I've only used mine a couple times and before this had never really used a nav system, I do a LOT of driving for work and would always use Mapquest. So far I really like the voice search, it's insanely accurate. However, like mentioned, the routes leave a lot to be desired. This is why I've always used Mapquest and not google maps, whatever code or algorithm or whatever they use is inferior to the one mapquest uses. I use Mapquest for directions 1-4 times a day for work, and it's wrong less than 1% of the time. I've used Google Nav maybe 6-10 times and it's already been wrong twice (these are not rural areas, not new streets... just normal roads in LA county, stuff that any nav program should handle with ease).
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My review of Google Navigation after 3000 miles
- Thread starter JoeFresco
- Start date
One thing that constantly drives me crazy is how it speaks literally every possible road for a highway.
"In 1/4 mile, turn left onto Exit 162 Highway 64 West towards Wentzville Missouri 40 South Missouri 61 West"
Not only is this confusing, but by the time it's done saying everything, I've come to the turn and it says it AGAIN!!!
Actually, I would consider that a positive feature compared to my Garmin Nuvi 350 which will only say the first route number which depending on how it is coded in its database might not be correct (or at least might not be how the road signs are posted or how people think of the road).
For example, the Garmin will sometimes (depending on exactly where you are/where you are coming from) refer to Route 9A in Northern Westchester as the "Briarcliff Peekskill Parkway" and not even mention "route 9A." Now maybe some old maps actually show Briarcliff Peekskill Parkway (I've never seen one), but ALL the road signs say "rt 9A." I've NEVER seen a sign that says Briarcliff Peekskill Parkway. Fortunately we know the area, but it could be confusing to someone who isn't from the area.
And the maps in my Toyota Prius factory navigation system show some stretches of route 9A as simply route 9 (which is a different road).
2 major downfall for me...cannot save addresses for quick navigation (i.e. VZ Navigator has the option to save address for HOME, WORK and others), in Google I had to save it in my contacts which sucks. Also, around where i live, if I want to go to work (which is literally 3 turns), it wants to take me the other way around thru the highway instead of the quicker way using backstreets. No option for FASTEST, EASIEST or BACK ROADS. Thats about it. I know it still beta but not quite there yet. I am sure Google is working to make it better. Expect an upgrade soon!
Not sure what you mean on this? If I just go to Google Maps it will show my location and follow me as I go...
Mine doesn't. I haven't tried setting a route with it yet, but using it while driving to work to test it, I noticed the screen doesn't move for me. It centers on where I start and once I move out of it, I have to thumb the map over. It may just be a setting, but I haven't found it yet.
All you have to do in a situation like you described is go to the menu and hit 'my location'. It will center you on the map and continue to stay centered as you move. Give it a shot.
I use the Google Maps a lot and find it extremely accurate. I guess it depends on the location as well.
To the OP:
I don't see what the big deal is in knowing the mph or the altitude. I know how fast I'm going by my speedo and how high I am really doesn't
matter to me in the grand scheme of things.
As for battery life. Well, try running a bunch of other services / apps on your Garmin (obviously it can't but if it could) and see how long the battery will last.
Lastly. The garmins, tom toms, etc are all dedicated devices. Of course they'll have tons of bells and whistles, many of which are pretty useless in the context of getting from point A to B. You really can't expect Google Maps to match that quantity. The most important thing it does and does well is get the driver to his/her destination.
Not so fond of it yet.
I've only had the Droid for a short time but the google maps/nav is a bit dissapointing. Any cloud cover and I can not get GPS lock and makes app useless. No turn by turn voice on mine. Not sure why that is. I can't find any settings to change that. Routing is marginal. Chooses one route only and not always a good one. Possibly I have outdated version but the 3 year old Nuvi kicks it's butt.
I've only had the Droid for a short time but the google maps/nav is a bit dissapointing. Any cloud cover and I can not get GPS lock and makes app useless. No turn by turn voice on mine. Not sure why that is. I can't find any settings to change that. Routing is marginal. Chooses one route only and not always a good one. Possibly I have outdated version but the 3 year old Nuvi kicks it's butt.
GadgetRick
Member
Good review.
I'd also add they need to put the speed limit info on the screen as well. Very useful for times when you're somewhere you don't know.
I also still really want to see an easy way to save a point like EVERY other GPS out there. I don't want to have to mess with editing a map and creating a layer, etc. Just want to go somewhere, decide I want to go there regularly, then save that place. How can I put it on a layer if I haven't been there yet and don't know I'm going to go there yet?
Night mode would be nice but I just use satellite view which is just as effective as night mode.
Wish they would save the layers you have displayed. It always forgets them and I have to go back. I always enable satellite view and often go with traffic view as well.
Google's mapping database has always been lacking compared to the others out there. I've always found them to have mistakes. This has gone on for years. Wish they'd get that worked out. If someone is coming to my house--and spells the name of the street correctly (I live on Mountain View Dr but Google wants to see Mountainview Dr.)--Google will take them to the next town over. They have to spell the name of my street incorrectly in order to get here. Been like that since I've lived here (4 years) that I know of.
With all that said, I don't use our dedicated gps any longer. It's not perfect but it's certainly more than good enough.
I'd also add they need to put the speed limit info on the screen as well. Very useful for times when you're somewhere you don't know.
