a micro usb connector to power the phone as well a standard USB and 3.5 mm male connector on the other end for plugging in to the car's sound system. It works pretty cool and since both the F-150 and the old Fusion had a mini-jack to connect to, it was perfect. Well, now (for the first time) I have a car (my 14 FFH) with Nav and I expected it to work. I just never really looked into how often or how expensive the in-car nav system updates were. I didn't specifically seek out a car with the nav system, it just happened to be installed in the only FFH SE that I liked on the lot. I would have gladly taken the moonroof option in its place, but they didn't have one.

 

Anyway, I had been wanting a good radar detector for a while and finally decided to buy one just before Christmas. I chose the Escort Passport 8500 X50 which I found to be a good value for price vs. features. Well, Escort has this thing called "Escort Live" which uses an app on your cell phone to display a moving map with "real time" radar warnings reported by other users on the "live" app network and you can report your own sightings as well for other users. For all this to work, you have to buy the special "Escort Live" power cord which pairs the radar detector to your phone via bluetooth and provides a USB port for keeping your phone powered. So, finally......whew.......my phone is being monopolized by my radar detector now, especially on a long trip like Vegas to L.A. So, using Google Maps on my phone is no longer possible if I'm using the RD. I just want the built-in nav system to work and be half-way accurate!!!!!

 

I haven't really taken the FFH on a long trip yet though, so it hasn't been an issue. I keep my TomTom in the F-150 and it was what I drove to L.A. in September, mostly for power and speed because we had a family emergency and I needed to get there ASAP.

 

Soooo, what am I using? Well, in the FFH, I've been using the in-car nav with the A5 card but it's only been around here in Vegas which isn't very big, but a lot of it IS very new. So, a relatively up to date map would be really nice and appreciated because they are constantly building new things around here. Not quite as bad as a few years back, but it's picking up again and it would be nice to have some of the newer POI's like restaurants and gas stations show up on the nav. So now maybe you can understand why I've been pursuing the A6 nav card recently. I just want the most up to date info, but I also want it at a reasonable price, and that ISN'T through navigation.com! Waiting for eBay to come through again!

 

Oh yeah, I also have a hand-held (color) Garmin GPS Map 76CSx for sailing, which I do occasionally down in the San Diego area...........but that's another story! :salute:

Edited January 25, 2015 by TonyHzNV

[djminfll]

90% of the time I used my TomTom, I had one for 5 or 6 years, I just upgraded to a new one which also gives traffic along the route so I can select an alternate. If I need to get directions because of either traffic or roadblock where it would take too long to set up the TomTom, then I use google maps. I didn't used to use it, because I was on a limited data plan on my phone, but I recently switched, and now I have unlimited, so that is a more viable option for me now. Funny enough, the one device I almost NEVER use is SYNC services/directions. That is always my worst option, I hate it!

Edited January 25, 2015 by djminfll

[Texasota]

For road trips I use my Garmin with lifetime map updates. It has a Lane Assist function that I absolutely love especially when driving through large metro areas that I am unfamiliar with. Don't know if any phone apps have the equivalent of Lane Assist.

 

We also use Google Maps and Waze on the phone. They are handy and I like them but I would not give up the Garmin. The phone nav apps are frequently used for short trips in town because of the convenience.

 

TonyHxNV, good idea for a thread topic. Bound to learn something helpful here.

[TonyHzNV]

TonyHzNV, good idea for a thread topic. Bound to learn something helpful here.

Well, corncobs and I kind of started talking about this over in the A6 Navigation Map thread and we agreed that it maybe should be a thread of its own, so I started it, but it was really his idea. Thanks, CC! :)

 

P.S. Which model Garmin do you have that has the lane assist function? I didn't even know there was such a thing!

Edited January 25, 2015 by TonyHzNV

[corncobs]

For road trips I use my Garmin with lifetime map updates. It has a Lane Assist function that I absolutely love especially when driving through large metro areas that I am unfamiliar with. Don't know if any phone apps have the equivalent of Lane Assist.

 

I believe both Google maps and maps have this feature but not as big and clear picture as a GPS with this feature does.

 

I do 100% agree this a nice feature to have if you are unfamiliar with an area which is the usually the case if you need use a GPS.

[jeffo65]

The majority of the time the position of the Exit # sign shows what side of the road the exit will be on. If the exit # sign is on the right of its main sign, then the exit will be on the right. The same thing is true if it is on the left side.

[GrySql]

I use a modern 5" screen Garmin with lifetime maps and traffic, have had several in the past, as my first choice for the car navigation.

 

Whoa, I just about started reminiscing about government GPS in the early 1990's at work.

[md13ffhguy]

I primarily use MFT navigation, but after the free Sirius traffic went away, I augment with Google Maps for traffic info.

[TonyHzNV]

Whoa, I just about started reminiscing about government GPS in the early 1990's at work.

