WAZE app instead of GPS?

[lightsluvr]

We got rid of all GPS devices when we discovered the WAZE app for Smart phones.

WAZE is an interesting app which uses reports from "WAZERS" to modify trips on the fly when slowdowns or accidents affect traffic ahead of you. It acts just like a GPS, providing verbal directions for the route. It automatically adjusts if you go "off route" and provides alternative routing. It also reports law enforcement, road hazards, road kill, potholes, vehicles stopped on shoulder and numerous other conditions. We have found it to be remarkably accurate.

WAZE saved our butts when we were evacuating Florida ahead of Hurricane Irma. It told us when and where to get off I-75 and I-10 to avoid chaotic traffic jams. It is a free app.

One caveat we learned is that WAZE is a power hog in our cell phone. We leave our iPhone plugged in and charging when using the app.

We combine WAZE with another free app called GasBuddy, which provides fuel prices and availability.

Does anyone have some tricks for enhancing your WAZE experience? Is there a reason to maintain a separate GPS when traveling?

Lightsluvr

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Originally Posted by lightsluvr

Is there a reason to maintain a separate GPS when traveling?

1) A GPS will work where there is no cell signal.

2) A GPS can be designed to take into account the size and weight parameters of an RV. This is especially important when rerouting.

3) I can use my phone as a phone, without interfering with the GPS functions.

4) Call me a Luddite, but I keep my phone's location services off except when I want to use them.

That said, I understand why the Waze app is popular. Here is a link to a Google search of iRV2 posts with the term "Waze" in them:

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22W...utf-8&oe=utf-8

[60sumtin]

Considering you've had a few GPS units before you are probably the only one who can best answer your own question. Why did you get rid of all your GPS units in the first place? My own brief experience with WAZE is since its crowd sourced its not all that useful in less populated, less traveled areas.

[UTTransplant]

I used Waze in the Los Angeles area for commuting. It is handy for urban or crowded areas, but the roads it routed me down would not be very good for a 40’ RV and toad! I also spend a lot of time in areas without cell service (canyons, mountains, just empty spaces), so any mapping program I use must be GPS based, not cell based. Sounds like the OP lives in nice flat coastal area, so it works for him. Wouldn’t be my choice for my situation though.

[Jake21]

You really need to watch your routes with Waze if you are a big rig. I have had it send me down roads that actually added time in my car. Would have been a real pain in the @@@ if I was in the MH. But it has also saved me hours in travel before.

[REDEYE50]

we used it over the thanksgiving going to College station, Tx. IT WORKED VERY WELL. Had to laugh at the roadkill alert, but it was accurate. It uses alot of battery and you need to keep it plugged in(10 hrs). Did not realize it uses up alot of my plan(not real savy on this). the reason we used it was because I could not find my GPS, still looking.

[ThomB]

I use Waze AND a GPS.

Waze has screwed me once by putting me on a road I should not have with the RV. The entrance to one of the parks we stayed in had a low bridge before getting to the entrance. I was already around the corner before I saw the sign and it was too late to bail on that road. Had to stop, unhook the car and get turned around.



The only time I don't have the GPS select my route is when I am traveling in areas I've been to and know. In the car, we only use Waze.

[mike625]

I like the WAZE app for traffic and road hazard - and actually routed us off the interstate when there were an accidents a couple of times. I kind of use it the other way - to enhance routing from the Garmin "trip computer / reststops & fuel" and Rand McNally gps "in dash - had RV size & weight".

Do use Waze only when I'm in the car - but would not use it as the only GPS in an RV.

[wildtoad]

Originally Posted by ThomB

Waze has screwed me once by putting me on a road I should not have with the RV. The entrance to one of the parks we stayed in had a low bridge before getting to the entrance. I was already around the corner before I saw the sign and it was too late to bail on that road. Had to stop, unhook the car and get turned around.

Had a similar situation using Apple Maps on our way to Gettysburg last year. Fortunately there was a side road just a little ways back that we could take. When we got to the campground, went online and ordered a Garmin RV GPS.

[hayward3411]

Originally Posted by wildtoad

Had a similar situation using Apple Maps on our way to Gettysburg last year. Fortunately there was a side road just a little ways back that we could take. When we got to the campground, went online and ordered a Garmin RV GPS.

Tom hope all is well, Sonic doing great!

I was on the way to Gettysburg and using my Garmin RV GPS and still ended up at that wooden bridge. Got to campsite and went through the GPS settings and it was set to visit wooden bridges from our Vermont trip.

We use the WAZE app when traffic is messed up.

We are only 2 hours from Gettysburg, PA next time you go give me a shout.

Earl

[rrtribble]

Using WAZE, or any device that requires eyes/hands on while driving is not something I want to fool with. Though my wife travels with me at all times she is not physically able to do the phone/ipad.

I have traffic alert on my GPS but it requires cell service and sometimes you don't have that.

I normally plan my trip out to routes, fuel, rest, food and overnight stops using my atlas and different apps along with GPS. Unless something drastically changes I follow my preplanned route rather than GPS because it has taken me to some areas I didn't enjoy.

Best advice - what ever works for you is best.

Good trips - Richard

[gatorb8]

most map apps will continue to navigate without cell service as long as the route is loaded while in cell service.

[MapleKing]

I am a Wazer (about 5 years now) and I love the fact that it uses real time traffic conditions in its calculation of the best route between point a and b and relay road information. Having said that, there are some caveats.

First (and probably most important for RVers), the app is designed for passenger cars. It's going to route you sometimes on local roads and make quick turns that might not be a good idea for an RVer.

Second, you need to look at the available routes because sometimes Waze will automatically pick a route that isn't the shortest distance wise but is only 1-2 minutes faster than a route that is much shorter.

Third, you should periodically have a passenger re-enter the route and have it recalculate the route. This is because what was the fastest route might not be the current fastest route. I can't tell you the number of times that I'll be driving along and make a turn that I know is a short cut and it will suddenly take time off of the estimate.

Fourth, it requires data to calculate a route. This can be either cellular or WiFi but you need data to download the maps. It will also download the maps for the route but if you have to get off the route, it will no longer have coverage of a new route. So you have to use cellular data to update a route. There have been times that I have not been able to use it as a tool due to lack of cellular service (and I have Verizon).

Fifth, as others have mentioned, it uses a lot of juice so make sure you have it plugged into a 2 amp USB outlet to keep your phone fully charged. Without power my phone would last about 3-4 hours with the display always on. On a 1 amp plug it would barely last 8 hours. On a 2 amp setting it will stay fully charged all day.

Sixth, it can and does crash. This can happen at any time, usually when you are at some critical juncture and you're left wondering where to go. Don't worry, when it comes back up it will recalculate your route (as long as data is available) but you're left in the dark for a few minutes.

I love Waze and rely on it for all my trips. It's a great tool that will also alert you to things on the road, including where to can find police if you need them, but it's only a tool. I also use a paper map (always!) and have a regular GPS that I use for RV navigation.

Just my 2¢ and someone who has been using the app for a while.

[les.warden]

I use a Garmin 770RV for the MH because that’s what it’s designed for and I use Waze, right beside the GPS, for traffic. My traveling combo and works great. Out West, there are areas that Waze will not work..no signal, but the GPS always works. Been there.