I also still really want to see an easy way to save a point like EVERY other GPS out there. I don't want to have to mess with editing a map and creating a layer, etc. Just want to go somewhere, decide I want to go there regularly, then save that place. How can I put it on a layer if I haven't been there yet and don't know I'm going to go there yet?
Night mode would be nice but I just use satellite view which is just as effective as night mode.
Wish they would save the layers you have displayed. It always forgets them and I have to go back. I always enable satellite view and often go with traffic view as well.
Google's mapping database has always been lacking compared to the others out there. I've always found them to have mistakes. This has gone on for years. Wish they'd get that worked out. If someone is coming to my house--and spells the name of the street correctly (I live on Mountain View Dr but Google wants to see Mountainview Dr.)--Google will take them to the next town over. They have to spell the name of my street incorrectly in order to get here. Been like that since I've lived here (4 years) that I know of.
With all that said, I don't use our dedicated gps any longer. It's not perfect but it's certainly more than good enough.
There are a lot of reasons to have mph info on the GPS screen. For one thing, when I'm driving a car I'm unfamiliar with, I like to know what the exact speed is without having to trust the speedometer. Or, if I were on a boat or airplane, I could see my speed. Or, another driver of my car can know exactly how fast they are going (tip: it isn't what the speedo says).
As for altitude, I go into mountains a lot, and I want to know how high I am. It isn't a necessity, but hey, most of what the smartphone provides isn't a true necessity, and it does calculate what the altitude is.
GadgetRick, you have to create a favorite on the Home screen. Long-press the home screen.
As for altitude, I go into mountains a lot, and I want to know how high I am. It isn't a necessity, but hey, most of what the smartphone provides isn't a true necessity, and it does calculate what the altitude is.
GadgetRick, you have to create a favorite on the Home screen. Long-press the home screen.
GadgetRick
Member
GadgetRick, you have to create a favorite on the Home screen. Long-press the home screen.
Lost me there. Talking about saving a waypoint?
Good review.
I'd also add they need to put the speed limit info on the screen as well. Very useful for times when you're somewhere you don't know.
I also still really want to see an easy way to save a point like EVERY other GPS out there. I don't want to have to mess with editing a map and creating a layer, etc. Just want to go somewhere, decide I want to go there regularly, then save that place. How can I put it on a layer if I haven't been there yet and don't know I'm going to go there yet?
Night mode would be nice but I just use satellite view which is just as effective as night mode.
Wish they would save the layers you have displayed. It always forgets them and I have to go back. I always enable satellite view and often go with traffic view as well.
Google's mapping database has always been lacking compared to the others out there. I've always found them to have mistakes. This has gone on for years. Wish they'd get that worked out. If someone is coming to my house--and spells the name of the street correctly (I live on Mountain View Dr but Google wants to see Mountainview Dr.)--Google will take them to the next town over. They have to spell the name of my street incorrectly in order to get here. Been like that since I've lived here (4 years) that I know of.
With all that said, I don't use our dedicated gps any longer. It's not perfect but it's certainly more than good enough.
You can fix that, which is the best part about Google's Maps. Load up your address in maps on PC, and in the lower right, click "Report a problem." Fairly self-explanatory from there. So far I've fixed a few little issues with maps near me and places I've been to where the directions were completely incorrect. They were fixed in a timely fashion, which is always nice. You can do the same thing for addresses that aren't correctly located by editing the dropped pin, and a few other things as well.
If they include that functionality from mobile devices at some point, you could fix things on the fly, which would be sweet.
Thanks to everyone for the reviews of the nav, it's a big selling point for me.
There are a lot of reasons to have mph info on the GPS screen. For one thing, when I'm driving a car I'm unfamiliar with, I like to know what the exact speed is without having to trust the speedometer. Or, if I were on a boat or airplane, I could see my speed. Or, another driver of my car can know exactly how fast they are going (tip: it isn't what the speedo says).
As for altitude, I go into mountains a lot, and I want to know how high I am. It isn't a necessity, but hey, most of what the smartphone provides isn't a true necessity, and it does calculate what the altitude is.
GadgetRick, you have to create a favorite on the Home screen. Long-press the home screen.
Unless the there's a problem with the speed sensor, onboard computer or the tire diameter changes, car speedos are usually very accurate. Even if they're off by a few mph, the world won't end. Again this info might be cool to some but it's redundant and so, IMO, not necessary and certainly not a reason to knock Google Nav. It's like complaining about the Garmin because it can't make calls. Besides I'm sure there are apps that provide this sort of info in the Market.
Also because most smartphones depend on a cell signal for initial GPS position and for map data, using one in places where there can easily be an interruption of service, like in the Mountains or while boating/hiking isn't very prudent. In cases like those you'd want to have a standalone as a backup.
Last edited:
stuhasdroid
Member
Is it known when Google Nav 1.0 is expected to GA ?
As the previous person said. Very, very impressive for a so called beta release.
As the previous person said. Very, very impressive for a so called beta release.
stevenfstein
New Member
My biggest compaint is that if I create a custom map with specific waypoints the Nav system lets me load as a layer but once Nav starts it calculates its own route, ignoring what I created. A developer in another forum said that feature is not enabled yet. Hopefully in the next release......
regards... Steve
regards... Steve
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