MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.
-
@stefanhummelink
Slightly cynical: I wonder how long the "new blog" will be maintained
The forum lost their attention after only 2 years.And on Facebook they admit that the roadmap for the routeplanner is not followed anymore. Just a pity of the time we put into this.
@Drabslab, MRA has certainly not lost the attention for the forum and the points in the roadmap are also processed, possibly in a slightly different order, such as the POIs, as I have indicated before, this is done at the request of the RouteXperts.
The forum will certainly continue to be used for what it is intended for, working together on solutions. You can also create a support ticket for all problems via the website.
So please don't give up if things don't go the way you've always been used to, take a look where MRA is now. The users are certainly listened to and read on the forum.
We know that not everything is 100%, or works as someone would expect, but we are working hard on that.
The FB page is used to announce news, there are no topics discussed that are discussed on the forum, at most people are pointed to the forum.Garmin Zumo XT2/XT/BMW Connected Ride Navigator/MyRouteapp (The App)
Een dag niet gelachen is een dag niet geleefd / Een route is net zo goed als deze uitgezet is. -
@Drabslab, MRA has certainly not lost the attention for the forum and the points in the roadmap are also processed, possibly in a slightly different order, such as the POIs, as I have indicated before, this is done at the request of the RouteXperts.
The forum will certainly continue to be used for what it is intended for, working together on solutions. You can also create a support ticket for all problems via the website.
So please don't give up if things don't go the way you've always been used to, take a look where MRA is now. The users are certainly listened to and read on the forum.
We know that not everything is 100%, or works as someone would expect, but we are working hard on that.
The FB page is used to announce news, there are no topics discussed that are discussed on the forum, at most people are pointed to the forum.@hans-van-de-ven-mra-master
I often read between the lines that requests from RouteExperts are highly valued.
Does that concern the entire group of Experts? -
@hans-van-de-ven-mra-master
I often read between the lines that requests from RouteExperts are highly valued.
Does that concern the entire group of Experts?@jack-van-tilburg perhaps not the IT experts
-
@hans-van-de-ven-mra-master
I often read between the lines that requests from RouteExperts are highly valued.
Does that concern the entire group of Experts?@jack-van-tilburg said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
Does that concern the entire group of Experts?
Manks bu'j te bange.
-
@jack-van-tilburg said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
Does that concern the entire group of Experts?
@stefanhummelink Fantastic, at least we are able to have agood laugh
-
@hans-van-de-ven-mra-master
I often read between the lines that requests from RouteExperts are highly valued.
Does that concern the entire group of Experts?@jack-van-tilburg said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
I often read between the lines that requests from RouteExperts are highly valued.
Does that concern the entire group of Experts?you read it right
-
@tom-cat In online mode, you are reliant on MRA’s cloud based navigable mapping. For the circumstances you outline, downloading the relevant regional map(s) and using offline mode would seem to be the way to go. In terms of routes prepared by you, again, they are all cloud based and these cannot be downloaded for storage on your device.
This is massive failing with Navigation as customers must have an internet connection to access a route initially. Having accessed it and started following it in offline mode, in theory you should be fine. In practice, this isn’t always the case. Leaving the app while en route (during a break for instance) often causes a break in navigation. Bizarrely, in my experience, fully stopping the app (by removing it from your ‘recent apps’ screen), reopening it and returning to navigation can see it restored (!???), though not entirely reliably. But I have experienced numerous instances where the app simply crashes and hangs, or goes haywire for no apparent reason and navigation has been lost completely. Sometimes, it is even necessary to delete the app and reinstall it! Then, obviously, internet access is required to get up and running again, which might not be possible. Weak wifi and phone data signals can also leave customers struggling to access routes, both initially and in restoring navigation, etc.
Why on Earth MRA saw fit to exclude the facility for downloading routes for local access, particularly given that they have done precisely this for regional navigable maps, is utterly beyond me. And the failings arising from that omission alone make a nonsense of MRA’s marketing claims that the combination of Routeplanner and Navigation offer an alternative to dedicated sat nav devices, which seems nothing short of misleading. If not misleading, then deluded.
