What Apps Do You Use/Recommend

[Bronchette]

I'm curious about the apps everyone has downloaded or linked and why. I'm still researching what's the best fit for me and my BS OBX. I would love to know your thoughts and/or suggestions.

Notes: I do not have 'factory' Nav and I use a Galaxy phone. My '17 Forester has a CD player, so I listen to alot of books on my 45-minute work commute.

Thanks in advance for all your help and experience!!

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[cprcubed]

I don't think I'm much help on this one, but I use Apple CarPlay basically so I can use Waze for Nav/Traffic. Most of the time I'm just using Sirius XM or a USB Thumb Drive (with audio files) for entertainment. Cheers!

 

[Dude]

Gaia GPS App .. check it out!

 

[davidg4781]

Gaia GPS App .. check it out!

Did you use that with a route you created?

I tried about 6 months ago and had a hell of a time. It either wasn't showing the map/route, wasn't tracking me (I'd have to manually move the map on the screen as a drove), or had me facing the wrong direction.

Fortunately for me, I had cell phone coverage after all but I was taking some back roads and wanted to try my own route.

 

[Dude]

Did you use that with a route you created?

I tried about 6 months ago and had a hell of a time. It either wasn't showing the map/route, wasn't tracking me (I'd have to manually move the map on the screen as a drove), or had me facing the wrong direction.

Fortunately for me, I had cell phone coverage after all but I was taking some back roads and wanted to try my own route.

Yes I created my own route in Colorado and worked very well (but that was for a long hike). That was a few years ago and the Gaia App is currently at Version 2023.8 on iPhone and works much better now. If it’s been awhile for you maybe you can try the App again.

 

[davidg4781]

Yes I created my own route in Colorado and worked very well (but that was for a long hike). That was a few years ago and the Gaia App is currently at Version 2023.8 on iPhone and works much better now. If it’s been awhile for you maybe you can try the App again.

I'll try it again in a few weeks. I'm planning on doing the same trail again.

When I did it last time, I think I messed up and ran into private property. And I had to cut it short since it was getting late.

 

[Mark S.]

• Poweramp for digital music (mp3).
• YouTube Music for streaming music (we have a family subscription).
• Pocket Casts for podcasts.
• Audible for audio books.
• Google Maps for navigation.

 

[SnoopyBroncoSport]

Google Pixel 8Pro using Android Auto. Waze, Spotify and Android Messenger. Not too much I know but I've only had my BS for a week!!!

 

[Bronchette]

I so appreciate everyone's input!! I have two followup queries: How much do you use Fordpass and how? Also, does anyone know of a reliable resource to get my CD books to a thumbdrive?

 

[Dude]

I so appreciate everyone's input!! I have two followup queries: How much do you use Fordpass and how? Also, does anyone know of a reliable resource to get my CD books to a thumbdrive?

I use FordPass App not very often. Today I checked the air pressure in the tires and all 4 are at 35psi. Would be nice to get the reading for the spare tire but that’s not a feature of the App. The App displays oil life remaining but I have the oil and filter changed every 5k miles so don’t use the oil life info in the App.

I don’t have a need to use the Apps remote start feature, scheduled starts or the open/close doors feature - for that the drivers side door exterior keypad is much quicker. The App can also beep the horn and flash the lights but don’t use that either (is slow to activate and deactivate). And I almost never use anything on the Apps Service tab.

[Edit] The Map tab can be useful if I forget where the vehicle is or maybe if the vehicle isn’t where it’s supposed to be.

 

[kshaw]

I'm curious about the apps everyone has downloaded or linked and why. I'm still researching what's the best fit for me and my BS OBX. I would love to know your thoughts and/or suggestions.

Notes: I do not have 'factory' Nav and I use a Galaxy phone. My '17 Forester has a CD player, so I listen to alot of books on my 45-minute work commute.

Thanks in advance for all your help and experience!!

I am a big fan of Waze. It displays the current speed limit and whether I am exceeding that speed, it announces speed cameras, and it gives alternate routing when traffic is slow or stopped.

 

[BourbonRunner]

Fordpass is relatively worthless unless you need to remotely lock and unlock your vehicle or remote start it. That's about it.

I use CarPlay as the hub and all my apps run off that so you may not have the same experience. I'm all Apple across the board so if you're using a Droid YMMV.

--Apple Maps has gotten far better than ever and if you have their watch it will buzz it with driving directions, IE: vibrates at turns, etc. I used to use Waze but switched when I realized that if the address of a meeting is in my iCalendar, it will not only notify me of a time to leave based on real time traffic but it can drop the address into Maps and pull the driving directions.

--GAIA is phenomenal, especially if you're going off road BUT it requires using the web based version on your computer to get deep in the app. The phone/iPad/mobile apps are more or less mirrors of the heavy duty work already done. There are scores of sites with GPX files to follow other trails. We used it extensively in California, especially off road to figure out where we were and where we were going, and to find dispersed camping areas in BLM land. I really liked its tracking ability to show the full routes we took.

--Nugs.net for streaming concerts, requires a subscription. Thousands of live shows going back decades from hundreds of bands. More jam genre focused initially it is expanding rapidly to include non-shitty drug bands like U2, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, etc.

--TuneIn Radio for "local" terrestrial. I use this a lot when I'm either traveling out of area or know that I'm going to be on the fringe of where my local AM/FM broadcasts. Not everyone is on there but it's nice to be able to listen to talk and news radio from home out of area.

I have to see if the ValentineOne app works on Sync. It still isn't on CarPlay- yet but it does work on iOS. If it does... game changer.

 

[Mark S.]

I use FordPass often. I lock my keyfob in the car when I don't want to carry it, and I use FordPass to unlock the car. I know I could also use the number pad on the door, but I like the door to be unlocked when I reach for it, especially if it's raining. I also use FordPass to track, schedule, and document maintenance. Having a record of maintenance performed can be important in a warranty dispute, and may increase the value of your car when you sell it.

 

[Bronchette]

ALL VERY USEFUL INFORMATION!! I have to agree on all points of Fordpass. If you can get it to work the way it's supposed to then great. But getting it to work, I'm finding, can be a huge challenge. Just trying to add another user to the account requires a degree in probability and outcome!!

I did try Google Maps yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. I know, baby steps, but it was a great baby step.

I will definitely explore the other suggestions here as I take my first baby walk across the room. Right now I'm fighting Fordpass to add the spouse to the account. So far I've read three different instructions on how to do that and all three have been a huge waste of time and patience. Heck, I can't even get the dang app to work the same on both devices and they're exactly alike.

Grrrrrrr . . .

 

[kshaw]

Has anyone found a good Apple app for kayaking? Want something that lists all the pickup points as way points, shows speed, and distance.

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