Best iPhone Navigation App?

[Banzaibrothers]

Hi all,

I used to be a big fan of Waze but something has happened to it over the last couple of years and now it’s frankly useless.

What are other people using with Car Play? Google Maps, Apple Maps, something else?

Many thanks,

Mike.

 

[Azteccamper]

Hi all,

I used to be a big fan of Waze but something has happened to it over the last couple of years and now it’s frankly useless.

What are other people using with Car Play? Google Maps, Apple Maps, something else?

Many thanks,

Mike.

Google Maps

 

[dspuk]

We use Waze all the time, here and in France. Never had any major issues although we’d love an “avoid C roads” option. The algorithmic “shortest and fastest route” can get hairy sometimes. We tend to bring up the route selector at the start of a journey and choose the one we prefer, even if a few minutes longer. Why is it useless?

 

[dspuk]

Google Maps

Google owns Waze so technically it’s the same back end database and algorithm with just different looking interfaces…

 

[Viktorgeorge]

TomTom. Easier to read, dependable, better all together and not very expensive.

 

[edocali]

Google owns Waze so technically it’s the same back end database and algorithm with just different looking interfaces…

Yes they own Waze but it's an acquisition of an Israel software company separate from the development of Google Maps - and AFAIK the algorithms are not the same. They used to be different.
Perhaps they managed to at least have the same input (mapping and traffic info)

 

[The Tall Luthier]

Apple Maps. It’s baked into the OS, CarPlay, works perfectly for me throughout Europe.

8hr long journey times get you there pretty much at the exact minute it states from the outset. Unlike Google, it doesn’t record your exact whereabouts in order to send you location based adverts. I choose never to use Google as I like the idea of privacy!

Out of the van I use Komoot for cycling and hiking. Pretty much perfect community based routes available.

 

[edocali]

What are other people using with Car Play? Google Maps, Apple Maps, something else?

1 Apple Maps
2 Waze
3 Google

that's my order of preference.

 

[Corradobrit]

The voice commands and spoken directions are much clearer for Waze than Google Maps, which I find especially annoying and confusing. But it's true that Waze is wanting in some respects. I got taken down some truly hairy single lane streets in France earlier this month.

 

[Banzaibrothers]

Thanks for all the input everyone.

I just find Waze no longer recalculates the route regularly and often takes me into traffic jams when even my BMW sat nav told me to avoid it. It just doesn’t seem to be the highly adaptive system it used to be.

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

TomTom. Easier to read, dependable, better all together and not very expensive.

Another vote from me for TomTom.

 

[dspuk]

Thanks for all the input everyone.

I just find Waze no longer recalculates the route regularly and often takes me into traffic jams when even my BMW sat nav told me to avoid it. It just doesn’t seem to be the highly adaptive system it used to be.

If Waze calculates that going into the jam is quicker than detouring around it then it will. Due to its real time + historical algorithm we find it annoyingly right more times than not. OEM traffic systems rely only on the data available to it and can either be right, or we find usually by the time we get to it the jam gone. As mentioned we rely on the alternative route element more and will use that to detour as we prefer to keep driving, even if longer.

 

[Kayleigh]

Google owns Waze so technically it’s the same back end database and algorithm with just different looking interfaces…

I thought Waze was made by Fisher Price

 

[dspuk]

I thought Waze was made by Fisher Price

I like it but TBH Apple, Google or Waze will all get you there and as always, it comes down to personal choice.

TomTom I don't get - I see no reason to pay for an app and/or device when these three are free, but, personal choices.

 

[Corradobrit]

TomTom I don't get - I see no reason to pay for an app and/or device when these three are free, but, personal choices.

To get realtime traffic updates a subscription is required for TT. 4.95euro per month or 19.99 per year. No thanks.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Waze

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Agree, Waze is great now that the pixelation issue has been sorted.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

I swear by my 1992 Halfords colour UK Road Atlas......

 

[Corradobrit]

Does it look something like this?

I swear by my 1992 Halfords colour UK Road Atlas......

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Does it look something like this?

Yes you won't catch me wasting my money on the M6 Toll Road, it doesn't exist on my maps....

 

[Viktorgeorge]

To get realtime traffic updates a subscription is required for TT. 4.95euro per month or 19.99 per year. No thanks.

For me TomTom is a bargain at £19.99 pa, head and shoulders above the free alternatives, which fact I am reminded of each time I try them.

 

[pluc99]

I use mostly Apple Maps, mainly due to the buzz I get on my Apple Watch so I know when to pay attention to the screen. If not for that I would prefer Google Maps.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

I use mostly Apple Maps, mainly due to the buzz I get on my Apple Watch so I know when to pay attention to the screen. If not for that I would prefer Google Maps.

That’s interesting. I’m getting an Apple Watch shortly, when do you get a navigation alert on it? Can it be enabled/disabled?

 

[The Tall Luthier]

Yes it can @GrumpyGranddad . Once you activate your watch two new apps magically appear your iPhone. The Watch App has settings for each of the installed Apps. Like below.

 

[Mowbotman]

Another vote for Tomtom