The great shame is that MRA seem hell bent on ignoring clear and persistent issues with Navigation, with support and development now seemingly absent. Meanwhile they continue to develop mere fripperies for the already very adequate and generally highly functional Routeplanner and even touting a second navigation app (called ‘Next’ which, from its description, sounds like a dumbed down ‘nanny’ affair) to be offered in tandem with Navigation! It’s as if they are unable to comprehend that, in order to be able to fulfil their marketing claims, a strong, stable, reliable and fully developed Navigation is absolutely vital. Navigation is what caused me to buy into the MRA ‘ecosystem’, not Routeplanner - I am perfectly happy to use BaseCamp if I’m to use my sat nav.
@pad-0 Thank you for the reply. This is really a shame as I'd like fully functional online features but rely on downloaded maps in case I hit a dead zone. I do this with Google Maps for general navigation and even my TomTom will show traffic if I connect it to my phone with a downloaded route. I think this is a huge oversight and probably would not have bought the lifetime Navigation license had I known. I would have just stuck with my TomTom. Oh well, I should have done the research prior to purchasing.
-
@pad-0 Thank you for the reply. This is really a shame as I'd like fully functional online features but rely on downloaded maps in case I hit a dead zone. I do this with Google Maps for general navigation and even my TomTom will show traffic if I connect it to my phone with a downloaded route. I think this is a huge oversight and probably would not have bought the lifetime Navigation license had I known. I would have just stuck with my TomTom. Oh well, I should have done the research prior to purchasing.
@tom-cat Very disappointing, isn’t it. Your only hope (mine too) is that MRA gets its act together and provides something that honours its currently misleading marketing claims.
But I won’t hold my breath…
️ -
@tom-cat Very disappointing, isn’t it. Your only hope (mine too) is that MRA gets its act together and provides something that honours its currently misleading marketing claims.
But I won’t hold my breath…
️@pad-0 said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
@tom-cat Very disappointing, isn’t it. Your only hope (mine too) is that MRA gets its act together and provides something that honours its currently misleading marketing claims.
Sigh...do we really need to repeat that discussion...
@tom-cat, as far as I am concerned there are no misleading claims. Offline Navigation just works. Besides having the maps downloaded off-line, you need to load the routes you want to drive during your off-line stay once. If you do that, these routes will be cached off-line and are visible in BOLD when you are off-line.
In my opinion that is much less effort than importing gpx files to a dedicated satnav device that you have to do else way. The only thing is that MRA does not document this very well (ok, maybe at all). That last route I have opened months ago, and I can just open it up and start navigating it in flight mode. I have never discovered how long and under what circumstances routes keep being cached locally. Things could be improved for sure, and better documented. But don't be discouraged by some people that have convinced themselves all is worthless.
I am just an enthusiastic MRA user, and hope you will be one too!
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebar to the saddle.
Streetpilot 2610/Zumo 660/Zumo 395/ CAT S52 + MRA app -
@pad-0 said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
@tom-cat Very disappointing, isn’t it. Your only hope (mine too) is that MRA gets its act together and provides something that honours its currently misleading marketing claims.
Sigh...do we really need to repeat that discussion...
@tom-cat, as far as I am concerned there are no misleading claims. Offline Navigation just works. Besides having the maps downloaded off-line, you need to load the routes you want to drive during your off-line stay once. If you do that, these routes will be cached off-line and are visible in BOLD when you are off-line.
In my opinion that is much less effort than importing gpx files to a dedicated satnav device that you have to do else way. The only thing is that MRA does not document this very well (ok, maybe at all). That last route I have opened months ago, and I can just open it up and start navigating it in flight mode. I have never discovered how long and under what circumstances routes keep being cached locally. Things could be improved for sure, and better documented. But don't be discouraged by some people that have convinced themselves all is worthless.
@con-hennekens In answer to your opening question, yes! As long as the issues with Navigation persist.
Maybe the app works for you (using Android, if I’m not mistaken?). However, my direct experience of having used it on a day to day basis from the beginning of April to the end of October last year was very far from being reliable and an effective sat nav replacement (and please do bear in mind that I very much do want Navigation to be just that). In fact, out of the dozens of times I used the app only twice did it not misbehave (using it even when I knew precisely where I was going as a means of testing performance after a very disappointing introduction and frequent contact with the support team). And the misbehaviour came in ever changing ways.
