Navigation is a joke

[Toffees]

I have never used my phone for navigation but I guess it's time I learn..I just think it's pitiful that my navigation in my 4Runner does not work as well as my dinosaur portable Garmin that I plug into the cigarette lighter..I guess I'll just get it out of my old truck and put it on the dash of my nice 4Runner..

Actually, it makes perfect sense. Navigation is a speciliazation. I was afraid Garmin would be out of the business when smart phones came out (because their top-end stuff is amazing, but not for cars), but they've managed to stick around.

Still, to get good maps you need regular updates to account for construction outages and new roads, etc., and you can't get this reliably to your in-dash unit. You could find a method to constantly update this, but the programming cost (for development, not you and your routes) is prohibitive. (Plus, you realistically need data for current traffic conditions anyway.)

Any number of map and navigation apps is available for most phones, and few are better than google maps (although I'm in a blood feud with AT&T as a data provider at the moment), although many are very good.

Toyota, and really no manufacturer, can keep up with newer technology on the software side. If you want the future of in-dash navigation, rip out your unit and get something Car Play compatible.

It won't be too long that these dinosaur head units are gone entirely. There's little they do that your phone doesn't already do, and better.

 

[Lawman]

Actually, it makes perfect sense. Navigation is a speciliazation. I was afraid Garmin would be out of the business when smart phones came out (because their top-end stuff is amazing, but not for cars), but they've managed to stick around.

Still, to get good maps you need regular updates to account for construction outages and new roads, etc., and you can't get this reliably to your in-dash unit. You could find a method to constantly update this, but the programming cost (for development, not you and your routes) is prohibitive. (Plus, you realistically need data for current traffic conditions anyway.)

Any number of map and navigation apps is available for most phones, and few are better than google maps (although I'm in a blood feud with AT&T as a data provider at the moment), although many are very good.

Toyota, and really no manufacturer, can keep up with newer technology on the software side. If you want the future of in-dash navigation, rip out your unit and get something Car Play compatible.

It won't be too long that these dinosaur head units are gone entirely. There's little they do that your phone doesn't already do, and better.

I can barely use my phone to make calls so learning to use it for map data will be a steep climb..Also my provider is Ting so I pay for data I use..I'm guessing using my phone for nav will be prohibitive in cost but I'm just guessing..

 

[Toffees]

I can barely use my phone to make calls so learning to use it for map data will be a steep climb..Also my provider is Ting so I pay for data I use..I'm guessing using my phone for nav will be prohibitive in cost but I'm just guessing..

Then for you a Garmin plug in is the best option probably, and these are pretty good devices, although I'm biased.

*It's entirely possible that auto manufacturers and nav companies like Garmin partner to offer specific devices in dashes and installed units in future vehicles, if trying to combat the rise of smart phones as infotainment devices, but that's not something I've seen or heard. Still think future cars will be plug and play with phones.

 

[Lawman]

Then for you a Garmin plug in is the best option probably, and these are pretty good devices, although I'm biased.

Amazing my truck can remember the correct seat position depending on who is driving but I have to set 10 year old portable GPS to slide around on the dash to remember how to get me home..

 

[4Rman]

Agree 100%... Poor at best

Yes, poor at best! I hate the speech recognition. It is actually comical... if you are bored on a long trip and need to have a few laughs, try using the voice recognition to navigate to some random but legitimate business name. In my experience, it will respond with the most unlikely business name, asking you confirm did you mean -------. It is so random and nothing close to what you asked for that you can't help but laugh especially if you have a passenger with you. If you ask the same thing of your phone Nav. you will get an accurate response back pretty much 100% of the time. And yes, training does not help improve experience!

Toyota dropped the ball on voice recognition or may be the speech recognition was developed in a non-English speaking country. I wish Toyota would introduce Android Auto soon.

 

[Toffees]

Amazing my truck can remember the correct seat position depending on who is driving but I have to set 10 year old portable GPS to slide around on the dash to remember how to get me home..

Clearly you and I see differently on this, but your seat has how many, three, programmable positions, all of which never change?

There are over 19,000 incorporated areas in the US, nearly 47,000 miles of interstate highway system, approximately 4,000,000 miles of roads in the US, and who knows how many roadway changes on a daily basis. I guess I don't think this is necessarily an easy job to get right, and at least the modern driver has greater expectation of UI than 20 years or more ago. If you were lucky 20 years ago, unless you owned a good set of Mapscos or better, you would find *most* of the roads you needed from free visitor center maps when you entered a new state.

 

[Rundownaxe]

Yes, poor at best! I hate the speech recognition. It is actually comical... if you are bored on a long trip and need to have a few laughs, try using the voice recognition to navigate to some random but legitimate business name. In my experience, it will respond with the most unlikely business name, asking you confirm did you mean -------. It is so random and nothing close to what you asked for that you can't help but laugh especially if you have a passenger with you. If you ask the same thing of your phone Nav. you will get an accurate response back pretty much 100% of the time. And yes, training does not help improve experience!

Toyota dropped the ball on voice recognition or may be the speech recognition was developed in a non-English speaking country. I wish Toyota would introduce Android Auto soon.

I second this! I tried to find a Canadian tire store using the voice command. I gave it my all. I tried in english and french. I did a variety of accent for both languages and the poor Nav unit could not figure it out.

