Google Maps sucking after last couple of updates

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Gulf, Jul 14, 2014.

  1. Gulf

    Gulf Medium Load Member

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    I don't want to be thrashed for not having a truck GPS, I basically use Google Maps/GPS as a guide but double check with road atlas. Anyway for those who do use Google Maps, have you noticed a lot of problems especially over the last few months?

    Specific problems I'm having are it loads slow, finds location slow, brings up GPS slow, random shutdowns, poor routing and rerouting. I never had these problems before the last two updates. And I have tried two different Android phones and a tablet, so it's not the device. There are a lot of complaints online but haven't heard anything about a fix or new update.

    It is so bad that I am for the first time seriously considering getting a truck GPS. I would get the CoPilot app but I don't want to rely on my phone's GPS locator. And I don't know. But plenty info on that in the other threads. This is just about Google Maps problems.
     
    Big Don Thanks this.
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  3. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    I've heard others having issues with google maps.I use map quest.
     
  4. duramax1

    duramax1 Light Load Member

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    Yes I have noticed to that it will not let me go to street to street directions and also shouting down.
     
  5. Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

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    I am not seeing that on the laptop. It could be the mobile app.
     
  6. 3031

    3031 Light Load Member

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    Use Bing maps instead.
     
  7. TomOfTx

    TomOfTx Road Train Member

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    Google maps needs a live data connection, so if that is slow and/or unavailable, it will effect the speed the map loads and updates. Current software version for Android is 8.1.1
    What model phone, cell provider, version of Android firmware are you currently running? Have you rooted the device?

    Why would you not rely on the phone's GPS chip location? If you are only using cell tower and WiFi triangulation, you will certainly have problems as the location is not pinpoint enough to know what road you are currently traveling on, which would cause problems with rerouting.

    I am using Google maps on two AT&T Galaxy Note 3's and a Kindle Fire that I reprogrammed to run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and have no problems whatsoever.
     
  8. Gulf

    Gulf Medium Load Member

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    I guess the problems also started around the time I changed carriers. First off, I use a mobile hotspot for my data, from Millenicom but Verizon network. While in the truck my devices are always connected to it. The device I have been using for Google Maps/GPS is a Samsung Note 2 not rooted and not unlocked. But I'm just using it as a computer it is not connected to any network other than my hotspot. But since having problems I also having been using a Nexus 5 which is unlocked but not rooted. It is always connected to the hotspot in the truck but is also a phone through a provider called Ting which uses the Sprint network. The tablet is a Nexus10 but I really haven't tested it while driving.

    So it looks like my problem could be that I am relying mostly on WiFi triangulation through the Verizon network hotspot except for the Nexus 5 which relies on that and the Sprint network which is not great. And since Ting is a reseller of Sprint, the location services may not all be there or operational.
     
  9. TomOfTx

    TomOfTx Road Train Member

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    Do you have the GPS on your Note 2 turned on? Go to the Settings on your Note 2 and go to Location Services. Make sure that "Access to my location", "Use GPS satellites", and "Use wireless networks" all have a check mark in the box to insure the most precise location.

    GPS location data from the phone's GPS chip is independent from wireless data from over-the-air, WiFi, or a HotSpot you are using, so who use use for data coverage will not effect the GPS location. You just need reliable data coverage to display the map details on your devices if you are using any map data that is not preloaded onto the device.
     
  10. Krashdragon

    Krashdragon Medium Load Member

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    Cell service can vary widely depending where you are.
    Gps uses satellite triangulation. Until the sats fall out of the sky and need replacing,they're much more accurate.
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2014
  11. Gulf

    Gulf Medium Load Member

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    The problem is there are no wireless networks on the Note 2. All the boxes are checked. It is a Verizon phone but it's not connected to Verizon. I just use it like a WiFi tablet off of the Verizon hotspot device. The Nexus 5 does seem to work better and it is connected to Sprint through Ting and running Android 4.4.4.

    I understand it shouldn't make much difference as the Nexus 10 isn't connected to a cell network and it seems to do okay though I haven't really used it much driving. I need to get a mount for it. Then I want to use the Co Pilot Truck app with it. I guess I can trust its GpS locator as much as any.
     
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