Its updated and 3D maps have nothing to envy of Google Maps

Although Google Maps is the GPS navigator provided by default on our Android phone and therefore the one we find when we first open Android Auto, there is a long list of navigation applications compatible with the infotainment system from Google, some of them free and others paid. This is the case of Sygic Navigation, the third browser to arrive on Android Auto after Google Maps and Waze, with a seven-day trial period that we have been using for a week. This has been our experience

Install Sygic Navigation on mobile and Android Auto

As with installing any other application compatible with Android Auto, we will first have to download it from the Google Play Store on our phone so that later when we get into the car and connect it to the system (wired or wireless ), we will see it on the main screen where the applications are displayed.

When configuring your phone, you can choose if you install it on the device or externally, accept the user conditions, allow notifications and finally download the current map (in my case, from Europe), there are What Works both online and offline, which is ideal for those with low data speeds and using Android Auto or traveling in areas with low coverage. The option to accept or not accept cookies is also displayed (we tried rejecting them and that also works well).

As we mentioned in the introduction, Sygic Navigation has a 1 week free trial period to see if it suits our needs, but you will then have to subscribe to Premium+ to use it on Android Auto and benefit from functions such as real-time traffic, speed limits, smartcam, average speed radars… come on, essential to take advantage of it to the maximum. The price is 13.99 dollars/quarter or 19.99 dollars/year.

After skipping the payment options and registering with an email account, the app is ready to use. Note: It is worth entering the address of our home, work and other favorites from the start to significantly speed up use.

An intuitive and complete interface

After days of testing, I stand out how intuitive it is to use this app, its clear visibility thanks to colors, layout and structure, the amount of information displayed (sometimes too much) and its completeness. It’s not the most modern, cheerful, minimalist design, but it’s not lacking in either. Of course, it was blocked several times for no apparent reason despite having an internet connection, a downloaded map and a cable mobile-car connection.

One of the things that What I liked most about its interface is the way to add destinations. As usual in browsers for Android Auto, there is a magnifying glass to write them when the car is stationary or by voice commands if it is at the marker, but there are several very practical tricks up its sleeve: “ Recent”, “Favorites”. » or “Places of interest”, where in my case I found what I was looking for most of the time. And if you want to choose a specific destination that appears on the map, you can always touch the specific button that marks any point you choose, saving those specific coordinates.

From here we see other common buttons on the screen like zooming in or out of the map, settings or how to view the map, something that is useful for someone who tends to get distracted and which does not orient itself very well. So you can choose between 3D, 2D and 2D map placing north in the upper zonethe first being the one I liked the most because it gives an idea of ​​the relief of the buildings when you walk around a city.

Once the destination has been added, the street chosen and on the way, we will see two bubbles: one with the estimated time of arrival, the distance and the time required and another with the directions. They are large and take up a lot of space on the left of the screen, which is sometimes annoying, but at least they read well. By the way, if we touch the screen in the middle of the course, the “Finish” button will appear to complete the course.

Speaking of things that take up a lot of screen space, there’s something that was more uncomfortable for me: the fact that it sometimes shows icons of gas stations and other businesses. This may be in order to speed up the user experience in case you suddenly need a gas station, but In practice there are too many things on the screen. For example, what you see below these lines:

Another remarkable thing about its interface is that the pointer and route are clearly visible on the route and the choice of colors in day and night modes is pleasing to the eye and does not lead to errors. By default it reports the speed of the road we are going to take, as well as the speeds on the main roads we are going to travel on, which is good for avoid committing offenses and drive more safely.

If the interface in itself It’s complete, the settings are not left out: we can configure our driving preferences, simplify what we see on the screen, reduce sounds, change the way we get GPS data. In general, it contains the basics and a few extras, which is appreciated if you are a demanding person looking for a personalized experience, although it is true that there are a few screens in English.

Real-time maps and incidents

By testing this full version, I appreciated its main advantages, which can lead us to pay for the application. So, the fact that the maps are updated monthly and that we can download those that interest us seems important to me for People who travel frequently and need up-to-date information on their itinerariesas well as for those who are going to travel to other countries and want to play it safe.

These days of use I am traveling in Pamplona and its surroundings and the application has warned me of fixed and mobile speed cameras, as well as other incidents that may occur en route. In fact, and if we need it, you can also witness accidents, police checks, traffic, works… yes, this part of the application is in English (it doesn’t have much mystery thanks to the icons, but for example for my parents it might be a problem) and since the community is small compared to that of Waze, in practice it is not as updated.

I found it very useful that the voice notifications not only guide you, but also tell you when the speed limit changes, since normally you don’t look at the screen too much.

To travel with greater comfort and safety, Sygic This is a great navigation option. It allows you to download high-quality 3D maps that can be used without an Internet connection, which is very convenient when there is no good data signal.

Also It has a simple and attractive interfacevoice navigation functions, speed limit change warnings and other features that make it easier to drive and discover new places.

Sygic Navigation on Android Auto, conclusions

Between the fact that I’m stingy with certain things and there are some really good free browsers out there (of course, let’s not forget that any business is based on profitability, so there will be another way to monetize the experience, maybe with user data or with ads), I’m having trouble paying for an app. But if you frequently use the car and Android AutoI agree that it might be worth it.

What I liked most about Sygic Navigation in Android Auto is that promise of monthly map updatesa feature that seems providential if, for example, you use your car daily to travel new routes (I am thinking of commercial and transport companies for example) and you also cannot risk running out of maps because there is no has no cover.

I also became fond of 3D maps, a function that Google Maps integrates and which is providential when you explore a new area. Speed ​​guides and speed cameras are also useful for safer driving. It’s true that I wouldn’t choose Sygic for live information, but that’s the fish that bites its tail: the more people use it, the more this area will be reinforced. Yet today, these real-time incidents are practically light years away from Waze, a free browser.

Finally, I want to emphasize how complete it is both in terms of the interface and the options, it is even becoming too much for me. Of course, the colors depend on your tastes: if you like customization, this is a plus to take into account.

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