I have a 2018 Maxima Platinum and basically hate the four different map colors. I just use regular 2D view. All the map colors are really dark and hard to see. Am I missing something here? I need a map with a light colored background to make it easy to see roads and intersections.

 

I'm just guessing here but it sounds like your maps might be in night view.

 

They are in night view, you need to switch to day view.

 

Who knew?

 

He will discover why they really suck when he starts using them heavily. Old addresses, places that have been in existence for many years, not found on these maps. Supposed destination some half of mile from actual destination. Etc. I've been using them, most of the time they work, but when they don't they really suck. And not because of the background.

 

Nothing beats Google

 

True.

Also, I still keep my old Garmin GPS in my center console. It becomes really useful when the built-in maps are worthless and when you lose cell phone signal (happened to me once, two years ago, when I was in the middle of nowhere, Western Illinois, hill country).

 

I am with you brother...My Garmin is still on my dash too.......I like to use it for Speed limits as well....very useful tool. A good reminder when you go from 70 to 55 and somehow you miss the sign....and vice versa

 

Um, CarPlay?
Honda and Chrysler use Garmin. And their in-car maps suck as much as anything that isn't 1) Google Maps, or 2) Tesla (which also often tends to suck).

 

Haha, did not even realize there was a day/night switch. Thanks.

 

I prefer my old Garmin too, but I've gotten used to the built in one. I'm still not very impressed but it gets the job done.
I just wish there was a way to transfer my saved addresses from the Garmin to the car. There doesn't seem to be any way to get data in or out. At least with the Garmin I can transfer my addresses to a newer Garmin if I have a backup

 

I've never had a car where the factory navigation was good. None of them are good. Maybe if you go super high end like bmw/audi/Mercedes it might be OK, but Google and waze definitely do it all. It's pretty sad how much factory nav is with some auto makers and they can't even give you accurate directions. I tried using the factory nav in my maxima once and stopped it half way through. It's an absolute joke compared to Google or waze.