UConnect Navigation Update Email - "NO THANKS RAM"

[HSKR R/T]

Do you have a Google account, and if so, you're signed in to your Google account on your phone? Maybe that's the difference?

I actually have two Google accounts. And with a Google Pixel phone have to be signed in

 

[ram813ltd]

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Maybe, but as I noted in a previous post, I've had a couple of instances where Google maps couldn't deliver, whereas the nav built into my Uconnect4 Ram got me there correctly, without any fuss. So it's not like Google Maps is the only thing that works.
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Not to mention, Google Maps user interface has become so cluttered with useless info & sponsored crap on the map display, it's frustrating to try to negotiate the interface. Do I really care that a boutique shop I'm passing by is having a sale today? Do I care if a restaurant or store has coupons today? Hell no! You can shut off the overlaid sponsored crap in desktop versions, but Google doesn't allow the overlay crap to be turned off in the mobile version.
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The there's the long-term consequences of continuing to blindly feed the Google machine...
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when google seems to give a odd routing, cancel it and try again. it'll correct

 

[Scap]

I actually have two Google accounts. And with a Google Pixel phone have to be signed in

Not necessarily. I run CalyxOS and don't sign into the Goog.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Not necessarily. I run CalyxOS and don't sign into the Goog.

I'm past the years of jailbreaking my phone with custom OSs. That was 15 years ago.

 

[Scap]

I'm past the years of jailbreaking my phone with custom OSs. That was 15 years ago.

Not jailbreaking. It is unlocked by default.

 

[BlueHemi1500]

Cell phone-based navigation is great, but in rural/mountain areas, this is not a reliable system. I carry paper fold-out maps, and I use my factory navigation, and 99%, of the time it works like a champ. Yes, I know that you can download maps, of a given area, but due to the nature of my job, I cannot load everywhere I might end up.
When I first got my Nused truck, I got the update and I know that it was out of date but so are paper maps, even if they have been recently field checked. I also use the compass function as it can help direct you in the general direction you need to travel in combination with the backup methods of navigation when the electronic systems fail for whatever reason.

Also, most roads do not change that, drastically over time so getting an update frequently to me is not that major of the problem. What usually changes most frequently, are the side streets/new businesses/neighborhoods. If you need that level of detail all the time then you may be best served with a commercial service that updates on a very frequent basis. I know in our emergency response CAD systems the data is regularly updated as roads are near completion and as buildings are added they will also be populated with the numeric street address if we expand the maps up enough.

BlueHemi1500

 

[go-ram]

Cell phone-based navigation is great, but in rural/mountain areas, this is not a reliable system. I carry paper fold-out maps, and I use my factory navigation, and 99%, of the time it works like a champ. Yes, I know that you can download maps, of a given area, but due to the nature of my job, I cannot load everywhere I might end up.
When I first got my Nused truck, I got the update and I know that it was out of date but so are paper maps, even if they have been recently field checked. I also use the compass function as it can help direct you in the general direction you need to travel in combination with the backup methods of navigation when the electronic systems fail for whatever reason.

Also, most roads do not change that, drastically over time so getting an update frequently to me is not that major of the problem. What usually changes most frequently, are the side streets/new businesses/neighborhoods. If you need that level of detail all the time then you may be best served with a commercial service that updates on a very frequent basis. I know in our emergency response CAD systems the data is regularly updated as roads are near completion and as buildings are added they will also be populated with the numeric street address if we expand the maps up enough.

BlueHemi1500

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Just curious, if you can say, and I understand if you can't mention brand names, but if you can say names, which standalone GPS navigation systems are accurate enough and up-to-date enough that you trust them? I have family members that use both Garmin and TomTom, but the preference seems to be Garmin in my family (a number of firefighters in my family). But Garmin isn't perfect, either. ESRI seems to be trustworthy, but their services are not cheap.
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Thanks
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[Rambo 2024]

Ok, let me rephrase. The only thing I use google maps for is on my phone when looking up services at home. Like a restaurant menu or phone number. For directions in my vehicles, its apple maps on car play all the way. However my wife does use google maps in the 2021 BMW via car play. And she has never complained about it.

Google maps BLOWS away apple maps which has gotten me lost several times at which point I deleted it off my phone. That said, while the factory navigation is as user friendly as Google maps on Apple car-play, its the only navigation that works in the Sierra Nevada mountains where I don't have cell service. Bes of all its FREE and built in unlike the 2024 Toyota Tundra I just got rid of which is subscription based after your trial period. Another reason I'm glad I had Toyota buy back my Tundra under California Lemon Law!!

 

[go-ram]

Google maps BLOWS away apple maps which has gotten me lost several times at which point I deleted it off my phone. That said, while the factory navigation is as user friendly as Google maps on Apple car-play, its the only navigation that works in the Sierra Nevada mountains where I don't have cell service. Bes of all its FREE and built in unlike the 2024 Toyota Tundra I just got rid of which is subscription based after your trial period. Another reason I'm glad I had Toyota buy back my Tundra under California Lemon Law!!

