C7 Navigation System: $795 POS
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Moab UT
C7 Navigation System: $795 POS
So here we are with our wonderful, new TR C7 ready to take a little road trip from Moab to Salt Lake City, UT. Go out to the car and enter the destination address and like magic the route appears, 5 hrs 01 min, 303 miles. WTF? It has taken just about the longest and dumbest way to get to SLC. Just like our C6 POS nav system did. And yes the system is setup correctly! I complained to GM/Chevy back in 2009. Glad they decided to keep the same routing algorithms. Even the shortest route was listed as 5 hrs 23 min, 238 miles. (Which unlike the C6 the routing choices are a PITA to get to). And the C7 Nav system even has many highway and road speed limits built into it's data base.
So I again compared it to other Nav software: Delorme Street Atlas, iMaps, Google Maps, and the Nav system in my 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. All displayed the same and shortest route as the quickest. Average 4 hrs 14 min, 239 miles.
So looks like I will be looking for a RAM mount for my iPhone so I can have a dependable turn by turn routing device available. Pretty sad for a $75,000 vehicle. Thanks again GM.
So I again compared it to other Nav software: Delorme Street Atlas, iMaps, Google Maps, and the Nav system in my 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. All displayed the same and shortest route as the quickest. Average 4 hrs 14 min, 239 miles.
So looks like I will be looking for a RAM mount for my iPhone so I can have a dependable turn by turn routing device available. Pretty sad for a $75,000 vehicle. Thanks again GM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
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I saw you listed google maps, but is it possible that your Car was doing something intelligent instead, like factoring in traffic and/or construction delays, or routing you differently because it detected an accident along your route?
My BMW does that.
My BMW does that.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
For all the bitching and moaning I've heard over the years regarding the C6's Densi Nav system, I rarely had a problem with. Sure, it's not as user friendly as the Garmin system but it worked fine and competently when I needed it
Then again, I took the time to learn it and in 5 years, it let me down maybe 2 or 3 times. And it was great to have going to and coming back from the 2009 NCC
Then again, I took the time to learn it and in 5 years, it let me down maybe 2 or 3 times. And it was great to have going to and coming back from the 2009 NCC
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 14,611
Likes: 3
From: Retired Suffolk County Police Dept NY South Carolina
I never liked any NAV system in any car I had I always use my Garmin but I still bought the GM NAV because of the ON star. I can push the ONstar button and have them find where I need to go and have it automatically downloaded.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 245
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From: Moab UT
Like the previous C6 system for some reason, it has never been able to figure out that going due west then due north on the interstate is slower than going on the diagonal on US Highways.
Which is why I always try to know my route already before trusting the GM Nav System. Never know when it will be bad directions.
Which is why I always try to know my route already before trusting the GM Nav System. Never know when it will be bad directions.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
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Wow sorry to hear that. I don't have Nav in my C7 and I'm kinda wishing GM will provide a dealer-installed accessory software/hardware Nav upgrade. At least I'm satisfied with my iPhone's map directions.
Have you tried other destinations? Meaning try other destination calculations at least in different locations from where you were, and qualify it against other navigation systems you mentioned. This way you can have a sample of different routes and compare against the other systems. The more attempts (mock tests really), the better you can claim GM's Nav sux.
Have you tried other destinations? Meaning try other destination calculations at least in different locations from where you were, and qualify it against other navigation systems you mentioned. This way you can have a sample of different routes and compare against the other systems. The more attempts (mock tests really), the better you can claim GM's Nav sux.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
for others reading here, you don't need NAV to have turn by turn downloaded to the car - it comes with the higher level subscription you get for free with the car. Download the phone app, put in the address an it send it to your car...or hit the mirror button and they will do it for you too....
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
there's no way I would order NAV from the factory, waste of money IMO considering a phone is always up to date and there are PORTABLE systems out there that goes into ANY car that are better for 1/3 the price.
Last edited by themonk; Nov 12, 2013 at 08:17 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 799
From: East Lansing, MI
BTW, you can set the nav unit to ignore or take into account traffic. Also, you've got the choice of "fastest route, shortest distance, or eco friendly." Any of these might change distance/time.
That said, a Garmin or smartphone app is going to be cheaper.
That said, a Garmin or smartphone app is going to be cheaper.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 251
From: Baltimore Maryland
My teenage daughters and I have used my Nokia phone GPS, their iPhone 4 and 5 GPS's, our Garmin and our factory Toyota Denso nav unit (similar to a C6) all SIMULTANEOUSLY on trips and decided that if the parameters in each system are set essentially the same the results are essentially the same. . . even the Garmin Not scientific, but on over 10 road trips its turned out that way.
I don't have a C7 yet, and I may be wrong, but I bet there is some setting you need to learn about that is forcing that much longer route. Would make no sense for a brand new system to be so inaccurate. Good luck
I don't have a C7 yet, and I may be wrong, but I bet there is some setting you need to learn about that is forcing that much longer route. Would make no sense for a brand new system to be so inaccurate. Good luck
Pro
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 655
Likes: 109
From: Waynesboro, Va
for others reading here, you don't need NAV to have turn by turn downloaded to the car - it comes with the higher level subscription you get for free with the car. Download the phone app, put in the address an it send it to your car...or hit the mirror button and they will do it for you too....
Glen, how do you "send it to your car"?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
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2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I was in a brand new Lexus yesterday and it was fantastic. It asks you if you want shortest route, no freeways, etc. The graphics and directions were really clear to understand. I'm guessing the Chevy system works the same way (at least I hope!)
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Eastern
the C6 NAV had that option of different route options, and could bypass certain highways etc. if need be.I'm pretty certain if the C6 had it, the C7 has it +
All OEM NAV systems that aren't Garmin based, will not be as intuitive, so unfortunately, anybody that's not willing to open up the manual, or play with the system until it's learned, will give up on the
C7 Nav system, just like they did with the C6 Nav.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs CO
For all the bitching and moaning I've heard over the years regarding the C6's Densi Nav system, I rarely had a problem with. Sure, it's not as user friendly as the Garmin system but it worked fine and competently when I needed it
Then again, I took the time to learn it and in 5 years, it let me down maybe 2 or 3 times. And it was great to have going to and coming back from the 2009 NCC
Then again, I took the time to learn it and in 5 years, it let me down maybe 2 or 3 times. And it was great to have going to and coming back from the 2009 NCC