Alert when reaching a Viapoint

[Corjan Meijerink]

@Gerd-Heinzmann-0 The Beta version will be available to all who purchase Navigation Next in the presale or those who have an active Navigation Lifetime subscription.

We aim to have a first Beta available at the end of this month. As that point in time the feature set will obviously be limited.

[Nick Carthew]

@Gerd-Heinzmann-0 said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

Hello @all

I want to get an alert when aproaching or arriving at a Viapoint.
Can anybody tell me where this is described ?

Thanks, gerry

You could add a POI to act as a visual indication at each of your stops.

[Tim Thompson]

The better solution perhaps is for the navigation app to navigate to each of the stops (vias). Not the shapping points (although there are arguments to make this a selectable option). The stops (vias). That means that the distance/time to, next turn, etc. information is displayed for each via. The problem with an "alert" - assuming that it's momentary - is that it can be easily missed (paying attention to the road etc. vs. the nav device). If the nav app is navigating to the next stop (via) you're not going to miss it.

Right now, this is the main issue that has me still using CoPilotGPS as my main mobile nav app. Hopefully this gets addressed in Next.

[Gerd Heinzmann 0]

@Nick-Carthew said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

@Gerd-Heinzmann-0 said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

Hello @all

I want to get an alert when aproaching or arriving at a Viapoint.
Can anybody tell me where this is described ?

Thanks, gerry

You could add a POI to act as a visual indication at each of your stops.

Nick, that won't help.
The Photopoints can be a few meters beside the road. You might have to walk ie.100 m to get there.
Without an alert, you miss them.

[Gerd Heinzmann 0]

@Tim-Thompson said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

The better solution perhaps is for the navigation app to navigate to each of the stops (vias). Not the shapping points (although there are arguments to make this a selectable option). The stops (vias). That means that the distance/time to, next turn, etc. information is displayed for each via. The problem with an "alert" - assuming that it's momentary - is that it can be easily missed (paying attention to the road etc. vs. the nav device). If the nav app is navigating to the next stop (via) you're not going to miss it.

Right now, this is the main issue that has me still using CoPilotGPS as my main mobile nav app. Hopefully this gets addressed in Next.

Right Tim, for me this is not a crazy feature, nobody ever will need, for me this is essential

btw.: CoPilotGPS is no alternative, cause you can't import GPX files (as far as I know)

[Con Hennekens]

@Gerd-Heinzmann-0 said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

Right Tim, for me this is not a crazy feature, nobody ever will need, for me this is essential

Yes, as a geocacher I can understand that you would like compatibility for your game in your nav, but

@Gerd-Heinzmann-0 said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

such basic functionality simply has to be covered.

calling specific game compatibility "basic functionality" obviously is a bit misplaced.

[Tim Thompson]

@Gerd-Heinzmann-0 said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

@Tim-Thompson said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

The better solution perhaps is for the navigation app to navigate to each of the stops (vias). Not the shapping points (although there are arguments to make this a selectable option). The stops (vias). That means that the distance/time to, next turn, etc. information is displayed for each via. The problem with an "alert" - assuming that it's momentary - is that it can be easily missed (paying attention to the road etc. vs. the nav device). If the nav app is navigating to the next stop (via) you're not going to miss it.

Right now, this is the main issue that has me still using CoPilotGPS as my main mobile nav app. Hopefully this gets addressed in Next.

Right Tim, for me this is not a crazy feature, nobody ever will need, for me this is essential

btw.: CoPilotGPS is no alternative, cause you can't import GPX files (as far as I know)

True... You can't import GPX files into CoPilotGPS. You either have to use an app to convert the GPX files to .trp or use a trip/route planner (for example - Furkot) that can export to .trp.

What CoPilotGPS will do is navigate to the stops. CoPilotGPS has it faults, but it's actually a pretty functional navigation app. Two display fields (displayed while navigating) are user configurable (on the fly) and can display - amongst other things - distance to next stop, ETA at next stop, time remaing until next stop.

I agree that this is an essentional functionality. The nav app needs to either navigate between stops (and/or shaping points) or have a notification/alert that manifest (in an unmistakenly noticeable fashion) well in advance (user configurable distance) and persist until the stop is reached.

[Tim Thompson]

@Con-Hennekens said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

@Gerd-Heinzmann-0 said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

Right Tim, for me this is not a crazy feature, nobody ever will need, for me this is essential

Yes, as a geocacher I can understand that you would like compatibility for your game in your nav, but

@Gerd-Heinzmann-0 said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

such basic functionality simply has to be covered.

calling specific game compatibility "basic functionality" obviously is a bit misplaced.

I don't know where geocaching came from... But I can tell you after missing a couple of planned fuel stops out in BFE, you'll be cursing the nav app for such an obvious oversight in capability.

