Navigation

zelmo · April 2, 2020

I have a 2010 Avalanche with factory navigation. I hate it. I use a Garmin because what is in the truck is inaccurate at best.

Is the unit being used in current models reliable?

steve841 · April 2, 2020

It's very reliable ... routing kinda sucks. If you put shortest route, sometimes you get very odd directions.

it's not Google Maps for sure.

And, if you want traffic and all the bells and whistles, they expect you to subscribe to Onstar.

OnTheReel · April 2, 2020

Well, 10 years is an eternity in infotainment and navigation electronics. It’s definitely better than the 2010 version. I’ve had no problems at all in a few 300+ mile trips. Images are really nice and everything works quickly and intuitively.

zelmo · April 2, 2020

32 minutes ago, steve841 said:

It's very reliable ... routing kinda sucks. If you put shortest route, sometimes you get very odd directions.

it's not Google Maps for sure.

And, if you want traffic and all the bells and whistles, they expect you to subscribe to Onstar.

That is the same problem I have with the unit in my Avalanche. I once used it on a trip that I had made in the past. Although it told me to take a turn that I had never done I decided to see if it was a better route. It took me 50 miles out of my way and it took an extra hour.

Thomcat · April 3, 2020

1 hour ago, zelmo said:

I have a 2010 Avalanche with factory navigation. I hate it. I use a Garmin because what is in the truck is inaccurate at best.

Is the unit being used in current models reliable?

Uh, oh the "A" word.

Just like the truck, the GM Navigation system has come a long way in 10 years. As far as Avalanches, had an '07, '12 and a '13, and in '10 the Navigation system is the least of your worries. GM fixed the valve covers and PCV take off problems by then but it wasn't until 1/11 production that they came out with redesigned collapsible lifters and added the AFM discharge valve shroud in the oil sump. The shroud deflected all discharge oil directly downward into the sump blocking the 4 horizontal discharge ports which overloaded the non firing AFM cylinders with excess oil clogging the oil control rings turning them into oil burners by 60K+. Made a great market for AFM disablers.

The Navigation systems in the '16 and '19 Silverados put the primitive Avalanches' Nav systems to shame.Even the previous gen My LInk Nav systems in my '16 Silvy and '18 Traverse make the Garmins and Tom Toms look like pi$$ and the '19 Infotainment 3 Nav system in the '19 Silvy likewise with the MyLinks.....the '19 Nav systems are completely integrated into the 8" DIC LCD screen and 4" Speedometer cluster LCD , vehicles' voice command systems and My Chevrolet app for sending directions from a computer or cell phone to the Nav system....and no stupid DVD reader based system either....solid state SD map card feeding into the USB bus......all without wires, voltage adapters, dash mounts or taking eyes off the road.

Gone are the days of carrying 4'x8' sheeting in a converted 2 seat Avalanche with the rears collapsed and the front buckets so far forward with my chest one foot from the steering wheel. Dumped the '07 smoker for the '12 which had more leaks than a depth charged sub and then later getting screwed with the '13 glued together with snot and went through 3 CMHSL aquariums. Learned my lesson.......at least the sports bar look gives me back the only thing I ever liked about the Avalanches.........the sail and it is made out of metal that keeps its black color and not that crapo plastic that greys out in the Sun.

Do yourself a favor and upgrade to an Infotainment 3 Nav system and the best part is that a Silverado/Sierra comes with it!

steve841 · April 3, 2020

Just to follow up... it's definitely worlds better than previous generations .....

zelmo · April 3, 2020

Ok. That is comforting. Thank you.

Just to be sure - there is no subscription required for the basic system?

AlaskaErik · April 3, 2020

I have it in my 2016 Silverado and it's pretty primitive compared to what I had in my 2015 Hyundai Sonata. My 2019 doesn't have it and I don't miss it. I very rarely ever need it in Alaska, and when I do, I just use Carplay. GM could learn a lot by checking out the Hyundai/Kia nav system.

Thomcat · April 3, 2020

10 hours ago, zelmo said:

Ok. That is comforting. Thank you.

Just to be sure - there is no subscription required for the basic system?

No subscriptions or contact with OnStar necessary for basic system.

zelmo · April 3, 2020

Thank you.

zelmo · April 4, 2020

I have been able to figure out that Ram uses the Tom Tom system but I don't know what GM uses. Does anybody know?

OnTheReel · April 4, 2020

1 hour ago, zelmo said:

I have been able to figure out that Ram uses the Tom Tom system but I don't know what GM uses. Does anybody know?

Telenav.

swathdiver · April 4, 2020

5 minutes ago, OnTheReel said:

Telenav.

Is that for the old and or new navigation systems?

On 4/2/2020 at 5:40 PM, zelmo said:

I have a 2010 Avalanche with factory navigation. I hate it. I use a Garmin because what is in the truck is inaccurate at best.

Is the unit being used in current models reliable?

Are you running the latest navigation disc? It's still out of date but would likely be better than 2010 vintage.

The Navteq/Here! units in our trucks is not much different than the one I used in a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. I like it and XM Traffic sometimes catches traffic that even WAZE misses. You can also preview the nav route to make sure it doesn't take you out of your way. Mine did that once, the night I brought it home.

zelmo · April 4, 2020

11 minutes ago, swathdiver said:

Are you running the latest navigation disc? It's still out of date but would likely be better than 2010 vintage.

The navigation system didn't work well from the day I picked it up so I just don't use it. I tried it for a while but gave up completely when it wanted me to take the PA turnpike EAST to get to Pittsburgh. Since I don't live in the very western part of PA that was clearly wrong.

OnTheReel · April 4, 2020

20 minutes ago, swathdiver said:

Is that for the old and or new navigation systems?

The current 2019+ trucks.

“Telenav hybrid navigation solution launched on additional GM model year 2019 vehicles, including the Chevrolet Blazer, Chevrolet Malibu, and Cadillac CT6.

Current GM vehicles enabled with Telenav hybrid navigation in North America are: Cadillac CTS, CTS-V, ATS, XTS, XT 4 and CT6; GMC Terrain, Sierra, and Canyon; Chevrolet Silverado, Equinox, Colorado, Camaro, Cruze Hatchback, Volt, Blazer, and Malibu; and Buick Regal. Additionally, GM has launched vehicles with Telenav hybrid navigation solution in China and has launched vehicles with our on-board solution in South America, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East.”