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Original poster

to not be able to find places wit google maps? A cheapish sat nav?

103 replies

Ceci03 · 12/09/2021 14:38

So another totally stressful morning trying to get DS to his football match. I studied the route before I went, I wrote it all out from google maps. I had my phone. But still got totally lost and in the end had to abandon the match and come home.

I feel like such an effing failure. Google maps always glitches on my phone when it's in the car. There was a sat nav in the car but it's not working. I need to 'up my game and get sorted. I seem to be the only person who cant find the football games :( I'm so stressed about it. I've looked up sat navs but they seem so dear, so I'm wondering is anyone like me, useless at directions, who has gotten one that works?

It's got to the point where I'm thinking I will go and suss out the away games the day before. It was nearly an hour's drive away, (each way) but I can't risk not finding the match again.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ceci03 · 12/09/2021 15:50

OK I'm wrong, I just googled it and found that my phone is 4G.

Is the 'maps' APP better I wonder.

I'll try WAZE too.

Yes I do all that. I spent ages last night looking up the route, and checking all the turns on satellite view. I wrote it all out and had it downloaded.

We were right there, really near, but kept going off the wrong way.

I think I have a problem. I never did before. Just since I moved here nearly 2 years ago I cant get my head round the directions, it's just so busy, and built up and I cant seem to get a handle on it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ceci03 · 12/09/2021 15:52

Yeah WIFI is definitely switched on

OP posts:
ChequerBoard · 12/09/2021 15:54

Waze is by far the best, I use this all the time over the inbuilt sat nav in our car. If you have car play and connect your phone it will work in the car screen just the same as an inbuilt system.

Marcee · 12/09/2021 15:57

I use the sat nav in my car. It's about 4 years out of date.

We always aim to 10 minutes early just in case the sat nav doesnt take us exactly to the right place so we can pin point the exact place when closer.But I also always check where it is on google maps as well.

beautifullymad · 12/09/2021 16:03

@MagnoliaBeige

Have you used the Waze app? It’s so easy to use and gives verbal instructions on when to turn off roads etc, I much prefer it to google maps
I use this. Easy, up to date, free.
LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow · 12/09/2021 16:16

@mumsiedarlingrevolta

I also came on to this thread to suggest Waze.

Also-put it on boyband voice setting. DD and I laughed for 2 hours
we are easily amused

this sounds WAY more fun than the snooty Googlelady!

We use googlemaps, but I always have a road map too, just in case, also my phone is really weird about connecting to googlemaps sometimes it just refuses...and it's an uptodate model

Also no matter what setting we have I often see a better, more direct route on the map and we go for that and see how long it is before Googlelady stops telling us to turn around, or stop sulking, often it's ages before she will deign to advise us on the alternative route.

GoWalkabout · 12/09/2021 16:19

Ok the football places ARE sometimes tricky to find, but it sounds like you have become anxious about this and that might be the real problem. Even if you have to get a map and navigate the old fashioned way it should be doable. Google maps works fine for me, I wonder why it is glitching for you.

myotherusernameistaken · 12/09/2021 16:33

Just buy a .....y'know..... map.

Bouledeneige · 13/09/2021 07:49

I use Waze but also have a good in car system. I never look at the route in advance or have a map with me and never get lost. And I haven't written out directions in about 15 years. I do a lot of long distance driving on my own - recently to remote places in Wales. They said satnav doesn't always work to the place I was staying but it was fine. My car picks up the directions from my iPhone so no need to hold the phone.

It sounds like it's either your phone being really old - I've never heard of google maps glitching - or it's operator error. You do need to do what it tells you and not second guess it.

MyOtherProfile · 13/09/2021 07:51

I think the issue may be your phone rather than Google maps. The satnav function on Google maps is better than any external satnav I have seen, especially because it gives you up to the date traffic and road info.

If I drove an hour and then couldn't find the match I would stop and ask someone in a nearby village rather than give up and go home though.

