Your Nav Choice - OnStar vs Bringo vs NAv System Vs Google Maps???

What do you use for your Navigation Option?

  • OnStar

    Votes: 2 3.9%

  • BringGo

    Votes: 8 15.7%

  • Magellan

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Garmin

    Votes: 3 5.9%

  • Google Maps

    Votes: 31 60.8%

  • None

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Other (explain)

    Votes: 7 13.7%
  • Total voters
    51
ChicksHateMe

ChicksHateMe

Member
Your Nav Choice - OnStar vs Bringo vs Nav System Vs Google Maps???

OnStar vs Bringo vs Magellan vs Garmen Vs Google???

I've had my car for 4 months now and LOVE it. I don't travel much, but I do love the OnStar Navigation. But, it's the ONLY thing I use from Onstar at this point. The monthly diagnostics are nice, but Not really needed.

Anyway, I am at the point where I know I want some sort of navigation, but not sure what's the best "Bang for the Buck".


a. Try to get Onstar at a decent price?
b. BringGo on my compatible Smartphone for only $60.00
c. Buy something like a Garmin or Magellan?
d. Just use Google maps with my New Phone?

What have most of you decided on?

And

Why did you chose that option and rule out the others?
 
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ChicksHateMe

ChicksHateMe

Member
Another factor is that my Shared/Family Plan with Verizon has changed and the fees make it so it's almost as expensive to keep a flip phone as get a smartphone.

I REALLY didn't want to go to a smart phone cause I know I will beat the crap out of it, and my flip phone does all I've needed. But seeing as I am getting a smart phone free, and saving on the family plan, I decided to get one. I just ordered an LG G2.

The thought of BringGo played a part in my phone decision too. I checked the BringGo site and the LG G2 shows up on the compatible list.
 
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ShadowRS

New member
The Onstar Nav sucks. If you opt to only use the Onstar app to send directions, it isn't too bad. But I have been sent to completely wrong addresses multiple times. As well as instructions not sending at all. It's almost like you pay 30 something a month to "deal with" a bulky navigation system. I just use google maps on my phone. Haven't tried BringGo. If data usage was a concern, just use the 30 dollars saved from not purchasing Onstar and just up your data on your phone plan.
 
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ShadowRS

New member
On a side note, I do like my Garmin GPS as well. Though, it's a more costly upfront investment vs the other options. But it pays itself off and is cheaper in the long run than Onstar.
 
ChicksHateMe

ChicksHateMe

Member
ShadowRS said:
The Onstar Nav sucks. If you opt to only use the Onstar app to send directions, it isn't too bad. But I have been sent to completely wrong addresses multiple times. As well as instructions not sending at all. It's almost like you pay 30 something a month to "deal with" a bulky navigation system. I just use google maps on my phone. Haven't tried BringGo. If data usage was a concern, just use the 30 dollars saved from not purchasing Onstar and just up your data on your phone plan.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I was ticked off at OnStar cause I got the wrong directions once. They sent me to a "Drive" in MA and not to the "Ave" in NH I had asked for. I think I speak pretty clear English with just the good ole New England voice inflections. Luckily I caught it early and only wasted about 10 miles of driving.

I do like the directions verbally more than visually, but it's not very user-friendly, so I am pretty sure I am going to cancel OnStar. Like you said, I can put that $$$ towards something else.

I can probably just get an older Garmin or Magellan and just use that. I heard the updates cost so much, you're better off getting a new one, although I travel so little, I don't think an update would be that much of a help to me. The thing is about those devices, is placement. I may get an UltraGauge someday, so I don't want a bunch of stuff all over the place.

Whereas I was basically forced into a smartphone (I get it Weds) I will see how good it works with just Google Maps and how much Data is sucks up off the plan. That may be all I need.

Then there's BringGo. I did like some things I read about BringGo. It's like a 1 time download for your region, so no Data use. I _think_. So, for $60.00, I may at least try it. It's kind of why I even went for a the smartphone I did.

I didn't want an iphone cause BringGo has to be wired for that one. Plus I want to develop some apps for Android. Yeah, I am a computer geek, but still don't really want a smartphone.

I saw the "Official" BringGo Master Thread, but it's 75 pages long. I read the 1st one, and the last 3. I think I will read up some more on it now....

