Why all satellite navigation systems are not created equal

In theory, satellite navigation is the best thing to happen to human relationships since the invention of deodorant. Those of us who are old enough to remember the days of big cards that even a black belt in origami could not correctly fold, and the fierce debates about the orienteering skills of men and women, are well aware of how happy couples today are with a soft one, voiced the counselor in car.

It is not an exaggeration to say that there are probably children who only exist today, or their parents still live together, thanks to the advent of satellite navigation.

Unfortunately, as anyone who's driven several different makes of car will tell you, all sat navs are not created equal, and if you're stuck with a bad one, you can rediscover the navigational rage of being sent around in circles. bend in bad directions.

Personally, I've tried several automotive systems, including those from industry giants Mazda and Toyota, that were so rambling and incoherent that I'd be better off throwing breadcrumbs out the window or stretching out a piece of string. find your way home.

These companies are experts in making cars, not navigation systems, so they simply don't put in the effort that standalone GPS manufacturers do.

So we decided to find out why some devices are better than others, and why sometimes even using a mapping app on your phone is better than using an expensive car system.

We were lucky enough to find a Deep Throat industry specialist who works for one of the navigation systems companies and is tech savvy but didn't want to be named because their business also provides mapping data and software to some automotive companies. whom they would prefer not to offend.

DT says the main problem with car companies' systems is that they just don't care. “Satellite navigation for them is another tick. Do we have Bluetooth? Verify. Stereo? Verify. Satellite navigation? Verify. These companies are experts in making cars, not navigation systems, so they just don't put in the effort that standalone GPS manufacturers do,” he/she explained.

“From our experience with car companies, the big problem they have is that the dashboard and instrumentation in a new car is usually scheduled five or seven years ago and then they need to maintain that system for the next five or seven. years. , so that by the time you buy a car, navigation in it may be almost superfluous.

“Like everyone else, you have the processing power, the processors that are the brains of navigation, these things are changing fast, and with things like phones and standalone GPS devices, we can improve them every time we make a new one.

“Every year we have to revise the composition of the product, and the car company does not have that luxury.”

DT is often frustrated by how ignorant the people they deal with in car companies - often the person in charge of "car entertainment" rather than the navigation expert - and how uncaring they are about being in up to date with the latest events.

“Honestly, I recently drove a Volvo, a new car that didn't even say street names, and we had meetings where motorists were like, 'Wow, now you can do it with sat-nav?'” exclaims DT.

Apparently, when your car's system takes you along some absurdly long route that makes no sense, and then returns home in a completely different way, or even fails, then either map data is to blame, which is often not up to date - loss of communication with satellite, or "a navigation engine that doesn't pick a route very well."

It is this important piece of software that requires a serious investment to stay up to date with best practices.

It's possible, of course, that your navigation system is guiding you down back roads to avoid traffic, but only the smartest car gadgets can do this, or do it well.

The very best aftermarket systems—from companies like TomTom, Navman, and Garmin—not only connect to real-time traffic information to help you avoid traffic jams, but also have algorithms based on what you could call knowledge of the area, so they will know what is not needed. for example, sometime, during the daytime, along Parramatta Road in Sydney.

Apple CarPlay is a trend we're seeing because it's cheap for a car manufacturer.

As for your mobile phone, DT says it's important to remember that, like with a car, being a navigation device is not its primary function.

“I think if I walk around the city, I’ll look on my phone, because that’s where phones come from in terms of navigation, from walking mode – people moving around places on foot – and not from driving mode, which is not what they do. best,” explains DT.

“That's why many autonomous systems now will direct you to a street address and then transfer you to an app on your phone that will take you straight to the door of where you're going.

“You have to remember that Samsung doesn't create its own maps, its own directional algorithms; phone companies get their navigation systems from somewhere else.”

However, despite the perceived shortcomings of phone navigation, DT believes it will play an increasing role in how we get around in cars, as will systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that allow you to run apps on your phone, including navigation. , through the head unit - find their place in the dashboards of new cars.

“Apple CarPlay is a trend we see because it's cheap for carmakers, they don't have to buy a lot of licenses, the user just takes the navigation with them in the car - I think so. will follow this path more and more often,” says DT.

Hyundai Australia is one company that is already moving smartly in that direction, offering cheaper base models for most of its lineup with CarPlay/Android Auto but no built-in navigation.

“We are working to bring navigation and CarPlay/Android Auto built into some vehicles,” said Hyundai Australia spokesman Bill Thomas.

“Perhaps built-in navigation is better, at least for the time being, because it does not rely on phone signal/data, but uses satellite positioning linked to a map that is always locked, loaded, and ready to go in the car.

“However, CarPlay/AA is also extremely effective as it allows you to access your phone's Ecosystem through the car and use phone navigation when needed.”

Testing the system in your new car can be as important as the test drive itself.

Meanwhile, Mazda Australia has recently phased out TomTom-branded navigation systems in its vehicles and switched to satellite navigation developed specifically for the company through its "MZD Connect" program.

The company claims that its system, which uses maps from a local supplier, is superior to any dedicated aftermarket navigation system.

“We would be surprised if someone decided to remove the MZD Connect system and replace it with an aftermarket option as it was designed specifically for Mazda,” a spokesperson said.

“In addition, the MZD Connect system has received high praise from the media and our customers, including for the quality of satellite navigation, due to its capabilities and ease of use.”

What is clear, however, is that if you tend to use your sat nav frequently to test the system in your new car, this can be as important as the test drive itself.