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think what you're saying is that all of our various options for in-vehicle navigation have pros and cons, Uconnect isn't bad, and Uconnect has its place. Did I synopsize that reasonably well?
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Like you, I do appreciate that my 2020 Ram doesn't charge a subscription fee for use of the on-board navigation (at least so far).
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I don't really like paying $99 (on sale, the list price I believe is $149) for the occasional update to my Ram's Uconnect database, but I consider it an investment in a "navigation system insurance policy" of sorts, so it'll be reasonably up-to-date when I do need to call on Uconnect navigation to get me where I need to go and phone-based apps are, for whatever reason, not cutting it at that time.
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[Rambo 2024]

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think what you're saying is that all of our various options for in-vehicle navigation have pros and cons, Uconnect isn't bad, and Uconnect has its place. Did I synopsize that reasonably well?
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Like you, I do appreciate that my 2020 Ram doesn't charge a subscription fee for use of the on-board navigation (at least so far).
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I don't really like paying $99 (on sale, the list price I believe is $149) for the occasional update to my Ram's Uconnect database, but I consider it an investment in a "navigation system insurance policy" of sorts, so it'll be reasonably up-to-date when I do need to call on Uconnect navigation to get me where I need to go and phone-based apps are, for whatever reason, not cutting it at that time.
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If you "need" navigation to give you the very latest info on business, etc, then imbedded systems may not be ideal as they only update once, perhaps twice per year. I for one, and sure many others as well only care that it gets me to my destination or close proximity. The only time there would issues would be new building developments which are not updated in a timely fashion. Other than that, who gives a crap? I don't.

I would never pay to Uconnect anything. In fact, I did not allow the dealer to register me with it. Therefore I get no annoying nannie stuff or tracking of me and my travels.

 

[go-ram]

If you "need" navigation to give you the very latest info on business, etc, then imbedded systems may not be ideal as they only update once, perhaps twice per year. I for one, and sure many others as well only care that it gets me to my destination or close proximity. The only time there would issues would be new building developments which are not updated in a timely fashion. Other than that, who gives a crap? I don't.

I would never pay to Uconnect anything. In fact, I did not allow the dealer to register me with it. Therefore I get no annoying nannie stuff or tracking of me and my travels.

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Mmmm...if you think you're not being tracked just because you didn't "register your Uconnect", I think you might be surprised. All late-model vehicles and all cellphones can be tracked, and usually are, whether or not you are aware it is being done. Some automakers have been caught selling individual vehicle location data. Some dealers automatically place their own GPS devices on all new vehicles as a theft recovery measure, and many don't remove those GPS trackers when the car is sold. Even with GPS turned off on your cellphone, it's never really off, and of course the cell towers your phone connects to create a breadcrumb trail, continuously. I'm not saying it's good, I'm saying it's a fact of life today for anyone and everyone driving late model vehicles and/or carrying a cellphone.
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[Rambo 2024]

Yeah, guess you're right. Although Uconnect subsripstions gets you more unwanted spam, nannies, etc. Talking about big brother, Just read an article (below). Coming to to a blue state near you soon! Jeez, we sure need less government!

New important measure for drivers in California - They are now required to carry this device in their cars

Leading this movement, California will become the first state to enforce this new regulation. By the year 2030, it will be mandatory for all newly

unionrayo.com

 

[BlueHemi1500]

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Just curious, if you can say, and I understand if you can't mention brand names, but if you can say names, which standalone GPS navigation systems are accurate enough and up-to-date enough that you trust them? I have family members that use both Garmin and TomTom, but the preference seems to be Garmin in my family (a number of firefighters in my family). But Garmin isn't perfect, either. ESRI seems to be trustworthy, but their services are not cheap.
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Thanks
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ESRI is one of the leading GIS systems in the world. And, their GIS System, ARC GIS as you stated, is very expensive and usually used by governments and universities. For the individual, I use these 2 systems (Garmin and (Google Maps/Waze) along with my integrated Navigation systems in (my car or truck) and, if I require the ability to cross-reference various systems, they each have their faults/failures.
Emergency Response Vehicles/(911 Dispatch CAD systems) our maps are based on ARC GIS - ESRI Maps, which are updated by the jurisdiction GIS divisions as the roads/buildings are built.
The dedicated GPS-based systems do have one advantage over the phone/tablet based systems - they are not reliant on Cell Phone Network infratructure to function. In the rual mountins and rural areas are generally not served well - resulting poor navigation performance/intermetinent. My GPS based device and my car/truck are all based on the ablity to "see satalites," heavy tree canapoy, buidlings, tunnells, etc. all can be limiting factors for these devices.

Blue Hemi 1500

 

[go-ram]

ESRI is one of the leading GIS systems in the world. And, their GIS System, ARC GIS as you stated, is very expensive and usually used by governments and universities. For the individual, I use these 2 systems (Garmin and (Google Maps/Waze) along with my integrated Navigation systems in (my car or truck) and, if I require the ability to cross-reference various systems, they each have their faults/failures.
Emergency Response Vehicles/(911 Dispatch CAD systems) our maps are based on ARC GIS - ESRI Maps, which are updated by the jurisdiction GIS divisions as the roads/buildings are built.
The dedicated GPS-based systems do have one advantage over the phone/tablet based systems - they are not reliant on Cell Phone Network infratructure to function. In the rual mountins and rural areas are generally not served well - resulting poor navigation performance/intermetinent. My GPS based device and my car/truck are all based on the ablity to "see satalites," heavy tree canapoy, buidlings, tunnells, etc. all can be limiting factors for these devices.

Blue Hemi 1500

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Thank you for the reply, that all makes good sense.
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