Gaia GPS on Naviplus

[CharlieS]

For anyone with one of the android powered boxes like Naviplus, I wasted to share that the Gaia program has much richer functionality on the Android version than it does in CarPlay. The CarPlay version is extremely limited in functionality, which I guess fits Apple’s philosophy around minimum user input in the car. The android version has a ton more features and gives you a lot more control over what gets displayed. I’ve always been an Apple fan, but this is an instance where I’ll be using the Android version from now on when exploring. The Naviplus I have has a separate gps antenna that I installed beside the speaker on top center of the dash and it works well from there.

 

[Fisher23]

I found it works, but the resolution was not as good as with the iPhone when I used my Sonim xp8 android phone. Maybe a better android phone would have worked better? I would use a phone with good resolution to test that.

The separate GPS is for apps installed on the NaviPlus. Apps can be downloaded and used on the NaviPlus without a phone. When using apps on the phone it just mirrors the phone uses the phone GPS antenna.

Maybe Gaia can be downloaded to the NaviPlus, then it would use that GPS antenna and run without the phone? I never did try that.

 

[CharlieS]

I found it works, but the resolution was not as good as with the iPhone when I used my Sonim xp8 android phone. Maybe a better android phone would have worked better? I would use a phone with good resolution to test that.

The separate GPS is for apps installed on the NaviPlus. Apps can be downloaded and used on the NaviPlus without a phone. When using apps on the phone it just mirrors the phone uses the phone GPS antenna.

Maybe Gaia can be downloaded to the NaviPlus, then it would use that GPS antenna and run without the phone? I never did try that.

That is what I did, I installed Gaia GPS onto the Naviplus box directory from the Google play store (using WiFi to connect to the internet). First time I’ve ever tried installing an app on the Naviplus, and first time using the Google App Store. Everything else we own is apple, so this was a good learning opportunity.

 

[residualboulders]

i just installed my naviplus - didn't see a gps antenna in the box, unless I am missing something. I used Gaia maps the day after install and it seemed to track me just fine on a 4 hr remote trail.

So what did you do? connect an android device just for the maps and not use carplay?

 

[CharlieS]

i just installed my naviplus - didn't see a gps antenna in the box, unless I am missing something. I used Gaia maps the day after install and it seemed to track me just fine on a 4 hr remote trail.

So what did you do? connect an android device just for the maps and not use carplay?

Mine is an older version of the Naviplus. It is more like the current EC Offroad version (Lsailt box running android operating system). This version has an external GPS antenna.

if you run it without a phone connected, it boots to an Android OS. If you have a phone connected, AutoKit will have it boot to the appropriate car solution (CarPlay if it is an Apple device, and Android Auto if it is an Android device).

Mine usually starts with CarPlay since I use an Apple iPhone. However, from the CarPlay menu, there is a button that lets you jump into the onboard Android computer screens (the Lsailt box is just a simple computer running an Android operating system). If my phone isn’t in the car, and I pres the nav button for 2 seconds, it also boots to the Naviplus ndroid user interface.

Once on the Naviplus Android OS, it isn’t using the iPhone for anything (connected or not).

From there, I selected the Google Play icon, entered my Google username/password and searched for Gaia GPS. Then I clicked the button to install it. From there I just had to click the Gaia icon, and it opens up.

GPS antenna circled in red:

 

[residualboulders]

cool, i must have a newer version. I received it from Australia a couple of weeks ago and installed it a few days ago. I'll have to see if I can install the same way you did on android. If my phone is not connected it takes me to the screen to choose android or carplay too.

thanks!

 

[Dirt Dillo]

Posted this question in the other thread I found re: EC vs. Naviplus - I am about to install the Naviplus (already have the unit), but install is also a significant expense. Has anyone done a side x side comparison for the two units? Not really concerned about Video, but am concerned about reboots and other issues.