I get what you're saying. I'm on Straight Talk using Verizon network. It even gets spotty some places that I go here in the middle GA area, had the same results on an actual Verizon plan too FWIW. That said I'm good enough with directions that I can definitely find my way back into the network.

I would agree that hot spotting would be the preferred method for using an android head unit, my concern is the actual data usage. On a road trip I'd at least be using navigation and streaming SiriusXM. I may move my Sirius subscription from the car radio to a portable unit which would reduce data usage some. Either way how much data does it burn through? That's a rhetorical question BTW.

My current plan I have a data cap of 10 GB hotspot a month at 4G, my main reason for having that hotspot on the plan was so I could do school work when I'm away from normal wi-fi access or if something happened and internet went down at home when I need to submit an assignment. IE, if I want to go camping for a long weekend, I know I can access the school website and submit assignments where ever I am (in network).

I haven't actually used it enough to see how much data I eat through doing it, or really even bother checking. I don't intend to stop school to start traveling. My concern is that I'm eating through data with navigation and stuff that I might need for school work.

If I am on the road and limited to the 10 gig hotspot, then mirroring would be a way around burning up the hotspot data when on the road since it's actually the phone using the data. I think there might be a higher option plan for hotspot now and it's probably only another $10 a month, but I never looked into because I didn't need it.

 

Data cap was my concern. I've got unlimited mobile data, but 10gb hotspot cap. I haven't looked into how they tell the difference to know if it can be bypassed. I don't do youtube on my phone. I do stream music, but I can't imagine that uses more data than streaming video. All the traveling that you do, if you don't have an issue with 20gb, I probably won't have an issue at 10gb.

I like google maps, but I'm usually using it on my phone where there isn't a data cap or connection issue. I briefly tried waze and liked it, but as you said google has incorporated the best features of waze.

Prior to getting a smart phone I used a Garmin GPS. Obviously it was all offline, but it worked well as long as it was updated. I'd have think that someone out there has an android navigation app that would work as well offline, just got to find it. It also might not be one of the free apps I tend to target.

If I do find something I like for that I'll definitely try to remember to let every one know.

Maybe you can do it with Google Maps: https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838/
I'll have to do some playing around and see what happens.

 

Josht, that all makes perfect sense and I understand your concerns.

What about BT tethering as a data stream source for the Android head unit? As you may know, WiFi hotspot through a smartphone is not the only means of providing data service to an auxiliary device.

As for your usage, we had the same questions. So, after a couple of cross country trips streaming the entire 6,000 miles, we evaluated our data usage. Normally our trips are longer than 30 days, so the data usage was split over two months and two billing cycles.

We have found 20 GB to be plenty for us and our application. The closest we got was November of 2019 traveling out to ID from GA where we reached 17 GB. But, the few days prior to traveling to ID we drive 2,000 to IL and back to bury my mother.

So, we had nearly 5,000 miles of traveling and streaming data in a one month period. The trip back to GA from ID was on the next billing cycle, so all was well.

See if you can find a "high use" period in your billing history, then at least some of the guesstimates will be resolved.

 

Actually what you said right there tells me that I have nothing to worry about. That 5000 mile month is what I usually drive in about 4 and I don't use navigation for most of that. Besides even out on the road you can usually find some place with free wi-fi, so it's not like I couldn't get online and submit assignments.

I don't have to worry about making any trips like that in the foreseeable future, no time for it. Most of the south east I'll road trip to and camp. There are places further away that I intend to visit, but in interest of having time to see them I'll take a plane and rent a room. The journey is fun, but not going to make the journey if I don't have time to see the destination. Unfortunately, there's also a lot you can't see doing that, so I'll have an excuse to revisit places once I'm retired and can really road trip.

Oddly I'd like for my next trip to be to the Smithsonian museums, so not across country. I've been twice. Once around 5 or 6 so don't really remember it. The other about 10 years ago with a scout troop, but we only spent about an hour in a museum to get out of the rain. I don't even intend to drive there. I'll go to the Macon airport and hop a 99 dollar red-eye flight, use public transportation and walk while there. Hours spent driving are hours I could be absorbing the museums. That's also one place I might not revisit in retirement.

 

dare i ask how compatible the a6 is with a fruit phone?

I hate apple carplay because you lose so many features and there is so much nanny BS

 

@Hvyhaulr found this device...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post19911394

It is just like an Android tablet, so I am unsure if connecting an iPhone to it for voice is integrated, but I would think so since it is just BT. Other than that, the apps come from Play Store instead of the Fruit Store and I believe they are very similar.

Same thoughts on Android Auto.

 

I ordered one last night so I will report back on how it works

 

We would appreciate that sir.

Also, thanks for helping the "Fruits" out.

 

Thanks guys

 

I have zero issues with my old iPhone (I 6 I think??). I’m also on straight talk and just activated the hot spot a couple months ago for the first time. Been using straight talk for years now, but had verizon before that and no change in coverage.

Im sure someone more techy than me (that’s easy to do) could make google maps work better ‘offline’ than I did. The TX trip was 2500mi in (4) days and my ability to focus on the navigation system glitches was very limited. 95% of my trip was big interstates and other highways I’m intimately familiar with, so the Navi was as more about entertainment than safety or necessary for travel. I still listen to the CB for traffic info.

Streaming pandora was more consistent/reliable through the phone an using ‘BT Music’ on the A6 than it was using the app on A6 and getting WiFi from phone hotspot.

I am unable to use the A6 hands free calling feature. It’s just too loud in my truck I guess???

 

Thanks jason,

Anyone use an external Bluetooth calling device while phone is connected to a6? does it constantly try to keep switching back to the a6?

 

I doubt I’ll be able to use Bluetooth. My cab is loud as hell. I think after I finish collecting 4WD parts that may be my next endeavor. Strip the cab down, down and all and try to quiet this thing down. I have seen mixed results but I think by removing the dash and covering all behind it helps with quieting it down.

 

Chris, once your phone is paired with the external BT device, there should be no switching. If you want to be sure of that, turn the BT off on the A6. I think you can set BT connection priorities as well on the phone.

Basically, connect to X device before connecting to Y device.

You can give it a shot! I tested the voice clarity at 55 MPH with the windows down and she could hear me fine. See posts above for location of mic at the top of the driver side A pillar.

What is interesting and why would someone need strong knowledge in software?

The ATOTO A6 is a tablet in the dashboard. Unless you are referring to something else that we/I am not aware of.

 

@josht ask and you shall receive my friend...

Below is a picture of me setting a route from Challis ID to a National Forest campground on Hwy 12 just west of Lolo MT.

See the black bar on the left middle of the screen? That is the download route button for offline use.



Just after turning west on Hwy 12 from Lolo, we lost cell phone reception. I knew this was going to happen as we have traveled the route many, many times.

The lack of data or even voice did not hinder my ability to track our journey with Google Maps. This morning, knowing we had about 50 miles to go until we had any sort of cellular data signal, I set out west on Hwy 12.

Once we had cellular signal (I knew because my text messages started coming in) I simply pushed the Google Maps app button, selected search here, put in Oro and Orofino ID popped up as the first choice, pushed that, then start and did this in about 10 seconds while on cruise control at 45 MPH.

I hope this post addresses some of your questions.

 

I was going to ask the same earlier, then realized it's probably a spam bot or internet troll making his annual post.


Thanks for posting that about offline navigation. Seems like it works well, I'll have to play around with it some once I get a radio setup.