Jeep UConnect/GPS system off the beaten path

[Opus]

Just curious to hear how well the stock JL UConnect 4 and GPS system work when you stray off the beaten path. So far, the Jeep has been my daily drive in mostly urban settings. Soon, though, I'll be taking it on some dirt roads and trails far from home and I'm curious how well the stock system works once you're in the hinterland.

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[MayThe4x4BWU]

I haven't taken mine off the beaten path just yet, but my guess would be unless a catastrophic failure occurs with their satellite system or your Jeep's Uconnect, you should be good as long as you aren't on some uncharted dirt trail.

Might be worth scrolling over to the areas you're thinking of leaving the paved roads for to see if the map software has the dirt roads and trails on them.

I remember older systems had a "bread crumb" feature if you wandered off onto an unlisted road or area. No idea if that type of thing still exists on these newer GPS units

 

[jludave]

Soon, though, I'll be taking it on some dirt roads and trails far from home and I'm curious how well the stock system works once you're in the hinterland.

It'll be fine if you have a clear view of the sky. If you're going to be in areas with heavy tree cover, go with a phone based or other GPS system that allows for offline maps.

 

[Powelligator]

Most of my favorite trails are not within the factory's navigation database, so my display mostly shows me wandering around in no man's land. But the elevation and coordinates in the Off Road pages work perfect always. I've heard that there are apps that can display alternate maps on the head unit, I haven't seen how that works yet.

I have an iPad with a lot of topos loaded that is on a Ram Mount hanging on the OS handle, that works great for me.

 

[SierraRandy]

I have use OnX Offroad GPS maps through Apple play throughout Death Valley with great success. It allows you to pre-map your routes and then tract those routes as you are driving.

 

[Reinen]

I've found that most phone apps are significantly better off-road out in the wilderness, even without cell service. OnX, Gaia, Backcountry Navigator, Trails Off-Road, etc all have very useful extra features that UConnect doesn't have. UConnect is fine for on-road/civilization but outside of that other apps are better.

Either use your phone directly or connect with Android Auto/Carplay.

 

[AZ Hella]

As stated above, use carplay/android auto with a navigation app. I like Trails offroad & Gaia. Download the offline maps and you'll be set.

 

[Sidewalk]

The stock system was worthless for me when I was on the beaten path (very well known and used forest roads).

 

[Powelligator]

As stated above, use carplay/android auto with a navigation app. I like Trails offroad & Gaia. Download the offline maps and you'll be set.

Do any of those shift the display to the head unit? I tried a couple of apps over the past few years and was unsuccessful. I talked to a guy in one of the booths at EJS this year - might have been Trails Off-road - and he said that being able to display in the head unit is coming soon, but not here yet.

 

[AZ Hella]

Do any of those shift the display to the head unit? I tried a couple of apps over the past few years and was unsuccessful. I talked to a guy in one of the booths at EJS this year - might have been Trails Off-road - and he said that being able to display in the head unit is coming soon, but not here yet.

Right now the only apps that support Carplay are Gaia, Trails offroad & onX.

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