RAM Nav system?

[vlamgat]

I know the Uuconnect version installed in the Isata 5 C&C has spec'd by BC and team is not one that includes the Nav system, but in my wandering around the RAM forums it appears that this is because its not yet "enabled".

So has anyone tried to access or successfully accomplished the following:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8MOpriUfHM

[milkman55]

The retail for the activation is $595. I read somewhere that a dealer activated for $450, but have no idea where. The Chrysler NAV product is still not an RV friendly system.

I use Google Maps and Waze displayed using CarPlay and run them both at the same time and switch between when necessary. Works great and free.

[vlamgat]

Unquestioned agreement on my part but a lot of places I go to are without cell service and the GPS on phones needs cell updates continuously. So it's nice to have a back up without installing something else. But I also grant you that in 5 years I would rather be relying on Garmin for an update than Mopar.

[bclemens]

Originally Posted by vlamgat

Unquestioned agreement on my part but a lot of places I go to are without cell service and the GPS on phones needs cell updates continuously. So it's nice to have a back up without installing something else. But I also grant you that in 5 years I would rather be relying on Garmin for an update than Mopar.

When that happened to me while traveling in Canada (back in the days before unlimited internet), I used the TomTom app. Downloads the whole map structure onto the phone. about 1GB back then. Since it was an app...at the time you buy it once, lifetime updates. The updates were all 1GB as well...so plan ahead.

[Bill Davis]

I use a stand alone Garmin. I’ve had Garmin’s for many years and have been very happy with them. It lets you know when it needs an update and they are free for life. I also like the fact it’s not on the radio interfering with the back up camera and radio. My 2 cents worth.

[msusslin]

Originally Posted by milkman55

The retail for the activation is $595. I read somewhere that a dealer activated for $450, but have no idea where. The Chrysler NAV product is still not an RV friendly system.

I use Google Maps and Waze displayed using CarPlay and run them both at the same time and switch between when necessary. Works great and free.

We just installed the Nav system for $595. I have it on my Jeep and love it and also decided not to use the phone do not eat up data. Using GPS via CarPlay has its plus and minuses, especially if navigating in heavy traffic and wife decides to use her phone on something else, map gone, exit missed 25 mile detour Not to mention cell service gone, which happens a lot. I consider the Chrysler Nav system far superior to that installed on our Audi which is slow and not user friendly at all.

[mjbenedict]

I rearranged our dash and moved the camera display up to use the mirror mount then bought a Garmin 890 RV unit for where the camera display was. Love this setup, does block view a slight amount more though (very slight).

[vlamgat]

Do you use the RV in the Summer, in the South? Seems hard to put a windscreen shade up with all that stuff so close to the glass? Huge amount of heat transmitted through the windscreen when parked without using a shade.

[Phreak480]

Originally Posted by vlamgat

Unquestioned agreement on my part but a lot of places I go to are without cell service and the GPS on phones needs cell updates continuously. So it's nice to have a back up without installing something else. But I also grant you that in 5 years I would rather be relying on Garmin for an update than Mopar.

Not all GPS apps need data to work. There is an app called Copilot GPS that stores maps for offline use and better yet has a dedicated RV mode.

[itgoes211]

I like the UConnect in my Ram truck but I don’t like that they make you pay for updates. $150 I think for an update. So I went with the Garmin myself.

[vlamgat]

Originally Posted by Phreak480

Not all GPS apps need data to work. There is an app called Copilot GPS that stores maps for offline use and better yet has a dedicated RV mode.

I know, plus RVLife and Tom Tom but to use these I would have to get another phone because of the encryption on mine and I just dont want another device to manage, update, and fight for connectivity in areas without coverage - got too many already. I dont know how many times I have opened an app and it tells me I have to get an update before it can Start. RVLife is like that and I have no doubt that Tom Tom and others will have similar episodes when used on a phone. After all they are designed around the principle of national, universal cell coverage by every network and the assumption that each and every user will have an unlimited ability to switch to a network that is accessible wherever they are in the 48 contiguous at least.

[vlamgat]

Originally Posted by itgoes211

I like the UConnect in my Ram truck but I don’t like that they make you pay for updates. $150 I think for an update. So I went with the Garmin myself.

