Google Maps FAIL

[Madness]

I'm driving from Wanganui to Ohakune in the morning, then want to pop over to Turangi before heading home through Taumarunui & Te Kuiti. I was looking at my route on Google and noticed they're trying to take the piss. It's almost like there's a big black hole just south of Horopito that Google wants me to avoid. What others have you found?

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=Raetihi,+Manawatu-Wanganui&daddr=Horopito,+Manawatu-Wanganui&hl=en&sll=-39.48706,175.428575&sspn=1.293023,2.911377&geocode=FWtkpv0dRpZyCinXq9rtwMNqbTEw_KJDYe8ABQ%3BF SOmp_0dWgd0CimxkUMWO-RqbTHg9KJDYe8ABQ&oq=horopito&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&t=m&z=10

[Madness]

Duplicate post (merged threads) - chanceyy

[EJK]

I think it is a bug. It does things like that quite often (VERY often). E.g. Direction from Christchurch to Kaikoura....

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=christchurch&daddr=kaikoura&hl=en&ll=-42.334184,173.161011&spn=2.42429,5.410767&sll=-41.244772,172.617188&sspn=39.255306,86.572266&geocode=FerAZ_0dQThKCikB7cVjSC8ybTFFmXmEhu8ABQ%3BF c8Def0d6ipaCil1fJE0OiA6bTE2mXmEhu8ABQ&vpsrc=6&mra=ls&t=m&z=8

[hayd3n]

travelling teanau to franktown via devils staircase it wanted to detour back and reroute another way
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=te+anau&daddr=kingston+otago+to:frankton+otago&hl=en&sll=-0.593696,-134.390047&sspn=134.949081,283.359375&geocode=FcwHS_0dpSz_CSlrXmaVIG3UqTFQtHmEhu8ABQ%3BF UpJTP0dtGIOCikNRF3WPb7UqTHAXXmEhu8ABQ%3BFaUZUf0dla oOCim_o1SRZx7VqTHwx3mEhu8ABQ&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&t=m&z=8

[turtleman]

Try getting from Picton to Takaka via Queen Charlotte Drive...... :no:

[avgas]

Or perhaps its smarter than we think?????? :eek:

[Rhubarb]

I think it is incredibly clever of Mr Google to know that a motorbike rider is using Google Maps to research the directions and route options.

When I go for a ride I always want to take the longest possible route. Somehow the intuitive Google Maps must know that - spooky!

[avgas]

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=New+York,+NY,+United+States+to+Sydney,+New+ South+Wales,+Australia&saddr=New+York,+NY,+United+States&daddr=Sydney,+New+South+Wales,+Australia&hl=en&sll=41.771312,101.030273&sspn=19.317477,42.143555&geocode=FXFAbQIdK8KW-yk7CD_TpU_CiTFi_nfhBo8LyA%3BFQ0h-_0d6jsDCSk_mIseQK4SazHAzDIWaH0BBQ&oq=new+york+to+sydney&vpsrc=0&dirflg=d&t=h&z=3

[EJK]

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=New+York,+NY,+United+States+to+Sydney,+New+ South+Wales,+Australia&saddr=New+York,+NY,+United+States&daddr=Sydney,+New+South+Wales,+Australia&hl=en&sll=41.771312,101.030273&sspn=19.317477,42.143555&geocode=FXFAbQIdK8KW-yk7CD_TpU_CiTFi_nfhBo8LyA%3BFQ0h-_0d6jsDCSk_mIseQK4SazHAzDIWaH0BBQ&oq=new+york+to+sydney&vpsrc=0&dirflg=d&t=h&z=3

I guess I'll need to buy a kayak :yes:

[Berries]

travelling teanau to franktown via devils staircase it wanted to detour back and reroute another way
Do you need a map to get to the toilet as well?

[YellowDog]

I'm driving from Wanganui to Ohakune in the morning, then want to pop over to Turangi before heading home through Taumarunui & Te Kuiti. I was looking at my route on Google and noticed they're trying to take the piss. It's almost like there's a big black hole just south of Horopito that Google wants me to avoid. What others have you found?

