Uconnect 4C Navigation and additional GPS?

[Chess_Tramp]

(Sorry if my question has already been detailed in another thread... please provide me with the link.)

I have a JLUR on order which will have the Uconnect 4C Navigation. I also have a small, handheld Garmin GPS that I occasionally use for hiking which I figure I could mount on the dash. My first fundamental question is whether the Uconnect navigation technology/apps/maps are robust enough to provide for all of my on-road and off-grid GPS needs? (And therefore my Garmin GPS is a redundant backup.)

I am also giving consideration to purchasing a new Garmin InReach device for its emergency satellite capability, such as the $400 InReach Mini 2. But here’s the kick... if the consensus to my first question is a recommendation to buy supplemental GPS, then either I am going to end up with either:

1) A basic emergency satellite device AND my old Garmin GPS with its 2.2” screen, or
2) An upgraded Garmin GPS with a larger 5.0” screen, such as the $700 Montana 700i.

OR...

3) The 5.0” Garmin screen will be disappointing for GPS purposes. Instead I should buy a 8.3” iPad Mini ($500) and load some excellent navigation apps. And with this GPS solution, then I’m back to a buying a basic emergency satellite device to complement it.
(Dumb question... can the iPad connect to satellites for off-grid GPS??)

Advice please.

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[Cajun21]

You're in luck if you ordered the 2022-2023 JLUR it comes with the Uconnect 5C Navigation and what I've read it's a lot better. Yet I've heard people talk about that Garmin mini and it too is amazing so you can't go wrong. Yet my Uconnect system with Navigation has not let me down, also you may want to consider OnXroad they give you a free trial and I extended this is what I actually use on the trails. Good Luck and Keep the Jeep wave going.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

Never hurts to have a mobile one if you don't use your phone, out in the wilderness. Garmin is king on GPS devices. With that said my 22 JLUR navigation is pretty decent, maps are a bit clunky and ugly so I generally use Waze myself for the little extras it gives. Of course we only have one main highway where I live then splits into 2 main highways a little north!

 

[ChuckQue]

Like many others here I like redundancy. Even with the vehicle navigation, I use a Garmin Glo 2 paired with Gaia on my iPad mini. Should that fail, I have Gaia on my phone as well. I love it.

*Edit - That being said, I do plan on getting an InReach for emergencies.

 

[JABCAT]

One thing to consider with the factory navigation unit is that it gets outdated quickly. My wife's 2020 Grand Cherokee wasn't 4 months old before we started receiving notices that her NAV maps needed updated at a "discounted" $199 a pop. I'm never going to spend the $ to update factory nav maps & prefer to use third-party nav.

 

[somedude922]

Yeah the factory nav is garbage. gets outdated quickly and it really just sucks in general. Same could be said for just about any car nav when compared to a Garmin.

 

[Chess_Tramp]

You're in luck if you ordered the 2022-2023 JLUR it comes with the Uconnect 5C Navigation and what I've read it's a lot better.

Unfortunately my order is for the 4C. Is the 5C a hardware or software upgrade? Does anyone know whether the 4C can be updated to 5C?

 

[Deleted member 59498]

Unfortunately my order is for the 4C. Is the 5C a hardware or software upgrade? Does anyone know whether the 4C can be updated to 5C?

I think it has updated hardware and would take more than just software update. Don't hold me to that though.

 

[Bryce]

For on road travel, I generally use Waze through Android Auto installed on my phone but presented on the "radio". Off-road, Gaia, OnX and Osmand+ all integrate with Android Auto and have offline map capability.

 

[Cajun21]

Unfortunately my order is for the 4C. Is the 5C a hardware or software upgrade? Does anyone know whether the 4C can be updated to 5C?

Two answers 5C is an upgrade to the whole system which is just added drivers and also I believe it will be added to the 10.1 inch screen. From all the tech reads no upgrade as of yet.

 

[rcadden]

The Wrangler (up to 2022 MY) only has Uconnect 4. Uconnect 5 is a big upgrade that is available on other Jeep models, but not the Wrangler (as of MY22).

 

[Terpsmandan]

You're in luck if you ordered the 2022-2023 JLUR it comes with the Uconnect 5C Navigation and what I've read it's a lot better. Yet I've heard people talk about that Garmin mini and it too is amazing so you can't go wrong. Yet my Uconnect system with Navigation has not let me down, also you may want to consider OnXroad they give you a free trial and I extended this is what I actually use on the trails. Good Luck and Keep the Jeep wave going.

My 22 JLURD did not come with Uconnect 5. Wireless CarPlay would have been nice. Seems Wrangler's are the last to get HU upgrades. We suffered through 130 and 430 HU on JK;s all the way through the model run.....

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