[kerrydeare]

I have (so far) set up Maps, Waze, TomTom AmiGO, and Sygic to run on the Android Auto head unit in my 2020 EX-L 2.0T Accord. Yes, this is a bit excessive but that's just what I do. All of these applications seem able to coexist and perform per design. I wonder if others have had similar experiences. Comments much invited.

 

[Samuelx]

That's cool! Sorry if I missed it on another thread but how are you able to run them just off the head unit (I'm assuming no phone involved)?

 

[kerrydeare]

... how are you able to run them just off the head unit (I'm assuming no phone involved)?

It's Android Auto which, by definition, requires a phone. The phone simply displays the application graphics on the car screen.

 

[Fired00d]

I have (so far) set up Maps, Waze, TomTom AmiGO, and Sygic...

I have installed/use Waze & Google Maps (along w/pre-installed GPS) but haven't tried the others you mention... can you provide the difference/benefit of the other GPS apps you are using. I just checked/found them in Play Store but would like to hear some real world feedback from someone who is using them... also do you have a preference of the ones you are using?

 

[Samuelx]

It's Android Auto which, by definition, requires a phone. The phone simply displays the application graphics on the car screen.

Oh, ok, I was getting ahead of myself...

 

[kerrydeare]

Oh, ok, I was getting ahead of myself...

I'm so old I can't even keep up with myself, so don't worry just yet. More seriously, I haven't yet had time to get really familiar with all the nuances, and I will report back as I learn more. As I understand it, it's indeed possible to load 3rd party software on these head units, but I have not pursued that road. I'm just pleased that these two additional mapping applications run as well as they seem to so far.

 

[kerrydeare]

I have installed/use Waze & Google Maps (along w/pre-installed GPS) but haven't tried the others you mention... can you provide the difference/benefit of the other GPS apps you are using. I just checked/found them in Play Store but would like to hear some real world feedback from someone who is using them... also do you have a preference of the ones you are using?

I've only just loaded Sygic and AmiGO in the last day or two, so no time yet to do any real testing. For starters, Sygic (which is not free, but not really expensive either) uses downloaded proprietary maps that are stored on the phone, and therefore doesn't require an internet connection or a data account. The other three do. Another aspect is that AmiGO "group sources" data on specific driving conditions, enforcement, etc., much like Waze. It will take me some time to learn all the wrinkles, especially since these days we're not putting on too many miles. I'll report back in this thread as things develop, but if anyone has an interest in this sort of thing, at least he or she can jump in and test drive all the possibilities.

 

[Fired00d]

I've only just loaded Sygic and AmiGO in the last day or two, so no time yet to do any real testing. For starters, Sygic (which is not free, but not really expensive either) uses downloaded proprietary maps that are stored on the phone, and therefore doesn't require an internet connection or a data account. The other three do. Another aspect is that AmiGO "group sources" data on specific driving conditions, enforcement, etc., much like Waze. It will take me some time to learn all the wrinkles, especially since these days we're not putting on too many miles. I'll report back in this thread as things develop, but if anyone has an interest in this sort of thing, at least he or she can jump in and test drive all the possibilities.

Ok, thanks. I use Waze the majority of the time because I like the ability of users being able to input information. Will be looking forward to you reporting back as you get some time to evaluate them.

 

[kerrydeare]

Ok, thanks. I use Waze the majority of the time because I like the ability of users being able to input information. Will be looking forward to you reporting back as you get some time to evaluate them.

Nav Apps Comparison:

Sygic Support Center | Sygic GPS Navigation compared to Google Maps and Waze
Our Support Team has prepared this brand new website to better serve you, all aimed at delivering the help you need as quickly as possible.
help.sygic.com

 

[Samuelx]

Thanks KD, downloading Sygic now...

 

[kerrydeare]

Thanks KD, downloading Sygic now...

I have been spending a little bit of time with these applications, but considering that I have four (4) apps running it's not simple to draw conclusions at this early date (without actually running into a utility pole or something worse). However it's kind of a hobbyist thing for me so I don't mind the fuss. Meanwhile they all are quite robust and interesting and I will continue to mess around a bit. MTF

 

[kerrydeare]

Sygic Comments: I may have mentioned above that Sygic, although not free, was reasonably priced. That was then.

Took my 2020 EX-L 2.0 out for a spin and learned that although Sygic indeed showed up in Android Auto, the version was not fully supported without an additional purchase of something called "Android Auto Premium." Well, in for a dime, etc., I paid the additional $53 (this in addition to the $17 already spent for "North America Maps and Traffic"), and now I can run the full program on the car with all the bells and whistles. Well, not quite all, but see below. The program has quite a few useful functional features, but whether it outperforms one or another of the other 3 related applications is not yet clear.

Sygic has a long list of add-on features, each with its own additional fee, and I suspect most of them will not be useful to Android Auto users. One nice feature is that on the phone (i.e., not within Android Auto), Sygic can run in a small overlay window on top of other applications. This is similar to the overlay feature in AmiGO and I tried a few combinations that all worked to spec. However neither the Sygic or the AmiGO overlay works in Android Auto (at least in my version and hardware), but in my wife's car (w/o AA) it allowed me to test that feature, Very cool.

Hope a few others will jump in here with comments.

 

[kerrydeare]

It's perhaps useful to note that all 4 nav apps under discussion here behave one way when in stand-alone mode (i.e., on the phone only), and another when in Android Auto mode. This is particularly the case for AmiGO and Sygic, as was demonstrated to me over the weekend on a trip to and from Philadelphia (about an hour and a quarter ride). I used my wife's 2012 Civic which doesn't feature Android Auto and observed all of the Sygic features in action. Particularly nice is the "lane assist" that shows up in a small window well in advance of an upcoming turn. It allows the driver to get in position for the turn without too much hassle. I was able to do the same with AmiGO yesterday.

Both AmiGO and Sygic also feature a picture-in-picture mode that allows the app to run in an overlay on the phone. This feature doesn't work when the apps are run under Android Auto, and it really should be available. I suspect that certain wide view AA screens may be configured to do this, but I'm not sure. Of course with phone-only mode the user can choose either portrait or landscape view, and this is not the case with AA.

Another "gotcha" with Sygic was the discovery that "mobile speed cameras" (aka radar guns) are only available as a paid extra feature (about $20 annually). Pricey I'd say, but I sprung for it. A lot cheaper than insurance penalties or traffic tickets or suspensions.