Most Drivers Who Own Cars With Built-in GPS Systems Use Phones For Directions - Mostly Out of Frustration (cnn.com)

According to a new survey, many new car owners use their phones for directions despite their cars coming with built-in navigation systems. These users do it out of frustration, the survey added. CNN adds: The market research firm J.D. Power and Associates surveyed owners of new vehicles after the first 90 days of ownership. They were asked about all kinds of new in-vehicle technology including navigation, entertainment and safety technologies like lane-keeping assistance and automatic braking. For the most part, the survey found, people are relatively satisfied with the technology in their cars. On a 1,000 point scale, the average satisfaction score was 730. Navigation systems rated the worst with an average score of 687. Almost two-thirds of new vehicle owners with a built-in navigation reported using their smartphone or a portable navigation device to find their way at least some of the time. Nearly a third of those with built-in navigation used it for less than two weeks before giving up on it and using their phone or another portable device, according to J.D. Power. And more than half of people with built-in navigation systems never used them at all, according to the survey.

Comments

$300 or $400 for map update

[avandesande]

Even more reason to skip in car gps option....

Re: $300 or $400 for map update

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah. And they charge hundreds for the actual unit in the first place. It'd be cheaper to buy a new Garmin every 6 months than buy an in dash navigation.

Re: $300 or $400 for map update

[MikeOnBike]

I get tired of Chrysler wanting $150 every couple of years to update the maps in my Jeep. I spent slightly less than that on a 4" Garmin with lifetime updates. And of course when I bought it the dealer assures me that free updates are included. BS, what a ripoff.

Re: $300 or $400 for map update

[thegarbz]

That signal is pointed straight down

No it's not. That signal is hitting you from all sorts of angles, especially if you have a clear view of the horizon.

so if you don't have a sun roof

I see you're unfamiliar with scattering. The wonderful thing about metal and cement is they don't make EM disappear, they bounce it around a bit. I pick up on average 18 satellites (mix of GPS and GLONASS) in my car with a good signal strength. And I have a tiny little shoebox with small windows, no sunroof, and my phone is often lying in the centre console under the dashboard.