The last straw came in Dublin where Navigation decided my chosen route was inappropriate and that I should do a grand tour of the city’s south side rather than follow it. After tying itself in knots, it crashed. There were no road closures to cause issues and I was using offline mode anyway. Seasonal closures were disabled, all waypoints accurately and legitimately placed, etc, etc. Luckily, I know Dublin very well indeed so I was able to ignore the craziness. But out of interest I switched on my ageing but trusty Zūmo 390 (I fabricated a mount that holds phone and sat nav side by side so that I could compare the performance of the two or switch easily to Garmin when Navigation almost invariably flipped its lid) to check whether it had problems with the same route. It picked it up effortlessly and ‘guided’ me to Dublin Port faultlessly… I think that speaks volumes as to those marketing claims.
-
@con-hennekens In answer to your opening question, yes! As long as the issues with Navigation persist.
Maybe the app works for you (using Android, if I’m not mistaken?). However, my direct experience of having used it on a day to day basis from the beginning of April to the end of October last year was very far from being reliable and an effective sat nav replacement (and please do bear in mind that I very much do want Navigation to be just that). In fact, out of the dozens of times I used the app only twice did it not misbehave (using it even when I knew precisely where I was going as a means of testing performance after a very disappointing introduction and frequent contact with the support team). And the misbehaviour came in ever changing ways.
The last straw came in Dublin where Navigation decided my chosen route was inappropriate and that I should do a grand tour of the city’s south side rather than follow it. After tying itself in knots, it crashed. There were no road closures to cause issues and I was using offline mode anyway. Seasonal closures were disabled, all waypoints accurately and legitimately placed, etc, etc. Luckily, I know Dublin very well indeed so I was able to ignore the craziness. But out of interest I switched on my ageing but trusty Zūmo 390 (I fabricated a mount that holds phone and sat nav side by side so that I could compare the performance of the two or switch easily to Garmin when Navigation almost invariably flipped its lid) to check whether it had problems with the same route. It picked it up effortlessly and ‘guided’ me to Dublin Port faultlessly… I think that speaks volumes as to those marketing claims.
@pad-0, I have a Zumo 390 too. I have not touched in in three years, since using Navigation. And yes, every now and then I have to pull over to give it a kick, but probably less often than with my zumo, that is far less handy considering skipping waypoints and things like that. It is largely a matter of perspective I guess.
I am just an enthusiastic MRA user, and hope you will be one too!
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebar to the saddle.
Streetpilot 2610/Zumo 660/Zumo 395/ CAT S52 + MRA app -
@pad-0, I have a Zumo 390 too. I have not touched in in three years, since using Navigation. And yes, every now and then I have to pull over to give it a kick, but probably less often than with my zumo, that is far less handy considering skipping waypoints and things like that. It is largely a matter of perspective I guess.
@con-hennekens Truly, I am delighted to learn that you haven’t needed to use your Garmin for so long. It gives a glimmer of hope! Perhaps that perspective is influenced by app version, Android vs iOS?
For instance (and pertinently so, I think?) in the iOS app customers get no such highlighting of recently used routes as indicated in your post, above. This wasn’t covered in a recent discussion of using Navigation offline. It strikes me that this significant difference between app versions (one of a number of such) might help to explain our obviously very different user experiences when accessing, or trying to access, routes offline?
From reading various forum conversations, I have wondered occasionally why the two app versions do differ in various ways? It seems a very odd way to be going about things?
-
@con-hennekens Truly, I am delighted to learn that you haven’t needed to use your Garmin for so long. It gives a glimmer of hope! Perhaps that perspective is influenced by app version, Android vs iOS?
For instance (and pertinently so, I think?) in the iOS app customers get no such highlighting of recently used routes as indicated in your post, above. This wasn’t covered in a recent discussion of using Navigation offline. It strikes me that this significant difference between app versions (one of a number of such) might help to explain our obviously very different user experiences when accessing, or trying to access, routes offline?
From reading various forum conversations, I have wondered occasionally why the two app versions do differ in various ways? It seems a very odd way to be going about things?
@pad-0 said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
For instance (and pertinently so, I think?) in the iOS app customers get no such highlighting of recently used routes as indicated in your post, above. This wasn’t covered in a recent
@con-hennekens said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
...ago, and I can just open it up and start navigating it in flight mode.
To clarify some things: I myself did not see this highlighting before until Con pointed one very significant setting out: the Airplane mode of the phone. I was only able to show the highlighted routes (and with that my previuosly downloaded routes in Offline mode) after I've turned on Airplane mode. Even with the Nav app in Offline mode, but with 4G enabled, the app itself seems to be still in 'online mode' and therefore does not show the actually downloaded routes as highlighted and the rest greyed out). I usually don't drive in offline mode so I have no experience whether the nav actually works offline, when set in offline mode, but with 4G still enabled. @Con-Hennekens Can you perhaps elaborate on this set of conditions?
