GPS suggestions

[Harumph]

jamie@scoutmotors

What is the current thinking about an integrated GPS vs using a mobile app?

I prefer integrated, but I use both methods in different vehicles. If given the option, I will choose to pay for the integrated GPS instead of paying a subscription.

I would like to see Scout offer off-road maps or highlighted routes. A companion app on my mobile or laptop to research trails, with the ability to transfer that data to my Scout, will be a good differentiator from what competitors are offering.

Perhaps partnering with one of the existing off-road map providers. Scout might even feature that brand in the way sound system suppliers are featured, if that helps to ensure we have frequent and accurate updates.

One big ask is to include weather radar with GPS. Something like a Doppler radar overlay on the GPS map would be really helpful. A zoom out feature for the map/radar is a must have.

And let's have an LCD display size of at least 12" plus a heads-up display.

 

[J Alynn]

jamie@scoutmotors

What is the current thinking about an integrated GPS vs using a mobile app?

I prefer integrated, but I use both methods in different vehicles. If given the option, I will choose to pay for the integrated GPS instead of paying a subscription.

I would like to see Scout offer off-road maps or highlighted routes. A companion app on my mobile or laptop to research trails, with the ability to transfer that data to my Scout, will be a good differentiator from what competitors are offering.

Perhaps partnering with one of the existing off-road map providers. Scout might even feature that brand in the way sound system suppliers are featured, if that helps to ensure we have frequent and accurate updates.

One big ask is to include weather radar with GPS. Something like a Doppler radar overlay on the GPS map would be really helpful. A zoom out feature for the map/radar is a must have.

And let's have an LCD display size of at least 12" plus a heads-up display.

Agree on the 12” monitor but built in navigation seems excessive this day and age unless it is an optional, trail spec type of navigation. With Apple CarPlay and Google maps just connecting through wireless Bluetooth is adequate for road based buyers. I’m all for an add option for off-roading where signals may be harder to gain access to

 

[Albal]

I don't need built in nav, but it could be a subscription revenue stream if they figure out unique things it could do. As far as doppler radar is concerned, the apple weather app has that, as well as a trick "hyper local" forecast that can tell you how many minutes away rain is from your current location, and send you alerts about it. I don't think it integrates with their nav, however, which might be useful. And the weather of course requires an internet connection. I don't know of a way of providing doppler radar without an internet connection, short of adding dedicated hardware of the type pilots use. Probably would cost a minor fortune.

I object less to subscriptions on things that are actually costing the company $$ to provide. So, "nav" maybe, "HP boost" never.

 

[Jamie@ScoutMotors]

Most new automotive products that incorporate navigation and telematics solutions have built-in GPS. We are still working on our end solutions, but many of the ideas discussed in the forums here are on the list.

 

[Chaparral]

I’d be perfectly happy if there is no built in map service. The CarPlay options are far superior than any built-in one I’ve used and have some big advantages. If you use something like Apple Maps you can start your route on your phone before you leave the house, see the ETA and make sure you don’t leave way too early. You can also go to a car you have never driven before and all your saved destinations go with you because the software goes with you on your phone.

What I really want to see is a CarPlay app for off road enthusiasts. This would be a much better use of time - creating something completely new that would add value. If Scout want some subscription revenue, build such an app, make it free for Scout owners and charge a subscription to people that drive Broncos. If the off roading app is great it becomes yet another reason to buy a Scout. Bundling software to enhance the value of hardware is straight out of the big tech playbook. It’s a great strategy. In contrast, creating proprietary built in road mapping software adds little value, because the tech companies already made mapping free and everyone has a phone.

 

[Chaparral]

I don't need built in nav, but it could be a subscription revenue stream if they figure out unique things it could do. As far as doppler radar is concerned, the apple weather app has that, as well as a trick "hyper local" forecast that can tell you how many minutes away rain is from your current location, and send you alerts about it. I don't think it integrates with their nav, however, which might be useful. And the weather of course requires an internet connection. I don't know of a way of providing doppler radar without an internet connection, short of adding dedicated hardware of the type pilots use. Probably would cost a minor fortune.

I object less to subscriptions on things that are actually costing the company $$ to provide. So, "nav" maybe, "HP boost" never.

Integrating maps with weather conditions is a cool idea. A ‘high winds up ahead’ alert would be nice. Such alerts could potentially be generated through sensor data from other vehicles (or phones inside vehicles) detecting rain, fog or the buffeting of the wind. I’d be surprised if tech companies are not already working on this.

 

[DBHowe]

Most new automotive products that incorporate navigation and telematics solutions have built-in GPS. We are still working on our end solutions, but many of the ideas discussed in the forums here are on the list.

Be careful with navigation system selected. My wife has a 2019 Subaru Forester and it has to have the very worst navigation system I've ever encountered. We often take our stand-alone Garmin or use our phone nav app when traveling in her car. I think the nav supplier is TomTom, but I'm not 100% sure. In the Scout it would be great to be able to map out a trail on my laptop and then upload the way-points into the Scout system. Obviously GPS (not cell tower) based system is a must.