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=Raetihi,+Manawatu-Wanganui&daddr=Horopito,+Manawatu-Wanganui&hl=en&sll=-39.48706,175.428575&sspn=1.293023,2.911377&geocode=FWtkpv0dRpZyCinXq9rtwMNqbTEw_KJDYe8ABQ%3BF SOmp_0dWgd0CimxkUMWO-RqbTHg9KJDYe8ABQ&oq=horopito&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&t=m&z=10

Funny that. I had a friend call around to see me a couple of weeks back.

The straight 18km trip up SH16 too around 2 hours via a satnav directed seven sides of an Octagon route.

Perhaps the oil companies are subsidising these software developers :shit:

[hayd3n]

Do you need a map to get to the toilet as well?

no but my limited 130km fuel tank needs to know where i can get fuel

[Berries]

Ah right, I was going to say you can't get lost on that trip, but it's a long walk if you run out of juice.

[hayd3n]

Ah right, I was going to say you can't get lost on that trip, but it's a long walk if you run out of juice.
yup:no::confused:

[Gremlin]

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=wellington&daddr=levin&hl=en&ll=-40.955011,175.028687&spn=0.561098,1.234589&sll=-40.608275,175.100145&sspn=2.256105,4.938354&geocode=FcQEiv0drN9qCinLdOlJ_LE4bTFwtBOiY-8ACg%3BFVonlP0dpKdyCilNfZZ8YvNAbTHQ2aJDYe8ABQ&vpsrc=6&mra=ls&t=m&z=10

Google LOVES the Akatarawas. Anyone knows... that's a real bad idea :eek: :laugh:

[SMOKEU]

no but my limited 130km fuel tank needs to know where i can get fuel

Are you riding a scooter or other 2 stroke of some sorts?

[iYRe]

I've driven through there using google maps in my car, and I would suggest that was about the point where I lose my mobile signal and the maps disappeared..

[Devil]

Why on earth would you navigate with Google Maps? It's retarded at the best of times.

[iYRe]

Why on earth would you navigate with Google Maps? It's retarded at the best of times.

because sometimes its the only thing that works.

I'm using Sygic Aura on my android phone and its pretty good.

At least google maps, if you ask it to get you to picton from auckland tells you to get the ferry.

[Devil]

Maybe i'm just blessed with having a phone that has built in mapping and navigation that doesn't require any downloads, unless you want to update an entire countries maps.

[MSTRS]

I'm driving from Wanganui to Ohakune in the morning, then want to pop over to Turangi before heading home through Taumarunui & Te Kuiti. I was looking at my route on Google and noticed they're trying to take the piss. It's almost like there's a big black hole just south of Horopito that Google wants me to avoid. What others have you found?


You needed help to know how to do that trip? Why didn't you just ask me?

[Gremlin]

Maybe i'm just blessed with having a phone that has built in mapping and navigation that doesn't require any downloads, unless you want to update an entire countries maps.
I have this thing called a GPS... maybe some don't? :rolleyes:

It's kinda like taking a sportsbike off road, and complaining it doesn't slug through the mud well :laugh:

[iYRe]

Mines more like an adventure bike, its ok on the road, and ok off the road.. but not specifically good at either. But at least I dont have to have 3 things.. I can only afford one.

[jazfender]

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=wellington&daddr=levin&hl=en&ll=-40.955011,175.028687&spn=0.561098,1.234589&sll=-40.608275,175.100145&sspn=2.256105,4.938354&geocode=FcQEiv0drN9qCinLdOlJ_LE4bTFwtBOiY-8ACg%3BFVonlP0dpKdyCilNfZZ8YvNAbTHQ2aJDYe8ABQ&vpsrc=6&mra=ls&t=m&z=10

Google LOVES the Akatarawas. Anyone knows... that's a real bad idea :eek: :laugh:

I took that route on google maps suggestion when in the area, figured I hadn't been there before and was the more "direct" way.