Manks bu'j te bange.
-
@pad-0 said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
For instance (and pertinently so, I think?) in the iOS app customers get no such highlighting of recently used routes as indicated in your post, above. This wasn’t covered in a recent
@con-hennekens said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
...ago, and I can just open it up and start navigating it in flight mode.
To clarify some things: I myself did not see this highlighting before until Con pointed one very significant setting out: the Airplane mode of the phone. I was only able to show the highlighted routes (and with that my previuosly downloaded routes in Offline mode) after I've turned on Airplane mode. Even with the Nav app in Offline mode, but with 4G enabled, the app itself seems to be still in 'online mode' and therefore does not show the actually downloaded routes as highlighted and the rest greyed out). I usually don't drive in offline mode so I have no experience whether the nav actually works offline, when set in offline mode, but with 4G still enabled. @Con-Hennekens Can you perhaps elaborate on this set of conditions?
@stefanhummelink To clarify further, can you confirm that the above relates to your using an Android device? Because with my iOS apps, use of offline mode in conjunction with airplane mode results in wall to wall buffering! Just offline mode with mobile data and wifi off works for opening recent routes when in offline mode. That highlighting/greying out doesn’t happen under any circumstances in the iOS version and it would be very, very handy if it did.
Again, I find myself wondering why the difference(s) between iOS and Android versions? I’d be interested and appreciative to see an explanation/justification.
-
@stefanhummelink To clarify further, can you confirm that the above relates to your using an Android device? Because with my iOS apps, use of offline mode in conjunction with airplane mode results in wall to wall buffering! Just offline mode with mobile data and wifi off works for opening recent routes when in offline mode. That highlighting/greying out doesn’t happen under any circumstances in the iOS version and it would be very, very handy if it did.
Again, I find myself wondering why the difference(s) between iOS and Android versions? I’d be interested and appreciative to see an explanation/justification.
I occasionally use MRA Navigation now and then as its generally a back up.
I always have the Zumo XT running as well however, but I have found the Android version to be stable for me with the odd issue now and then.
I only use Shaping points, never Via Points on any of my routes.Yes, the highlighted and un-highlighted routes are on the Android version only. ( I have an old iPhone 6 Plus without a sim).
Clicking on a un-highlighted route gives this pop up.
Clicking Ok clears it and I can still select the highlighted routes.
Android Settings.
You don’t stop riding when you get old, you get old when you stop riding.
-
@stefanhummelink To clarify further, can you confirm that the above relates to your using an Android device? Because with my iOS apps, use of offline mode in conjunction with airplane mode results in wall to wall buffering! Just offline mode with mobile data and wifi off works for opening recent routes when in offline mode. That highlighting/greying out doesn’t happen under any circumstances in the iOS version and it would be very, very handy if it did.
Again, I find myself wondering why the difference(s) between iOS and Android versions? I’d be interested and appreciative to see an explanation/justification.
@pad-0 said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
@stefanhummelink To clarify further, can you confirm that the above relates to your using an Android device?
Yes indeed, I have an Android phone. Oneplus 6.
-
I finally got a chance to put it through a decent test today. 150 miles over about 4 hours and it worked better than expected. I left it in online mode the whole time. The only complaint I had is that it seems to be about 100 feet or so behind in navigation. By this I mean when approaching a turn by the time it announced the turn I was already on it and it was too late to turn. Honestly, once I realized this I just paid closer attention to the earlier routing notifications when I was approaching a turn such as "turn left in a quarter of a mile."
One other thing I ran into was it not updating the distance to one of my turns upon approach. To be fair this was after a lunch stop where I left the app open and running in the background so I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it. I noticed the distance to the next turn was stuck at 3300 ft and was not updating. Once I was at the turn it said "turn right" but at that point, it was too late and I was already passing the turn. Once it rerouted everything was fine for the rest f the ride. So I am not sure if this was just a memory issue with it running in the background during my hour lunch stop or what.
Rerouting worked much better than on my TomTom. During my ride, I came across a closed road due to a collapsed bridge and it instantly rerouted like a champ. It also rerouted my missed turns very well.
