Navigation in 2025; smart phone via car play, traditional GPS or other

[routlaw]

From what I have learned recently while researching a new Garmin GPS, it appears the vast majority of folks have abandoned their traditional GPS devices (road trips) in favor of systems like Apple Car Play via their iPhones or Androids. Suffice it to say there are a litany, almost bewildering array of options on the market that simply were not there half a dozen or more years ago. 

I am intrigued with the possibilities of Apple Car Play via either the Haloview devices, or ones like this: The Get Car Tablet

However I am also skeptical an iPhone or an Android has the capability and features of a dedicated GPS device like the Garmin Smart Drive units. Of course this doesn't even address the amount of data one might use while traveling with smart phone as your navigation device. My goal is also to reduce clutter on the dashboard and in that vain would love to have a device that does it all, GPS, Rear View Camera, TPMS, and Apple Car Play but alas as far as I know no such device is in existence. 

Thanks, looking forward to learning how others have navigated this conundrum. 

[topgun2]

Given the area of the country in which you live and the kind of camping that I think you do, I'm a bit surprised that in addition to the data requirements for cell phone based GPS there is also the issue of cell coverage.

I too tried to reduce that number of screens in the cockpit - but - I failed.  Having as many "programs"/apps as possible on a tablet seemed like a great idea.  Unfortunately, I found that there was no "simple" way of switching from one app to another.  Mind you - I normally travel alone.  For those that travel with a navigator that is good these issues become much more tolerable.

Good luck!  Let us know if you find that perfect solution.

Bill 

[routlaw]

You are exactly right Bill, cell coverage can be sketchy at best out here in the hinterlands and also an excellent reason not to forgo the use a real GPS device. Granted one can save sections of a map to use off line but that also adds up to a mountain of stored data while not being as fluid as a GPS device. Intuitively have felt for me there is not a sensible way of getting by without a dedicated GPS but am certainly willing to hear from others. Likewise I too travel alone when my wife can't come along which changes the ballgame quickly. It's interesting the only company now making GPS devices in the US is Garmin, all others have left the market due to massively diminished sales years ago. 

[topgun2]

5 hours ago, routlaw said:

It's interesting the only company now making GPS devices in the US is Garmin, all others have left the market due to massively diminished sales years ago. 

Yep - 

With so many vehicles being sold with navigation, many people simply rely on that to get them where they want to go.  Actually, there are many times on longer trips when I use both the nav in my F-150 and my Garmin at the same time.  However, whenever the two disagree I almost always trust Garmin over Ford.  To be fair - I have updates for life with the Garmin and I've never even considered paying to have the nav updated in ANY of the vehicles I've ever owned.  So, it is highly likely that the Garmin would have the more up to date information.

Of course, I always have the good old standard paper maps to include a Gazetteer map.

Bill

[Mike and Carol]

We don’t use the navigation on our vehicles (Audi and Ram).  We’ve used Apple Maps, Google Maps and Waze exclusively with Car Play.  I do have an older Garmin that we used before iPhones and I keep it updated and ready to use in case we’re out of cell coverage.  We also have the larger Garmin 890 but don’t use it as much as we thought we would.  Data usage has never been an issue.  I use my iPhone navigation whenever we’re driving for traffic alerts and other information.  Mike

[jd1923]

I purchased two Kenwood receivers with Garmin for big bucks which I installed in two family vehicles (not our TV). I wish I hadn’t spent the extra $$$. The screen resolution for Garmin is terrible (not the other apps). It looks like a Nintendo screen from the 80s!

One feature I do like and use it often is that it has the name of the upcoming street listed clearly top of screen. That is quite helpful to know when to turn. I never use the GPS feature, can’t stand apps that talk. Just show me the map.

I end up using Apple Maps which itself is not easy to see the smaller roads. Sometimes you zoom in and it shows a highway number or street name and sometimes it doesn’t. I like it to find restaurants as we enter new towns.

Love GasBuddy to see fuel prices ahead along our route. We save 100s knowing where the lower prices are. Should we fill up now or later? Should we go this route or another? It really helps!

[dewdev]

Although you need cell phone coverage, I like to use the Waze app on my phone. It will re-route you if there is a accident on your route, it notifies you of vehicles broken down/parked in the shoulder, accidents ahead, debris in the road and if police are on the road. Those items are only noted if someone adds it into the app.

On long trips, I use the Garmin 890, which I like a lot but trust the Waze if there is a disagreement.

I do not use the GPS in my TV. 2 gps devices are enough for me along with the tire pressure monitoring system for the Ollie tires. 

Edited May 22 by dewdev

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, dewdev said:

Although you need cell phone coverage, I like to use the Waze app on my phone. It will re-route you if there is a accident on your route, it notifies you of vehicles broken down/parked in the shoulder, accidents ahead, debris in the road and if police are on the road.

Yep, Chris usually has Waze going while I'm driving. It does help with these issues.

[Steve Morris]

Toyota's GPS is notoriously awful, and until recent models of trucks and SUVs, Android Auto and Apple Car Play were not offered.

