My car has navi, my phone has a navi, and I have a brain. Together, we work together to find out where we need to go. Call and ask for approximate directions, come with a phone, and punch in the address into your car. It may be overkill, but you can do it with any one of the three as well.
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BEWARE: Google Maps Are Terrible!
- Thread starter Yosef
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- htc droid eris
Slugdoc
Well-Known Member
google maps, as such, is excellent. very good resolution at all zoom levels, and an amazing ability to show myrtle routes to your destination so you can decide which to take.
google turn-by-turn is a whole different story. (I speak from my experience on the Moto Droid.) It is a 1.0 app, and it is running on a device that is doing like 14 other things at the same time, so the navigation occasionally lags behind and you get errors and such from that.
But I find the maps are solid.
google turn-by-turn is a whole different story. (I speak from my experience on the Moto Droid.) It is a 1.0 app, and it is running on a device that is doing like 14 other things at the same time, so the navigation occasionally lags behind and you get errors and such from that.
But I find the maps are solid.
KinderwoodLabs2
Newbie
All I can say is it hasn't led me straight into a corn field at a T-section yet, which is what a paid service through Alltel did. Thank goodness that was only a test run! If it's someplace I'm unfamiliar with, I usually map the location ahead of time. But, Google Maps has done a pretty good job for being free too. No complaints from me!
sensesfail99
Android Enthusiast
Im going to go with it knows you wanted to be a fireman!
+1 rep
Meticode
Lurker
I've personally never had any problem with Google Maps.
Works great for me.xjestersdeadx
Well-Known Member
First of all, when the turn by turn navigation comes up, it says "Beta" on my phone. So I don't expect it to be perfect. That said, it does really well. I already had a Garmin though, and I use it anyway.
With the Garmin though, its map are not "live", you have to download the data and they update it about once a year. If I want the 2011 maps, I'll need to pay $40 to update the device. I don't recall Google asking for that fee.
I've tested both side by side, and they both give dumb directions from time to time, but the Droid is actually a bit faster at updating if I make a course change. Just my experience.
With the Garmin though, its map are not "live", you have to download the data and they update it about once a year. If I want the 2011 maps, I'll need to pay $40 to update the device. I don't recall Google asking for that fee.
I've tested both side by side, and they both give dumb directions from time to time, but the Droid is actually a bit faster at updating if I make a course change. Just my experience.
Plymouthbiker
Newbie
Freezing cold icy snowy day, and I made my way to Cornwall in the UK to get some specialised food products on my Motorcycle. Needless to say Waitrose was no where near where google maps stated, and thus I very nearly killed myself on black ice going down some small country lane. They have now corrected this, but I don't trust it for navigation as I once did.
Yosef
Member
Some swear by Google Maps and some swear against Google Maps. However, let's be clear about a solid fact. Whereas, Mapquest, Yahoo Maps, and Car GPS units use either Navteq or Tele Atlas, both professional mapping software resources, Google uses neither. It uses it's own mapping software based mainly on public domain maps and Googles own mapping software (whatever that is). It's both outdated and inaccurate in many respects. That being the case, Google Maps must be inherently less accurate and useful than systems that use NavTeq and Tele Atlas. You can argue all you want, but facts can not be disputed.
Yes it's free and if I don't have my Car GPS with me, or a Mapquest printout, I'll use Google Maps in an emergency. Hopefully, I won't end up at the dark end of a dead end alley.
By the way, all you who keeping glorifying Google Maps, why don't you do some research and see what experts are saying about Google Maps?
Yes it's free and if I don't have my Car GPS with me, or a Mapquest printout, I'll use Google Maps in an emergency. Hopefully, I won't end up at the dark end of a dead end alley.
By the way, all you who keeping glorifying Google Maps, why don't you do some research and see what experts are saying about Google Maps?
MOS95B
Android Enthusiast
Y'know, it's funny...
People who like an app with take other peoples' criticism of said app and say "Hmmm, I'll have to keep an eye out for that..."
People who dislike an app will take other peoples' praise of said app and say "Screw you!! This app sucks!! I have proof!"
People who like an app with take other peoples' criticism of said app and say "Hmmm, I'll have to keep an eye out for that..."
