| Goodgirl |
| I can only compare my 2007 MDX to my 2004 Ford expedition's nav system. While I do like the MDX display I have to say that Ford gives the option for "shortest time route" or "shortest distance" Usually I get 2-3 diffrent routings. My MDX although it gives me lots of choices usually it routes me the most direct route with no short cuts on all optional routes. I end up going the long way most of the time. I entered two routes on both cars nav systems and the Expedition routed me 6 miles closer on a 30 mile trip. Ditto on another I checked but while the Ford took me on back road short cuts my MDX kept me on direct routes. Anyone else noticed that they are not always routed the shortest distance? The good thing is if I choose to take a previously known short cut the nav system will recalculate but if I am lost and need help I may end up going way out of my way:( |
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| shootist |
I find that the "Direct Route" option usually gets me there quickest. It may not be the shortest route, but it is the quickest. I suspect that the newer routing algorithms have road speed rules in them.
Although, I don't concentrate on it with the stereo up loud. |
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| II Kings 9:20 |
| Comon with virtually all navi systems, if you want really bad directions nothing beats Mapquest, a great way to get lost. No longer used by many with in car Navi. |
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| pianoman41 |
The navi system will rarely give the absolute shortest distance between two points--even when 'direct route' is selected--simply because it was not coded to do so. The idea is to keep you on as many main roads as possible so you're not cutting through little side streets that might get you lost, or could be less maintained than major roads. It will use side streets when it absolutely has to, but the mapping software errs on the side of caution. You may know a short cut but if it uses the lesser of two well traveled roads, the navi will almost always choose the longer. That's why I always tell people, the navi may not beat someone who knows the area well, but it will always get you there.
What I'd love to see on future navis is the ability to save shortcuts or routes as preferences. Say you get to the end of a route and you took two streets the navi didn't originally plot. At the conclusion of the trip (if you have the option active), the system will advise you of the two detours you took, and ask for each one if you would like to use these roads as preferred roads in that area in the future. In this way, the navi will 'learn' how you like to drive in certain areas. This could be real handy in avoiding bad neighborhoods or streets with constant congestion. The detour/avoid street functions is decent for individual trips but it would be nice to have a learning database as well. |
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| dj-mdx2 |
quote:
Originally posted by pianoman41
The navi system will rarely give the absolute shortest distance between two points--even when 'direct route' is selected--simply because it was not coded to do so. The idea is to keep you on as many main roads as possible so you're not cutting through little side streets that might get you lost, or could be less maintained than major roads. It will use side streets when it absolutely has to, but the mapping software errs on the side of caution. You may know a short cut but if it uses the lesser of two well traveled roads, the navi will almost always choose the longer. That's why I always tell people, the navi may not beat someone who knows the area well, but it will always get you there.
What I'd love to see on future navis is the ability to save shortcuts or routes as preferences. Say you get to the end of a route and you took two streets the navi didn't originally plot. At the conclusion of the trip (if you have the option active), the system will advise you of the two detours you took, and ask for each one if you would like to use these roads as preferred roads in that area in the future. In this way, the navi will 'learn' how you like to drive in certain areas. This could be real handy in avoiding bad neighborhoods or streets with constant congestion. The detour/avoid street functions is decent for individual trips but it would be nice to have a learning database as well.
I wholeheartedly agree with this recommendation. I've personally wished selecting a preferred route would be an option. |
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| NewMDX4Marti |
| I agree! I would also love if it could remember my preferred routes, and try to take me that way. |
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| NewVMan |
| I would just be happy if at some time a Nav system recognized that cutting through a major city is rarely the quickest route. Every system I have ever owned tries to make you cut through Manhatten to get from New Jersey to Long Island... |
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| highcountrymdx |
You can change routing preferences for least time, shortest distance, etc.
The navi computer considers speed limits and one way streets when it determines routing. That's why it generally will route you on major highways, even if the distance traveled is longer. It doesn't keep you off of side streets because it thinks you might get lost, or because it 'thinks' those roads are less well maintained. That's silly. It keeps you off side streets because it looks at the speed limits involved and knows those routes take longer to travel. It is absolutely not programed to "err on the side of caution". :1pat:
Remember, if you don't like the routing method, you can globally change it. |
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| pianoman41 |
quote:
Originally posted by highcountrymdx
You can change routing preferences for least time, shortest distance, etc.
The navi computer considers speed limits and one way streets when it determines routing. That's why it generally will route you on major highways, even if the distance traveled is longer. It doesn't keep you off of side streets because it thinks you might get lost, or because it 'thinks' those roads are less well maintained. That's silly. It keeps you off side streets because it looks at the speed limits involved and knows those routes take longer to travel. It is absolutely not programed to "err on the side of caution". :1pat:
I had a conversation with someone who used to work on GPS software and he explained the logic behind the routing algorhythms. Remember, the software may be on a computer but it was designed by people. The roads on the map are coded by color/thickness to indicate major interstate highways, major highways, major roads and minor roads. It will always try to keep you on those major roads as long as possible (to keep your speed up, as you highcountry pointed out, and because major roads are usually the most direct route from point A to point B). It's not "thinking" at all, but the software engineers were when they programmed it. |
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| choiski |
I dislike the navi's penchant for selecting secondary US highways (like the ones with traffic lights.) It seems to think that those old highways are just as good as the interstates. Once, it tried to make me get off the interstate, go through a downtown area, and then get back on the interstate because the distance .5 miles shorter. Of course, I would need to go through 20 traffic lights. Is there a way to set the speed of each type of road like the way Microsoft MapPoint / Streets and Trips does it?
Otherwise, the prompting and display system are pretty decent. I do wish it were a touchscreen for faster selection. |
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| shootist |
quote:
Originally posted by choiski
I dislike the navi's penchant for selecting secondary US highways (like the ones with traffic lights.) . Of course, I would need to go through 20 traffic lights. Is there a way to set the speed of each type of road like the way Microsoft MapPoint / Streets and Trips does it?
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You can select different routing methods, like Maximize Freeways or Avoid Toll Roads. You probably have it set to Direct right now.
We used to have touch screens. THe new interface dial is miles ahead of it, especially when you want to spell an address. |
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