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Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

money.cnn.com

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Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#351

Post by mtanski »

thirdsun wrote: post #292
mtanski wrote: post #259

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've seen that Pioneer, Alpine and the usual after market head unit vendors have options with car play. So you might not be entirely out of luck.

That's not a realistic option - most cars use their head units to control everything, from audio to car and safety settings. Those are essential features you'd be missing.

I've had this problem a long time ago (10 years) with my Honda and was able to pull out the control module out of the dash and just leave it in the space behind the new dash. But that's a case by case solution.

Honestly, the blame lies with the carmakers. They made these terrible digital dashboards in many cases with no after market upgrade paths. Obviously their incentive is sell/lease you a new car every few years... so why would they make it easy to upgrade. No incentive

Biggest reason I ended up getting the 2016 model vs 2015 (which had a much bigger discount) because of Carplay/Android auto. I won't be a frustrated by the digital NAV that never is upgraded.

I'm hoping the Carplay/Android auto compatibility is there for at least 6+ years of new phone models. But honestly I don't know how much I trust the above mentioned phone vendors.

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#352

Post by brusch64 »

lagadu wrote: post #324
brusch64 wrote: post #301

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As much as I remember there is a gentleman's agreement between the German car makers that they restrict the motor power after 300 km/h (about 190 mph). A teacher told me that this should be the velocity a normal untrained person is safe to drive on the German autobahn. They circumvent this with their own car tuners which release the cars without this restrictions (AMG for Mercedes Benz as an example)

It's 250km/h, not all makers do it and none of them (like you mentioned) do it for all the vehicles.

okay.. was thinking about 300km/h but 250km/h is correct. Sorry for that.

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#353

Post by brusch64 »

pluma wrote: post #343
brusch64 wrote: post #301

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As much as I remember there is a gentleman's agreement between the German car makers that they restrict the motor power after 300 km/h (about 190 mph). A teacher told me that this should be the velocity a normal untrained person is safe to drive on the German autobahn. They circumvent this with their own car tuners which release the cars without this restrictions (AMG for Mercedes Benz as an example)

> 300 km/h [..] normal untrained person is safe to drive on the German autobahn German here. No normal untrained person should be driving at those speeds. The general recommended speed for the autobahn is 130 km/h. Typical speeds on the middle and left lanes are up to 200 km/h though most days the typical "high" speed is probably closer to 170 or 180. With good weather, no traffic and no roadworks (hah) you might be…

It's 250km/h not 300 km/h.. sorry for that.

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#354

Post by sc00ty »

dopamean wrote: post #79
jasode wrote: post #11

Another reason not mentioned by the article is map updates . Lexus charges $169+ to update the map data and requires a dealer appointment. A smartphone with google/Apple maps is always more up-to-date. If you're buying a new car today, the reason to get navigation is for the LCD screen and not for the GPS. The LCD is used to see the rear view camera image for parking. Also, playing music shows the song titles.

> If you're buying a new car today, the reason to get navigation is for the LCD screen and not for the GPS. I could have sworn the US govt mandated that all new cars, after some soon to come year, must have rear facing cameras. Perhaps I heard incorrectly.

Some cars have the backup camera displayed in the rear view mirror so the main console LCD wouldn't be required.

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#355

Post by abakker »

dingaling wrote: post #333
bvinc wrote: post #265

I had an interesting experience recently that I think summarizes this whole problem. I was in another city and rented a car and it came with navigation. I knew I could just use my phone, but I decided to use the navigation that the rental car came with, just for fun. 1. First, I knew the name of my hotel, but not the address. I tried to search the business directory. I had to input the CITY AND STATE, which is painfu…

> and my phone has no problems finding GPS and I have navigation instructions pulled up in about 5 seconds. That's because your phone isn't actually using GPS ( e.g. Navstar or Glonass ) at that point, it's using cell triangulation or wifi-based location. For example the fastest possible first-fix with Navstar from a warm-start, using cached prior-location and ephemerides, is 30 seconds[0]. From a cold ( position-unk…

I have some GPS receivers that would seem to contradict this. Is there something special about the way that cars receive GPS data?

My bluetooth GPS, connected to a non-cellular iPad tends to get lock in under 2-3 minutes, even when it gets turned off, tossed in checked luggage, and flown halfway across the world.

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#356

Post by ensignavenger »

pluma wrote: post #339
userbinator wrote: post #274

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"You know, I might have a passenger who could work the nav system, but, oh, no, the car is moving so you can't enter a new destination." I'd prefer to call the person there the "first officer" or "copilot", as "passenger" seems more... passive.

In German the passenger (front right seat) is actually called the "co-driver" (Beifahrer) and there is a cultural expectation to assist the driver with things like reading maps or passing drinks/food or even looking out for directional signs. There is no such expectation for "guests" on the backseat(s), so this is a pretty distinct role.

This is exactly how my wife and I drive, whichever person is in the passenger seat is the co-driver. We are American, BTW, not sure how common it is for Americans, but I reckon it isn't uncommon.

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#357

Post by EvanAnderson »

dismantlethesun wrote: post #345
lagadu wrote: post #325

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My car has that. I can configure one of the car keys to only allow a certain max speed whenever it's used with the car. It's called valet mode IIRC.

What car do you have?

My 2007 Honda Civic Si has this feature. I always use the valet key when I take the car in for service.

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#358

Post by saiya-jin »

3pt14159 wrote: post #335
tomascot wrote: post #235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are situations when going above the speed limit could save your life, at least where I live. It could be for passing or to escape from a robbery

Sure, but going higher than say 150 km/h for more than 10 seconds the car could phone that in and you'd have to justify it to the police or face a steep fine.

I would never pay a single unit of currency for such a car, even subsidized, and neither would most of humanity, including politicians.

I see plenty of very dangerous driving within speed limits, ie people unable to keep in their lane, playing with cellphone, randomly breaking in semi-empty roads and so on.

These are my experiences from highways from most weekends. In towns, speed limits make much more sense and could be enforced by speed bumps or stationary radars

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#359

Post by [deleted] »

copperx wrote: post #230
lukaslalinsky wrote: post #195

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cars can generally go much faster than the maximum speed limit, so it wouldn't be the first time the car allows you to do something against the law.

I'm honestly surprised they don't restrict that. Does anybody know why? I know different states have different speed limits, but I think a 85mph speed limit could cover them all. Is it because Canada and Mexico? They have lower speed limits. Is it because the car could be exported to Germany and driven on the Autobahn? or what?

[deleted]

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#360

Post by kozak »

u801e wrote: post #280
eric_h wrote: post #255

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Certainly, but cars are also mandated to have a weight sensor in the passenger seat to disable the passenger side airbag when there isn't an adult sitting there (so they don't kill children in car seats). Can't we at least compromise on that requirement? If there's a passenger, unlock the controls.

> Certainly, but cars are also mandated to have a weight sensor in the passenger seat to disable the passenger side airbag when there isn't an adult sitting there (so they don't kill children in car seats). On a somewhat related note, this graph[1] show that the deaths of children in cars due to heat stroke started increasing after 1998 (which is when passenger side airbags were mandatory equipment in new vehicles).…

What's the connection between airbags and heat strokes?
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