CarPlay and Android Auto support - should I wait for GaiaGPS to improve?

Carplay/Android Auto is about to grow explosively for motorized backcountry travelers. It's already offered as an option in some SxS vehicles, and weatherproof, rugged Carplay devices have recently been introduced for motorcycles.

For me and many other motorcycling enthusiasts, this will be a game changer, offering a much better experience compared to a single-function GPS unit (i.e. Garmin Zumo). I am in the process of shopping for a rugged CarPlay/AA display that will replace the Magellan unit that came with my bike.

I first subscribed to GaiaGPS in 2013, when it was the first app I found that allowed downloading of maps for offline navigation. I have generally been very happy with its capabilities compared to single-function GPS devices and other smartphone apps such as OnX Offroad, Rever, Google Maps, etc. I appreciate the rich selection of map layers, easy route planning in a browser on a big monitor, and automatic syncing of routes to my smartphone.

HOWEVER, yesterday and today I had a chance to test GaiaGPS and OnX Offroad one after the other in a vehicle with CarPlay (iPhone XR connected by bluetooth to a 2024 Toyota RAV4). I learned that if GaiaGPS wants to compete with OnX Offroad for motorized users, then they URGENTLY need to put some development resources into the app's CarPlay implementation.

The biggest showstopper issue I found was that "follow me" auto-panning could be easily interrupted by simply touching the CarPlay screen, and there was NO WAY to have the app restart auto-panning without getting out the connected phone, killing the app and then restarting it, restarting the route, etc. This is inconvenient in any vehicle, but on a motorcycle, it makes the app useless, since I have to stop to get out my phone every time it happens. (I don't leave my phone mounted externally because of vibration, sunlight visibility and overheating.)

I don't know if motorized users are a priority for GaiaGPS. If not, then please let me know and I will go ahead and switch to OnX Offroad. But I'd prefer to stay with GaiaGPS than learn all the quirks of a new app, if Gaia can fix the CarPlay issue. Searching the GaiaGPS community for CarPlay turns up a few posts pointing out the same defects, with no responses from Gaia. So, Gaia, would you let me know whether or not to hang in there?

Please note: it Android Auto may be fine with GaiaGPS, but that doesn't help those of us with iPhones. I'd rather switch to OnX for my navigation than switch phone platforms to keep GaiaGPS. I do plan to do some testing with an older Android device at some point.

Dave

April 10, 2024 00:47

A quick update: I installed GaiaGPS on a fairly old Android phone (Galaxy A02s), and connected to Android Auto in the same vehicle as above. It was a completely different - and better - experience! There was a button that immediately centered my position on the map and resumed tracking me. Buttons were responsive and pinch zooming worked smoothly.

So now the only question is, whys is CarPlay so different? Is the programming environment more complex or restrictive? Ot was there some decision by Gaia to not support CarPlay?

bevisandrew8

March 13, 2025 02:42

Thanks for sharing your insights, Dave! CarPlay and Android Auto are becoming essential for motorized adventurers. I agree that addressing the CarPlay issues is crucial for GaiaGPS to truly be a block breaker in the navigation app space. Hopefully, they prioritize this feature to enhance the user experience for all of us!

CarPlay and Android Auto support - should I wait for GaiaGPS to improve?

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