on my last two trips using google maps and near the end of the trip maps took me off the interstate. For the last 30 minutes or so of trip google maps took me to one lane country roads. The roads with hidden drive ways and 35/25 mph signs. Upon my arrival at my destination i realized the interstate exit was next to my hotel. so why did google maps take me on the back roads? Google has changed the algorithm to calculate fuel consumption and direct you to the most fuel efficient route. According to Google this is done to reduce your carbon footprint!! i now keep going when maps tell me to exit.

there is a method to revert maps to the old algorithm still looking for that

 

Can you show an official statement from Google on this?

 

In my experience google will divert you off the highway if there is an accident or construction causing a delay. Not sure if this was the case for you.

 

I experienced that very same thing a couple of weeks ago.
Not only did Maps take me off the Interstate, but my planned destination was changed, and my further drive was diverted to somewhere I did not choose.
In my case there was no accident or other obvious reason for this to have happened.

 

Read an article (Jalopnik, I think) where this change was discussed. Seems to be a thing, and a quick Google search seems to confirm it. Looks like the changes may have started rolling out the end of March, first part of April.

https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=...=2560&bih=1297

 

That's gonna be a hard pass for me. I'm all about trying to do the right thing, but I'm not going to waste a bunch of time trying to conserve some fraction of a gallon of gas. I don't see how they can possibly do that math without knowing what kind of vehicle you're driving to begin with.

 

On my new RAV 4 Hybrid XSE I will use all three (Google, Waze and the built in NAV, don't know what its sourced from), try to keep requirements as similar as possible and just watch it while I go to a location where I don't need any nav (yup, its a boring life but I'm enjoying it.) Quick assessment as I like Google maps best of all three overall in my little RAV.........and yes each will throw me a head scratcher every once in awhile, even some of the voice pronounciations are fun.....

 

Waze is the way to go. I gave up on Google a while back.

 

Same here. Google owns Waze, so its weird that Waze seems to almost always work better.

 

Waze was the leader in that niche space and this is why Google bought Waze for $1.2 billion in 2013

Unlike Google Maps, Waze has created a culture of user engagement. Waze generates many of its maps by using GPS to track "the movements of its nearly 50 million users," according to Bits. ... Google may be buying Waze to spread this culture of user engagement to its other servicesGoogle announced Tuesday that it has acquired Israeli mapping service, Waze, without disclosing what had been reported as its $1.3 billion price tag. But it is not exactly clear why.

Google already offers some of what Waze provides. For example, Google's Android-installed mapping program includes reliable information about traffic congestion and Android users provide Google with updates on average traveling times on the roads.

I think the answer could be a combination of four factors.

1. Waze's user engagement

Unlike Google Maps, Waze has created a culture of user engagement. Waze generates many of its maps by using GPS to track "the movements of its nearly 50 million users," according to Bits. A third of Waze users share "information about slowdowns, speed traps and road closures, allowing Waze to update suggested routes in real time [and its] most dedicated fans can also edit the maps directly to improve their accuracy," writes Bits.

As Bret McVey, a graphic designer in Omaha who made 280,000 changes to Waze’s maps in the last year told Bits, "They created this culture where you can really help others." That culture rewards Waze users with points and badges and gives the top 500 map editors direct access to Waze employees to close the gap between reality and what Waze depicts.

Google may be buying Waze to spread this culture of user engagement to its other services.

2. Keep Waze from Facebook, Apple

As I wrote on June 9, if Google owned Waze, then competitors would not have access to its technology and users. Moreover, since the $1.3 billion cash purchase price is a small fraction of Google's $50 billion cash stash, that reason alone is compelling.

3. Waze adds features that Google Maps lacks

Google Maps lacks key features that are useful to Waze users. According to Globes, "Waze has options to report accidents, police presence, speed cameras and blocked roads, all things that Google does not have."

4. Use Waze as an alternative to Google Maps

Although reports claim that Google will enable Waze's CEO and most of its people to stay in Israel and operate independently for three years, it is possible that Google will keep it running thereafter.

That's because Google might follow a strategy that Microsoft used when it acquired Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011. According to Globes, "Microsoft, which had a rival product called Messenger closed it not long afterwards and currently offers Skype as its solutions for both Internet conversations and immediate messages."

Of these four reasons -- I think the first would be the most valuable since it would boost the long-term value of Google's customer ties. But getting a company the size of Google to adopt the management practices of a small start-up like Waze would be difficult to achieve.

 

Why is this on C7 forum ?? Does your C7 use Google Maps ??

 

Mine does.

 

Yes. I don't have nav. I suspect I'm not alone so I appreciate the info. Beats the hell out of another oil thread.

 

That's good to know.

Related:
I'd switch to using your smart phone instead. The smart phone should have real time, or very close to real time display which is invaluable in large metropolitan areas.

 

You come across as the prince of downers....

Some people - like me - drive their Corvettes a LOT - and some do indeed use Google Maps, as well as other applications - as the OP stated in the subject line of this thread.

Since C7 drivers use applications other than the built in Nav why is it not appropriate to discuss navigation tools for use in our C7s?

Do you complain just to complain?

 

You're not understanding what I've posted. The C7's NAV is difficult to decipher why it gives the directions it does to some of us. I think you're off on another tangent again.

 

It does if you use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

 

Let me ask it this way, why does so many C7 owners use Google Maps and Waze Maps and comment as such here on the C7 CorvetteForum?

Because C7 Corvette Navigation is Horrible and why I and others paid $1500 to swap out our HMI 2.0 to 2.5 just so I can use CarPlay and mirror our phones into the stock infotainment screen and see Waze or Google Maps because we couldn’t take the pain anymore for the OEM Navigation that sucks.

 

No, I've never used them before - only factory installed NAV. Switched to my Smartphone a long time ago, because of the ambiguities of the system. AND for real time.

 

Yeah, but how do you really feel?