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The kid and I took a road trip up to NC the past couple weeks. Before we left I downloaded Waze on the Android. I figured if it's worth a billion bucks to Google and free for me, why not?
It's really pretty damn neat. It does provide basic GPS functionality, but that's not it's best feature. I'll stick with Garmin for that. Here's what it does:
You start by creating a Waze account, or you can link to your Facebook or other "social media" accounts.
After logging in, you enter your route, or let Waze build a route for you as usual with GPS.
Once you're on the road, you keep the app open as you travel. Other Waze users along the same route are also logged in. As everyone travels along, they enter data points such as cops with radar, accidents, traffic tie-ups, cameras,donut shops, etc. As you approach each "hazard," you get a heads-up warning from a mile, 1/2 mile, etc. If a hazard is gone, such as a "hidden police" has left his lair, you can update the system as needed. In SC we avoided at least 6 speed traps with the system. We were also warned of accidents, broken down cars, and traffic jams.
There is also a "CB" function that lets you chat online with other Wazers if you want to. We didn't use that feature.
Waze says if you stay logged in while you run your commute or other regular routes, it can build a database to enhance your trip, using online data as well as user inputs. I might give this a try.
Downside: it's pretty distracting. It was great with the kid in the car, but I'm not sure it would be possible to do updates if driving alone. You can get audible updates of other people's input though, and if you have bluetooth in your helmet, it would work for warnings.
Free GPS Navigation with Turn by Turn - Waze
It's really pretty damn neat. It does provide basic GPS functionality, but that's not it's best feature. I'll stick with Garmin for that. Here's what it does:
You start by creating a Waze account, or you can link to your Facebook or other "social media" accounts.
After logging in, you enter your route, or let Waze build a route for you as usual with GPS.
Once you're on the road, you keep the app open as you travel. Other Waze users along the same route are also logged in. As everyone travels along, they enter data points such as cops with radar, accidents, traffic tie-ups, cameras,donut shops, etc. As you approach each "hazard," you get a heads-up warning from a mile, 1/2 mile, etc. If a hazard is gone, such as a "hidden police" has left his lair, you can update the system as needed. In SC we avoided at least 6 speed traps with the system. We were also warned of accidents, broken down cars, and traffic jams.
There is also a "CB" function that lets you chat online with other Wazers if you want to. We didn't use that feature.
Waze says if you stay logged in while you run your commute or other regular routes, it can build a database to enhance your trip, using online data as well as user inputs. I might give this a try.
Downside: it's pretty distracting. It was great with the kid in the car, but I'm not sure it would be possible to do updates if driving alone. You can get audible updates of other people's input though, and if you have bluetooth in your helmet, it would work for warnings.
Free GPS Navigation with Turn by Turn - Waze