FUCK THAT.

[cmoore]

Yeah I found that google maps showed a black hole south of the Bombays.....I rode that way once and found they were right........

[Hopeful Bastard]

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=wellington&daddr=levin&hl=en&ll=-40.955011,175.028687&spn=0.561098,1.234589&sll=-40.608275,175.100145&sspn=2.256105,4.938354&geocode=FcQEiv0drN9qCinLdOlJ_LE4bTFwtBOiY-8ACg%3BFVonlP0dpKdyCilNfZZ8YvNAbTHQ2aJDYe8ABQ&vpsrc=6&mra=ls&t=m&z=10

Google LOVES the Akatarawas. Anyone knows... that's a real bad idea :eek: :laugh:

Thats a really funny looking Akatarawas.... LMAO! Paekak hill road. Hmmm... Something has gone amiss in Gremlins head...


http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=from:+Masterton+to:+Waikanae&saddr=Masterton&daddr=Waikanae&hl=en&ll=-41.008921,175.155029&spn=0.537841,0.883026&sll=-40.66008,175.56335&sspn=1.081367,1.766052&geocode=Fbgij_0dhlF4CimTnsfYwj5BbTEWmaJDYe8ABQ%3BF QZKkP0dq05vCinB4GdzQqJAbTEAE6NDYe8ABQ&vpsrc=6&t=m&z=10


Question is.... Why would you travel THROUGH Waikanae, If you want to end up in the town centre? :mellow: :scratch:

[jrandom]

Why on earth would you navigate with Google Maps? It's retarded at the best of times.

It's not. Their geocoding and routing is the best in the world, IMHO.

The problem is the map data. New Zealand map data is fucked, at least as it stands when you get it from the companies that supply it. This is the reason why people see these issues - State Highways are represented with complete gaps in the middle, etc. Can't automatically route someone through a road that isn't connected to itself halfway through, hence all the wacky run-arounds.

NZ map data is made to be put into printed map books, basically, not to be used by automatic route-generating software.

For the first generation of the Navman iCN series we engaged in a labour of love to pick through the map data for NZ and connect up all the fucked bits so that they could be routed properly. It wasn't profitable - NZ sales were about 1% of the total market. But before we did that, the general experience of users in NZ was that the 'device was shit' - unfortunately it had nothing to do with the device, just the fact that properly-represented map data wasn't available for the country.

These issues don't arise in the USA and Europe where accurate map data is a big industry with multiple large corporations competing as suppliers.

You have one of those Garmin Android phones, I guess? Garmin will have manually worked on fixing up the NZ map data for their customers, the same as we did. They won't make much money directly from that market, either, but it'll be worth it to not have Kiwis complaining on the internet that their unit is shit.

I'd say that Google Maps is, at the moment, discovering the same problems and cursing the same map data suppliers.

[Ender EnZed]

What others have you found?

Fucking heaps.


Why on earth would you navigate with Google Maps? It's retarded at the best of times.

It's still one of the most useful and immediate ways of working out distances to plan fuel stops. Most of the time.

[whowhatwhere]

This is a reasonably recent problem though right? I don't remember having these issues a few months ago.

[blackdog]

Thats a really funny looking Akatarawas.... LMAO! Paekak hill road. Hmmm... Something has gone amiss in Gremlins head...


http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=from:+Masterton+to:+Waikanae&saddr=Masterton&daddr=Waikanae&hl=en&ll=-41.008921,175.155029&spn=0.537841,0.883026&sll=-40.66008,175.56335&sspn=1.081367,1.766052&geocode=Fbgij_0dhlF4CimTnsfYwj5BbTEWmaJDYe8ABQ%3BF QZKkP0dq05vCinB4GdzQqJAbTEAE6NDYe8ABQ&vpsrc=6&t=m&z=10


Question is.... Why would you travel THROUGH Waikanae, If you want to end up in the town centre? :mellow: :scratch:

If you ask it to get you to Levin from Stokes Valley it takes you over the Aka's though. Not helpful.

