My suggestion was to the OP - not you!

That said, I'm not sure why you are calling it a non-viable option. I use AA every day and every time I'm driving my car. Wires do not hang everywhere. Instead, I plug it into the USB port in the compartment you can lift on your right side between the seats. The wire comes out from there, stuffed up under the plastic molding on the passenger's side, coming out by the handle grip and up there. I have a proclip and about 3-4 inches of exposed wire. That plugs into my S10+ nicely.



The above is not exactly what I do but similar. Are 3-4 inches too hard for you to handle?!? There is nothing "in the way" and I don't spend $500 in a 10 year lifespan of a car paying $99 ever 2 years for mapping data that is easily available for free - with realtime traffic data, speeding trap alerts and re-routing that's up to the minute along with killer voice recognition. It's only non-viable to you because you are seeking to justify your cost.

 

I get a failure to connect about once every 50 or so connections. Usually just replugging it in solves the problem. I haven't seen that red failure display in about 100 connections or so. What phone are you using? What version of the OS? What version of AA? Lately newer versions (4.6.x and above) connect very quickly and reliably.

IMHO all nav systems are relatively reliable performing the basic function of getting from point A to B ('cept Waze which I played with again to see if it had gotten better and besides not starting routes, not having offline maps (I'm in an area that has very shitty cell connections) and down right just dropping the route (look up and you're suddenly not under navigation anymore)). Getting from point A to B is easy. It's all the other things (voice recognition, finding places easily, re-routing around traffic and alerts) that make one system better than the next IMHO.

 

Interesting. I have a 2015. When I go to the link provided here and input my VIN it says valid VIN but it also says 2019 Corvette.

 

How do I determine what version I have installed? Thanks

 

When you go to the link, you enter your specific vin number. In my case, I entered my 2014 Vin # and it showed "vin validation successful" and 2014 shows on the compatibility list. It also tells you to check your nav system and look for the 8 digit number and that will determine if you have the most current version #84524520

 

I have a Pixel 3. I have tried my Moto G6 and G7 as well as my wifes Samsung S10. I have the latest versions a AA and And Android, although the Moto G6 is Android 9.0. My son has a 2017 C7 and the phones behave the same way as on my 2016. If it wasn't for the issues with the AA, overall I would prefer it over the NAV. I have tried about four different cables. I never had issues with AA until about a year ago. Now more and more frequent. Where I live is not the best cell service except for Verizon. I use Google Fi. But it isn't just in my area. I was in Phoenix last week and got a couple of the red screens of death. As you know google fi uses Sprint, US cellular and T-Moble. I don't think that has anything to do with it, but with all the variables that could cause an issue you never know. I use a .5 inch cable and connect in the center armrest console. Tried the the one behind the Infortaiment center and it is not any better.

 

I went to the page that had the v.2020. Put in my VIN and it said 2019 Corvette. My car is a 2015.

 

What version of AA do you have? Mine's 4.7.593814-release. Might help if you went into the phone and removed all cache data, uninstalled and reinstalled AA. Kinda drastic but sometimes that helps.

What is the latest Android you have? You seem to indicate the very latest, which would be 10, but 10 isn't out for the S10 and I don't think it's avilablle on the G7 either. I have an S10+ with 9.0.

BTW: Do you really have 3 cell phones to yourself?

Unless somehow worn or frayed, if a cable works it works. If a cable is not meant to work because it's a charge only cable, it'll never work. Trying another cable doesn't really do much. Again, unless a cable is broken. I've found that cables wear out, especially if you thread them through the grip there and thus have to insert them with an angle. My cables used to last about 3 - 4 months before giving me troubles. I like these because the casing for the wire is very durable.

Back in Nov of last year I bought these - . In March of this year I got the S10+ which is type C and I bought these - . I've been using one of these cables ever since, without issue.

True to form, last night, on a short trip to an open mic, I could not get AA connected for the life of me. I tried all of my "tricks" and nothing worked. I said to myself "Man, I was just telling that guy on the forums that it works for me all the time and bam! It won't work at all!". I went into the club and performed. I got in my car to go home and like always, hooked up AA and I even got a red screen! Reconnected and it worked fine.

I highly doubt that the network has anything to do with connection. When you connect your phone to the car via USB it's between the phone and the car to talk to each other. It's when you use say Google Maps or any media app on the phone that requires a network connection that network connections could become an issue. In fact, I've often seen when connected to the car and even under route guidance, Google Maps saying "offline" (this might only be because I have downloaded maps for offline use. Funny thing - I'm going to Vegas soon. I got a notification to download offline maps for my upcoming trip. Waze doesn't do that at all!).

Perhaps you should post to the Android Auto Product Forums for more assistance.

 

OK. I checked each phone specific. I have version 4.6.59333. I made a mistake on the Android versions and they are 9 and not 10.
I do have 3 cell phones. I have the Pixel 3, moto 6 and 7. I had issues with the Pixel 3, 7 version and 6. I switch out once in a while to see if it is a phone issue, or software. My wife uses a S10. The Moto's are inexpensive.
I didn't realize the cable were that fragile and had such a short life. I ordered some high rated ones and will get them tomorrow.
I need the short ones at 6 inches as I keep the phone in the center console.
Last week I went through the try everything routine and never could get AA to work all day long. That afternoon we stopped and did some shopping. Started the car up and it was working again! Worked properly the rest of the trip. Go figure.
I have determined, for me, that it works best if I take the phone and open it up so I am seeing the "desktop" of it, plug it in, wait a few seconds and hear the plunk, and then see the AA auto flash across the top of the phone screen and then start the car is the best method. If I start the car first before plugging it in to the usb it is a no go the majority of the time. And this is for all three phones by the way.
I am down to using Waze now only when I don't need guidance and am planning to drive in a, shall we say, a very spirited manner. Like you probably have stated before that participation is lacking in most cases around where I live and in smaller cities and towns. Even though I will participate, it is annoying to have to punch the info screen to mark the traffic issues, etc. I would rather be able to use a voice command.
Thanks for suggesting the forum. I'll give it a shot.
And go for the cache clear and reinstall. (Again)

 

Page 3 of the attached instructions explains how to determine what version you have installed.

