Navigation Mercedes or Googlemaps
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
W213 E class estate
Navigation Mercedes or Googlemaps
I used the Mercedes inbuilt nav for 3 years and was happy with it... But then Mercedes wanted an annual subscription to renew it.
So before parting with my cash, I tried the android auto app and Google maps.
My goodness.. I couldn't believe the improvement... No more bad destination pins where at various times the car tried to take me to Iceland and Greece.!
Traffic info is also far superior and more immediate with Google maps and radarbot app flags speed limits and radar traps.
Android auto starts up when my phone is in the car.... As does spotify which resumes where I left off my listening indoors.... Easy Peasy.
So.... Why have mercedes applied charges for their system in the face of such capable free alternatives?
If it was free I might possibly use it again (or maybe not) but charging customers for this service seems to be abusing their loyal customer base..As it happens, they have done me a favour and themselves a disservice... Maybe not for everyone, but try it... It is very slick.
But the car is still fantastic!
Reply
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 905
From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
I used the Mercedes inbuilt nav for 3 years and was happy with it... But then Mercedes wanted an annual subscription to renew it.
So before parting with my cash, I tried the android auto app and Google maps.
My goodness.. I couldn't believe the improvement... No more bad destination pins where at various times the car tried to take me to Iceland and Greece.!
Traffic info is also far superior and more immediate with Google maps and radarbot app flags speed limits and radar traps.
Android auto starts up when my phone is in the car.... As does spotify which resumes where I left off my listening indoors.... Easy Peasy.
So.... Why have mercedes applied charges for their system in the face of such capable free alternatives?
If it was free I might possibly use it again (or maybe not) but charging customers for this service seems to be abusing their loyal customer base..As it happens, they have done me a favour and themselves a disservice... Maybe not for everyone, but try it... It is very slick.
But the car is still fantastic!
Reply
#2
So before parting with my cash, I tried the android auto app and Google maps.
My goodness.. I couldn't believe the improvement... No more bad destination pins where at various times the car tried to take me to Iceland and Greece.!
Traffic info is also far superior and more immediate with Google maps and radarbot app flags speed limits and radar traps.
Android auto starts up when my phone is in the car.... As does spotify which resumes where I left off my listening indoors.... Easy Peasy.
So.... Why have mercedes applied charges for their system in the face of such capable free alternatives?
If it was free I might possibly use it again (or maybe not) but charging customers for this service seems to be abusing their loyal customer base..As it happens, they have done me a favour and themselves a disservice... Maybe not for everyone, but try it... It is very slick.
But the car is still fantastic!
Reply
#2
As far as I am concerned built in navigation systems are inferior to both Google maps and Waze If Mercedes offered an option without navigation at a cheaper price I would take it.
The only feature I miss is the remote start when I am skiing. The rest are nice, but in my opinion not worth the cost
Last edited by JTK44; Mar 16, 2023 at 12:36 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 703
Likes: 68
From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
I use Waze, similar to google maps (Google bought Waze a while ago) but IMO it is a little better - crowdsourced police, accident etc notifications show up right away etc. The unfortunate thing is with MBUX the wireless AA/Carplay products only can use ~2/3 of the screen (Mercedes decision) so we have this beautiful big screen and AA/Carplay doesn't use it all.
The other thing is the arrival estimates are **** for Mercedes. I get pretty consistent estimates from Waze (I usually get there 2 - 3 min before the original estimate) which are only off when the traffic is really bad. Plus it is easier to choose alternate routes with Waze (I don't use google maps often anymore so I can't compare them - but I suspect they will be similar). I also haven't been able to get Hey Mercedes to reliably identify POIs nearly as well as Waze. You just have to click the microphone and say where you want to go. As an example, I just need to say anything that a simple internet search would recognize and it accepts it. Try saying "hey mercedes, take me to Bliss Flood Omni rink" and nope. You need to know the damn address. Waze (and I suspect Google maps) gets it every time.
The graphics/display of the MB nav is outstanding and the augmented video is great as well, but given the weaknesses and I'll take my wireless AA every day of the week.