[slofox]

I have similar problems with "motowhere" - but their maps look awfully like Google's maps anyway, so I guess...same problemo?

[Gremlin]

I took that route on google maps suggestion when in the area, figured I hadn't been there before and was the more "direct" way.

FUCK THAT.
:killingme At least I did that road deliberately. :laugh:


Thats a really funny looking Akatarawas.... LMAO! Paekak hill road. Hmmm... Something has gone amiss in Gremlins head...
That's odd. When I posted it definitely did it through the Akas... I know, I've done both roads. I'll try on the same PC later this weekend, unless of course Google has somehow fixed the problem. Been Akas for months now... now suddenly Piecock Hill


You have one of those Garmin Android phones, I guess? Garmin will have manually worked on fixing up the NZ map data for their customers, the same as we did. They won't make much money directly from that market, either, but it'll be worth it to not have Kiwis complaining on the internet that their unit is shit.
I honestly wonder why Garmin doesn't support the Open Source Maps somehow. Having a bunch of people feeding info through, the maps are as accurate as can be. Spot an issue, give the information, and it's updated. Seems the best option to me... :confused:

[Ender EnZed]

I have similar problems with "motowhere" - but their maps look awfully like Google's maps anyway, so I guess...same problemo?

I think most other free online maps are "Powered by Google".

[EJK]

Google Maps for GPS (Navigation) is fine, it's just the website.

[NZTransalp]

Yep - Google Maps had me going off down Fields Track when I asked directions from 'Kune to Wangers just last week when I logged on out of idle curiosity.
Lesson learned? Get a map out and figure it out yourself!
Love the Paraparas BTW...

[Ocean1]

:killingme At least I did that road deliberately. :laugh:


That's odd. When I posted it definitely did it through the Akas... I know, I've done both roads. I'll try on the same PC later this weekend, unless of course Google has somehow fixed the problem. Been Akas for months now... now suddenly Piecock Hill

It shows the Paekak route in the graphics, (map), but it's "suggested route" is through the Akatarawas, and if you hover over that text the route changes.

Neither is the fastest, both are worth doing at least once.

[BMWST?]

It shows the Paekak route in the graphics, (map), but it's "suggested route" is through the Akatarawas, and if you hover over that text the route changes.

Neither is the fastest, both are worth doing at least once.

^^^^ this it shows both routes,but oddly doesnt show the straight sh1 route

[Transalper]

I think it is a bug. It does things like that quite often (VERY often). E.g. Direction from Christchurch to Kaikoura....

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=christchurch&daddr=kaikoura&hl=en&ll=-42.334184,173.161011&spn=2.42429,5.410767&sll=-41.244772,172.617188&sspn=39.255306,86.572266&geocode=FerAZ_0dQThKCikB7cVjSC8ybTFFmXmEhu8ABQ%3BF c8Def0d6ipaCil1fJE0OiA6bTE2mXmEhu8ABQ&vpsrc=6&mra=ls&t=m&z=8


Well while reading this thread this morning I reported the ChCh to Kaikoura bug with the report bug button and now I see it fixed.
Someone there somewhere must be paying attention.

[Madness]

Well I made it home, 1802 hours - 2 minutes late. Once again I've been reminded how much Auckland motorway users SUCK ARSE but al in all it was a nice drive. The black hole in Horopito failed to snare the mighty Mitsubitsi and the TomTom was once again extremely useful as a slightly more accurate than factory speedometer :motu: :Police:

[Madness]

Yep - Google Maps had me going off down Fields Track when I asked directions from 'Kune to Wangers just last week when I logged on out of idle curiosity.
Lesson learned? Get a map out and figure it out yourself!
Love the Paraparas BTW...

I had that last night too and thought - Na! I drove past the road this morning & it looks single lane pretty much as soon as you turn off SH4 although Google reckon it's a whole couple of minutes quicker. One day I'll have enough time to give it a go.

[Gremlin]

Just bear in mind that Google's times are for cars... over a few hours you can save more than half an hour...