 

[R1TVT]

What I really want to see is a CarPlay app for off road enthusiasts.

With Apple CarPlay, Scout will have Apple and Waze as standard nav options (which is great), AND it looks like OnX is also available via Apple CarPlay?

https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/app/features/carplay

I miss having Waze on the big screen (CarPlay is not available in the R1T), so I just run Waze from my phone in the background. I still get Audio, but it would be great to have Waze back on the screen. Having ACP should cover all the bases, since you should be able to pull-up downloaded maps on the screen from your On X app.

 

[Scoutsie]

Be careful with navigation system selected. My wife has a 2019 Subaru Forester and it has to have the very worst navigation system I've ever encountered. We often take our stand-alone Garmin or use our phone nav app when traveling in her car. I think the nav supplier is TomTom, but I'm not 100% sure. In the Scout it would be great to be able to map out a trail on my laptop and then upload the way-points into the Scout system. Obviously GPS (not cell tower) based system is a must.

What about it is bad? Does it pick lousy routes, use bad data, etc?

 

[LastDayScout]

Scout will have Carplay/AA and a captive navigation. The display at the UX booth at the reveal showed an off road screen as well as some others. It looked really good. Best of both worlds.

 

[DBHowe]

What about it is bad? Does it pick lousy routes, use bad data, etc?

It picks bad routes (not an avoid freeways type issue). When you do a search for say, Taco Bell, it doesn't indicate which ones are up ahead. It just shows arrows and a distance for each one. It resets and reroutes in weird places. It even does a loop in Pasadena which we just always ignore. It's not intuitive at all. We've not liked it from day one. I wish there was a way to update the software, not just the maps.

 

[Scoutsie]

It picks bad routes (not an avoid freeways type issue). When you do a search for say, Taco Bell, it doesn't indicate which ones are up ahead. It just shows arrows and a distance for each one. It resets and reroutes in weird places. It even does a loop in Pasadena which we just always ignore. It's not intuitive at all. We've not liked it from day one. I wish there was a way to update the software, not just the maps.

Ah, I getcha: it’s like it doesn’t have the understanding that you, a local, would have about situations and just picks stuff based on what it’s able to do, which might be “this is fastest, this is most direct, and here’s an alternative if you don’t like either for some reason.” That’s what my parents hated about the car’s GPS. It doesn’t take things into consideration like “I would never in a million years drive through this neighborhood with 3 schools when school lets out on a school day during the school year, are you high?” or “no, you can’t make a legal U-turn here, are you high?” or “that neighborhood didn’t make sense during the witch trials and it’s no better now” and so on and so forth. There was nothing that factored in local knowledge.

I use Apple Maps and check out the route before I agree to it. ? It makes note of what’s happening in real time and what’s going to make for the most practical route. I like that I can note if there’s an accident, construction, speed traps, or whatever. I’m not nuts about Waze: just a preference. Google Maps is okay.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

After having had multiple brands of vehicles with built-in navigation and multiple brands using Apple or Google maps from the phone, I would strongly prefer that the automobile manufacturers stick to what they're good at, which is building cars and just contract with the companies that are good at doing maps. If Scout Motors want to offer an option to buy something like an iOS or Android device that just does mapping for people who don't have a phone, that's great, and I fully support that. But please don't try to reinvent in-vehicle mapping. There are experts who do that, just work with them.

 

[OIBScout]

Third party maps with OTA / RDS updates please. Not interested in dealer updates via an SD card (VW, talking to you). Topo would be amazing, but haven’t had that since I ran Delorme Topo USA in my expedition vehicles.

 

[R1TVT]

Third party maps with OTA / RDS updates please. Not interested in dealer updates via an SD card (VW, talking to you). Topo would be amazing, but haven’t had that since I ran Delorme Topo USA in my expedition vehicles.

Well, that shouldn't be a concern with OTA's, ACP and no dealers - particularly with the Rivian investment

 

[Albal]

My pet peeve with Apple Maps, which I otherwise like, is that when traveling I want to say "directions to the NEXT charge station/food/whatever". It should then look AHEAD along the route I'm on instead of telling me to TURN AROUND and go back the direction I just came from. Ideally, it should first note the route I'm taking to my final destination then find nearby options that are forward along the way. If, on the other hand, I say "directions to the NEAREST charge station", then it should ignore my route and just find the closest place available. I don't use the other mapping apps, so I'm not sure if they all have this problem.

 

[DBHowe]

My pet peeve with Apple Maps, which I otherwise like, is that when traveling I want to say "directions to the NEXT charge station/food/whatever". It should then look AHEAD along the route I'm on instead of telling me to TURN AROUND and go back the direction I just came from. Ideally, it should first note the route I'm taking to my final destination then find nearby options that are forward along the way. If, on the other hand, I say "directions to the NEAREST charge station", then it should ignore my route and just find the closest place available. I don't use the other mapping apps, so I'm not sure if they all have this problem.

YES! My wife's 2019 Subaru Forester does not do this. Frustrating! You know where I'm going and you know my path. I want to know where the next Taco Bell is on my route. Not behind me. Not 26 miles to my right or left.