Garmin Nuvi 2699 vs Google Maps

That's like comparing an 80's IBM PC XT to IBM's Watson mainframe computer. The processing power behind each is light years apart not to mention the disparity in available data.

I have compared Garmin, Google, and Waze. Google and Waze show earlier arrival times. However, mostly sticking to Garmin's route Google and Waze both come up to Garmin's time, which I watch noticeably making it's ETA earlier.

IMHO, Google and Waze are very optimistic, using an average time one cannot possibly make. Actually, they seem to use the posted speed limits, sometimes, to project the ETA. Try and see for yourself. Divide the route mileage by the time, and you will see that the projected average is unrealistic.

I have many thousands of miles on the Garmin, and even with staying on the interstate, 65 mph is very very hard to attain. Garmin uses a more realistic, learned average to compute. Google and Waze used an average of at least 5mph faster than Garmin, then adjusts the real ETA according to how many miles are left to go, at the posted speed limits. YMMV.

Yeah, I might be a little OCD.

My Gamin is being used less and less as I am discovering Waze seems to work better for me.

Phranc,

When Google and Garmin select the same routes, the ETA times are nearly the same. The concern I have is that Google and Garmin did not select the same route, and the fact that Google consistently selected a faster route. I would have thought just the opposite. Since I had to buy the Garmin and Garmin maps were just updated, I would have thought Garmin would of made the best choice. This was not the case. For the entire 10 hour trip back, Garmin never selected a better route than Google. Garmin did often select the same route, but never a better one.

Of course the suggestion by GARMIN to take a detour just in time to avoid a major accident (i.e., sitting on the interstate for hours) still convinces me to not let go of Garmin yet.

Google and Waze are going to be rife sane because they are the same. Garmin forms your route according to what it has learned from you're habits. Google always chooses the sports fastest route, based only on time and traffic. They use a different routing engine

Garmin does pretty good in a small compact size as compared to the computing powerhouse of google, not really a fair comparison IMHO. But at least when you lose Cell Signals, Garmin will still be there for you.....................

I feel like comparing two routes is like the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. You never know which route would actually be faster unless you go down both routes, which is impossible at a given time. If you go down one route, you have no real way of knowing if it was *actually* faster than the alternative.

We can only go the route that our devices *think* is fastest. (sounds dystopian being slaves to our machines... I say, we have the free will to go any way we choose and don't have to listen to any machine!)

You're a non conformist are you?

We have ways to make you conform!

No question Google wins hands down. There was a bus fire causing an hour delay on the I-4. Garmin was happy as a clam and had a solid green light.

Google warned and said it found a faster route. Accepted it and it took us past the backup.

There are so many Garmin fanboys that refuse to get with the times, but that's what makes all of us so very special!

When it comes down to bypassing a 1 hour delay, waze and Google gets er did. Garmin's traffic does not seem to ever work.

Garmin:webcrawler, Google Maps:Google

The times have changed. Paradigm has shifted. Btw Google maps is 100% free. Why in the world would anyone have purchased a Garmin after 2011-12?

And here in the UK Garmins digital traffic works well, you won't drag my nuvi away from me yet

Narvick,

Not sure this is true. If Garmin says go down Route A and it will take an hour. It generally takes an hour. Problem I had is that Garmin said to go down Route A and Google said to go down Route B which was estimated to take half as long. As soon as I avoided Route A and went down Route B, then Garmin changed its time-of-arrival to match Google's predicted time.

It has nothing to do with the time prediction. Each method seems to be pretty accurate at predicting the time-of-arrival. The problem seems to be in the algorithm to select the route that will take the least amount of time. It appears that Garmin does not try all the different route combinations that Google does to see if there is a faster route. I was given a list of alternate routes by Garmin. None of them was the more efficient way that was suggested by Google.

... as already posted Google has a vast array of computing behind it, your nuvi doesn't. If it checked every possibility you'd arrive before it had worked out your route.

Having said that I rarely find a quicker route than the one my nuvi recommends ...

Chnnatash,

For me, I wanted the 6" screen, no data use, and no internet connection option that comes with the Garmin. I was also under the mistaken impression that a dedicated unit with updated maps would have a much more sophisticated and better route prediction model than a free Google navigator that is very low on the companies priorities. That impression has been proven as incorrect.

Still it is nice to have a dedicated navigation system which enables loading of POI's from this site, finding POI's along my route or destination, and showing me lane assisted instructions with split screens.

Because cell coverage is still not 100%.

is 100%. But I have never been anywhere in the USA over the last 3 years on business, where I could not get service. maybe the rule of thumb is when you need a SAT phone to communicate (like when we go back country skiing or tuna fishing), then bring the Garmin. Otherwise, leave it.

My phone simply doesn't cut it in numerous areas compared with my Garmins. A phone/app might be fine for some but no phone would work for me.

And if I need a satphone I'll have one of my Garmin handhelds with me

On a recent extensive trip to Canada (I live in the US) cell service with data was expensive. Got a Rogers sim with talk and text for the smartphone. No way would I lay out a lot of money for data to run Google Maps. My Garmin 760 was set up in advance with all the POIs, favorites, and routes. Much of the trip was through back country with no cell service.

dobs108

Good stuff to know!

Even though I use Google maps on my phone, I always have Garmin running in the foreground

I actually do the same, and spent 7 days comparing. I truly feel google spanks Garmin. I think a lot of folks are loyal to Garmin since they spent so much money, and don't want to accept it. Memorial Day google saved me 1 hour due to a bus fire on I-4 (so google said when it found a faster route). Garmin had a solid green dot on the 2350LMT.

Think with a LMT model you will find Google is superior when it comes to traffic. Different here in the UK using the latest Garmin digital traffic, as it tends to be spot on

The subject of Garmin's traffic reporting with the older units not using digital traffic has been rehashed many times. It's not Garmin's fault you weren't notified, it's the broadcasters in the area not transmitting data as it changes. The digital models do better but their coverage area is even more limited. Very little beats the LiveLink traffic.

I'll choose the slowest route to where I don't want to go. I'll show that machine who's the smartest.

Or it'll show me.

Place your bets!!!

If garmin is not as good as google maps, don't blame garmin.

Ok then, wth is this entire thread about? I laughed out loud, thanks for that, puts me in a cheery mood for this party at 16:00 EST.

Good you took the time to compare the two. Thanks

Google is often more accurate, also updates more often, that said I travel frequently where cell coverage is a rumor and the GPS is the only way to go. I glad you are happy in whatever major populated spot you live in where cell nav works perfectly everytime. However for a few of us who actually wander away from the major cities my Garmin is a god send. (p.s. this is my first ever Garmin Nuvi 2689 always had tomtom but Garmin caught up on size and memory)
Have a great day, and may you never lose cell coverage:)