Go to the Home page and select Settings.
Select Software Information (you may have to scroll down)
Look for the Map information.
The number under the Map section is the part number of the installed version.

 

Still not sure why you need 3 phones. It would seem that one would be sufficient and less work. Anyway...

I hope that works for you.

I view this as sub-optimal. Sure you're phone's out of the way but my S10+ barely fits. Plus it gets very hot in there I hear and I'm in Phoenix so doubly concerned. Also, the wire, even short ones, need to be bent pretty severely in order to insert them into the phone and the outlet in there. This would contribute to even shorter wire life.

Plus, I run JBV1 which is an app on my phone that controls my Valentine 1 radar detector. It's a gawdsend in that it silences many of the false alarms like when driving in parking lots. It has no interface to AA but displays on the phone screen so I want to phone screen within reachable distance. I use a Proclip which works out fine.

Don't know. I experience that sometimes too but it's pretty rare.

Note: It's been my experience that AA will never connect until the car connects via Bluetooth first. So if you don't get a connection check Bluetooth. If your gonna do that data cache and restore thing, try re-pairing your phone too.

I've also noticed that if AA doesn't connect immediately then sometimes just tapping the projection icon causes AA to be recognized and pop up and a second tap will start it up. Lately, newer AA's (4.6 and now 4.7 <- BTW I get these through APK mirror and I'm also on AA beta) connect quickly and autostarts your last playing media. I used to use Podcast Addict as I listen to podcasts most of the time. But Podcast Addict had this annoying feature of starting up, apparently transmitting through Bluetooth, and thus not very loudly. My workaround was to run some other media app like Google Play Music or Audible, then start playing Podcast Addict again. Then it would broadcast through the USB at a decent volume. I recently gave up on Podcast Addict and went back to BeyondPod, which starts immediately and plays through the USB nice and loud.

Hmmm... I think I usually, out of habit, plug in the phone first thing. But I could try starting the car first and see if this also happens to me. If so I'll let you know.

I think there are voice commands for Waze... Apparently Google is my friend... https://support.google.com/waze/answer/7580507?hl=en

However, for me, Waze sucks. I've documented it before. Some things have gotten better and some worse. For example, Waze often can't find a route, maybe because of poor cell connections however since it doesn't offer offline maps so this is show-stopper for me. Also, lately it simply drops the route. Suddenly the route is no longer on the screen. Not sure if it's still navigating me but since it often has difficulty in finding routes this is worrying. Plus the no lane guidance, etc. that I've already reported make Waze a no go for me.

As for cop reports 1) Waze has about a 40% false-positive rate by my measures and 2) JVB1 gives me cop alerts from Waze already and 3) Google Maps also does speeding traps and seems to even do them better. Not sure if they are more accurate as I have not measured but they are less frequent leading me to believe that the false positives are weeded out.

I hope it works out. Post if you have any more info or questions.

 

Thanks everyone for all the responses....I have used AA on rental cars and it does work well...however, This is not my daily driver and I think the factory option is the best for me based on the responses from those who got it...And to the gentleman who said I need to get it to show I "care about my car".... I'll let that remark speak for itself.

 

So the first map update isn’t free? My 2019 stingray’s map is #84384754. 🙁

 

Thanks for the Waze using voice commands. I have to enable it according to the online manual, which I'll do. I got the extra phones dirt cheap with double coupons. I always want one to pop my sim in if my regular jumps the shark.
Yes on the Bluetooth. I notice my bluetooth connects as soon as I plug the phone in. Then the AA starts up. (when functioning properly)
I'll have to try pressing on the projector icon a couple of times. I have just ignored it and assumed since I didn't see the AA icon startup over it it just was a stop right there.
If I find a fix for any of this I'll post.

 

Bluetooth will connect regardless if you plug it in. Bluetooth is a wireless protocol.

 

Yes. I meant to say it is connected to the bluetooth by the time I plug the phone in.

 

I believe that method only works on 2014 and 2015 Corvettes.
On 2016-2019 Corvettes, the instructions tell you to find a restaurant POI(point of interest) on Woodward Ave in Detroit. Last release it was a shakeshack, this release is a newer restaurant.

 

I found a fix. It was the cables I have been using. The new ones I have purchased have been flawless! The are short so I can use them in the center console. One thing I noticed about these new cables is that they fit nice and snug, or tight if you will. Highly recommend them.

 

In the past, the new version of the map database came out about this time each year. You need to be careful and check that you are not getting the slightly older version, just a few weeks before a newer one comes out.
I just went to the GM Nav Disc site and entered the VIN for our 2017. Last year about this time we had purchased the 2019 update, today the site showed the latest version as V.2020, item # 84667844. I just placed the order. Thanks for reminding me.

We've been using C6 and C7 factory Nav over most of the US and Canada since 2006. It works pretty well, every system has it's own advantages and disadvantages.

 

I have 2014 Z51 with only 9700 miles on it all original so I figured it would be a good idea to buy the update..... got it installed yesterday....started at 9:30 AM and it finished at 10:20 AM so it did take the 50 minutes the instructions said it would. I simply sat in the car and read thru the manual while the car ran and the install did it's thing... I am happy camper! lol, CJ