Is Google Maps getting worse?

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dpw

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#113253 10-Jan-2013 20:58

I can only speak of Google Maps on Android of course. Back in the days of Gingerbread on my Desire I'm pretty darn sure the voice navigation was a lot more reliable. These days on my Galaxy SIII JB I noticed the following:

1. The warning ahead of turns are at times not present, or inaccurate. Most of the time the inaccuracy are late warnings, i.e. I am already in the turn by the time it says "Turn left now". Warning ahead is also variable, at times missing.

2. Roundabouts! This is the worst by far. At times it is absolutely silent - I have to glance at the screen to see which exit I'm supposed to take. At other times it will say incorrect things, e.g. "Exit the roundabout" just as I'm entering the roundabout with the screen instructing me to take the 3rd exit.

I wondered if there's something dodgy about my GPS hardware so I bought CoPilot and it works like a charm!

Anyone else noticed this?

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jeffnz

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#743042 10-Jan-2013 21:18

I don't use it much but when I have its fine never had an issue. You don't have a case on it per chance? if so maybe try without it.

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dpw

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#743044 10-Jan-2013 21:22

jeffnz: I don't use it much but when I have its fine never had an issue. You don't have a case on it per chance? if so maybe try without it.

I don't use it much either, which is why the annoyances have been very noticeable. Yup, I'm using a case, but I'm not convinced that's the problem since CoPilot is working very well under the same conditions.

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igorportugal

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#743049 10-Jan-2013 21:36

I use new Google maps on my iPhone 5 - the turn by turn is brilliant! I don't go anywhere without it, even if I know where I am going - Google often suggests a better route.

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jeffnz

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#743050 10-Jan-2013 21:38

yes I agree I thought about it after I posted.

I wonder its anything to do with cache or a history, map tiles, my places cache as they could be slowing navigation down, only a stab in dark mind you.

I did a quick search of xda but nothing although there was a forum on motorola razr that suggested the above.

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gzt

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#743055 10-Jan-2013 21:46

Would different carriers have any impact on this via gps-a?

igorportugal

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#743058 10-Jan-2013 21:48

As far as I know GPS, Digital Compass & Gyro (maybe)

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dpw

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#743121 11-Jan-2013 07:36

gzt: Would different carriers have any impact on this via gps-a?

Maybe... but that's just one aspect of it. The inaccuracies in or lack of voice guidance is the annoying thing... the map and highlighted route tracking are actually quite accurate.

Then again, don't forget that CoPilot is working great guns, what's Google Maps' excuse? ;)

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xpd

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#743182 11-Jan-2013 10:25

dpw, I noticed similar lately using my Galaxy Y phone with Google Navigation, just in past month or so the directions are coming in extremely late, leaving very little time to make any lane changes etc.... I'd assume its some change made by Google to the navigation app and its lagging....

XPD / Gavin

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dpw

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#743209 11-Jan-2013 11:06

xpd: dpw, I noticed similar lately using my Galaxy Y phone with Google Navigation, just in past month or so the directions are coming in extremely late, leaving very little time to make any lane changes etc.... I'd assume its some change made by Google to the navigation app and its lagging....

Phew!! Thank you... I was beginning to think I was seeing things. At least you have confirmed the issue exists. Now that I've coughed up for CoPilot I may as well use it.

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kiwitrc

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#743234 11-Jan-2013 11:44

dpw:
gzt: Would different carriers have any impact on this via gps-a?

Maybe... but that's just one aspect of it. The inaccuracies in or lack of voice guidance is the annoying thing... the map and highlighted route tracking are actually quite accurate.

Then again, don't forget that CoPilot is working great guns, what's Google Maps' excuse? ;)

Isnt Copilot preloaded? Google maps unless you have it cached is downloading as you go as far as I recall.

dpw

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#743235 11-Jan-2013 11:45

kiwitrc:
dpw:
gzt: Would different carriers have any impact on this via gps-a?

Maybe... but that's just one aspect of it. The inaccuracies in or lack of voice guidance is the annoying thing... the map and highlighted route tracking are actually quite accurate.

Then again, don't forget that CoPilot is working great guns, what's Google Maps' excuse? ;)

Isnt Copilot preloaded? Google maps unless you have it cached is downloading as you go as far as I recall.

Yup, CoPilot is preloaded.

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#743332 11-Jan-2013 15:06

are you talking of the free copilot or paid version, Google maps is free apart from data usage hence my using it as it has always worked when needed and I understand the phone is a phone not a dedicated GPS.

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dpw

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#743333 11-Jan-2013 15:10

jeffnz: are you talking of the free copilot or paid version, Google maps is free apart from data usage hence my using it as it has always worked when needed and I understand the phone is a phone not a dedicated GPS.

I'm using the paid version. Unless Google Maps has a paid version with extra functionality I guess it's probably an unfair comparison of sorts. As far as I'm concerned I'm just after a functioning reliable navigation app, be it free or paid. Google Maps no longer does it for me so I'm jumping ship to CoPilot... for now...

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#743930 13-Jan-2013 00:00

I was using Google maps for navigating my way around Auckland when I was up there not long ago and found it to be most excellent.

I did have one issue on the night I arrived trying to get into the city with it announcing turns as I was going through the intersection. I put this down to having a very low battery and it not getting GPS fixes quite as frequently.

After that I didn't have any other issues even when taking the same route later on. It was also fantastic at directing on alternate routes during heavy traffic.

sqlpro

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#743953 13-Jan-2013 08:03

re round abouts, i noticed that too when the other day we went to rotorua. as i exit round about it would say exit the round about ,if you did not look at it what exit (2 or 3) you would miss it. but i'd say generally its very good.

only major complaint for me is voice, in recent updates it became softer!! i find that you must look at screen to see what he's talking about.