People who dislike an app will take other peoples' praise of said app and say "Screw you!! This app sucks!! I have proof!"
I think that your issue is that you have android 1.6 and therefor dont have the most up to date version of google maps which is 4.0. I did your test of google navigation versus yahoo and expedia and mapquest. Google navigation was for the three tests that I ran either the same or more efficent. Its alternate routes are also superior not to mention it takes traffic into account when you use the traffic layer.
I also think you are wrong about maps being outdated. As I said before I have only ever had one problem with google navigation. I went home went onto maps and marked the street as being incorrect and it was fixed. I don't know how often dash gps units update their maps but it can't be as constant as google.
Yes google has some work to do, personally I hate the navigation voices, and sometimes stopping causes issues, but its in beta and already better than most.
But from writing this I am not sure if we are talking about the same thing. I use Google navigation for directions not Google maps. Yes Google navigation is built from google maps but it is not the same thing and is much better at navigation.
Yosef
Member
apeironer - True, I only have version 3.1.2, but I've only had the Eris for 1.5 months. I would have thought buying a brand new phone I would have received the latest mapping software, or at least the option to update it. I'll wait to see if I get a better experience when I get Android 2.1 with version 4 of the mapping software.
Yosef
Member
Using Google Maps and then selecting Directions. I have Android 1.5
I am so sorry I thought the Eris shipped with 1.6. Then I agree with you 100% and have no idea what everyone on this thread is talking about.
I am pretty sure Google thinks the directions on maps sucks too, thats why they made navigation (which is awesome, but still has a few flaws). So even if no one else on this forum agrees with you Google does.
Anyway you will 2.1 soon enough. Just keep annoying HTC and VZW to get it out to you.
I am pretty sure Google thinks the directions on maps sucks too, thats why they made navigation (which is awesome, but still has a few flaws). So even if no one else on this forum agrees with you Google does.
Anyway you will 2.1 soon enough. Just keep annoying HTC and VZW to get it out to you.
last summer i went on vacation with the gf to the adirondacks (that giant park in upstate new york - for the city-bound of you, a park is a place where nature is allowed to maintain hold). I live in Ohio, the gf lives in NJ. Niether of us had been to the 'dacks. I had a 8330 BB curve at the time with google maps app.
from where i am in Ohio to her in NJ was a 7.5hr drive. Getting to NJ is simple...get on the highway, change highways twice, then just go east on 80 till you hit jersey. when i got off the highway near her i ran into my first and only problem in the area...google tells me to turn left, i dont see how that's possible since there's a barrier/curb. it's 1am, ive been driving almost 9 hours cause of traffic, and apparently was too tired/stupid to see the lane that goes through the barrier/curb, allowing the left turn. google maps - 1, me - 0. then google maps tells me to go one street further than necessary. not critical, just annoying. google maps - 1, me - 1.
so we set out the next morning to the adirondacks. all the way there, google maps was perfect. all the week we were there, google maps was perfect, except for one instance where, in the town of lake george, it led me to the wrong parking lot for a restaurant. big deal. it was off by one street. still - google maps 1, me - 2.
and the whole way back to NJ, then into NYC for a night, it was perfect.
yes, i know there's a satellite feature for added location accuracy. and an embedded BB maps app that is satellite-based. but google maps' interface is nicer, imo, so thats what i used, and it didn't steer me wrong in well over 2000 miles worth of driving except for two minor situations.
as a lot of others have said...no nav is perfect. google seems to be pretty good for free, though. and itll only get better as time goes on.
from where i am in Ohio to her in NJ was a 7.5hr drive. Getting to NJ is simple...get on the highway, change highways twice, then just go east on 80 till you hit jersey. when i got off the highway near her i ran into my first and only problem in the area...google tells me to turn left, i dont see how that's possible since there's a barrier/curb. it's 1am, ive been driving almost 9 hours cause of traffic, and apparently was too tired/stupid to see the lane that goes through the barrier/curb, allowing the left turn. google maps - 1, me - 0. then google maps tells me to go one street further than necessary. not critical, just annoying. google maps - 1, me - 1.
