Navigation/sat nav app question - does what I need exist?

[BoobsOnTheMoon]

I need a new navigation app for my phone, because Google maps is doing my head in and Waze doesn't appear to be any more suited to my needs.

I'm ND and really struggle with certain types of road and also with unfamiliar journeys.

Basically, I need to be able to set the route that I want to use, not the route that the app thinks is fastest or best. Then I need it to stick with that route, not auto update to a different one if it decides that would be better. I'd rather sit in a traffic jam for a bit, or stop at a petrol station and look at the map myself if there needs to be a change of route. Google maps seems to do this route changing a lot and there doesn't appear to be any way to stop it while I'm driving.

I don't use any sort of voice controls on my phone but if there's an obvious magic solution that requires voice controls then I'm open to changing this.

Surely if you know the route you want to use you don’t need a satnav?
This might help.
https://support.google.com/maps/thread/215507309/using-maps-how-can-i-enter-my-own-route-to-compare-to-suggested-routes?hl=en

I can see the route I want to use while looking at a map. That's not the same thing as knowing it well enough to be able to follow it unaided for 200 miles!

I'll look at that option thank you 🙂

What about an old school sat nav, not your phone.
Or your car maps system if you have it.

Phones use the latest traffic info from everyone else, hence it knows to give you an option to change your route to accommodate that.

An old school sat nav won't have that ability as it won't be Internet based.
Same as my built in sat nav.

I don't know if you can stop Google or Waze from automatically re calculating, but I know my Garmin does have this option.

If you deviate from the route it asks "do you want to recalculate?" and if you say "no" it continues with the original route.

Well worth an eBay search, or even new as they have come down in price hugely.

(I used to use a Garmin Nuvi 3590 LMT-D which I really like, but the one built to my car is better, and also has the option of not automatically re-calculating)

I know what you mean. I find it incredibly difficult to pick routes. But also like the fact that the satnav can adapt and not be rigid. What I do, is place in points on the journey - that should force the satnav to stick more closely to your desired route.

Once you’ve set your Waze journey if you press the Y arrow it shows you alternative routes if you don’t want the one it’s set up. After that just say no to rerouting. Apparently you can also tap the ETA button too but I’ve not tried that.

Omg following as I have the exact same issue x

I struggle with waze as the ui is too 'thick' - like the images are thicker than those on Google maps and it irritates me 🙈

Thanks everyone. I don't think I can stretch to an actual sat nav and my vehicle is far too ancient and basic to have a built in one 🤣 so it'll need to be an app (android phone).

The link @Soontobe60 posted about Google maps seemed to confirm my initial opinion which is that you can't really stop it updating or set your own route!

Whenever I try and add stops on Google maps to force it to take a certain route it just adds ridiculous detours onto the route it likes best!

Waze seems even worse because it doesn't even show me the route or give me a choice of routes before starting to navigate! Or is there a setting I'm missing?

You could pay £14 for Tom Tom software on promo for mobile for 12 months. Cancel after signing up or before the renewal. Then re-evaluate.

Yes as per my previous post - once you have confirmed the destination on Waze click on the double headed arrow and it gives you options to look at either on the map or as a list of main roads. I’m not sure it would let you add your own route if that’s what you’re after, but presumably you would be likely to go on one of the suggested routes?

I'll have another look, thanks. Whenever I try using Waze it just launches into a voice navigation without me ever seeing the route it's suggesting beforehand and if I try and go back to the previous stage the app closes. I might be missing something though!

I had exactly this problem recently - I knew which route I wanted to take that my phone for some reason never picks up, even though on a Friday rush hour it is just as quick, just further distance (I'd rather keep moving through prettier roads than sit in an A road traffic jam!)
Even more annoying is I know someone else has it come up as an option for them, but I can't find any settings that might be blocking it!

I use google maps all the time and it usually pops up asking me if i want to take the alternative quicker route before redirecting me onto it. Tbh i am often driving routes I know fairly well and just ignore it if i prefer the slightly slower route.

I’ve also turned off the “prefer fuel efficient routes” option in settings / navigation, as that tended to send me weird ways and be forever recalculating.

Dumb q but if you set your route, then went into airplane mode, does it still know where you are? Could it follow the pre planned route but be unable to recalculate?

If I have a broad knowledge of the route I need to take and Google maps is trying to send me off on a "magical mystery, country back roads detour" in the hope of saving 2 minutes on my journey, then I just ignore it and continue on the route I intend to. It will recalculate to the route I want.
Like you OP, I don't mind sitting in slow moving traffic on occasion, especially when I know if Google maps is trying to send me another route, it's also trying to send everyone else that way too.

Before sat navs I would write a bullet point list on a bit of paper and stick it to the dashboard
eg
M1 to J24
R at rbt
A45 towards Aberdeen (28 miles)
L at rbt to M69
M69 to J3a Leeds

etc
(this is an entirely made up route!)

I just ignore the satnav if it tries to change the route, use way points to set the way you want

I bought a Tom Tom as for some reason I thought Google Maps required an Internet connection.

That was £350 spent! However its actually really good. I have ADHD and I actually have both the Tom Tom and Google Maps at the same time on! The reason for that was my cars charger doesn't actually work so I am reliant on a portable charger and worry that it will fall out or run out, but now I like having both.

I follow the Sat Nav route, but I prefer the road instructions that Google Maps gives. The way it explains approaches is just better. I stick to the Sat Nav so Google Maps updates with that route. I also quite like having double instructions repeated to me, it's quite helpful.

I’ve only just discovered the Waze options @BoobsOnTheMoon but give it a try. However my biggest piece of advice with Waze is do not under any circumstances change the voice option to Paddington Bear to amuse your children - I can’t tell you how irritating he is 🤣🤣