how does the map get into the radio?

Jul 11, 2018 26 Replies

It probably won't give directions, which I guess is calculated at the web site, but even without data, you can use the cell phone to see where you are on the map. Just dl the maps when you're at a wifi source. I forget the details but google maps last iirc 3 months and maps.me might last much longer. Maps.me has the advantage that it displays house numbers. Google will find a house by number if you put the number in, but maps.me (on the PC too) displays the whole street with numbers for every house or maybe at the ends of each block. There are other advantages to each one too. But they both work for telling you where you are and you can enter a destination and find out where it is, on the map, assuming you are in an area for which you have dl'd the map. (If you had data, it would dl the map on the fly, as you drive into new areas, but I usually have all of central maryland and wherever else I plan to go soon. For the trip to Florida, I dl'd the whole path to Florida.

Even without a monthly plan. Just about any phone, even that someone has stopped using will do this.

I now see that they also have a version that connects to the infotainment system on some manufacturers' cars.

They have free trials -- seven days, perhaps. You could start off with a fairly basic version, and they often have major discounts (not infrequently 70%) on various upgrades, such as the heads-up display and traffic-information features.

Perce

Thanks. Good to know they have more than Slovakia.

It depends on the manufacturer. Most use either an SD card or a DVD to update the maps in the on board system. You won't find one from the auto manufacturer with actual current year maps though. For that you need to update with the most current data from whoever they used for the map data. For instance my Journey uses a UConnect system unit that runs Garmin maps, I can update it using ONLY Garmin data, but I can get updates directly through Garmin and add it through an SD or DVD for a lot less than going to a dealer

The new Toyotas also use Garmin and an SD card for updates.

On many of the systems that use Garmin maps you can use updates direct from Garmin onto a formatted SD card to update for a LOT less...

The big catch with cell based maps is that you have to have a cell signal. There are a still a LOT of places in the US where there is no signal, regarless of what the cell company may tell you. Then you may as well be holding a brick.

Sygic is informing me that there are a few hours left of an 80%-off deal. I already have all the features I need.

Perce

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