Jump to content

Amundsen Satnav and Yeti Drive


Expatman

Recommended Posts

I am thinking of changing my 2012 Yeti for a new SEL Drive Yeti which has a built in Amundsen radio/sat nav. Previously I have only used stand alone Garmin Satnav system which has lane guidance, live traffic updates etc. I am wondering how the Amundsen Satnav differs from the Garmin, does it have lane guidance, traffic updates, free map updates and rerouting etc and can you formulate a route on your home computer than transfer it to the Amundsen Satnav? Would welcome comments of current Amundsen Satnav users.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 I am wondering how the Amundsen Satnav differs from the Garmin, does it have lane guidance, traffic updates, free map updates and rerouting etc and can you formulate a route on your home computer than transfer it to the Amundsen Satnav? Would welcome comments of current Amundsen Satnav users.

It does show what lane to be in when leaving motorway etc,

The TMC works well for any hold-ups or slow moving traffic and will automatically reroute around it, it will give a warning of hold-ups ahead even if no route has been set..

The Amundsen II post October 2014 does have free map update downloads.

I have not thought about doing a route transfer from my computer so cannot vouch for that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It does show what lane to be in when leaving motorway etc,

The TMC works well for any hold-ups or slow moving traffic and will automatically reroute around it, it will give a warning of hold-ups ahead even if no route has been set..

The Amundsen II post October 2014 does have free map update downloads.

I have not thought about doing a route transfer from my computer so cannot vouch for that.

Thanks - can you set your own preferred routes? e.g normally to get to Dorset from here Satnav sends you down M1 to A34 and eventually onto M3. Preferred route (much quieter) is M1, M42, M5 onto A350. On Garmin I can program that route - can you do that with Amundsen?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks - can you set your own preferred routes? e.g normally to get to Dorset from here Satnav sends you down M1 to A34 and eventually onto M3. Preferred route (much quieter) is M1, M42, M5 onto A350. On Garmin I can program that route - can you do that with Amundsen?

You can set a destination and then 'by way of'

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a Garmin that I use on my motorbikes and that is one of the things I really like about it, being able to pre-plan my routes on the PC for trips and holidays etc.

I like built-in sat navs, I have the Amundsen II, but they generally fall short of the standalone ones in terms of route planning.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a Garmin that I use on my motorbikes and that is one of the things I really like about it, being able to pre-plan my routes on the PC for trips and holidays etc.

I like built-in sat navs, I have the Amundsen II, but they generally fall short of the standalone ones in terms of route planning.

That's what I have deduced from above responses and reading the manual. I expect to use the Amundsen for unexpected use but will certainly use my Garmin for pre-planned trips where I can program it in the comfort of my warm home rather than sitting in a cold car!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the Amundsen II manual.

""It is possible to add up to twenty destinations to the route during route guidance.
The route guidance is according to the sequence of the stopovers on the route. After the next stopover has been reached, route guidance to the following stopover continues.
Press in the menu Navigation function key New dest./stopover - a menu opens for entering a new destination and then in the next step a menu for destination details.""

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the Amundsen II manual.

""It is possible to add up to twenty destinations to the route during route guidance.

The route guidance is according to the sequence of the stopovers on the route. After the next stopover has been reached, route guidance to the following stopover continues.

Press in the menu Navigation function key New dest./stopover - a menu opens for entering a new destination and then in the next step a menu for destination details.""

Interesting - but can you set the 'stopover' as a road junction or does it have to be a specific address? If a 'stopover' can be a road junction then it's fine because you don't have to deviate from the route, however, if the 'stopover' has to be a specific address then the satnav will take you to that specific address. For example if I wanted to go to Cornwall by M1, M42, M6, M5 rather than M1, M25, M4, M5 can I input a point on M42 then a point on M6 and finally one on M5? if so what kind of point does it have to be, a specific address or just a click anywhere on the M42?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

#10 - Yes, but how much better it would be to plan the route in detail, on exactly the roads you want to take on the PC on a nice large screen and be able to transfer it via an SD card to the Amundsen.

Trouble with doing it in the car is that the screen is too small and you can't see a wide enough area and if you zoom in to see more detail it's even worse. It's bad enough when you just have one destination and have three routes to pick from.

Whilst being able to enter 20 destinations is good and better than some (others I've had have only had a couple) you'd really still need to plan the route initially using a map and then have difficulty making sure you take the roads that you want.

To be honest I've never done a long trip/holiday using a built in sat nav and think it could be a pain. Have always used the Garmin and for a trip to Austria with multiple stops in a number of countries it was great.

Edited by VAGCF
Link to comment
Share on other sites

One of the means of programming destinations is via map entry, so no address needed, just zoom in on the junction and programme a point on the road just after the turning you want to take.

Is that with the Amundsen? I can do that with my Garmin but it would be great if I could do it with the Amundsen. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As good as the Amundsen is I still prefer to use Google maps using my mobile phone through Smartlink.