All-in-all I was pleased with how it worked. For my next ride I will try using offline mode to test that out.
Just for clarification I was using a Pixel 5a and created my ride in Routeplanner using the HERE map.
-
I occasionally use MRA Navigation now and then as its generally a back up.
I always have the Zumo XT running as well however, but I have found the Android version to be stable for me with the odd issue now and then.
I only use Shaping points, never Via Points on any of my routes.Yes, the highlighted and un-highlighted routes are on the Android version only. ( I have an old iPhone 6 Plus without a sim).
Clicking on a un-highlighted route gives this pop up.
Clicking Ok clears it and I can still select the highlighted routes.
Android Settings.
@steve-lynch said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
Yes, the highlighted and un-highlighted routes are on the Android version only.
Ouch, that of course I did not know, and I agree with @PAD-0 that it is very strange that the IOS and Android app differ in this (and probably more) respect(s).
I can also confirm that the highlighting ONLY happens when no internet-connection is available. The Off-Line mode has to do with maps and traffic-info, not with the loading of routes.
@pad-0 said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
Because with my iOS apps, use of offline mode in conjunction with airplane mode results in wall to wall buffering!
Do you mean that Navigation keeps saying "calculating"? I get that often in on-line as well as off-line mode. But it disappears shortly after going on route. This is certainly one of the quirks...
I am just an enthusiastic MRA user, and hope you will be one too!
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebar to the saddle.
Streetpilot 2610/Zumo 660/Zumo 395/ CAT S52 + MRA app -
I finally got a chance to put it through a decent test today. 150 miles over about 4 hours and it worked better than expected. I left it in online mode the whole time. The only complaint I had is that it seems to be about 100 feet or so behind in navigation. By this I mean when approaching a turn by the time it announced the turn I was already on it and it was too late to turn. Honestly, once I realized this I just paid closer attention to the earlier routing notifications when I was approaching a turn such as "turn left in a quarter of a mile."
One other thing I ran into was it not updating the distance to one of my turns upon approach. To be fair this was after a lunch stop where I left the app open and running in the background so I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it. I noticed the distance to the next turn was stuck at 3300 ft and was not updating. Once I was at the turn it said "turn right" but at that point, it was too late and I was already passing the turn. Once it rerouted everything was fine for the rest f the ride. So I am not sure if this was just a memory issue with it running in the background during my hour lunch stop or what.
Rerouting worked much better than on my TomTom. During my ride, I came across a closed road due to a collapsed bridge and it instantly rerouted like a champ. It also rerouted my missed turns very well.
All-in-all I was pleased with how it worked. For my next ride I will try using offline mode to test that out.
Just for clarification I was using a Pixel 5a and created my ride in Routeplanner using the HERE map.
@tom-cat said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
One other thing I ran into was it not updating the distance to one of my turns upon approach. To be fair this was after a lunch stop where I left the app open and running in the background so I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it. I noticed the distance to the next turn was stuck at 3300 ft and was not updating. Once I was at the turn it said "turn right" but at that point, it was too late and I was already passing the turn. Once it rerouted everything was fine for the rest f the ride. So I am not sure if this was just a memory issue with it running in the background during my hour lunch stop or what.
Also had this phenomenon several times, not often, but every now and then. I'm writing this to remind the MRA team of the problem as well. I thought it was just an isolated case with my iPhone....
Peter
-
@steve-lynch said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
Yes, the highlighted and un-highlighted routes are on the Android version only.
Ouch, that of course I did not know, and I agree with @PAD-0 that it is very strange that the IOS and Android app differ in this (and probably more) respect(s).
I can also confirm that the highlighting ONLY happens when no internet-connection is available. The Off-Line mode has to do with maps and traffic-info, not with the loading of routes.
@pad-0 said in MRA Navigation and downloaded maps.:
Because with my iOS apps, use of offline mode in conjunction with airplane mode results in wall to wall buffering!
Do you mean that Navigation keeps saying "calculating"? I get that often in on-line as well as off-line mode. But it disappears shortly after going on route. This is certainly one of the quirks...
@con-hennekens The buffering I experience is endless and with no ‘calculating’ message. When I first encountered it, many months ago, I did leave the phone to chew it over for a long time to see did it resolve but I suspect it might still be at it now had I left it! If the buffering was several seconds, or even a minute or two, I could live with that, albeit reluctantly if towards the longer time.
