Built-in Navigation is Pretty Damn Bad

[MayThe4x4BWU]

I don't mind it, strictly as a reference thing.

I'm one of those weirdos who can't stand Carplay (I use it for music...that's it) and Android Auto integration and always have some type of laptop with me when I'm traveling outside of known areas. I don't mind having to stop and figure out where I am and where I need to go next. I guess I'm too relaxed of a traveler lol

But in the 4 vehicles that I've owned that have had some flavor of the Uconnect NAV in them, they all have performed pretty poorly when using them beyond strictly a reference tool.

The last "good" built-in NAV system I experienced was in my 2005 Acura TSX. It had a "breadcrumb" feature that I'm surprised isn't included in modern NAV systems.

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[Spank]

Ok, I finally caved in and actually tried using the built-in navigation in my '22 JLURD. I'd played around with it before, but never tried to really use it. Oh boy, it's bad.

Although there have been some UI updates and tweaks here and there, these radios have largely been unchanged for over a decade. These units were in FCA vehicles back when the JK was still hot. Before Android Auto and CarPlay came around, UConnect really was the best OEM navigation and infotainment system of virtually any vehicle manufacturer save for Tesla.

As usual, the Wrangler is always last to get the current tech from the parts bin. The JL just got UConnect 5 and that system is already 4 years old.

 

[AFD]

I love the paper maps comments. They make me giggle. When using paper maps, you have to know where you are and which way you want to go before the map is useful. Those 2 things often do not travel with being lost.

Tbf, while I always carried my paper maps back in the day, I'd avoid using them unless I was truly lost or traveling hundreds of miles away from home. And even then, I'd still try to figure it out on my own. Asking for direction was a last resort.

My usual plan of action was to pick a direction and drive until I hit a major route I've heard of before and then figure it out from there, though my internal compass kinda sucks and more than a few times I've driven over an hour in the wrong direction. Those big signs telling you that you're entering another state is a good clue that you're not heading back towards home ?

Was a fun way to explore, find neat places you've never been to before and meet interesting people. While I still find it hard to believe how I ever lived without GPS and a cell phone, it's kinda sad that I really don't go wandering around like that any more now that getting lost is nearly impossible.

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