The Update business model is used by nearly all the car manufacturer applications but I agree that the Garmin franchise which is intensively Nav oriented with one of the best Aerospace suites as well, has to be a better service than anything purchased by an indifferent car manufacturer. And Garmin's updates are free which is also quite persuasive. But, and this is the only downside, it takes dash real estate and that is quite limited if you want a screen with visible icons. I had the Rand McNally app installed on a noname aftermarket ICE set up which was excellent except that the screen was too small and too far away to manage while driving. They sold a remote control which did work with the Nav system and barely with most of the other functions and it too had icons/buttons the size of a couple of pin heads. Almost worthless for a driver but could be used by a codriver which for some of us is very rare.

[njfishing]

Another vote for using Apple Car play along with your phone, Google Maps or Waze. The integration with the infotainment system in your vehicle is pretty slick. Not sure about Android devices but I think the experience should similar. You’ll also be able to have your texts read to you as they come in, use Siri commands to place calls to people and use Pandora for streaming music too. https://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/

[mjbenedict]

Originally Posted by vlamgat

Do you use the RV in the Summer, in the South? Seems hard to put a windscreen shade up with all that stuff so close to the glass? Huge amount of heat transmitted through the windscreen when parked without using a shade.

Yes I have to fish the window shade behind the equipment. The garmin pops off easily (magnetic) but leaves the stand on the dash. It is harder than with the useless mirror up there. Not harder that I would go back, shortly I'm going to look into moving the cord for the cameras up along the pillar to the top. That would help a lot.

I run Waze on my apple CarPlay but it's mediocre at navigation in my opinion. Especially RV navigation.

[vlamgat]

Originally Posted by njfishing

Another vote for using Apple Car play along with your phone, Google Maps or Waze. The integration with the infotainment system in your vehicle is pretty slick. Not sure about Android devices but I think the experience should similar. You’ll also be able to have your texts read to you as they come in, use Siri commands to place calls to people and use Pandora for streaming music too. https://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/

Its generally accepted that the Android Play function is worthless when compared with Apple Play on most installations. On the Audi MMI, it does not work at all through 2109 installs. Some improvement in 2020 and lots of promise for 2021 but I believe Ford has the same problem.

[vlamgat]

Originally Posted by mjbenedict

Yes I have to fish the window shade behind the equipment. The garmin pops off easily (magnetic) but leaves the stand on the dash. It is harder than with the useless mirror up there. Not harder that I would go back, shortly I'm going to look into moving the cord for the cameras up along the pillar to the top. That would help a lot.

Rerouting the power cable is essential to declutter. Get a set of interior fitting components to bury the cable in the headliner without cutting into it.
https://www.amazon.com/Eapmic-11pcs-...139256&sr=8-15

I use the mirror to mount my forward looking video camera. After an incident with an ambulance chaser, I have learned these are essential to dismantle the legal target that an RV represents to some drivers.

[emm-dee]

I had the Ram nav system on a '14 model and was not impressed. Using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to show up on the uConnect screen is great. Two workarounds for keeping nav going when cell service is gone.

For Google Maps download the "offline" maps for the areas you plan to travel through. Once loaded you don't need cell or wifi connections.

For Apple Maps if you load and activate your entire route while connected (cell or wifi) it will continue to work normally without service provided you do not change the route or exit the app.

I use Apple Maps displaying on an iPad. The iPad is mounted in front of the rear view mirror (worthless, as previously mentioned) and has a split screen display with the nav view on one side and the rear observation camera on the other. Works great regardless of cellular or wifi service.

[msusslin]

Originally Posted by mjbenedict

Yes I have to fish the window shade behind the equipment. The garmin pops off easily (magnetic) but leaves the stand on the dash. It is harder than with the useless mirror up there. Not harder that I would go back, shortly I'm going to look into moving the cord for the cameras up along the pillar to the top. That would help a lot.

I run Waze on my apple CarPlay but it's mediocre at navigation in my opinion. Especially RV navigation.

What's the trick / process to remove the useless mirror? Those automotive engineers have some trick ways to mount stuff but not to easy to figure out how to remove it.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by msusslin

What's the trick / process to remove the useless mirror? Those automotive engineers have some trick ways to mount stuff but not to easy to figure out how to remove it.

Haven’t figured that one out yet. I’ve heard it’s easy to break the windshield if not done right so I’m waiting for a rock strike. Then the insurance will take care of it.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Be aware it is expensive to upgrade the map base on the RAM nav system. A couple hundred dollars as I recall.