Not much happening...

I recently retired and used my Dezl 770 for work. Google maps is just to easy to use. All good things must end at some point but it will be a slow.

Still use my DS55 with my BC 40 backup camera. I log in every week to get the new Speed and Redlight camera files.

CarPlay has replaced the GPS until we travel somewhere with spotty cell service.

I use a Garmin along with car play. Each has their strengths & weaknesses. Between the two, I rarely have a problem.

I like the ability to navigate to two different locations simultaneously. I can keep the overall route planned for the day running on one device and still navigate to side destinations with the other, like POI's, rest areas, etc.

This lets me see at a glance how my side excursions affect the original route without having to re enter the final destination.

For long trips, I use a combination of my DS76 and Waze. Waze has an option to mute turn-by-turn directions but leave hazard warnings enabled. It's useful to me because Waze has the up to the moment data Garmin traffic doesn't have, such as those pesky police cars trying to keep an eye out for idiots on the roadways.

main topic here, I would agree. I've wondered why there are threads where people are saying nothing, as if simply to get credit for being "active." What does that really accomplish?

My observation was that there's been nothing substantial related to red light cams for years.

All kidding aside the hottest topic of the year has been what refrigerator to get.

I wondered the same thing n a number of posts, what does a Refrigerator have to do with a GPS?

There is no doubt that as GPS chips have become pervasive in so many electronic devices, the interest and posting in GPS enthusiast forums has declined dramatically. Several of these sites closed down a few years ago.

That said, POI Factory contains a wealth of useful information, not only in the POI and camera files, but also in the FAQ data base. While active postings have diminished, I would guess the site is still accessed regularly by folks looking for the information archived in the FAQs.

It is a shame that most modern mobile phone GPS apps and on-board navigation systems still can't do many of the useful things a 15 year old Garmin can do, such as POI storage/alerts, camera alerts, multi-point routing, etc. I suspect if these useful functions were available in the modern devices, interest in the POI Factory content would again surge.

Wishful thinking, I know ... sigh!

Lol! I knew that would be a long term topic when I started it. Given the quality of today's products, there's always someone with a fail(ed/ing) model.

Personally here, been watching the election this past week... Still a nail biting situation with the house.

Ditto.

Particularly multi-point routing

Personally, I would rather see these off topic threads than have the forum disappear.

Any topic that generates interest is ok in my book.

To be honest a lot of topics posted are a far cry from GPS interest. Some a little boring and out of place. A new topic covering Apple and Android phones would add a topic that could lead to a lot of interest. New mapping systems for phones have came a long way and can duplicate some gps features. We could get back to helping each other out on how to do routes, favorites, problems and etc. Everytime this topic comes up it gets shuts down saying GPS being better and I agree totally with that,especially the ease in loading pois. The time has come to expand out on other means to get from point a to b and to gather knowledge from others using their phones for navagation.

My daughter uses WAZE a lot and I have to admit that it has some nice features which are usually posted by other users.

But having said that she is paying $ 55.00 a month including a DATA plan for her phone.

A Garmin or other GPS has no costly monthly subscription fee!

Download maps to the device over WIFI.

Waze, unlike most competitors, doesn't let you download an offline map.

Try MapFactor Navigator. Offline maps ,no internet needed. Favorites by category ,routes and other features.

I use this same approach.

Does seem that external GPSr's are on the way out. I charge mine and update it but haven't actually used it in 2 or 3 years. I always use the built in NAV in the vehicles here.

The dealer wants $450 to update the maps in my vehicle NAV and it's difficult to load a hundred or so POI's.

For me, a standalone GPS is still a necessity.

I use WAZE extensively and it rarely exceeds 200 MB/MO. I buy the minimum data plan and that is just a small percentage of what I'm allowed.

I have my DS65 mounted (glued) to the dash next to the left side A frame. It's wired to my ACC fuse so starts/stops with the vehicle. Gives me a running picture of streets ahead, possible traffic issues. Recent destinations are handy and on the rare occasions an address is not found I may use SIRI and Google maps to show on CarPlay but for the most part am happy with my solution.

I just got a new car and havent installed my Nuvi yet. I have been using Android Auto and find it very convenient.Not sure if I will start using the Nuvi again.

I think it is obvious that there is no future for stand-alone PND devices for on-road navigation. Phone apps, CarPlay/Android Auto, and built-in infotainment navigation systems in new cars have taken over the market. In my opinion, it is only a matter of time until Garmin, TomTom and Magellan discontinue their on-road products. I suspect it will happen sooner rather than later. And as I said in the earlier post, it is sad that none of the apps and on-board systems are as capable at multi-point routing, route planning and saved routes, POI's and favorites, alerts, and the many other features found on my 15 year old Garmin.

Does anyone else remember Garmin Viago? It was a phone app that closely duplicated the function of the dedicated Garmin PND. If they had added POI's and alerts they would have almost been there. But alas! It was too good at competing with the expensive Garmin stand-alone devices, so Garmin killed it.

What I would like to see is a Viago-type app that runs under Androld Auto/CarPlay and would display on the infotainment screens built into most new cars. Yes, that technology requires tethering your smart phone, but that's OK with me as most of us already do that for hands=free calling, streaming, etc. I just want the functionality of my old Garmin on the built-in infotainment screen! I would be willing to pay a "reasonable" subscription fee for software and map updates.

OK ... I'm off my soapbox now. I realize it won't happen, at least during my lifetime.

@Alandb

Have to agree. For years I said I would never give up my Garmin, but both our cars now use Android Auto and while my Garmin is in the glove box it hasn't been used for over a year. Android Auto allows multi point routing and you can save planned routes on your phone. Still not as easy as creating a route in BaseCamp then sending it to my Garmin but works for most of my trips.

I couldn't have said it better Alan.

You need to look at the features on Android MapFactor Navigator . Lots of other apps have similar options. Some free and some pay. MapFactor comes with free Open Street Maps but you can purchase Tom Tom maps. Compared to Garmin the ease of doing certain things takes more time and readjustment on how to do it. See this on what it can do https://www.mapfactor.com/en/support/did-you-know/

Until cell service is ubiquotous and unlimited for what I am paying now ($60./year), my Garmin is going to keep working.
Tell me what it is costing you for cell service and where you can't connect reliably.

One of the advantages (for me) of using my Garmin is it is in my line of sight. Mounted where it is it does not obstruct my view yet is readable while driving. Whereas most of the built in display screens are in such a position that you can not, both read that screen "and" be watching the road ahead. So... it becomes a bit of a safety hazard.

AA may be convenient, but garmin devices (used without any phone links), lack the spyware AA contains.

If you value privacy, there's still a strong reason to use PND's.