Skoda satnav any good? (vs Tom Tom)

[glasgow]

Looking at buying a Yeti, like the idea of built in sat nav. What's it like? I'm used to Tom Tom on my phone. I have traffic and safety cameras both of which are useful. The traffic is really accurate. How does the Amundsen system compare?

 

FWIW, Tom Tom recently 'updated' their phone app and made it much worst! I tried three or four others and none came close to the routing or accuracy of Tom Tom. 

Edited 11 July, 2016 by glasgow

[Urrell]

I have the post Nov 2014 Amundsen II and am very impressed with it, it's so integrated.
Speed cameras will not work with it but I do believe you can add them to the post May 2015 Amundsen II.

[Llanigraham]

Must admit that I still prefer my Garmin; is easier to load an address, easier to up-date, up-dates route quicker on a journey and just seems "nicer".

[Expatman]

I also prefer my Garmin, I can work out routes etc. sitting comfortably at home on my Desktop Computer then transfer to Garmin satnav, easy to update (lifetime updates included), and like Llanigraham it just seems nicer.

I can see the attraction of having the Satnav integrated into the car but as I don't need to use it every day the cost of the integrated unit seems exorbitant - and you have to sit in the cold car to input routes etc!!

[Urrell]

I can see the attraction of having the Satnav integrated into the car but as I don't need to use it every day the cost of the integrated unit seems exorbitant - and you have to sit in the cold car to input routes etc!!

 

The traffic (TMC) works well and you don't need to remember to plug it in, also having the screen between the dials makes it easy to check.

I know you're in North Yorkshire but I didn't realise it was that cold up there..

[Tech-Yeti]

Having got both Amundsen and a TomTom 6100, there is no comparison. The TomTom wins every time.

The Amundsen gives the same routes and directions but my TT updates map corrections, speed camera locations and main worldwide maps 4 times a year all for free. Mine also has a built in sim card for traffic updates.

[eribaMotters]

I am another supporter of Garmin. Lifetime maps and traffic means no fees. I believe it uses the same mapping as viamichelin, so easy to mess around on the computer putting in via points etc to plan best route. I can understand others preferring Tom Tom, as it's what you get used to.

My gripe with built in units is twofold. Cost of updates and location of the main unit is out of eye-line.

 

Colin

[VAGCF]

Updates are free with the latest unit.

 

I have a Garmin as well but I do like the built-in unit. I don't usually have the Garmin in any of the cars and have found the built-in one useful on many occasions, not only longer journeys and trips which is what I usually use a sat nav for.

 

The latest unit works very well and I'm glad I specced it. The main display being out of one's eye line is no problem. I've owned a number of cars like that and it's not unusual. Like with everything else in the car don't look down unless it's safe to do so! 

[Expatman]

The traffic (TMC) works well and you don't need to remember to plug it in, also having the screen between the dials makes it easy to check.

I know you're in North Yorkshire but I didn't realise it was that cold up there..

It's not! But still nicer to plan trip at desktop computer with 21" screen than sitting in car! Also does the Amundsen give traffic alerts and offer alternative routes to avoid hold-ups?

[Urrell]

 does the Amundsen give traffic alerts and offer alternative routes to avoid hold-ups?

It does as I said, the TMC (Traffic Message Channel) will report hold up's ahead even if there is not a route set.

It will reroute around problems or it can be done manually very easily.

I usually just enter a postcode of where I want to go to and even though some say it's long winded it takes about 30 seconds, It takes the wife longer to get in than that.

 

[Llanigraham]

Coming back from Poole the other week my Garmin was correcting my route due to a road closure much quicker than the in-built system.

 

Yes the new system does have free up-dates, but it isn't the most intuitive method; take SD card from car, copy to computer, download up-dates, up-date file, reload card, take back to car, whereas with the Garmin I just plug it in and press up-date.

[logiclee]

If you are looking at new or nearly new then just get Smartlink enabled. (£150 or so)

 

Google Maps and live traffic on the cars display. Excellent.

 

I used to love TomTom's and have owned several but the latest units are nowhere near as good. 

 

Lee

Edited 11 July, 2016 by logiclee

[glasgow]

Many thanks, so many replies!

