Navigation

I'm used to a GPS on the windshield and now I have an Equinox with Navigation. Looking for opinions for using the navigation. I prefer not spending the $$ for OnStar... what are people using? Their phones and Google maps? Can you still receive calls when using Maps? Does it use a lot of data? Pro and Cons of each please!

Thanks

Rich

rfernald said:

I'm used to a GPS on the windshield and now I have an Equinox with Navigation. Looking for opinions for using the navigation. I prefer not spending the $$ for OnStar... what are people using? Their phones and Google maps? Can you still receive calls when using Maps? Does it use a lot of data? Pro and Cons of each please!

Thanks

Rich

Click to expand...

I have a 2021 Equinox with factory navigation, it does not require any thing else to work. Read your owners manual.

rfernald said:

I'm used to a GPS on the windshield and now I have an Equinox with Navigation. Looking for opinions for using the navigation. I prefer not spending the $$ for OnStar... what are people using? Their phones and Google maps? Can you still receive calls when using Maps? Does it use a lot of data? Pro and Cons of each please!

Thanks

Rich

Click to expand...

No need for data. You also don't have to pay for anything with your navigation. Just input where you want to go and it will take you there. Again, no data is used and no costs.

Thank you, Shaggy, for the courteous response.

I have a 22 with Nav, as others say the Nav does not need data, but if you want real time traffic updates you are better off using Android Auto.

Android Auto uses Google maps - that does use data but I never checked how much. Nicer looking maps, similar to Google Earth. And yes, you can use the phone while using Android Auto and the maps for navigation. Navigation instructions will talk over your phone conversation using both car Nav or AA Nav.

One more thing - currently my Nav has stopped working, there is an issue with the Nav not seeing the SD card which contains the maps. GM has a service bulletin dated May 6, 2022 which states they are working on a software update to correct the issue. It affects most GM models in 2021 and 2022 - for Equinox and Terrain it is only affecting 2022 models.

The symptom is you will get a message on the DIC saying "SD card removed". If you attempt to switch to Nav you will get a similar error on the display. It only affects the Nav, all the other Infotainment functions work as usual.

Luckily we also have Android Auto for navigation so it is not a huge inconvenience.

ricklack.... Can I use Android Auto with an iPhone?

rfernald said:

ricklack.... Can I use Android Auto with an iPhone?

Click to expand...

rfernald:

No

Android Auto is Google/Android

Apple/iPhone is CarPlay

Hey ricktack:

I just got a '22 (build date 6/22) LT, with nav.

Dealer can't tell me: Do I need an OnStar subscription in order to use the built-in nav functions (I don't want one)? I.e. do you have an OnStar subscription?

(FWIW I'm not getting the SD-Card error messages - hopefully they've got this fixed.)

Thanks.

-Richard

From what I understand the navigation will work however you will need to have onstar in order for you to receive traffic information. If I am correct it is part of the connected apps plan.

dorrellkc -
Your understanding is right on. (I had questions too, and thanks to other messages here, I think I understand this thing now.) In my case, my new '22 has "connected navigation" ... The key thing to note is that WITHOUT ANY OnStar subscription, nav still works. It relies on map data stored on an SD-card, which is in the cubby just above the front USB ports. (You do have to agree to some "terms & conditions", but there's no subscription involved.) That way, nav acts pretty much like my old stick-on Garmin unit - that is, it gives you maps, driving directions, etc. However if you DO have an OnStar sub, it adds functions like turn-by-turn directions, current traffic conditions, over-the-air map updates, gas stations with current prices, etc. This is all explained pretty well in the owners manual, under the NAVIGATION section. Note: I can't say anything about earlier Equinox models! -Richard

rfernald said:

ricklack.... Can I use Android Auto with an iPhone?

Click to expand...

You use Apple Carplay

kskruser said:

Hey ricktack:

I just got a '22 (build date 6/22) LT, with nav.

Dealer can't tell me: Do I need an OnStar subscription in order to use the built-in nav functions (I don't want one)? I.e. do you have an OnStar subscription?

(FWIW I'm not getting the SD-Card error messages - hopefully they've got this fixed.)

Thanks.

-Richard

Click to expand...

You do not need Onstar or any data plan for the built in Navigation. If you have Onstar you can have them send you step by step directions but I have never tried it.

My SD card issues did not start until I got @ 22,000km on the car. Still not working - I purchased data for my trip to US and it is crap. Half the time the internet freezes or totally loses connection, even in well populated areas. I'm not impressed. Using my phone data is way better.