Backwoods Driving - Maps outside cell coverage

[ZheWiz]

Using a phone while driving is illegal in many states.

Perfect example of creating a problem when there is none. It’s illegal to hold your phone while driving. I’m aware of ZERO states that don’t allow you to use your phone for navigating while driving. Seriously?

If that were illegal, that big screen in the middle of your car would be illegal too. Nice try.

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[SwampNut]

If you have a high end modern phone, you can also get satellite service from T-Mobile/Starlink. This can update location as well as do emergency/urgent messaging. If you're really way out there, it's cheap insurance. I think it's $10/mo, no contract, add/remove as needed.

https://www.t-mobile.com/support/coverage/satellite-support

 

[Joules Burn]

I use a Garmin when I'm away from coverage. And I get elevation and mileage which Rivian doesn't want to put on the driver screen for some reason.

 

[SwaziCAR]

Perfect example of creating a problem when there is none. It’s illegal to hold your phone while driving. I’m aware of ZERO states that don’t allow you to use your phone for navigating while driving. Seriously?

And, of course, there are cops behind every tree stump in these unmapped, remote areas without cell coverage!

 

[dscoti]

Has anyone used this when off roading? It seems to be quite good.
https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/app.

 

[SwampNut]

I've used it for trails and for hunting. One of the best general off road products, but not specifically focused on trails. All Trails is good for that.

 

[Kaiju]

I figured for a company that harped so hard about being an adventure brand that their shit would work when cell phones didn't.

The only time I've had to go up into the mountains I was warned that while I could map my path in so long as I had signal, phone GPS wouldn't work on my way back out. It's a bit silly that I'd need a standalone handheld GPS or an offline phone map app to do what an 'adventure vehicle' navigation and GPS system won't.

But we live in the age where everything is cloud-based even when they shouldn't be. I think I'd pay money for an integrated garmin app that just had all the data locally on the truck. The only thing that requires the internet is real time charger status and traffic and that's a sacrifice I would make for not getting lost for an hour because I missed a turn.

 

[Erik+]

Real adventurerers don't need to rely on digital maps and GPS to guide them. They know how to use actual paper maps or even make their own.

 

[usulio]

I'm not sure what people are even criticizing here. I've been well out of cell coverage often and maps and navigation have always worked.

 

[River Ghost]

I'm not sure what people are even criticizing here. I've been well out of cell coverage often and maps and navigation have always worked.

Same for me and I often am well out of cell coverage. If you set a destination while you have cell phone coverage it should download all the maps you will need. I guess if there is no way for the car to anticipate where you are going this could be a problem. But you could always get a Starlink mini and turn it on long enough to get the data you need and then you should be okay.

 

[usulio]

Same for me and I often am well out of cell coverage. If you set a destination while you have cell phone coverage it should download all the maps you will need. I guess if there is no way for the car to anticipate where you are going this could be a problem. But you could always get a Starlink mini and turn it on long enough to get the data you need and then you should be okay.

I have never needed to do anything in advance or set a destination. For me, I just drive and the maps work.

 

[GRSmith]

On your phone, the free "Here" app allows you to download maps from virtually anywhere in the world a state or country at a time. They own most of the maps many others use.

 

[DKM_R1S]

I bought a Starlink MINI and suction cup mount. It works while driving when mounted on the inside of the roof glass. What I do not know is if the Rivian Nav will use it for data instead of cellular while driving. My purpose in buying it was more to have connectivity phones, iPads and PCs in areas with weak cell signals. This could be tested at some point.

also disclaimer: I have a Gen 1 R1S. It works behind the roof glass in this vehicle. There is some noticeable obstruction (the window tint) but there is still enough signal passing through to have a stable connection). It works better in my 2023 Model Y. I read where it does not work in the latest Model Y due to the differing chemistry of the roof glass window tint. I am saying all of this because performance might differ in a gen 2 R1 or R2 due to the chemistry of the window tints (silver blocks the signal).

 

[dscoti]

Has anyone tried this?
https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/app

 

[planetx88]

Has anyone tried this?
https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/app

I do not have the offroad product from On X, But I do use redundant maps for backcountry ski and bike travel that can also be useful for vehicle nav in a pinch. Neither provide turn by turn nav in a vehicle, but I can figure out where I am, and get out of the woods. I use On X Backcountry with offline map capability which can take a second to load, but will locate me in the middle of nowhere with reasonable accuracy in zero cell coverage. The offline map capability is an additional expense with On X. I also use a garmin InReach for emergency satellite communication. I have an InReach mini and that pairs very well with my phone, effectively turning my phone into an iridium network sat nav device. A few vehicle based nav devices with InReach capability from Garmin will provide turn by turn nav, and those likely also provide some integration with car UI, I dont know for sure.

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