The other thing is the arrival estimates are **** for Mercedes. I get pretty consistent estimates from Waze (I usually get there 2 - 3 min before the original estimate) which are only off when the traffic is really bad. Plus it is easier to choose alternate routes with Waze (I don't use google maps often anymore so I can't compare them - but I suspect they will be similar). I also haven't been able to get Hey Mercedes to reliably identify POIs nearly as well as Waze. You just have to click the microphone and say where you want to go. As an example, I just need to say anything that a simple internet search would recognize and it accepts it. Try saying "hey mercedes, take me to Bliss Flood Omni rink" and nope. You need to know the damn address. Waze (and I suspect Google maps) gets it every time.
The graphics/display of the MB nav is outstanding and the augmented video is great as well, but given the weaknesses and I'll take my wireless AA every day of the week.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 473
Likes: 110
From: Texas, Northern VA
Porsche Cayman S, Mercedes W213, Nissan Titan, BMW X5, Chevrolet Suburban
I was actually willing to pay to renew traffic guidance on my 2018 w213 but Mercedes won't allow it. I switched to Google Maps on Android and with the Ottocast dongle now I have both wireless and full screen Google Maps. I have no regrets.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 669
Likes: 142
From: Hermosa Beach, California
2018 E400 Coupe
The value of the NAV systems depends on how much you drive and the frequency with which you go to new places and locations to which you rarely travel. In my case I've driven so little since the pandemic began back in March 202 that I simply can't justify the cost of renewing it. Google maps on my cellphone suffices.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,322
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Google Maps' routing algorithm seems to have gotten worse since they changed to prefer the most fuel efficient route over the fastest route, even if you turn that setting off, the routes have gotten suboptimal it seems. Yesterday was the perfect example for me where the MB system took me on a much faster route. I had to pick something up around 4pm, so smack dab during commuting time. I usually simply don't drive during busy times to avoid the mess out there, but I had no choice yesterday. Going there was mostly reverse commute and only took about 30 minutes, but the way back was a mess. On the highway near my house they were working all day on fixing a pothole and two out of four lanes were closed, so approaching from the north was a horrible mess. I checked Google Maps for the way back and it wanted me to drive right through that with a projected travel time of almost 2 hours. There's an alternate route to go south and then approach northbound, but GM didn't even suggest that as a better route, however the MB navigation picked the alternate route right away with a projected travel time of about 1 hour, so half of what Google Maps wanted me to do, and of course I took the faster route. Traffic got worse as I was driving and getting more into the peak commuter traffic, so it ended up taking 1.5 hours, and I don't wanna know how much worse the other route became as more and more commuters headed that way unaware of the lane closures. Just goes to say that it is good to have options. I don't use Waze anymore as it had gotten buggy in the past, but it would have been interesting to see which route it would have suggested.
Last edited by superswiss; Mar 16, 2023 at 01:31 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 703
Likes: 68
From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Google Maps' routing algorithm seems to have gotten worse since they changed to prefer the most fuel efficient route over the fastest route, even if you turn that setting off, the routes have gotten suboptimal it seems. Yesterday was the perfect example for me where the MB system took me on a much faster route. I had to pick something up around 4pm, so smack dab during commuting time. I usually simply don't drive during busy times to avoid the mess out there, but I had no choice yesterday. Going there was mostly reverse commute and only took about 30 minutes, but the way back was a mess. On the highway near my house they were working all day on fixing a pothole and two out of four lanes were closed, so approaching from the north was a horrible mess. I checked Google Maps for the way back and it wanted me to drive right through that with a projected travel time of almost 2 hours. There's an alternate route to go south and then approach northbound, but GM didn't even suggest that as a better route, but the MB navigation picked the alternate route right away with a projected travel time of about 1 hour, so half of what Google Maps wanted me to do, and of course I took the faster route. Traffic got worse as I was driving and getting more into the peak commuter traffic, so it ended up taking 1.5 hours, and I don't wanna know how much worse the other route became as more and more commuters headed that way unaware of the lane closures. Just goes to say that it is good to have options. I don't use Waze anymore as it had gotten buggy in the past, but it would have been interesting to see which route it would have suggested.
