SatNav mispronouncing place and road names

[mitchelln]

Hi.

I test drove a 2022 EX at the weekend prior to ordering one and noticed that the built in SatNav was absolutely hopeless at pronouncing UK place and road names. Dorchester was pronounced "Door retch chester", Ringwood as "Rangwood", Churchill Way as "Churr retch hell Way" etc. I reckon it was getting around half the place and road names wrong. To the point where some of the road names were indecipherable.

Is this a known issue or was the demonstrator's software just out of date or is there a voice that works and still announces road and place names?  It seems bizarre that a SatNav could be so bad at saying names in this day and age.

I know Android Auto is probably a better bet, but it would be nice if the built in SatNav that's an additional cost was actually useful.

Thanks!

[Neil Ives]

It makes me laugh when they do that. On one of my regular journeys the Satnav says "Take the first left onto the sol eye hull by-pass". That is the 'Solihull bypass'.

Actually, saying road names is kind of irrelevant. If I know the road name I don't need guidance. If I don't know the route, it's too late to see the road name after I've turned.

[Kremmen]

I'd head straight for Android Auto as the built in Garmin Nav has no traffic.

[dfconnolly]

You should try it living in Wales!
Seriously though, I’d go with Google maps as it’s live traffic, more up to date and the pronunciation is better…..you’ll need to use a cable connection  to iPhone though as on Bluetooth it can be a bit laggy.

[mitchelln]

Thanks for the responses. I'll probably use Android Auto. Didn't realise the built in SatNav didn't have traffic. Explains why the dealership was cagey when I asked how it got data!

[Kremmen]

"In 50 yards take the next turning to Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch"

You missed the turning !

[Neil Ives]

"In 50 yards take the next turning to Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch"

You missed the turning !

[mitchelln]

"In 50 yards take the next turning to Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch"

You missed the turning !

Made my day! 

[Lord Voltermore]

My old Garmin standalone pronounces Ljubljana   (the capital of Slovenia)  "Jubble Janna"  instead of' Loobie Yarna '  .     It also has great difficulties with some languages  because where  the local spelling has a diacritic  (accent squiggle)   it doesnt even try to say that letter.     

The one on the Jazz   says "Rye Turn"  instead of Right Turn.  (and Lef  Turn)  I didnt notice at first  but once  I did I always hear it .     (so forget I mentioned it  ()

[nowster]

"In 50 yards take the next turning to Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch"

You missed the turning !

To be fair, the locals call it Llanfair PG.

And, yes, even Google Maps gets Welsh street names wrong.

[Kremmen]

What I don't understand is why Garmin insist on using street names instead of road numbers when available.

If you are in strange territory, approaching a junction with many exits then "turn right into station road" means nothing unless you are a local but "turn right onto the A1234" will more than likely match a road sign that would help identify the correct exit.

They used to use numbers so why the change

[Bristol_Crosstar]

I must admit I like the Garmin system despite no traffic data on there, it gives you a choice of routes and mostly doesn't send you down narrow lanes unless there's no other option. I also like how it counts down the distance to the next turn-off on the dash, very useful if you don't know the area.

[Kremmen]

Android Auto Google Maps also does the countdown thing, and in the driver display like the Garmin so you don't need to look left.

[Lord Voltermore]

Garmin does sometimes send you down silly little  roads,even back alleys and dirt tracks  to cut off a corner  if it might save 30 seconds, or 100 metres distance.     I might need to experiment with route preference settings, maybe disable unpaved roads   and try  something different  for fastest/ shortest/least fuel etc. 

[Bristol_Crosstar]

Android Auto Google Maps also does the countdown thing, and in the driver display like the Garmin so you don't need to look left.

I've tried using Google but it's a faff getting it to recognize the phone (it does eventually) and also the maps don't always move so your current location is in the middle and has to be moved manually, probably there's a setting to be changed but I just find it much easier using Garmin.