I'm curious to know if I will have to plug in my Garmin GPS when driving through parts of Vermont that have no 3G coverage.
If you have tech package you can still type an address into the nav screen even without 3G. Then it will send the address to the nav software on the dash. There just isn't anything in google maps. I would test it out first though to be sure everything works ok
From what I've seen, if you have the Nav option to enable turn-by-turn directions, you can get that working in the instrument cluster. But it is a bit of a pain to enter in the destination, as first the touchpad wants to attempt a google search over 3G. Really wish there was a completely independent way to use the Navigon vs Google search / routing. I'd prefer a way to have the Navigon display enabled even when a route isn't in use. That and many other nav features, I need to stop before I rant myself into a thread hijacking! :redface:
I was wondering about the map loading. I'm surprised they opted for doing this in realtime, instead of storing the maps in the car. Someone there is assuming that there will be 100% 3G coverage across North America, which just isn't true, especially in rural hilly areas.
Well, if my 3G dies again, I'll try and see how well the nav behaves, as I would hope that the entire Navigon map set is stored locally. Be nice if they gave access to POI data so that you can find the nearest eatery/mall/rest area/park w/o having 3G operational, but I don't think that is there now.
OK, I understand. I heard somewhere that Garmin had a role in the Model S NAV system. Is there any truth to that?
The navigation software is "Navigon", which is a Hamburg, Germany-based company that Garmin acquired in June of 2011. They seem to be operating as a subsidiary and haven't shed the Navigon branding from their products.
Interesting. So is there actually integration between Google Maps and the Navigon software? Or is the Google map just an independent location display?
My house has no cell coverage, so every time I start a journey, I'm going to have to use the painful method of entering destinations. I'm really hoping for wifi to be implemented soon (when I say soon, I'm a long way from my delivery estimate yet!)
Based on my short experience during test drives the Google Maps data is used for POI searches as well as the primary screen display. Once you select to navigate to a destination it sends that destination information to the Navigon app which runs on the separate Tegra-2 based system in the dashboard. This also leads to another interesting result of this mashup. The Google Maps data is distinctly different than the mapping data in Navigon which leverages Navteq maps. (Navteq ended up being acquired by Nokia in October of 2007). Especially outside of the United States there can be dramatic differences in mapping data accuracy. Just look at the drama this week with Apple Maps and folks in Australia needing police rescue. So to navigate us we have Google, Garmin/Navigon, and Navteq/Nokia all with some role. Better than a static DVD-based system in any case.
The 4.0 release notes state "Note: This feature requires connectivity". My guess is they licensed the service based offering from Nuance who is the leader in this space. Both iOS and Android require connectivity for similar functionality.
hmmm I thought my Android phone needed connectivity until I left mobile data off and tried using it without. Worked like a charm without internet access.
Interesting. I wonder how the Navteq maps get updated? During a regular car OS update? I wonder if it will be possible to change the Garmin/Navigon voice?
I'm curious about the nav update as well. With the tech package it says you get 7 years of free updates. What happens after that? If you have Google search in real-time through 3G, are the updates that important? Perhaps it's only for turn-by-turn navigation since it's not through Google. But roads don't really change that frequently as do POI's.
Unless the updates are very reasonable (e.g. $10 - $20) You don't upgrade unless there is a very compelling reason to do so.
For what appears to be the same map data from Navteq there is a $19.99 USD charge for 24 months of quarterly updates from Navigon on their iPhone app.