PileOfBooks · 13/09/2021 07:56

You can get a phone holder cheaply to attach to the car. This will be far better than your son holding it.

GrandDesignHouse · 13/09/2021 08:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LagunaBubbles · 13/09/2021 08:06

I think you need a new phone plus you sound really anxious to, so maybe some relaxation practice would help.

DrinkReprehensibly · 13/09/2021 08:11

@Ceci03

OK I'm wrong, I just googled it and found that my phone is 4G.

Is the 'maps' APP better I wonder.

I'll try WAZE too.

Yes I do all that. I spent ages last night looking up the route, and checking all the turns on satellite view. I wrote it all out and had it downloaded.

We were right there, really near, but kept going off the wrong way.

I think I have a problem. I never did before. Just since I moved here nearly 2 years ago I cant get my head round the directions, it's just so busy, and built up and I cant seem to get a handle on it.

On Android the "maps" app is Google maps. Are you going to Google maps on your phone in a Web browser and trying to use it that way? You will definitely get the intended performance only by using the maps app I'd have thought?

We've ditched the Tom Tom because Google maps is so much better!

NigelSlatersXmasTaters · 13/09/2021 08:12

"It gives instructions that are way back. It doesnt keep up."

Really? I think you're trying to second guess it, you're convinced that it's wrong so you're not following the instructions properly.

mogsrus · 13/09/2021 08:19

Try downloading Waze on phone,I always think it's one of the best

Pikamoo · 13/09/2021 08:31

Do you not have Google maps installed as an app? How are you using it? Also definitely get a holder for your phone. Much less stressful than having your son hold it. Is there anyone you can ask? Like show them exactly what you're doing because it sounds like user error to me or possibly a problem with your phone.

SeaToSki · 13/09/2021 08:31

Next time,

Look at the route ahead of time and find a shopping center or supermarket close ish to the game.

Set the waze ap to take you there about an hour early before the game.

Then have a break and a cup of tea in the car park

Then reset the app to take you to the game

Look at the next three directions and drive them, and then pull into the side of the road.

Wait until you are sure its updated. If you arent sure, close the app and then start it again. Look at the next three directions and drive them, then pull over and pause..rinse and repeat until you get there.

Waze tells you the name of the road you need to turn onto next. Look for the road name sign posts, everytime I have gone wrong with Waze its because I have misjudged where to turn and picked the wrong one. If you look for the road names it really helps with that.

Also try driving round your local area with waze on to take you somewhere so you can get used to how fast or slow it moves compared to your driving

WhoWants2Know · 13/09/2021 08:32

Google maps has done me wrong on more than one occasion, so I have Waze as well.

SeaToSki · 13/09/2021 08:32

Oh and Def get a holder so you can see the map, much easier

Iggly · 13/09/2021 08:34

You need to learn the area then by driving more.
Also ask for lift shares from other parents?

OneTC · 13/09/2021 08:36

Waze used to be better but now it's just Google maps lite since they bought them out. Most of the useful tech that set it apart has been incorporated into Google now

TheGoogleMum · 13/09/2021 08:37

I've had sat nav mislead me occasionally but not often. Like there was a blind spot. Usually I find Google maps works really well. If you're using it in web browser and not the maps app that might be affecting performance it will be better on the app. Make sure phone and apps are up to date. Some good suggestions up thread about going somewhere else first to try and take the stress out a bit?

Niffler92 · 13/09/2021 08:49

Did you not think to ask someone for directions if you were close, my DD would have been gutted to miss her football match, hope your DS was okay?

LakieLady · 13/09/2021 09:53

I'm a complete technophobe, apps hate me and I'm pretty sure my phone is 3G (it's about 5 years old). But I've never had a problem using Google maps and find it's fine, even in the middle of the Ashdown Forest where coverage is poor.

It gives really clear directions, and a countdown to junctions that seems infallible. And I've never downloaded a route beforehand, only when I've already got lost!

I hate the built-in obsolescence that seems to come with apps, forcing people to upgrade phones that are otherwise perfectly functional. I think it's a bloody con.