so we set out the next morning to the adirondacks. all the way there, google maps was perfect. all the week we were there, google maps was perfect, except for one instance where, in the town of lake george, it led me to the wrong parking lot for a restaurant. big deal. it was off by one street. still - google maps 1, me - 2.
and the whole way back to NJ, then into NYC for a night, it was perfect.
yes, i know there's a satellite feature for added location accuracy. and an embedded BB maps app that is satellite-based. but google maps' interface is nicer, imo, so thats what i used, and it didn't steer me wrong in well over 2000 miles worth of driving except for two minor situations.
as a lot of others have said...no nav is perfect. google seems to be pretty good for free, though. and itll only get better as time goes on.
pkopalek
Android Expert
+1
Google Maps are great maps.
Google Navigation doesn't cost money, and is beta.
If you're going someplace you've never gone, any Boy Scout, member of the Navy, or professional driver will tell you to look at a map, before you get to your destination.
Rather than rely completely on Navigation.
Yosef
Member
I think most of you are missing the point in regard to navigation. Many of you have mentioned using a paper map and not relying totally on any computerized navigation system. So what's the point of using Google Maps or any other navigation system if you can't depend on it? You should either use a navigation system or a paper map. Using both becomes combersome and it defeats the purpose for going electronic. I bought a GPS unit because I wanted to go 21st century and do away with the large maps and the mess associated with them. Besides, it's a lot more dangerous trying to read a map while driving down the road, then following turn by turn directions.
Let's make sense here, go electronic or go paper, but don't insist on using both. It doesn't make sense and it's self-defeating! However, if you go electronic, let's hope the information is not inaccurate and mis-leading like Google Maps. Maybe Version 4 in Google Navigation will fix many of the problems.
Let's make sense here, go electronic or go paper, but don't insist on using both. It doesn't make sense and it's self-defeating! However, if you go electronic, let's hope the information is not inaccurate and mis-leading like Google Maps. Maybe Version 4 in Google Navigation will fix many of the problems.
If I am going somewhere that I have never been, I try to research ahead of time, unless I have no choice. Whether that is Google Maps on the browser, Yahoo Maps, or paper maps, or all of them, I want to know where I am going before I get there. If I am using my Garmin, I'll always look at the directions it gives before I leave, so I get a good, general idea of how it is directing me
to go.
Google Street View is fantastic if it is available where I am planning to go - I can see exactly what the neighborhood looks like before I get there.
I often check directions from multiple places before I leave, to make sure that one way streets are marked correctly, for example.
Personally, I am not looking to use my phone as a navigation device for the car at all. I already have a standalone GPS unit, and it works fine. However, I'll be happy to have it in a pinch, if I have forgotten the GPS, for example.
Here, actually, is how I have used Google Maps on the Eris since I bought it. My daughter and her boyfriend made arrangements to meet at a particular place, at his suggestion (it was a shopping mall, located about halfway between us). However, when we arrived we discovered that the shopping mall was under construction and the parking lot was closed. The Eris was able to quickly find a nearby Panera where we could park and meet instead. The Panera is new, so it was not in the Garmin at all.
Last summer, when driving home from the NY area, my wife made a wrong turn at an exit. We didn't have the Garmin with us, but we did have paper maps of the area in the glove box, so it was pretty simple to find a way back to the highway.
In short, multiple mapping and navigation solutions are very helpful. I think that we get the idea that you disagree.
Yosef
Member
Caddyman, I'm not planning on a trip to anywhere dangerous in the forseeable future. If I were, I think I would need a whole lot more than a map and maybe it would be something to seriously reconsider. Do you regularly plan dangerous trips? Sounds scary to me!
3devious
Android Expert
You think people are missing the point because no one is ready to burn Google at the stake for being as unreliable as all the other services? Some people mentioned that they rely on multiple sources, a few agreed with you while others don't encounter the problems you do.
Don't mistake a lack of overwhelming agreement for being misunderstood.
You bring up an interesting point, but your problems are not shared by all and it has been pointed out that a remedy is available by reporting bad information to Google. Perhaps you should discuss the effectiveness of that if your goal is to improve the situation.