1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Toyota Navigation or Garmin?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by priusmatty, Mar 27, 2021.

  1. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,039
    10,013
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    ... and that map download can be performed over a wifi internet connection before traveling there, and stored as an Offline Map. And Google Maps allows multiple offline maps, so one can pre-load maps for an entire cross-country journey, storage space permitting.
     
    MIkeDr likes this.
  2. tomguild

    tomguild smugmobile owner

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2009
    28
    11
    0
    Location:
    Raleigh NC
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    I just replaced an '09 Prius with a new '21 LE model. Previously I'd used a Garmin, and found that if I kept the maps updated, the unit worked well. I don't know about your Garmin, but my 2017 model has a feature to use a Garmin app on your smartphone to bring real time traffic data into the GPS via Bluetooth, similar to what you get with Waze or Google Maps, and it's been helpful. But you have to remember to open the app on your phone so it can talk to the GPS.

    Now I'm learning to live with Google Maps using Apple CarPlay, which takes some getting used to. Mounting my old GPS in the new car isn't really a good option. There's no decent surface to put the little suction disk, and the nearest power source is in the center console. Too many wires, and Garmin batteries die in about 5 minutes, so it's gotta be plugged in.
     
    farmecologist likes this.
  3. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2015
    1,945
    1,785
    0
    Location:
    Southern MN
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    II
    Once you get used to it, Google maps is great. However, I wish they would enhance the offline map download capability. Yes, you can download large areas...but it is really a pain if you need to download maps for a multistate road trip, etc... However, the fact that the downloaded maps contain your custom waypoints is gold. As 'power user' with tons of points on the map, this is a fantastic feature...no importing, etc...It 'just works'. (y)

    BTW - I also use google mymaps extensively to plan trips. In fact, here is an example of our 2020 trip :

    https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=16JH5jS16swVleaz2iiR0Lh8A8WbYrqq3&usp=sharing

    Note that the route DOES show up in the google maps app...but as of this writing, only with a cellular connection. As a backup, I use the maps.me app for the route. This is the one downside (currently) of google maps.
     
    jerrymildred and privilege like this.
  4. privilege

    privilege Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2021
    659
    165
    0
    Location:
    Birmingham
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three

    yuuuuup, Google maps (after using Google my maps) is freaking sweet.

    so many people only scratch the surface of what's possible with the simplest of apps, like Google maps:
    Screenshot_20210422-095330.png

    that they will never realize much more powerful navigation apps exist:
    Screenshot_20210422-100156.png Screenshot_20210422-095841.png

    the stand alone Gps devices are about 12 years behind the curve right now
     
    farmecologist likes this.
  5. MIkeDr

    MIkeDr Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2020
    248
    136
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    XLE AWD-e
    With the increasing storage space of modern smartphones, I haven’t found this to be an issue. I can’t recall the number off hand, but I have all of western Washington stores offline, and was surprised by how little space it used.
     
  6. GabrielD

    GabrielD Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2019
    179
    71
    0
    Location:
    Romania
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius+ MPV
    Model:
    V
    I use Google maps for a long time, was very happy, but in the past months I observed something unusual...
    Somehow, Google directs on winding routes even if the main street is faster ...
    It's easy to observe this, because all the cars in front of me are going that way... thinking they use Google Maps too.
    Many times I took the main street and was better...
     
  7. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Google now defaults to the most fuel efficient route rather than the fastest. At least that's the case here according to the article I read recently. I suppose they made the change everywhere, but I'm not positive about that. There is a thread around here somewhere about that feature and how it might be better for gas cars but not electric or hybrid.
     
    farmecologist likes this.
  8. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2015
    1,945
    1,785
    0
    Location:
    Southern MN
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    II
    It's not the *space* that is an issue...it is the time involved in making sure you have all areas covered. At least in the iOS google Maps app, you need multiple 'sections' to cover an entire state.

    In other apps, it is delineated by state, etc...
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  9. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2015
    1,945
    1,785
    0
    Location:
    Southern MN
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    II

    Haha yeah...there are tons of other great apps...but I keep coming back to Google maps. Probably because like I said....it 'just works' with all of my waypoints.

    I have quite a few others for hiking, etc...BTW - one often overlooked app is 'maplets'. Kind of cool for national parks and such.
     
  10. MIkeDr

    MIkeDr Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2020
    248
    136
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    XLE AWD-e
    ahh, I see. What I did was zoom out enough to cover everything I was interested in, and save that.
     
  11. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2015
    1,945
    1,785
    0
    Location:
    Southern MN
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    II
    I did too...however, the iOS app only allows you to zoom out so far...i.e. - there is a limit to how large a single offline map can be. Therefore, multiple maps are often required for a single state. (y) It can be a real pain to line up all of the maps to ensure you have full offline coverage.
     
    MIkeDr likes this.