The Evolution of Navigation: Which System is Best for You?
Navigating from point A to point B has come a long way since the days of verbal instructions. With the advent of technology, people began printing out directions from the web and using them for navigation. Today, the options are plentiful, mobile, and often integrated into cars themselves. But with so many choices, which navigation system is the best?
Integrated Navigation Systems
Most cars today come with some form of available integrated navigation. Each one has its own learning curve, but some are fairly intuitive and simple. For example, when we drove the Mercedes C-Class last year, we found that its voice-controlled navigation was not only very quick to respond but excellent in terms of the guidance it provided.
Smartphone Integration
That’s not always the case, though, so many users elect to use their smartphone and its automotive integration features. Google Maps seems to be the go-to for most as it’s widely available due to the abundance of Android devices. Android Auto itself is far from perfect but its maps feature is powerful and straightforward.
The obvious alternative is Apple Maps which, after quite a few stumbles early on, is now a very polished product. Having had experience with both Google and Apple maps, I personally love the verbal instructions that Apple provides as they feel more natural and easy to understand without having to look back at the map again.
Waze
Still, others will prefer a system like Waze which is Google-owned but slightly different from Google Maps. It’s notable for its community-driven data including alerts for accidents, speed traps, and more.
Other Navigation Systems
There are a few small-time players out there and some like the Linux Foundation’s Overture Maps Foundation that hopes to compete for the top spot in the future. For now, though, we’re interested in what you use and why. Are you simply stuck in an ecosystem because of your choice of phone or car, or do you have a specific game plan around the map system you use?
Integrated Navigation Systems: Are They Worth It?
Integrated navigation systems are becoming more and more common in cars today. While they may seem like a great feature to have, it’s important to consider whether they’re worth the extra cost. In most cases, integrated navigation systems can add thousands of dollars to the price of a car.
One of the biggest advantages of an integrated navigation system is that it’s always available, even if you don’t have a cell signal. This can be especially useful if you’re traveling in an area with poor cell coverage. Additionally, integrated navigation systems are often more accurate than smartphone apps because they use GPS and other sensors built into the car.
However, there are also some downsides to integrated navigation systems. For one, they can be difficult to use and learn. Additionally, they may not be as up-to-date as smartphone apps, which are constantly being updated with new features and improvements.
Smartphone Integration: The Go-To Choice
Given the downsides of integrated navigation systems, it’s no surprise that many people prefer to use their smartphone for navigation. Google Maps is the go-to choice for most people because it’s widely available due to the abundance of Android devices. Android Auto itself is far from perfect but its maps feature is powerful and straightforward.
Apple Maps is also a popular choice, especially among iPhone users. After quite a few stumbles early on, Apple Maps is now a very polished product. One of the advantages of Apple Maps is that it provides verbal instructions that feel more natural and easy to understand without having to look back at the map again.
Waze: The Community-Driven Navigation System
Another popular choice for navigation is Waze. Owned by Google, Waze is slightly different from Google Maps in that it’s notable for its community-driven data including alerts for accidents, speed traps, and more. Waze is especially useful for people who want real-time information about traffic conditions and other hazards on the road.
Other Navigation Systems: The Future of Navigation
While integrated navigation systems, smartphone apps, and Waze are the most popular choices for navigation today, there are also some smaller players in the market. The Linux Foundation’s Overture Maps Foundation is one such player that hopes to compete for the top spot in the future.
Ultimately, the choice of navigation system comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the convenience of an integrated navigation system, while others prefer the constantly updated features of smartphone apps. Still, others prefer the community-driven data of Waze. Whatever your preference, it’s important to choose a navigation system that works best for you and your needs.