[Con Hennekens]

@Tim-Thompson said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

I don't know where geocaching came from... But I can tell you after missing a couple of planned fuel stops out in BFE, you'll be cursing the nav app for such an obvious oversight in capability.

Geocaching is a GPS game and came from the TS that was talking about photo rally which also is a GPS game. So I relate to GPS games

Concerning the fuel stops, I never plan those, so I also cannot miss them. I am sure there will be areas on this planet where it is worse, but I never found a fuel station to be more than about 10 to 15km away. My need for coffee is much more urgent than my need for fuel, and most of the times they are easily combined. And if you ride areas where it is worse, it is wise to check your gauge every gasstation you encounter, and don not drive to last liter

But it nice to know, like Hans said, alerts will be implemented in Next.

[Gerd Heinzmann 0]

@Con-Hennekens

Hi, as you might have noticed, I wrote 'for ME it is essential' !
I agree, if this feature has not the same relevance for you.

My situation is, that I exactly know what I'm looking for. I had that feature (and many more that I miss in MRA) for example with Basecamp and BMW Navigator VI, but BMW Navigator is no longer reliably since the ghosting problem .

Now I look for new hardware and software that supports the features I need.
With the Carpe I found a good piece of hardware, now I need the software that supports my needs.

Back to MRA and my question:
The Manual says:

All I want is, that what is already described, is implemented in the software!

Regards
gerry

[Con Hennekens]

@Gerd-Heinzmann-0, but it IS implemented in software. Maybe not audible, but it does show-up on the map and you can give it a special color to indicate it is a photo rally point. And like Hans says, it will get better in the Next version.

[Nick Carthew]

Adding a POI not only gives a visual indication but like coloured route points that contain a note, if you touch a POI it will reveal its name which is customisable.

[Gerd Heinzmann 0]

@Con-Hennekens
please read -->
https://forum.myrouteapp.com/post/17472

[Con Hennekens]

@Gerd-Heinzmann-0, Yes I have read that, but that does not mean it is not implemented. That it is not convenient enough for you is another discussion. Also in Next the alert will probably be generated by a waypoint on the route, so that will most likely also not be a solution for you, even if audible. As far as I am aware Basecamp / Garmin also has no option for waypoint alerts outside the route, but I am not sure of that. Maybe if it would have been implemented like some sort of speed-cam POI. I would hate to get notifications of all kinds of POIs at a distance from my route. Anyway, calling it a "basic functionality that simply has to be covered" is untrue for the vast majority of users, who probably never even heard of photo rally... Geocachers use specific apps for their game, maybe photo rallyers should too?

[Gerd Heinzmann 0]

@Con-Hennekens
As I said, I had the feature in Basecamp/Garmin and if MRA will not cover this functionality in the near future, I will definitvely use another software.

I would hate to get notifications of all kinds of POIs at a distance from my route.

I assume, you also have never heard of a Photo Rally and it's rules. I'm not talking about all kinds of POIs, I'm not talking of POIs at all. I'm talking about VIA-points and wherever they are, I want to get there to take a Photo.
Basecamp for example leads me to the closest point, that is rideable and in most cases that's the point that the Rallymaster has set. It's that simple.

Why do you think it is soooo extraordinary if I want to be guided to a special Coordinate and get an Alert when I'm there ?

[Drabslab]

@Con-Hennekens said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

. Geocachers use specific apps for their game, maybe photo rallyers should too?

I reached for my keyboard and started TYPING because I do not completely agree with this. To me, MRA should become the one-stop shop for all things navigation, and thus cover as many user requirements as possible.

Where I do agree is that these niche audiences should be served according to their potential customer base size, and according to ease of implementation, which puts them lower on the priority list than the "general" public.

@Gerd-Heinzmann-0 said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

As I said, I had the feature in Basecamp/Garmin and if MRA will not cover this functionality in the near future, I will definitvely use another software

To my understanding the feature is implemented in Navigation as a visible reference on the map. I accept that you prefer an audible message which is in my humble opinion indeed easier when driving.

@Gerd-Heinzmann-0 said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

Why do you think it is soooo extraordinary

I don't think that anybody finds this sooooo extraordinary, and it is a very good suggestion. The developers will most likely take it up similar to the audible messages one gets when approaching a speed trap. When implemented it has to be optional because if NEXT would give an audible signal for each and every event someone want to see covered by a sound then we risk riding around with a juke box.

In addition, being useful does not mean that it is important enough to alter the development path of NEXT to give priority to this feature, or worse, to delay NEXT and implement this in a hurry in the current navigation app.

The NEXT roadmap gives an implementation date of the first version by mid 2023. Up to you if this is "near future" enough or not.

