How well does Android Auto/CarPlay navigation work abroad?

[GoldCalipers]

Next month I’m heading down to the Bavarian Alps, then back up through the Black Forest.

It’ll be my first trip without a dedicated GPS (Zumo XT / Nav 6), as I’ll be using the BMW RiderNav R7M with Android Auto instead. Data isn’t an issue, but I’m curious about how people have found signal reliability and how dropouts affect routing on the go.

For those who’ve used AA/CarPlay nav abroad—how has it performed? Any issues with signal, rerouting, or general usability?

Any advice or experiences would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[IrishGaucho]

Just came back from a trip to Picos de Europa, not a single issue. 100% reliable... and if you don't want to consume data, you can always download the maps (even with google maps) or using offline maps like sygic, calimoto, etc...

I was using the RiderNav R7M of course, wifey the CarABC DB601


My reviews:

- RiderNav:

-CarABC:

Cheers!

 

[GoldCalipers]

Just came back from a trip to Picos de Europa, not a single issue. 100% reliable... and if you don't want to consume data, you can always download the maps (even with google maps) or using offline maps like sygic, calimoto, etc...

I was using the RiderNav R7M of course, wifey the CarABC DB601


My reviews:

- RiderNav:

-CarABC:

Cheers!

Lovely, thanks. Good to know! - I will have a watch of the vids. Appreciate the reply

 

[Mzokk]

Next month I’m heading down to the Bavarian Alps, then back up through the Black Forest.

It’ll be my first trip without a dedicated GPS (Zumo XT / Nav 6), as I’ll be using the BMW RiderNav R7M with Android Auto instead. Data isn’t an issue, but I’m curious about how people have found signal reliability and how dropouts affect routing on the go.

For those who’ve used AA/CarPlay nav abroad—how has it performed? Any issues with signal, rerouting, or general usability?

Any advice or experiences would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

If you are worried about signal reliability you can download the area of google maps you'll be travelling in onto your phone (if you have enough space)

Open the Google Maps app while connected to the internet.
Tap your profile picture or initial in the top-right corner.
Select Offline maps from the menu.Tap Select your own map.
Pinch to zoom in or out, and drag the map to cover the specific area you want to save.
Tap Download.

If you are out of signal you won't get traffic updates etc. but navigation will work. It will also save you data download/roaming charges. The cached maps tend to disappear after 15-30 days. If you are using google maps you are limited in your route planning options. For google maps any journey can only have 10 waypoints (stops) including the destination. For those using apple maps this increases to 14.

 

[GoldCalipers]

If you are worried about signal reliability you can download the area of google maps you'll be travelling in onto your phone (if you have enough space)

Open the Google Maps app while connected to the internet.
Tap your profile picture or initial in the top-right corner.
Select Offline maps from the menu.Tap Select your own map.
Pinch to zoom in or out, and drag the map to cover the specific area you want to save.
Tap Download.

If you are out of signal you won't get traffic updates etc. but navigation will work. It will also save you data download/roaming charges. The cached maps tend to disappear after 15-30 days. If you are using google maps you are limited in your route planning options. For google maps any journey can only have 10 waypoints (stops) including the destination. For those using apple maps this increases to 14.

Brilliant, thanks - will defo download offline maps.

 

[Fiddlesticks]

Same - no problem in the Pyrenees.

However in Cyprus it did have us briefly in downtown Beirut!

 

[er-minio]

I don’t use it on the bike, but heavily rely on Carplay when in the car.

A to B using Waze, and more complex and custom GPX routes using OSMand.

It might have to do with my iPhone, but over the years I had some GPS positioning issue or problems with finding the actual location or being unable to calculate a route.
(Offline maps on device)

Nothing terrible of course, but annoying (being me, of course: screaming at it all the way ) for a few minutes when happens.

Just that. Not a showstopper, but keep in mind it can happen.
Device restart helps in some cases.

 

[AndrewA]

No issues with a Carpuride 702 on my travels across Spain and Morocco.

Minor routing issue outside Tangier Med because MyRouteApp considered the main road a toll road, but that’s an app issue and not a CarPlay issue. Switched to Waze and it sorted itself out sharpish.

 

[Blue]

Abroad for the last 3 weeks nearly, using android auto on a Honda Goldwing using Myrouteapp no problems just remember to download maps of countries your visiting so it will work off line.

 

[Pukmeister]

Just bought an R7M and I think its great, the Carplay system is so convenient and user friendly, it even works on my Tmax scooter as it has a Garmin cradle fitted (though obvs the BMW bike data side of things is redundant).

For next years tour I will download offline maps and carry the ZumoXT in the pannier just in case.

 

[BusterDan]

Absolutely fine, I have also been using an RiderNav R7M in France and no issues with the TomTom Go premium (offline maps) app, the only downside is that the MYroutes feature is not selectable in the TomTom Android Auto app, so I have to pre select that on my phone so that the route is already selected.