Like you said, I had a fun with this for a few minutes. I was laughing at the confirmations for ridiculous names that weren't even close to what I wanted. After a time, I asked siri to find one and 10 seconds later the route was set.

It really does suck.

 

[Lawman]

Clearly you and I see differently on this, but your seat has how many, three, programmable positions, all of which never change?

There are over 19,000 incorporated areas in the US, nearly 47,000 miles of interstate highway system, approximately 4,000,000 miles of roads in the US, and who knows how many roadway changes on a daily basis. I guess I don't think this is necessarily an easy job to get right, and at least the modern driver has greater expectation of UI than 20 years or more ago. If you were lucky 20 years ago, unless you owned a good set of Mapscos or better, you would find *most* of the roads you needed from free visitor center maps when you entered a new state.

Oh don't get me wrong..I can't fathom how navigation works at all..Heck I don't believe t.v. can work..But I am confused as to how my old un updated portable Garmin is so much better than my 2017 model Toyota..

 

[enapa]

Oh don't get me wrong..I can't fathom how navigation works at all..Heck I don't believe t.v. can work..But I am confused as to how my old un updated portable Garmin is so much better than my 2017 model Toyota..

Probably because the 4runner is a vehicle used to move you and goods around and Garmin is specifically a company that makes GPS equipment designed to help you navigate. Why aren't you complaining that your Garmin doesn't have 4 wheel drive? :hello:

 

[Lawman]

Why aren't you complaining that your Garmin doesn't have 4 wheel drive? :hello:

Because my Garmin doesn't claim to have 4WD..:hello:

Had Toyota told me part of your what your $48,000.00 buys is a navigation system that has state highways in the data base but does not direct you to use them, but instead directs you to stay on Interstates even though it adds 2 hours to a 4 hour drive I would not be complaining..

 

[Toffees]

Because my Garmin doesn't claim to have 4WD..:hello:

Had Toyota told me part of your what your $48,000.00 buys is a navigation system that has state highways in the data base but does not direct you to use them, but instead directs you to stay on Interstates even though it adds 2 hours to a 4 hour drive I would not be complaining..

You might check your settings. It could be that some options are turned off. And, always double check your route. I recently went from Austin to near Corpus and the "short" route, through San Antonio, was 15 minutes longer than the "Alternate" route. You'd think that the nav system would know which number is less (the miles were more too, so it wasn't "short"!), but apparently programming a good nav system is harder than it should be.

 

[nb rob]

If my garmin costs $40k, I want it to have a solid front axle

 

[Lawman]

If my garmin costs $40k, I want it to have a solid front axle

:cheer2:

 

[rodralig]

Any recommendations for a nav for off-roading, ie., looking for rated trails, etc....?

I was searching online and found the TRX7. Unfortunately, reviews were not so stellar justifying a $450 purchase.

Thanks!



_

 

[mybabydaddy]

Mine has always performed as expected. Sure depending on where you live you might encounter some areas where it under performs but so far it has gotten me to where I need to go... and if I already know the route then I don't really need to use it.

Agreed. Not calling anyone out... to each their own. But seriously? Almost ALL of them suck. I enter the destination so it’s programmed.... then stop the guidance... then use common sense to get 3/4 the way there... then click the previous destination button... and wellah, you’re guided the last 5-10 mins of your route (that you’ve never been to). That’s pretty much how I use the factory NAV.

If I need the entire route for some reason, then yes, I use my iPhone.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[phillyd2]

Driven all around the country and never had an issue but I only use it when I don't know which way to go so I guess I wouldn't know if there could have been a better route.

 

[aelarson]

I can barely use my phone to make calls so learning to use it for map data will be a steep climb..Also my provider is Ting so I pay for data I use..I'm guessing using my phone for nav will be prohibitive in cost but I'm just guessing..

Hold the phone (pun intended). You paid $48,000 for a 4Runner, but cheaped out and have “Ting” cell phone service? Should’ve found a better deal on your 4Runner and put that towards Verizon or AT&T cell service ound:

 

[philsey]

Hold the phone (pun intended). You paid $48,000 for a 4Runner, but cheaped out and have “Ting” cell phone service? Should’ve found a better deal on your 4Runner and put that towards Verizon or AT&T cell service ound:

Exactly. And, is it even possible to pay $48K for a 4R?

 

[Lawman]

Exactly. And, is it even possible to pay $48K for a 4R?

Actually the check I wrote was for $47,438.49. I could write that check because I don't waste my money on things I don't need..That's the same reason I have been able to write a check for most every large purchase I've ever made including the nice two story brick house I now live in on 65 acres..

 

[honda99ex]

Agreed. Not calling anyone out... to each their own. But seriously? Almost ALL of them suck. I enter the destination so it’s programmed.... then stop the guidance... then use common sense to get 3/4 the way there... then click the previous destination button... and wellah, you’re guided the last 5-10 mins of your route (that you’ve never been to). That’s pretty much how I use the factory NAV.

If I need the entire route for some reason, then yes, I use my iPhone.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes it's all relative. I agree they all suck but Toyota's NAV and Entune I feel are especially high on the suck scale! I only wish they had Android Auto or Apple Car Play so I don't have 12 things wired up in the car but then Toyota is feuding with those companies. About the only good thing the screen is there for is the backup camera! Waze and Google Maps all day, every day.