Navigation
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 107
From: Staten Island, NY
Navigation
After a recent road trip I've been wondering about navigation systems. If you have a truck with a Sync3 or Sync4 navigation system (or even if you don't have built in navigation) and you regularly use Android auto or Apple Car Play with Google maps for your navigation system is the system using the GPS module in your phone or is it reading the GPS data from the vehicle's GPS?
I suspect that it uses the truck's GPS data since it doesn't seem to make any difference where I put my phone while navigating. In my pocket, on the console, in the cup holder. And for that matter, if you have a truck with a wireless charging pad your phone in somewhat buried inside the dash but nav works just fine. I use Android Auto with Google maps and the only precaution I have to take is to occasionally use the Download Offline Maps feature of Google maps if I know I'm going into an area with sketchy cell service.
Also, given all that, why would anyone actually pay money to update the map data for the built in navigation system. Typically by the time it's published it's already at least a year out of date.
These are the kinds of things I think about while driving.
I suspect that it uses the truck's GPS data since it doesn't seem to make any difference where I put my phone while navigating. In my pocket, on the console, in the cup holder. And for that matter, if you have a truck with a wireless charging pad your phone in somewhat buried inside the dash but nav works just fine. I use Android Auto with Google maps and the only precaution I have to take is to occasionally use the Download Offline Maps feature of Google maps if I know I'm going into an area with sketchy cell service.
Also, given all that, why would anyone actually pay money to update the map data for the built in navigation system. Typically by the time it's published it's already at least a year out of date.
These are the kinds of things I think about while driving.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 417
it was a total waste of my $$ when I ordered my truck 5+ years ago. I tried and tried to like it. Always found the commands to get a destination, and then the directions to the destination were dismal, and that's being polite. I found the traffic with green/red lines somewhat useful with local city driving, now after that free 5 years is up, no way am I paying what they want for that small bit I somewhat liked.
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
it was a total waste of my $$ when I ordered my truck 5+ years ago. I tried and tried to like it. Always found the commands to get a destination, and then the directions to the destination were dismal, and that's being polite. I found the traffic with green/red lines somewhat useful with local city driving, now after that free 5 years is up, no way am I paying what they want for that small bit I somewhat liked.
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,524
Likes: 926
From: Home Base Nebraska
I just use android auto. I even found years ago when I didn't have a very good data package that even so I was hard pressed too use 1 gig of data per month using it for 10-12 hours a day about 5.5 days a week. And like in a previous post, the factory nav is more or less useless. Google maps or waze is a much better navigational aid.
Denny
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 417
Google Maps: I have found clarity on trips depends on what driver for Google documented that area. Sometimes fantastic clarity and instruction, sometimes it's what the heck! I do use Google Maps exclusively anymore, it's always to have a great perception of where you are going and not simply plug and play along.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,888
Likes: 359
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
After a recent road trip I've been wondering about navigation systems. If you have a truck with a Sync3 or Sync4 navigation system (or even if you don't have built in navigation) and you regularly use Android auto or Apple Car Play with Google maps for your navigation system is the system using the GPS module in your phone or is it reading the GPS data from the vehicle's GPS?
I suspect that it uses the truck's GPS data since it doesn't seem to make any difference where I put my phone while navigating. In my pocket, on the console, in the cup holder. And for that matter, if you have a truck with a wireless charging pad your phone in somewhat buried inside the dash but nav works just fine. I use Android Auto with Google maps and the only precaution I have to take is to occasionally use the Download Offline Maps feature of Google maps if I know I'm going into an area with sketchy cell service.
Also, given all that, why would anyone actually pay money to update the map data for the built in navigation system. Typically by the time it's published it's already at least a year out of date.
These are the kinds of things I think about while driving.
I suspect that it uses the truck's GPS data since it doesn't seem to make any difference where I put my phone while navigating. In my pocket, on the console, in the cup holder. And for that matter, if you have a truck with a wireless charging pad your phone in somewhat buried inside the dash but nav works just fine. I use Android Auto with Google maps and the only precaution I have to take is to occasionally use the Download Offline Maps feature of Google maps if I know I'm going into an area with sketchy cell service.
Also, given all that, why would anyone actually pay money to update the map data for the built in navigation system. Typically by the time it's published it's already at least a year out of date.
These are the kinds of things I think about while driving.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,230
Likes: 1,247
From: San Antonio, TX
I use Google maps like an old fashioned map. Sometimes I dislike the route given, and instructions to take turns or exits come too late with most GPS systems or apps.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,475
Likes: 727
From: Calgary Canada
Also, you can use your choice of Navigation apps, Google Maps or Waze are my two favourites. Waze is now owned by google, but it operatoes quite differently, which is interesting.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,888
Likes: 359
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
I use Android Auto frequently when I'm going someplace I'm not familiar with. What I do is map the route out on my PC, and Google maps often gives 2 or 3 alternate routes, but it also allows you to modify the route if you want. Once I get the route I want, I download it to my phone, then when I'm on my way, I call up the chosen route and go with it.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,230
Likes: 1,247
From: San Antonio, TX
I use Android Auto frequently when I'm going someplace I'm not familiar with. What I do is map the route out on my PC, and Google maps often gives 2 or 3 alternate routes, but it also allows you to modify the route if you want. Once I get the route I want, I download it to my phone, then when I'm on my way, I call up the chosen route and go with it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 417
I use to do as you, but I travel 400+ miles either direction to visit my kids. Countless times Google has rerouted me to avoid traffic. I don't get on the hwy without it anymore, even when I go in or around our mid-size Capitol city.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,888
Likes: 359
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
I'll do that too, except when we're going to Suburbia-ville where the streets all wrap around in circles and zig and zag all over the place. Times like that are when I use turn-by-turn.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,888
Likes: 359
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
After Google bought Waze, they kind of co-opted the traffic avoidance that used to be exclusive to Waze. We have sometimes wondered why the big G routed us some way we did not expect, and a few times we figured out it was giving us an option to avoid traffic.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 107
From: Staten Island, NY
Just about everyone has an Apple or Android powered phone in their pocket. With Google maps, the map data is just about always up to date and traffic and road conditions are accurate in real time. Total additional cost to the driver - Zero. With Sync Navigation the base map could be anywhere from one year to many years old. Want an update? Cough up a couple hundred bucks for a thumb drive, locked to your vehicle VIN that could be 18 months out of date by the time you purchase it. I fell for that one just once a few years ago. Learned my lesson. As for traffic and road conditions you'll need to have a current subscription to Sirius after your introductory, free subscription expires.
I bought a '25 Ranger this past summer with Sync4 & Nav and have yet to use the built-in navigation. Wireless Android Auto + Google Maps. Plus the truck wirelessly charges my phone as I drive.
I bought a '25 Ranger this past summer with Sync4 & Nav and have yet to use the built-in navigation. Wireless Android Auto + Google Maps. Plus the truck wirelessly charges my phone as I drive.