Is the satnav option worthwhile?

[wai]

Satnav is useful, however once you have been to the same place a few times, it is not necessary to get turn by turn instructions.

The iGo Primo software with the ANS-610 is great as it gives you reasonably accurate speed warnings, and if you are travelling much slower than the posted limit on a road, it asks you if you want to try an alternative route because of congestion. It is also good to just have it on when travelling in rural areas as it gives you good advanced warning of up coming things like intersections and the like.

The other thing is that you can explore alternative routes.

So, all up satnav is good, just that the price of the OEM unit is not good value. It is not just the purchase price, but the ongoing cost of mapping. With the ones you stick on the windscreen, if you don't have one with lifetime mapping, there is no point in purchasing just updated maps. You may as well buy a new unit altogether. It is tremendously wasteful of resources however.

[Ryan_R]

You realise this thread is in the Mk7 Golf forum?

[Guest001]

You realise this thread is in the Mk7 Golf forum?

I think he is following on from his prev post spruiking the ANS

My question is why would it suggest an alternative route solely on speed.

When in the USA my TomTom did that but used the Traffic updates to do it not the fact I was under the speed limit.

The RNS does alternative routes but they are a pain in themselves, also does the same in the country. Does it give you free maps or do you have to buy them like most others.

Thats one thing, I havent bought an update in 2 years, either dealer updated it for me or I got one on here.
Hopefully the Golf 7 Nav version has improved somewhat

[cktsi]

i would say if you are not going to buy OEM at least install a genuine after market down the track.

Thats said i paid 950 for an aftermarket rns510 so i would personally pay. Relatively speaking VW have shapened the pencil.

Plus side
- your car tracks your position underground. Big boon in unfamiliar underground car parks. Very cool feature in tunnels
- If satellite is lost signal is picked up v quickly.
- Way larger screen

Negatives.
- Hmmm.. One portable unit i use zooms in on the next turn then zooms out automatically. Dont know if this is a negative but rns miyht not have some of the finer functions that portable units have

I vote get the integrated nav

[pologti18t]

The way it probably should be done can be seen in new Holden models. The ICE has a touch screen that uses an App/WiFi/Bluetooth to communicate to your smartphone for navigation. Navigation is displayed on the bigger screen but most of the grunt is provided by your smartphone.

[team_v]

The way it probably should be done can be seen in new Holden models. The ICE has a touch screen that uses an App/WiFi/Bluetooth to communicate to your smartphone for navigation. Navigation is displayed on the bigger screen but most of the grunt is provided by your smartphone.

The problem is that if you drive on a long-ish trip you have to have the phone on bluetooth and utilising mobile data which impacts battery life and plan costs.

[Guest001]

The way it probably should be done can be seen in new Holden models. The ICE has a touch screen that uses an App/WiFi/Bluetooth to communicate to your smartphone for navigation. Navigation is displayed on the bigger screen but most of the grunt is provided by your smartphone.

I'll ask the question

What do the people do who dont have a smartphone or as in my case dont have a data allocation on my Iphone

[Ryan_R]

They drive older cars, or cheaper cars, or don't tick the option for all the extra tech, or they just ignore the tech and stick a TomTom to the windscreen. (I think that's covered most bases)

How long have smart phones and phone plans with bundled data been around for? I know I've had it for over 6 years (before the first iPhone came out) on my first smart phone (Nokia N96). Even those I know who preferred rugarrised simple phones that would survive a bit of abuse have switched. Just checked Telstra Prepaid and even that comes with data.

And of course keep in mind Google Maps can download offline maps over WiFi, and there are other navigation apps with offline maps and more comprehensive offline features (even GPS manufacturers have phone apps). I don't see any problem offering the tech, there will always be those who choose to ignore it for as long as possible (digital TV for example).

[team_v]

I'll ask the question

What do the people do who dont have a smartphone or as in my case dont have a data allocation on my Iphone

Also, what do you do when you need to get to out of the way locations such as my trip to Carnarvon Gorge (no 3g network capabilities but the RNS510 worked fine)

I shouldn't have to upgrade my personal phone or pay extra per month for my plan just so i can get my OEM ICE to operate effectively.

[pologti18t]

The problem is that if you drive on a long-ish trip you have to have the phone on bluetooth and utilising mobile data which impacts battery life and plan costs.

1. You have an in car charger for your phone or it powers itself via connection to ICE via USB port.
2. You preload the maps at home if required for a long trip.
3. Most plans nowadays have at least 1GB included.

Also, what do you do when you need to get to out of the way locations such as my trip to Carnarvon Gorge (no 3g network capabilities but the RNS510 worked fine)

Preload at home.. Do you really think sat nav units (OEM or Tom Tom) are really what is required when travelling outback?