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/interior-ice-discussion/6513-bringgo-master-thread.html


EDIT - Oops, I said Chevy should make an API, so I searched and found it.... Hmmm Could be fun!
 
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Blue hedgehog

Blue hedgehog

New member
Too bad I can't vote twice. I use Waze and my Garmin. They both need improvement though. Waze doesn't give you an option for commercial vehicles, but does warn you about most red light cameras. Garmin likes to reroute you onto roads commercial vehicles don't belong on whenever your stuck in traffic.
 
KartRacer

KartRacer

Member
I use BrinGo for one reason, shows on the MyLink screen. Google maps is better for directions and ALL have provided incorrect directions.
 
Papasonic

Papasonic

Active member
On longer trips I will set up a Garmin GPS unit; on local, or shorter trips, I use Google Maps in conjunction with voice search on my Motorola Droid Razr Max.
I like the ability to say: Navigate to, and just speak the address destination to get turn by turn voice prompts. It works quite well for me, and doesn't consume that much data; but does need to be charging if using for extended an time, as it depletes the battery rapidly.
 
ChicksHateMe

ChicksHateMe

Member
Just got my Phone and am still programming it (LG G2). It's Overkill for my needs. I miss my flip phone already. Simple and clear. But seeing as I made the jump, I look forward to trying BringGo, just because I think it will be much more convenient on the "Big Screen".

I've played with Google Maps and I am almost tempted to just stick with that. It does great with my voice AND I learned you can do "OK Maps" and it will save the map to the phone, so no data charges if you get it over WiFi and all you care about is the map.

http://www.wired.com/2014/02/offline-google-maps

I looked into Waze, but all the things I have to OK and let it get access to makes me a little hesitant to trust it, although it gets great reviews....

Still gotta try BringGo, but it seems Google maps would suit me just as well.

Seems Google Maps s the clear winner so far in the poll results too. The low number for OnStar kind of surprises me, but I can't afford it myself and will opt out in August.

I'm holding back on my vote til I try them all...
 
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Blue hedgehog

Blue hedgehog

New member
ChicksHateMe said:
I looked into Waze, but all the things I have to OK and let it get access to makes me a little hesitant to trust it, although it gets great reviews....
Click to expand...

If and when you do use waze, watch your battery. I dont know if its just an iPhone thing but, on an iPhone it uses up your battery fast. You also have to make sure you completely shut it down. If you leave it running in the backround it will use your battery just as fast.
 
Swordsmith

Swordsmith

242hp/252 ft-lbs BNR EFI
I use google maps. It is free (well, there is a data charge I guess, but I am on Boost, so I have unlimited data), it gives maps, written directions, and spoken directions. And it works whether I am in my Sonic or my F150. My Sonic is a 2012 so pre-Mylink; I might be interested in Bringo if it would display on the screen, but that's not applicable in my case. I have no interest at all in Onstar, which charges you money, doesn't have a display option and yet is still tied to the car, instead of going wherever I am a going. I even use Google maps inside my house, when planning trips, and when on foot wandering around in cities or towns.

I haven't tried using it for Geocaching, which is a hobby I experimented with briefly, but I hear it even works for that.
 
S

sonicboost14

New member
I bought the Bringgo .99 trial last year when we bought the '13 Sonic. It was great. I used it on my '13 Spark. I had the trial on a Samsung phone that was not connected to a network. As long as I keep the wifi off, it continues to work. The 30day free trial has continued to work since February '13!
 
ChicksHateMe

ChicksHateMe

Member
I want a free trial like that :)

I am on day two with my LG. Mostly spending time sorting contacts. Thought it would be a cleaner way than importing all my old ones Doh. Bad move...

Anyway, at least BringGo no longer sounds terrible, so I plan on putting it on tomorrow and trying it out. Any signs of issues though, and it's gone and I will use Google Maps. I've played with that and I can see what it's gotten the most votes. It simply does what you need it to do.
 
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sonicboost14

New member
If you've got a spare Android you can do it. Maps wont update or get live traffic but, really, how often do roads move? If its wrong or screws up, Ive got Here nav on my Windows phone. Out of all the ones I have used, I think its the best anyway.
 
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