How widespread are "Real Navigation" and PhotoJunc

[nhazel]

For UK users:

How widespread have you found the new "real navigation/directions" and PhotoReal Junction view?

In my search for an updated satnav, these both sound like appealing features, but my cynical side says that I'll come across them once in a blue moon.

[sussamb]

Photo real junctions are very common. My satnav doesn't do 'real directions' but I understand they're not very common ... but then it took a while for photoreal junctions to ramp up.

[nhazel]

Thanks sussamb. Are the Photo real junctions just for motorways and and dual carriageways or for things like roundabouts or other turns?

[sussamb]

Only ever seen junction views of any sort on dual carriageways or motorways. Lane assist though appears much more frequently including roundabouts, in town etc.

[MaFt]

I've seen Photo-Real junctions on a few of the larger A roads like A30, A1 etc.

Those a pretty much motorways anyway

MaFt

[nhazel]

Thanks.

So, nobody has seen them on single carriage roads...

Erm, so, isn't that pretty much just where the lane assistance is, then?

Second question - do you actually find yourself using the PhotoReal Junction, or is it a bit of a gimmick that wears off quickly?

[fruit]

I don't travel so much or widely these days but IME Lane Assist always occurs with PhotoReal Junction but PhotoReal Junction does not always occur with Lane Assist.

In some ways they could both be considered a bit of a gimmick. However if you don't know a junction, especially if complex and/or perhaps poorly signed, I've found both to be extremely useful.

My opinion is that they are a useful navigational aid.

[sussamb]

Agreed. I don't recall a junction where Junction View hasn't been accompanied by Lane Assist, but there are many junctions where you only get lane assist, and lane assist does occur on the less major routes.

All of satnav could be called a gimmick but I find lane assist of more use than junction view, which on the earlier devices flashed up for only about 5 seconds as it was 'full screen'. Later devices show a 'split screen' view with junction view on one half and the normal map on the other, so the view stays on longer and is of more benefit.

[BAVC10]

I've only seen the photoreal junctions on Motorways and dual carriageways - can't recall any for single carriageways or roundabouts.

The new (2013) Garmins have an enhanced lane assist function which is slowly ramping up (more in 2014.10 than 2013.41 map files). Only seen these on Motorway intersections so far but then it took Garmin nearly 18 months to cover all Motorways for photoreal junctions.

Real Directions seems to be limited to "turn xxxx at the traffic lights or turn xxxx at the roundabout". I haven't heard a "Starbucks, McDonalds, Church" reference which Garmin publicity mentions. Coverage seems to be random with some parts of the country much better than others, again I guess coverage will improve over time. It's a gimmick really but does make a welcome change.
_________________
DriveLuxe 51 LMT D - Firmware 6.70
Previously owned: DriveLuxe 50 LMT-D, NuviCam LMT-D, Nuvi 3598 LMT-D, Nuvi 3490LMT, 3790T, 1690, 765, 760, 660, 610, 360, 310, 300 and Streetpilot i3

[cwog]

I do not like Junction View, it appears at the wrong time either too early or too late, it causes passengers to comment on it when I want to concentrate on driving. Occasionally it gives misleading information if there is a minor road leading off from the main road just prior to the required exit as the minor road is not shown that it is to be ignored.

And finally I do not like it because the image views take up valuable storage space in the device causing me to have to be more selective as to which part of the maps I load on the device.

[BAVC10]

If you hate the Junction view so much the easiest solution for you is to go into the System folder then the JCV folder and delete the main file and a .sum file if there is one.

This will stop the junction views appearing (lane assist will still work) and save you are 38b of space which you can use for maps instead :-)
_________________
DriveLuxe 51 LMT D - Firmware 6.70
Previously owned: DriveLuxe 50 LMT-D, NuviCam LMT-D, Nuvi 3598 LMT-D, Nuvi 3490LMT, 3790T, 1690, 765, 760, 660, 610, 360, 310, 300 and Streetpilot i3

[fruit]

ISTR that renaming the relevant files will result in JunctionView being disabled.

No idea if it works, or if it works for all devices.

Of course this should only be attempted after suitable backups have been made - ones that can be restored safely!

[BAVC10]

Fruit

You could rename but I advised to cwog to delete the files (always make a backup first if you wish/need to restore at a later date) as he stated that the file takes up space which compromises that available for the main mapping data.
_________________
DriveLuxe 51 LMT D - Firmware 6.70
Previously owned: DriveLuxe 50 LMT-D, NuviCam LMT-D, Nuvi 3598 LMT-D, Nuvi 3490LMT, 3790T, 1690, 765, 760, 660, 610, 360, 310, 300 and Streetpilot i3

[jonstatt]

There are real directions for London....so far I heard two coming out of London the other day


Keep left at the Swiss Cottage Pub
Turn left at the Esso Petrol Station

Aside from that there are lots of "turn at the traffic light". I also heard "Enter the tunnel"


The Traffic can be quite specific too (Digital Traffic) with things like "There is a signal failure reported at Mill Hill Circus. There are no reported delays"

[BAVC10]

Good to know.

I've heard some very specific traffic instructions including reasons for delay (fire, overturned vehicle) but haven't heard much beyond traffic light, junction and roundabout but I daresay 2014.20 maps will add more when they are released - hopefully in the next week or so.
_________________
DriveLuxe 51 LMT D - Firmware 6.70
Previously owned: DriveLuxe 50 LMT-D, NuviCam LMT-D, Nuvi 3598 LMT-D, Nuvi 3490LMT, 3790T, 1690, 765, 760, 660, 610, 360, 310, 300 and Streetpilot i3

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