 

I have an iPhone and use Macs. Wonder if the complex update via SD cards works on a Mac. Often they can be PC only...  I heard from someone who did their research last year that the Smartlink either didn't work with the iPhone or if it did it was unreliable. Apple CarPlay may be an option but then you can only user Apple Maps, which is nice and simple but lacks 'safety' cameras.

 

Currently I use a Brodit holder for my iPhone and Tom Tom which, as I said, despite recent updates, provides the best routes of all the iPhone apps and spookily has accurate traffic reports.

[willl]

Since you have an iPhone, download the Here maps app. They are the map provider used by Skoda for the Yeti. Obviously the UI is different but the maps are still using similar data.

Others have already talked about the traffic so I won't go into that. But I would say you folks are lucky, we have the button on our cars but it does nothing as it hasn't been enabled in Australis due to (from what I hear) VW/Skoda Australia don't want to pay the fees for it.

If you get SmartLink with an iPhone connected, it actually works quite well too!

[Great Yeti]

If you do opt to use the iphone  / Garmin / TomTom. You might like to consider housing it in the Yeti "Top Box" as in the picture below:

 

That's what I, and a few others did. The stand alone unit sits comfortably in the drivers eye line, the lid shades the screen somewhat and, if you dont like trailing cables, you can wire an extra USB into the box itself (How?) = LINK

 

Whatever you do, I am sure you will enjoy the Yeti when you finally get it. After six years, our current Yeti (new one on order!) still has the ability to put a smile on my face every time I drive it............Tony

[Alexul]

I have a garmin, my brother has a tomtom, neither with live traffic. The tomtom is way smarter. They have a huge database with average achieved speeds per road so depending on the time of day it gives different results. Most other nav units just rely on the road speed limit and if they have it, current traffic conditions. 

 

I did test Google Maps navigation and also bought Android Auto for the car. However if it behaves like the phone version I don't think I'll be using it too often.

1. On my Motorola G3 I can't install any real voice, it has option only for text-to-speech which sounds really annoying

2. Can't disable spoken street names. I know a lot of people like it but my phone is in English and it tries to pronounce French or German names in English. Just horrible. 

2.1. It's like a freaking geography teacher, it spends like 1 minute to tell me all the roads and main cities on my direction: Keep right on A6, A4, E25, E411 towards Arlon, Bastogne, Namur, Bruxelles. It basically reads all the traffic signs.(in English! ) 

3. Sometimes maps are updated with a huge delay, if ever updated. I work across a road which was closed months ago. I even spent time to submit a map change to mark it as closed. They thank me but the navigation still routes me on that road. Maybe in some countries it's faster. 

 

I like the idea of keeping my current Garmin in the top box. But I'm not sure I want to already start drilling in a new car.

 

P.S. l'll pick my car Thursday, 2:30 PM. Less than 48 hours remaining, actually only 47h and 40 minutes. 

[Great Yeti]

 

I like the idea of keeping my current Garmin in the top box. But I'm not sure I want to already start drilling in a new car.

 

 

Unless you decide you want to locate a "Power Source" in the Top Box - No drilling or cutting etc is required!

 

If you DO decide to add power to the Top Box: Drill a small hole, less than 5mm would be more than sufficient, for a cable to pass through and is easily plugged with a 5mm blanking grommet / plug prior to selling the vehicle on, therby returning the Box to almost original condition. As in the photograph below................Tony

[Michael G]

...  I heard from someone who did their research last year that the Smartlink either didn't work with the iPhone or if it did it was unreliable. Apple CarPlay may be an option but then you can only user Apple Maps, which is nice and simple but lacks 'safety' cameras.

 

Currently I use a Brodit holder for my iPhone and Tom Tom which, as I said, despite recent updates, provides the best routes of all the iPhone apps and spookily has accurate traffic reports.

 

Smartlink is Skoda's name for the software already present (needing activating at cost) in the screened units, and is what supports Android Auto, Carplay, and Mirrorlink.

 

Can't speak to Apple stuff, but Android Auto took us nearly 2000 miles last month, including Milan city, and worked well.

[Alexul]

Unless you decide you want to locate a "Power Source" in the Top Box - No drilling or cutting etc is required!

