[TurboPman]

Not interested in subscribing at my expense to any online services in my car.

So, if I order a 2019 Cayman S, $2,320 option buys me the “Navigation including Porsche Connect.”

Porsche says: “Activation of Navigation & Infotainment Services requires acceptance of terms and conditions online via My Porsche. A trial period of 12 months from your vehicle’s initial in-service date is complimentary (Wi-Fi hotspot data not included), after which subscription is required to continue service.”

“Updatable onboard maps (first 3 years)”

So, after 12 months, when I do not pay to subscribe to anything, what do I lose?

I understand I can get “free” map updates for 3 years & after than none unless I pay… $$$$$$$$.

After 12 months do I simply lose the: “Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI), online search functionality, parking information, fuel prices, Wi-Fi connectivity, and general web connected apps?”

But, I can still use the navigation function?

Or do I lose basically everything & can no longer use the Porsche Navigation unless I pay/subscribe?

I don’t know how user friendly the navigation is in the 718. I’ve read it has improved. I do not like the navigation in my 2016 Macan. It is much less user friendly than using Google Maps/navigation on my Android phone.

Frequently, I cannot use it at all & go back to the phone. I dislike the order in which you must enter; country, state, city, Street name & finally the address numbers. It is easy to make a mistake and it is very unforgiving.
For example you must include compass direction; E, S, N, etc.
You must do this while you were entering the street name. If you forget and try to do it when it's time to enter the number… Forget it… it you've already screwed it up!
If you do not know whether the street name is followed by; Lane, Street, Boulevard, Avenue, etc.… you can easily not be allowed to continue entering the address!

If I speak into my phone: "navigate to 1234 East Bircher Street Scottsdale"… that's usually enough to get me there even if it turned out that was Bircher Lane!

So, not sure I'm going to buy this option but I certainly will not if I lose the ability to navigate after 12 months or three years without subscribing to something. I don't care about real-time traffic updates or online search functionality or Parking information or fuel prices.

I have Gas Buddy on my phone which is very easy-to-use.
I don't have an iPhone and no plans to get one.

I think Google Maps is coming to Car Play
https://www.techradar.com/news/apple-carplay

I think you still need an iPhone to use it. I don’t think I can use my Android phone & have the phone interface appear on my Porsche PCM screen & use Google Maps/navigation with voice control, as I do with my phone @ no extra cost now.

There is an Android App (Android Auto) that is similar to Apple Car Play but, will not work with Porsche.

 

[greywing]

Good questions that are not apparent from Porsche sources.

 

[Viffermike]

@TurboPman :

I'll try to answer as much as I can succinctly here:

1) As I understand it, the Nav with Porsche Connect option in 2019 is the same as the Porsche Connect Plus option for 2017-18. Do a search for discussions about both to understand the differences. The important ones:
- Nav (duh!) with internet-based info services
- WiFi hotspot
- Activated in-car telephony (requires a SIM card and service activation)

After a year, you will lose any service for which an internet connection with the car is necessary unless you renew Porsche Connect. This includes traffic data, etc. This does NOT include the Nav unit; it will always work because it relies on GPS data, not internet data. This also does NOT include telephony: that is controlled by the SIM card which ALSO has to be kept in service. In other words, Porsche-related infotainment data and in-car telephony service are two different things with two different charges.

2). Google Maps, Waze, and possibly other third-party mapping apps will work with Apple CarPlay when iOS 12 is released in the fall. Android Auto will not work, but rumor has it that Porsche will enable it as well eventually -- probably for the 2010 model year.

3). Nav on PCM4 (Porsche Communication Management, the 'OS' for the car) is, by all accounts, pretty darn good as OEM Nav units go. It is also voice-activated IF you make sure to order Voice Command activation when you order the car. (It's a no-cost option.) Is OEM Nav worth $2,300? Your call -- but basically, if you plan on doing any extended driving in rural areas, having GPS-based Nav that will work anywhere on the globe is far better than phone-based Nav that relies on not only a cell signal, but a strong high-speed cell signal.

Hope this helps!

 

[greywing]

Thanks Viffermike. Helps a lot. I just ordered a 2019 CS including Nav with Porsche Connect and have been debating about its utility both near and long term. I think I'll keep it.

 

[JakiChan]

I highly vote for both, but that's just me. I'll likely include the connected services as well. Doing google maps routing + traffic seems ideal (best integration with the cluster, etc). I'll try it and if I don't renew it then it's no big deal.

 

[nineball]

since you are not an iphone user the nav is probably a good option. i passed on it once i found out the car had carplay and i could use my phone for nav.

 

[TurboPman]

Thanks Viffermike!

I think I will get the Nav. Good point about GPS Nav working when lose cell signal which will stop phone based Google Nav!

With Voice activated can you say: “Navigate to 123 Main st., Town, State” and it will do it?

Or must you speak the address in a backwards order with USA, State, City , Street & numbers last?

Thanks!

 

[Viffermike]

With Voice activated can you say: “Navigate to 123 Main st., Town, State” and it will do it?

Or must you speak the address in a backwards order with USA, State, City , Street & numbers last?

Thanks!

I believe it will, but I'll wait for someone who has Nav and Voice Command to chime in.

(By the way: Porsche made Voice Command a no-cost option for 2017-18 on 718s because its functionality was clunky at best -- so much so that it created car-control issues. Hopefully Porsche sorted it for the 2019 model year, but I would definitely ask your dealer about it specifically to get the current lowdown.)