Trending Topics
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,322
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
I have noticed some bugs in Waze as well, but that is only for Apple phones. I have no issues on my Android phone. Interestingly, my wife, who uses Apple and I had Waze up at the same time in the car and hers crashed twice, didn't show the same number of police on the route, had her in a different location to start and provided different preferred routes (mine came up with the quickest route to start).
https://9to5google.com/2023/03/13/android-auto-gps/
This is one of the peeves I have with the phone navigation apps. The vendors keep screwing with them, adding new features, but at the same time introducing major bugs every time they touch it. There's something to be said about "don't fix it if it ain't broke". I have to say the MB system in my 2019 C63, which uses COMAND NTG 5.5 and HERE Live Traffic has been consistently reliable. I know the W213 prior to 2019 has now lost live traffic because TomTom ended the relationship with MB and MB hasn't migrated the older cars to HERE Live Traffic, and MBUX in the newer cars seems to have taken a step back as well in the navigation department, so it's not all good, but as said, the world of the phone navigation apps isn't exactly problem free, either.
Last edited by superswiss; Mar 16, 2023 at 01:48 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 905
From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Google Maps' routing algorithm seems to have gotten worse since they changed to prefer the most fuel efficient route over the fastest route, even if you turn that setting off, the routes have gotten suboptimal it seems. Yesterday was the perfect example for me where the MB system took me on a much faster route. I had to pick something up around 4pm, so smack dab during commuting time. I usually simply don't drive during busy times to avoid the mess out there, but I had no choice yesterday. Going there was mostly reverse commute and only took about 30 minutes, but the way back was a mess. On the highway near my house they were working all day on fixing a pothole and two out of four lanes were closed, so approaching from the north was a horrible mess. I checked Google Maps for the way back and it wanted me to drive right through that with a projected travel time of almost 2 hours. There's an alternate route to go south and then approach northbound, but GM didn't even suggest that as a better route, however the MB navigation picked the alternate route right away with a projected travel time of about 1 hour, so half of what Google Maps wanted me to do, and of course I took the faster route. Traffic got worse as I was driving and getting more into the peak commuter traffic, so it ended up taking 1.5 hours, and I don't wanna know how much worse the other route became as more and more commuters headed that way unaware of the lane closures. Just goes to say that it is good to have options. I don't use Waze anymore as it had gotten buggy in the past, but it would have been interesting to see which route it would have suggested.
I always use WAZE which is real time as subscribers point out problems, including pot holes and construction + police.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,322
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Never said they were the same, but as pointed out Waze is buggy as hell at least on iOS. Aside from that the UI seems to have been designed for children. Kinda looks out of place in an MB, and Waze is purely for navigation by car. Google Maps is more than just navigation. It's for exploring the world around you and not just get driving directions, but also walking, biking and public transportation directions.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 905
From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Never said they were the same, but as pointed out Waze is buggy as hell at least on iOS. Aside from that the UI seems to have been designed for children. Kinda looks out of place in an MB, and Waze is purely for navigation by car. Google Maps is more than just navigation. It's for exploring the world around you and not just get driving directions, but also walking, biking and public transportation directions.
Many people think, because WAZE is owned by Google, that WAZE and Google maps are the same - they are different and that was my point.
I guess I must be younger at heart than you, because I have no problem with the graphics on WAZE: What I also like about WAZE is that they give you options and alternative routes.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,322
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/g...st-182064.html
Last edited by superswiss; Mar 16, 2023 at 03:27 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 300
From: Illinois
2021 c300 Cab. Arrived 7/28/21 . 24 GLE 450e.
The nav in my C300 is very good. It’s accurate for traffic. If something happens, I’m notified pretty quickly. I still have almost a year and a half in my initial subscription. We will see how much they charge when the time comes.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,322
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
https://shop.mbusa.com/en-us/connect/
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 473
Likes: 110
From: Texas, Northern VA
Porsche Cayman S, Mercedes W213, Nissan Titan, BMW X5, Chevrolet Suburban
LOL!. The childish UI has been a constant complaint about Waze, not just from me, but yes, I'm not 5 years old anymore at heart.
