[CDH]

I have been reading up on the PCM navigation system, and I'm very disappointed that you can't load a route into it from a file on an SD Card or via an App.

In the Cayman Sales blurb is eulogises about ".....the 718 legend by embracing the concept of freedom characteristic of a pure-bred roadster: plenty of twists and turns....." & "....lets its actions do the talking. Sporty actions, of course. As a corner-devouring coupé, it follows a line of its own far removed from fashion trends and four-lane arterials....."

Great to talk of twisty roads yet all the navigation will do is the fastest or shortest route. To me this is a major oversight. Yes you can get it to avoid motorways, but it will still try and take the fastest route. I want to plot my route on a PC and load it into the navigation.

Oh well, maybe in the next PCM update (or sometime, or never!)

 

[sevasnex]

How have you resolved this problem? Are you using some external device for navigation with predetermined routes?

 

[Barryng]

For whatever its worth, for multiple reasons I much prefer the factory nav system. IMO, the map display is far superior to the iphone based systems. My PCM took a crap last August and I had to rely on mostly the Apple based system via Apple car play for three months until the new parts arrived. I thought the Apple system sucked relative to the PCM system. Some of the things I even found annoying about Apple maps included the info boxes obscuring a much too high portion of the underlying map and an inability to zoom the map to my desired point without it immediately popping back to the zoom level it wants. The Apple focus appeared on providing a Betty Crocker type of routing. The factory system, on the other hand, provides an excellent balance between very clear turn directions and an excellent map display allowing me to think for myself and provide a sanity check to the dumb machinery. The factory system allows me any zoom I want but also auto zooms at intersections. Additionally, the PCM zoom is easily done with almost no eye diversion via the right knob whereas I have to divert my eyes much longer to see the + and - buttons on the screen and accurately touch the right places. The PCM map is also a pictorial satellite view and that also reduces the amount of eye contact time for me when quickly glancing at the map. On a long trip I seriously depleted my phone battery because the phone was required to provide the GPS function continuously (yes - I could have plugged the phone in but my phone typically never leaves my pocket otherwise and that would add one more thing to do when starting the car with no readily convenient place to put the phone itself). In some respects the Apple map system had some minor advantages but overall the factory system, to me, is significantly more ergonomic with a much more useful and safe (wrt eye contact time) map display. Waze is popular but, IMO, from my single experience trying it a few years ago, it is too intrusive with respect to data it wants access to in my phone that it does not need. IMO, Waze's primary function, much more so than I perceive is the PCM system, is to mine my personal data and it sucks users in by giving users a free GPS system with some nice features.

I never have a need to pre-load a route as it is so easy and quick to either put in an address or pick one from memory.

 

[jimmuller]

How have you resolved this problem? Are you using some external device for navigation with predetermined routes?

Just an observation - the original post was made almost three years ago. The OP has only 52 posts as of this writing. There is a good chance the OP is no longer active on the forum.

 

[SD00]

…
I never have a need to pre-load a route as it is so easy and quick to either put in an address or pick one from memory.

Good points on PCM preferences but but being able to specify a particular route is necessary if you are touring or want to take a specific scenic route. Google maps lets you do that on your PC and then you can transfer the route to the APP for use in CarPlay.

I wonder if you have Porsche Car Connect if you can customize a route on your PC and then transfer to NAV. Anyone done this?

 

[Barryng]

a particular route is necessary if you are touring or want to take a specific scenic route

Well, I never thought of that. My mind set has always been if I am at point A I tell it where Point B is and it assists me getting there. Just a lesson in the risks of not looking outside the proverbial box. Thanks.

 

[jimmuller]

It seems to me that if I want to take a scenic route or any other particular route, it will be one I already know or at least have a pretty good idea about. In any case, all of the nav packages I've ever used will recalculate a route on the fly if you deviate from what it has plotted. You can plot a course and the drive off wherever you wish, and it will work to find a way to get you to your destination. That way you can follow your preferred route until you run off the edge of your knowledge, and it will still get you home.

 

[RobertM]

Well, I never thought of that. My mind set has always been if I am at point A I tell it where Point B is and it assists me getting there. Just a lesson in the risks of not looking outside the proverbial box. Thanks.

I've organized the last four or five runs for our annual Speedster meet up and have to force feed the route into Google. If I don't it wants to either give you the shortest or the fastest route based on current traffic. I force feed the route on my home computer and once I have it saved I can send it to my phone which I connect via CarPlay and enjoy the scenic route I planned. I can also send the route to all of the participants on the run. If they are even mildly tech savvy they can follow on their phones. If not I print maps and turn by turn directions for them. It resally is a game changer for rallying etc.

 

[SD00]

It seems to me that if I want to take a scenic route or any other particular route, it will be one I already know or at least have a pretty good idea about. In any case, all of the nav packages I've ever used will recalculate a route on the fly if you deviate from what it has plotted. You can plot a course and the drive off wherever you wish, and it will work to find a way to get you to your destination. That way you can follow your preferred route until you run off the edge of your knowledge, and it will still get you home.

Not nesesarily. If I’m travelling cross country or to a foreign country I don’t already know the route and if I start down a new route the NAV will just keep telling me to turn around until the new route becomes the quicker route which could be a long time off. Also if I’m doing a day trip loop from point A to point A the recalculation of route will always tell me to turn around and go back. One way to do it would be to plan the route with multiple stops on your desired route but that would be a PIA to do on the NAV PCM interface. That’s where being able to do a route plan on a PC in advance and send to NAV would help. I like the benefits @Barryng noted on the native NAV and it also doesn’t need cell service which is great if travelling in remote areas. I think Porsche Connect might be able to do this but mine expired and I never tried it, I’m now planning a driving tour and might resubscribe if I knew this could be done.