[Tim Thompson]

@Con-Hennekens said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

@Gerd-Heinzmann-0, Yes I have read that, but that does not mean it is not implemented. That it is not convenient enough for you is another discussion. Also in Next the alert will probably be generated by a waypoint on the route, so that will most likely also not be a solution for you, even if audible. As far as I am aware Basecamp / Garmin also has no option for waypoint alerts outside the route, but I am not sure of that. Maybe if it would have been implemented like some sort of speed-cam POI. I would hate to get notifications of all kinds of POIs at a distance from my route. Anyway, calling it a "basic functionality that simply has to be covered" is untrue for the vast majority of users, who probably never even heard of photo rally... Geocachers use specific apps for their game, maybe photo rallyers should too?

I disagree. I find what has been suggested - as examples of MRA Navigations capability in this regard - totaly fail to meet the requirement/need. I don't consider this simply a need for games. It's a fundemental requirement for any worthwhile navigation app.

Sure you can set the shaping point/via color and have a nice big red hand displayed on the screen when you come up on it while navigating. This is practically useless for the purpose. Depending on your speed, auto zoom level, and orientation that pretty red hand may only be on the display momentarily. If you happen to not be paying attention when that red hand graces the display with it's momentary presence, well too bad sucker. Have fun pushing that hog to the gas station.

What boggles is that some don't see the necesity for the app to either display a persistent warning/notification or to navigate to stops (and/or shaping points). I can tell you the competition recognizes the need for this capability and handles this requirement adequately.

I'm aware that Next plans to address this. If that were not the case, I probably would have already moved on to other solutions because I consider this a fundamental requirement.

On a side note... Not that it matters for the OP's use case... CoPilotGPS does have a feature/option to display alearts for places (POIs). Proximity to the POI can be set form 0.2 miles to 25 miles. It can also be set for place (POIs) On or Near Route. You can multi-select from a list of POI categories (the only one I currently have selected is "Gas Station"). Unfortunately it doesn't support custom POIs or whatever.

[Con Hennekens]

@Gerd-Heinzmann-0 said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

I assume, you also have never heard of a Photo Rally and it's rules.

No, I had not, but checked it on google. Whats the point?

I'm not talking about all kinds of POIs, I'm not talking of POIs at all. I'm talking about VIA-points and wherever they are, I want to get there to take a Photo.

You were talking about points that cannot be placed on the road, and you would need to walk to. That is what makes a viapoint a POI. You stop at the viapoint, and walk to the POI.

Basecamp for example leads me to the closest point, that is rideable and in most cases that's the point that the Rallymaster has set. It's that simple.

I don't see any difference in how MRA works.

Why do you think it is soooo extraordinary if I want to be guided to a special Coordinate and get an Alert when I'm there ?

I don't think it is extraordinary at all. It was already established in this thread that Next will most likely have audible alerts.

[Con Hennekens]

@Drabslab said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

I reached for my keyboard and started TYPING because I do not completely agree with this. To me, MRA should become the one-stop shop for all things navigation, and thus cover as many user requirements as possible.

I agree, but I would hate to see MRA turn into a game-platform. However I think audible alerts are a good idea, and also appreciated bij non-photo-rally-people. A next possible thing would perhaps be a "forced VIA point". A special viapoint you have to manually check off in order to resume navigation, or else it keeps sending you back to it. It forces you to stop at the designated point (and take a picture if you do a photo rallye or for any other reason). There is a fine line between what is considered a navigation tool and what is leaning towards a game facility.

The reason I suggested a special app is because I think there are more facets to the game. What do you do with the pictures, do they need to get logged somewhere, is there a central registration where subscribers pick up published rallies. I can't compare, but looking at geocaching, it has a whole ecosystem of its own, that I really do NOT fancy to be implemented in my navigation tools... (although it would be nice to be able to load a pocketquery into the POI database )

[Con Hennekens]

@Tim-Thompson said in Alert when reaching a Viapoint:

What boggles is that some don't see the necesity for the app to either display a persistent warning/notification or to navigate to stops (and/or shaping points). I can tell you the competition recognizes the need for this capability and handles this requirement adequately.

I think MRA Navigation already has a reasonable userbase of people who do apparently see it differently. I have been riding with navigation for about 25 years now, and never missed that feature. If it already was in Basecamp and Zumo's, I never found it and was never looking for it.

Keep in mind that most users of MRA (and Navigation) are motorist that just want to ride a predefined route. From that point of view a lot of features will never be used.

I am not against broadening the feature set of Next at all. I think the idea of audible alerts is great, and will proof useful in many more scenarios than just photo rally. And those wil probably form a better argument then playing a game.

I'm aware that Next plans to address this. If that were not the case, I probably would have already moved on to other solutions because I consider this a fundamental requirement.

What you consider "fundamental requirements" is not necessarily shared by everyone. It boggle me that some don't see that.