Do we still need GPS when we can use Smartphone?

[Murithi]

I don't see the need for that anymore as long as the smart-phone serves the similar role

[dr. d]

I don't see the need for that anymore as long as the smart-phone serves the similar role

for me,
mine should speak. hirap kasi tignan yung small screen and still drive effectively.
"... after 100 meters, turn left... turn left now... turn left now, gosdamit!... tontow, you missed your turn! now we're adding 5 minutes more to your travel time. make a u-turn in 50 meters!"

[oj88]

Most aftermarket HUs or factory units that supports Apple Carplay or Android Auto allows you to use the far larger screen of the 2DIN for navigation.

Even better, some Android HUs or plug-in Android boxes have the option to have its own data plan (SIM card) so Google Maps and/or Waze will still work even without any help from your smartphone.

But since this thread is over 10 years old, it started only about comparing dedicated GPS navigation units like Garmin's Nuvi line of products, Tom Tom, etc. to smartphones. There are pros and cons either way but for most people, smartphones are going to be the default go-to for navigation. That said, there are still niche uses of dedicated GPS (ie. off-road, trekking, boating, etc.) and it's just going to be about using the right tools for the job.

[ice15]

sa akin... ang pinaka-nakakainis is yung access mo yung Google Maps/Waze mo, tapos ang bagal ng internet.

kapag out of town ako... ang laking bagay na may off-line maps yung Honda City (Android Head Unit) namin... kahit papano gumagalaw na kami.

yung CarPlay ng Zenix namin... minsan nakaka-lang reset pa ako bago gumana yung Maps.

[oj88]

sa akin... ang pinaka-nakakainis is yung access mo yung Google Maps/Waze mo, tapos ang bagal ng internet.

kapag out of town ako... ang laking bagay na may off-line maps yung Honda City (Android Head Unit) namin... kahit papano gumagalaw na kami.

yung CarPlay ng Zenix namin... minsan nakaka-lang reset pa ako bago gumana yung Maps.

There are ways naman around that...
1. Make use of your dual-SIM capabilities (if applicable) and get a backup pre-paid data plan from a different provider than your primary plan (ie. DITO, GOMO)
2. Use an offline nav app as backup on your phone - I use Sygic with lifetime basic license

[ale828]

sa akin... ang pinaka-nakakainis is yung access mo yung Google Maps/Waze mo, tapos ang bagal ng internet.

kapag out of town ako... ang laking bagay na may off-line maps yung Honda City (Android Head Unit) namin... kahit papano gumagalaw na kami.

yung CarPlay ng Zenix namin... minsan nakaka-lang reset pa ako bago gumana yung Maps.

You can download areas of google maps so that even with weak or no cell signal it should work without a hitch.

you can also use it when you go abroad and download areas of the map of the city you will be staying just in case your internet doesn't work.

[ice15]

yes. you can have an extra SIM, yes you can download off-line maps.

pero iniisip ko lang yung benefits nung may separate GPS ako compared sa ngayon na CarPlay na lang gamit ko.

naalala ko din na yung GPS ko noon will show you a photo of the intersection and tell you which road to take

anyway, past is past... just like the CD player, lahat tayo may CarPlay na and the GPS had to go.

[oj88]

yes. you can have an extra SIM, yes you can download off-line maps.

pero iniisip ko lang yung benefits nung may separate GPS ako compared sa ngayon na CarPlay na lang gamit ko.

naalala ko din na yung GPS ko noon will show you a photo of the intersection and tell you which road to take

anyway, past is past... just like the CD player, lahat tayo may CarPlay na and the GPS had to go.

FWIW, there are plug-in Android boxes that streams via the Apple Carplay or Android Auto protocol to convert your factory HU into a full-fledged Android device. These boxes have their own GPS and some can even take a SIM card. In other words, these boxes can potentially work independently from your phone.

My old HU used a Garmin nav module that I had purchased separately. Before that, I used a Garmin Nuvi 255w. I got the local Philippine maps from roadguide(dot)ph way back when. I just checked out the site and it appears that the last Contributors' version of the map for Garmin units was released over 3 years ago.

In the context of daily driving, I can see how dedicated nav units with offline maps can be beneficial, but it is evident that the great majority have embraced online/live maps because it just makes the most sense:

1. Nav apps are mostly free and far more capable than legacy nav units
2. Data plans are cheap
3. Internet connectivity and coverage on 4G/5G have greatly improved since the 2G/3G days