Yeah, GS, I could bring up the Army GPS we had back in the mid 80's too.......we had to lay it across the top of the glare shield in the helicopter so it could get a signal and it looked kinda like an old WWII walkie talkie, but, we don't wanna go there, do we? :victory:

[TonyHzNV]

Yeah, GS, I could bring up the Army GPS we had back in the mid 80's too.......we had to lay it across the top of the glare shield in the helicopter so it could get a signal and it looked kinda like an old WWII walkie talkie, but, we don't wanna go there, do we? And hey, what about the good old Garmin Street Pilot? I still have one of those in a closet somewhere........ :victory:

Sorry, could have sworn I was editing post # 13 above. Apparently not! I think I get what you guys mean by "lane assist" on the GPS now, and I'm pretty sure my TomTom has that too. OK, I'm with you now! [doink!]

Edited January 25, 2015 by TonyHzNV

[SteveB_TX]

... Post here what YOU use for in-car navigation whether it's MFT-Nav, Google Maps, stand-alone GPS (Tom Tom, Garmin, etc), other smartphone app.....you get the idea.

 

Well how RUDE! What, those of us with MLT-Nav don't get to participate? I am calling my attorney! ;)

[corncobs]

 

Well how RUDE! What, those of us with MLT-Nav don't get to participate? I am calling my attorney! ;)

Of course all MFT spinoff user are welcome to participate as well. :)

 

That would mean Steve is only using the MLT NAV ?

[hermans]

I use MLT and MFT. I have a Tom-Tom for a backup and if that fails, I have a seeing-eye dog.

[Easy Rider]

Google Maps because it is easy and on my cell phone.

I think this is the best with a couple of comments:

Keeping the screen on all the time eats battery life REAL fast.

And I haven't figured out yet how to set "way points" or multiple destinations.

 

Having said that, I usually use the built-in GPS in both my Ford and Prius; I paid for the things, might as well get some use out of them.

 

In my new-to-me RV, I use a Garmin which I dug out of a drawer. It still works good......and the map updates are still free !!!

Edited January 25, 2015 by Easy Rider

[nv rick]

I use the MLT except when flying somewhere. Then I use a Garmin with lifetime maps when renting a car. (For the life of me, I don't understand [well, I guess I really do] why Ford won't contract for free updates with the map supplier.) I guess the idea is that we are, more or less, locked into either using outdated info or paying additional fees. As Garmin does, I wish Ford/Lincoln would offer an option for lifetime map updates. I would be willing to pay @$100 extra for that.

I know the Garmin has more (and updated) POI's, but I cringe at the thought of hanging power cables off the dashboard.

I have an A4 card, and it strikes out quite often when looking for a place for a quick meal, or ATM. Tony can confirm that places go in and out of business or move quite often in the Vegas area.

[TonyHzNV]

 

Well how RUDE! What, those of us with MLT-Nav don't get to participate? I am calling my attorney! ;)

See edit in post #1 :)

[GrySql]

 

Well how RUDE! What, those of us with MLT-Nav don't get to participate? I am calling my attorney! ;)

My, my, welcome to the misfits club... :salute: :lol:

Your quote from the A6 Thread: "Gotta be extremely careful what you say around this bunch Tony. Especially those misfits acdii and GrySql."

-

Acdii has been talking about adding an 'invitation only' discussion section and you have just pegged the name for it - The Misfits. Perfect.

Edited January 25, 2015 by GrySql

[Easy Rider]

As Garmin does, I wish Ford/Lincoln would offer an option for lifetime map updates.

Maybe they will come around.......IF enough owners bitch about it.

Garmin, etc. used to charge for updates.

Nothing near the outrageous $150 though.

And when they WERE charging, users who paid for an update within 90 days of a new issue got the new one free.

 

Big companies don't REALLY know about good customer service; none of them.

[acdii]

LOL GrySql!

 

 

Here, I use THIS

 

And yes I do know how to use it.

[md13ffhguy]

Big companies don't REALLY know about good customer service; none of them.

My opinion is it's because the automakers are following an outdated or flawed business model. I think the next generation of interfaces with more smartphone and app integration will offer better user experiences, in terms of updates/upgrades and the ability to add new features. However, this will require the automakers to give up some perceived advantages to Google/Apple, i.e. profits on updates and upgrades, and data about users.

[GrySql]

My opinion is it's because the automakers are following an outdated or flawed business model. I think the next generation of interfaces with more smartphone and app integration will offer better user experiences, in terms of updates/upgrades and the ability to add new features. However, this will require the automakers to give up some perceived advantages to Google/Apple, i.e. profits on updates and upgrades, and data about users.

I believe Ford has a similar idea, they are playing catch up. Seen this?

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/9735-ford-opens-new-silicon-valley-research-center-to-drive-innovation-in-connectivity-mobility-autonomous-vehicles/?p=92555