As an upgrade, I simply overlaid the OEM screen with my 11" iPad. It has a cheap magnetic cover, and when placed as shown, the magnet in the flap sticks to the steel speaker grill on the dash. It's stayed locked in on some rough trails with no movement. I use a magnetic USB-C plug, so that if I need the OEM screen or backup camera, I simply flip the iPad up onto the dash.

I've used Waze for years, but was having some trouble on the trip to Lake Guntersville. So I tried Apple's Map application for the first time in probably a decade. It worked really well! It re-routed me in Nashville when there was a wreck. It would be nice if it had the police and object on the road features of Waze, but I'm going to try it for a while.

I tried the RV Life app when we went to Florida, but didn't care for it. Not a fan of Google Maps, either, as it's taken me on even stranger routes than Waze trying to save a few seconds time.

For out of cellular range, I can download regional maps into GAIA GPS or use my Garmin InReach's tiny screen. Or, use one of the many maps I always carry with us.

Edited May 22 by Steve Morris

[Kathy Tewart]

Our 2022 f150 came with Apple Car Play and a 12” screen, I have been using Apple maps-pretty happy with it over Google maps. Google maps kept suggesting alternate route then applying that route before we knew it. Also carry paper maps just in case always. I am just recently traveling on my own so no navigator. (widow). Car play displays good information for a solo traveler 

[routlaw]

Lots of great ideas and inputs on the subject. Have to admit I am a bit surprised by how many people do rely on Apple Car Play or the Android equivalent. My older 2013 F-150 of course does not have this built in. I do agree with many other comments though regarding Apple Maps and prefer it over Google Maps the times I have used it sans Apple Car Play of course. Plus I like Siri's voice. 

@Steve Morris comments regarding how bad Toyotas built in GPS is from my experience and from what I hear from others all auto manufacturers are terrible as well, plus you have to pay for upgrades. Cruel joke. All of these auto GPS built ins are already out of date the day you drive off the lot too and most of them are a major PITA to go through an update, so bad that I haven't even tried it on our Subaru Outback knowing what others have claimed.

Given that I don't have a high opinion of my Furrion Rear View Camera at this point I am leaning towards the Haloview 12 BT with Apple Car Play built into the system. Like others we always carry along paper maps too, perhaps it's a generational thing but a road trip/camping trip just doesn't seem complete without them. I really like the Benchmark and Delorme state by state maps too, great having that much close detail. Then there's the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Maps for specific areas, ie national parks and monuments and other such outdoor wilderness areas. 

Thanks

Rob

[topgun2]

5 hours ago, Kathy Tewart said:

I am just recently traveling on my own so no navigator. (widow).

So sorry to hear this, but, I'm sure that as you travel they will always be right there with you. 

Bill

[jd1923]

36 minutes ago, routlaw said:

Given that I don't have a high opinion of my Furrion Rear View Camera

We don't need no schtinkin' cameras! Our OTT installed 10-year-system camera system has never been used by us. Fired it up once and the screen is certainly low-res, never used while traveling. Been backing up trailers for 40 years without cameras and will continue to do so. When I cleaned up our front roof, I removed the forward camera, the cell booster and the Winegard dish, followed by a lot of fiberglass repair! Our rear camera is still back there and should be removed sooner or later. Don't like driving, especially towing, looking at screens while eyes should be on the road!

Old school thinking here, but I also believe a TPMS system won't help in a blowout situation which is the main safety issue re tires. I've had a habit for decades of visual inspection of all tires before I ever sit in any vehicle, every time. I'll check all 8 tires when towing for proper shape, meaning tire pressure is likely still as I had set it, every time I'll tow the Oliver, a 360 walk-around, check the hitch connections too.

The apps we use, Apple Maps, GasBuddy, Waze, Campendium, etc. are either running on Chris' phone or on mine only when I'm on breaks, not driving. Looking forward, concentrating a mile up the road, is something I realized to be extremely important from when I first riding motorcycles a long, long time ago and ever since. Most others are not looking, thus we must.

[Jason Foster]

On 5/22/2025 at 5:14 PM, jd1923 said:

We don't need no schtinkin' cameras! Our OTT installed 10-year-system camera system has never been used by us. Fired it up once and the screen is certainly low-res, never used while traveling. Been backing up trailers for 40 years without cameras and will continue to do so.

Same.  I ordered mine with the camera.  Total junk.  However, if I have some bikes back there, it might be useful to keep an eye on them.

On 5/22/2025 at 5:14 PM, jd1923 said:

Old school thinking here, but I also believe a TPMS system won't help in a blowout situation which is the main safety issue re tires. I've had a habit for decades of visual inspection of all tires before I ever sit in any vehicle, every time. I'll check all 8 tires when towing for proper shape, meaning tire pressure is likely still as I had set it, every time I'll tow the Oliver, a 360 walk-around, check the hitch connections too.

I did the same until I had two blowouts in the same camping trip.  I now use a TPMS device that keeps track of not only pressure but temperature.  I use this in addition to the old school method of "kicking" the tires.

[Jason Foster]

As far as GPS goes, I use my iPhone and Google maps.  I don't always go the direction it tells me but it works and I don't have to buy anything else that could potentially go wrong.  Paper maps, of course, are always a must.  Never rely completely upon technology.