 

Lee

I have thought for some time that built in Satnavs will soon become redundant as Smart phone map apps become more sophisticated. As you say coupled with Smartlink it is difficult to see built in Satnavs - and other inbuilt facilities - surviving much longer. The only way Tom Tom and Garmin can prosper is to add facilities to their units dedicated to making the driving experience easier and manufacturing small units without a screen that will connect via Smartlink directly to cars screens. Even then what can they build in that's not possible with a smart phone? Perhaps instant traffic updates and immediate rerouting might win it for them?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

. Even then what can they build in that's not possible with a smart phone? Perhaps instant traffic updates and immediate rerouting might win it for them?

 

Google Maps already has live traffic and rerouting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Google Maps already has live traffic and rerouting.

Hmm, the only problem is you seem to need a fairly powerful Smartphone, or at least I think you do because mine stutters with Google Maps after a bit. Again for less than £100 Tom Tom or Garmin could offer a small battery powered device without a screen that would connect via Smartlink and provide all the bells and whistles of their current Satnavs dedicated to navigation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm, the only problem is you seem to need a fairly powerful Smartphone, or at least I think you do because mine stutters with Google Maps after a bit. Again for less than £100 Tom Tom or Garmin could offer a small battery powered device without a screen that would connect via Smartlink and provide all the bells and whistles of their current Satnavs dedicated to navigation.

I think it's not so much the power of the smartphone but the quality of phone signal. I've found that signal drop outs can give problems that can take awhile for the system to catch up. I'm currently using the beta map app. I'd find it even better if the road speeds were indicated and you were able to add your own POIs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it's not so much the power of the smartphone but the quality of phone signal. I've found that signal drop outs can give problems that can take awhile for the system to catch up. I'm currently using the beta map app. I'd find it even better if the road speeds were indicated and you were able to add your own POIs.

 

With google maps you can download the entire UK to your phone as long as you have enough space on your phone/card. You only actually use data and phone signal for the live traffic information which is minimal and does not affect map routing.

 

Smartlink and Android Auto does require Android 5.0 or later so anything from the last couple of years should be OK with a any VAG head unit with Smartlink,

 

 

Lee

Edited by logiclee
Link to comment
Share on other sites

With google maps you can download the entire UK to your phone as long as you have enough space on your phone/card. You only actually use data and phone signal for the live traffic information which is minimal and does not affect map routing.

 

Smartlink and Android Auto does require Android 5.0 or later so anything from the last couple of years should be OK with a any VAG head unit with Smartlink,

 

 

Lee

Yep, I use a downloaded map but find that the phones GPS is more likely to drop out that the cars. The traffic does rely on getting information via the phone so again a good signal helps. What I do like is the ability with my Android phone is to ask questions on the move about traffic, weather etc., and get quick accurate replies. I also find that the voice recognition is excellent when compared to the inbuilt Amundsen. Navigation is so easy to set up by simple voice commands or voice searches. I'd be happy with a Google HU.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yep, I use a downloaded map but find that the phones GPS is more likely to drop out that the cars. The traffic does rely on getting information via the phone so again a good signal helps. What I do like is the ability with my Android phone is to ask questions on the move about traffic, weather etc., and get quick accurate replies. I also find that the voice recognition is excellent when compared to the inbuilt Amundsen. Navigation is so easy to set up by simple voice commands or voice searches. I'd be happy with a Google HU.

 

I've never had a dropped gps signal with either my own phone or my wife's but these are recent Samsung units (Not the ones that burst into flames)

 

My Dad has a few issues with his but it's a cheap Chinese handset from Amazon.

 

Lee

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Stand-alone satnavs like Garmin and built-in satnavs like the Amundsen are never going to be able to match Google Maps for accurate and up-to-the-minute information on traffic congestion.  A phone knows its location not just via GPS but also by trilateration, measuring the time delay in the mobile phone signal from three or more cellphone towers.  Combining these two sources of information gives a good location for the phone a great deal of the time and it still works quite well even if one of the two signals (GPS or cellphone) is intermittent.  This location info goes back to Google. As soon as Google sees several phones all moving slowly at the same speed on the same stretch of road, it knows there is traffic congestion. Its maps get updated to show that congestion. I do not know how quickly they actually show the congestion, but in principle they could show it just a few seconds after it begins to occur - and, just as usefully, stop showing congestion as soon as it clears. 

 

No other satnav system can match this as far as traffic congestion is concerned. It is one reason why car manufacturers are belatedly beginning to realise they cannot compete with mobile phone technology, which advances far faster than they can cope with, and they would do better to co-operate with it by displaying phone apps on the car's screen, as with Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

 

I am not saying Google Maps is (yet) good at everything, and I still use both the Amundsen and a stand-alone Garmin at times.  But when they tell me there is congestion, I disbelieve them and trust Google Maps instead.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Community Partner

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to BRISKODA. Please note the following important links Terms of Use. We have a comprehensive Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.