inbuilt radio, phone and maps OR android auto

[nigeldodd]

I realise there is an audio section in this forum but this question isn't exclusively about audio. There is a choice between using the built-in maps, phone app, media etc., or replacing the whole lot with Android Auto. Which wins? It seems a waste of all that tech to just use a simplified interface to a phone to deliver maps, music and communications, but android auto is a really good and simple interface and does just what you want. I am reading that the BBC iPlayer radio app now integrates with android auto and so you can listen to a vast choice of historic broadcasts rather than what happens to be on the air. And Google Maps, of course, gives real-time traffic density based rerouting.

[fredgroves]

I have NavPro on my Mk7.5 GTD and I'm a big mile muncher. I would quite happily ditch VW Nav for Google Maps or Waze. Whilst the VW system has some plus points (the integration with the AID and the clarity of the map view), even with live traffic via CarNet (and having to use the fiddly wifi hotspot on my phone to get CarNet data) the routing calculations from the VW system is p*ss poor compared to Google/Waze once you hit traffic problems.

I use AA's Iplayer app a fair bit too and some other internet radio, its ok. Tend to prefer to listen to stations I can get over DAB anyway.

[Guzzle]

Android Auto is good for what it is, but there are drawbacks. The main one as Fred states, is lack of integration with the AID.

You also lose second phone pairing, and obviously ipod connectivity if you use it (like I do). Google Music just isn't as good IMHO.

While i'd say Google maps is slicker and nicer looking than the inbuilt nav, it doesn't always give better routes. On a recent excursion across the Pennines, shortest route was actually 2 miles shorter using VW nav than route suggested by Google. No heavy traffic or dodgy roads either.

[mcmaddy]

I've got Nav pro and don't have any issues at all with maps. I love the inbuilt feel and can't be arsed connecting external apps when the built in maps are perfectly ok.