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/g...st-182064.html
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/g...st-182064.html
However on Halloween weekend last year my friend brought over his 2022 BMW 550 and he used Waze to take us to dinner and back. Maybe because it was Halloween weekend the graphics were quite unusual. The map was indeed quite colorful -- dare I say cartoonish -- but most noteworthy were the other nearby Waze users that had either placed their vehicles in Halloween costumes or something. Whatever the case, everything on the screen looked looked like a kids comic.
I've never actually seen other Google Map users on my map so when elephants, Indians, and even superman seemed to appear nearby I thought it highly distracting. There were 3 of us in the car including the owner. The other passenger and I found WAZE really remarkable -- and not in a good way. But again, our driver acted as if there was nothing unusual.
I'll reserve judgment about WAZE since I've only seen it in use once, but as I have said, I've been very satisfied with Google Maps (Satellite View) on Android and with the Ottocast wireless dongle it is full screen. Several passengers in my E-Class have assumed that the Google Maps displayed in full screen image is actually an MB maps product. They've remarked that this feature is remarkably sophisticated and yet another reason they should consider Mercedes.
The Coolwalk update has made it even more attractive -- while not being distracting. Just my two cents.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,322
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
I've heard rave reviews about Waze but since Google Maps gives traffic alerts, accident information and police sitings I've never ventured to try it out.
However on Halloween weekend last year my friend brought over his 2022 BMW 550 and he used Waze to take us to dinner and back. Maybe because it was Halloween weekend the graphics were quite unusual. The map was indeed quite colorful -- dare I say cartoonish -- but most noteworthy were the other nearby Waze users that had either placed their vehicles in Halloween costumes or something. Whatever the case, everything on the screen looked looked like a kids comic.
I've never actually seen other Google Map users on my map so when elephants, Indians, and even superman seemed to appear nearby I thought it highly distracting. There were 3 of us in the car including the owner. The other passenger and I found WAZE really remarkable -- and not in a good way. But again, our driver acted as if there was nothing unusual.
I'll reserve judgment about WAZE since I've only seen it in use once, but as I have said, I've been very satisfied with Google Maps (Satellite View) on Android and with the Ottocast wireless dongle it is full screen. Several passengers in my E-Class have assumed that the Google Maps displayed in full screen image is actually an MB maps product. They've remarked that this feature is remarkably sophisticated and yet another reason they should consider Mercedes.
The Coolwalk update has made it even more attractive -- while not being distracting. Just my two cents.
However on Halloween weekend last year my friend brought over his 2022 BMW 550 and he used Waze to take us to dinner and back. Maybe because it was Halloween weekend the graphics were quite unusual. The map was indeed quite colorful -- dare I say cartoonish -- but most noteworthy were the other nearby Waze users that had either placed their vehicles in Halloween costumes or something. Whatever the case, everything on the screen looked looked like a kids comic.
I've never actually seen other Google Map users on my map so when elephants, Indians, and even superman seemed to appear nearby I thought it highly distracting. There were 3 of us in the car including the owner. The other passenger and I found WAZE really remarkable -- and not in a good way. But again, our driver acted as if there was nothing unusual.
I'll reserve judgment about WAZE since I've only seen it in use once, but as I have said, I've been very satisfied with Google Maps (Satellite View) on Android and with the Ottocast wireless dongle it is full screen. Several passengers in my E-Class have assumed that the Google Maps displayed in full screen image is actually an MB maps product. They've remarked that this feature is remarkably sophisticated and yet another reason they should consider Mercedes.
The Coolwalk update has made it even more attractive -- while not being distracting. Just my two cents.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 300
From: Illinois
2021 c300 Cab. Arrived 7/28/21 . 24 GLE 450e.
For the USA they have bundled the services into several packages that you can renew individually, so it's not an all or nothing. You can enter your VIN at the Mercedes me connect Store to see the packages that are available for your car. I renewed everything except Remote Engine Start, which I've never used.
https://shop.mbusa.com/en-us/connect/
https://shop.mbusa.com/en-us/connect/
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,322
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Last edited by superswiss; Mar 17, 2023 at 12:08 AM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,322
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