 

If you DO decide to add power to the Top Box: Drill a small hole, less than 5mm would be more than sufficient, for a cable to pass through and is easily plugged with a 5mm blanking grommet / plug prior to selling the vehicle on, therby returning the Box to almost original condition. As in the photograph below................Tony

 

You mean like having a powerbank next to the nav unit inside the box?

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Compact-20000mAh-Portable-Anker-PowerCore/dp/B00VJSGT2A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468337534&sr=8-1&keywords=powerbank

[glasgow]

If you get SmartLink with an iPhone connected, it actually works quite well too!

 

Does Smartlink enable Apple Car Play, or just mirror your iPhone screen? My understanding is that Apple don't allow other map apps such as Tom Tom to use CarPlay. But if it mirrors your screen then all apps would be available. That would be the best option...

[Urrell]

Does Smartlink enable Apple Car Play, or just mirror your iPhone screen?

[Michael G]

Does Smartlink enable Apple Car Play, or just mirror your iPhone screen? My understanding is that Apple don't allow other map apps such as Tom Tom to use CarPlay. But if it mirrors your screen then all apps would be available. That would be the best option...

 

As above.

 

"Smartlink is Skoda's name for the software already present (needing activating at cost) in the screened units, and is what supports Android Auto, Carplay, and Mirrorlink."

 

For elf n safety reasons, both main phone/auto systems curate the apps which work on their platforms. Neither Apple nor Google want YouTube etc to be playing on a front screen. Currently Google only support Google Maps (but Waze is coming) and I believe Apple only supports Apple Maps.

 

Mirrorlink would presumably get round this, but you'd need to check whether it works with iPhones. It doesn't work with my N6P, presumably because Google see it as competing tech.

 

http://www.mirrorlink.com/phones

[Michael G]

Update: Found this on the Skoda Mirrorlink FAQ's:

 

Are iPhones compatible with MirrorLink?

Unfortunately not, iPhones are only compatible with SmartLink

SmartLink includes within it ... Apple CarPlay(compatible with iPhones 5, 5c, 5s, 6 and 6 Plus)...

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/about-us/mirrorlink-faqs/default/?gclid=CjwKEAjwqpK8BRD7ua-U0orrgkESJADlN3YB2mlJWK9DqjGfOW_lcL_0x-d7Yceba2HUwjxTpfd2yRoCYsbw_wcB

[Great Yeti]

A "Power Bank" is certainly one option that saves on providing a power source into the Top Box 

 

They were not available when I did my project, so my answer was to provide two USB sockets and an additional small 12v power socket for anything that requires more voltage than the USB sockets provide. The Power Bank would be a good option for those who don't want to deal with the "electrics" and for whom the amperage is great enough to power up anything they want between the ability to recharge the "Bank"

 

The original article (LINK) on installing a Sat-Nav in a Yeti was just my answer to the problem. It did provoke discussion elsewhere on Briskoda, and if you search, you will find quite a number of other options. I think the most simple for many, was to wire a 12v cigarette lighter extension socket into the Top Box and use that to provide the power for Sat-Navs etc. There are lots of options and I do like the Power Bank one. :clap:  But bearing in mind the limited number of hours it is capable of providing between re-charge, and taking into account the quite significant power draw from a stand alone Sat-Nav, this limitation may be too much for some people. EG: a Sat-Nav drawing 1 amp would only be powered up for approx 4.8 hours from the device you "linked" to (assuming, of course, that the Power Bank was fully charged to begin with). This may not be adequate for journey times in excess of the stated 4.8 hours. Larger capacity Power Banks are of course available. But the increase in capacity also means physically bigger too. There is only so much room and the increase in cost should be borne in mind against that of providing a simple power supply. ...............Tony

 

PS: for those interested. The wiring to the Top Box is simplicity itself! One wire (12v positive) via a fuse "Tap" (about £1) from the fuse box (by the door) threaded through the dash and behind the instruments (very easy!) to the Top box, and an earth wire from Top Box to an earth point just below the Top Box (an earth point that's already there!). The Top Box is removed by lifting out the rubber mat and releasing the two screws beneath it. All in all, about 10 to 15 minutes and the job is done!

Edited 12 July, 2016 by Great Yeti

[Simon-R]

+1 for smartlink works really well on android auto using Google maps. Voice look up works well.

Edited 13 July, 2016 by Simon-R