Is there much point in a standalone sat nav these days?

JustAnotherSaver

I have an actual dedicated sat nav. A Garmin Nuvi 2519LM to be precise.

With the way Google Maps has come along over the years, is there really much point in a dedicated sat nav these days?

The only reason i can see would be that a sat nav doesn't use your data but then i imagine most people have reasonable data plans these days anyway.

One thing i like about Google Maps is that it re-routes you on the go if your route is suddenly no longer the best route. My sat nav never does that. Once it's set up then that's the route it'll take you, whether someone decides to have a pile up on a Friday or not.

What i don't like about Google Maps is the fact it doesn't tell you the speed you're currently travelling (i'm on iOS) but then i have my car for that. Would still be handy for it to indicate when you're over the limit though.

I know Google Maps have an offline map mode for if you're low on or out of data so i imagine that if you're using offline maps then it wont re-route you in the event Friday-pile-up happens. I've never actually used offline maps though.

bob_a_builder

No - not much !
If you have the local maps downloaded, then you can choose to operate on-line or off line - if off line then no data usage at all -- but if on-line then you should get re-routes but data use will still be minimal since you already have the map downloaded
Last I saw Google Maps (android)  had added a clear speed indication on a circle in bottom left - or was that only when in guided mode - -not sure

EssexExile

My car has built in satnav that looks very posh, but I still use Google as it's more up to date.

JustAnotherSaver

bob_a_builder said:

Last I saw Google Maps (android)  had added a clear speed indication on a circle in bottom left - or was that only when in guided mode - -not sure

My wife has an android phone and on hers it shows you the speed you're travelling. I think it may highlight it if you're over the limit. Maybe a red ring or something to that effect, i can't remember now.

I'm on iOS and only fairly recently (last month or so) i've noticed that it now has the speed limit in the bottom left, which is handy. It doesn't tell you your speed though.

I fired up the laptop yesterday and opened up Garmin Express, noticing i had updates for the sat nav (was opening it for the Vivoactive watch actually) which made me wonder about making this thread as it's been some times since i actually used the sat nav. The fact it doesn't reroute you is a major disadvantage over Google Maps.

TadleyBaggie

I prefer Waze. It will tell you your current speed and what the prevailing limit is (usually).

DoaM

My car has satnav built in, but I still use Google Maps ... using the exact same screen by connecting my phone via Android Auto.

To the OP's question ..... No.

avoidtheupsidedownbottles

JustAnotherSaver said:
I fired up the laptop yesterday and opened up Garmin Express, noticing i had updates for the sat nav (was opening it for the Vivoactive watch actually) which made me wonder about making this thread as it's been some times since i actually used the sat nav. The fact it doesn't reroute you is a major disadvantage over Google Maps.

Most modern satnavs do adapt if you change course and many redirect around hold-ups so, yes that does devalue it a lot that yours doesn't.  I guess for a frequent / professional driver it would be worth having both mobile and satnav working in case either system goes down.

Cisco001

New car have android auto or apple car play.

John_Gray

The dedicated satnavs tend to have Bigger Screens, which are good for the more elderly among us.

wongataa

Dedicated sat navs are useful when you need directions but are in a location with no/poor mobile connectivity and you don't have any offline maps.  It is great never having to think about offline maps or mobile connection.  If you have a dedicated one with traffic alerts then it will ask you if you want to re route if it gets notice of a delay.

DoaM

John_Gray said:

The dedicated satnavs tend to have Bigger Screens, which are good for the more elderly among us.

I bet a dedicated device doesn't have a bigger screen than my car's Infotainment display.