My Quick Review of Scenic
Quote from Marts on 22.04.2024, 20:16I've been using Scenic for around 2 months now (roughly). At first I was having issues with it trying to re-route me down unknown tracks and so on. But with Guido's help and me reading the instructions properly I've fixed that.
I use it with an iphone 14 Pro max which is CarPlayed to my two cars, a Ford Ranger (Australian model) and a Kia Sorento, both of which have wired CarPlay. And I use it with a Chigee AIO-5 Lite CarPlay head unit built specifically for motorbikes. It connects to the iPhone via Bluetooth and wifi (I don't understand how it all works - so long as it does, I guess).
Initially, there were also some CarPlay issues with the cars and the screens being "scrunched" up. But that's been fixed.
This past weekend we took a drive in the Ranger up into the local ranges. I planned the trip on the iPhone. At first it wanted to take me down a dirt track (we were towing our caravan/travel trailer/RV) so that wasn't an option. I scrolled around the map and zoomed in and tapped on an intersection further out that I wanted to go via, added it as a via point and started navigation. The changes were reflected instantly in the CarPlay display.
It's so easy to do.
When I was using Google Maps to plan the same route it wanted me to go down different roads and it was nigh on impossible to change it. And forget about the built in navigator in the car - terrible implementation of what a nav app should be.
When I arrived home the screen popped up asking me if I want to save the ride which I did. That feature in itself is super handy. It displays the route on the map and has all the relavant data pertaining to the ride - distance, time, average speed, max speed, breaks (although we didn't have any), ride time, total time.
And where we were there was no mobile signal so with the downloaded maps it was able to plot the route correctly, too. I think that it popped up a message when we got back into mobile coverage but I forget what it said.
Anyway, I'm really happy with Scenic and how it works with the Chigee and with the cars' ApplePlay systems.
Well done Guido, both for producing a top app and for your superb support for your app's users.
I've been using Scenic for around 2 months now (roughly). At first I was having issues with it trying to re-route me down unknown tracks and so on. But with Guido's help and me reading the instructions properly I've fixed that.
I use it with an iphone 14 Pro max which is CarPlayed to my two cars, a Ford Ranger (Australian model) and a Kia Sorento, both of which have wired CarPlay. And I use it with a Chigee AIO-5 Lite CarPlay head unit built specifically for motorbikes. It connects to the iPhone via Bluetooth and wifi (I don't understand how it all works - so long as it does, I guess).
Initially, there were also some CarPlay issues with the cars and the screens being "scrunched" up. But that's been fixed.
This past weekend we took a drive in the Ranger up into the local ranges. I planned the trip on the iPhone. At first it wanted to take me down a dirt track (we were towing our caravan/travel trailer/RV) so that wasn't an option. I scrolled around the map and zoomed in and tapped on an intersection further out that I wanted to go via, added it as a via point and started navigation. The changes were reflected instantly in the CarPlay display.
It's so easy to do.
When I was using Google Maps to plan the same route it wanted me to go down different roads and it was nigh on impossible to change it. And forget about the built in navigator in the car - terrible implementation of what a nav app should be.
When I arrived home the screen popped up asking me if I want to save the ride which I did. That feature in itself is super handy. It displays the route on the map and has all the relavant data pertaining to the ride - distance, time, average speed, max speed, breaks (although we didn't have any), ride time, total time.
And where we were there was no mobile signal so with the downloaded maps it was able to plot the route correctly, too. I think that it popped up a message when we got back into mobile coverage but I forget what it said.
Anyway, I'm really happy with Scenic and how it works with the Chigee and with the cars' ApplePlay systems.
Well done Guido, both for producing a top app and for your superb support for your app's users.
Quote from Guido on 22.04.2024, 20:53Thanks @marts. I’m happy you like Scenic so far. Do let me know if you have any further questions in the future. Cheers and ride/drive safe.
Thanks @marts. I’m happy you like Scenic so far. Do let me know if you have any further questions in the future. Cheers and ride/drive safe.
Quote from Marts on 28.04.2024, 17:23No worries. Another couple of rides in since my last post and no issues. I don't seem to have the Carplay problems that others are having. I'm using the Chigee AIO-5 unit on the bike. When it and the iPhone connect Scenic opens automatically.
After a ride I have to remember to save it or to delete it as it'll sit there in the background thinking that I'm still riding. So, a 30 minute ride may turn into many hours despite me sitting on the couch at home after the ride, for example.
That is, I'll get home, turn off the bike, grab the phone off its mount, go inside, have a drink or whatever, then when I go to use the phone I'll see that Scenic is still active.
It's no big deal, just that I have to remember to terminate the app and ride after.
The Search feature isn't as detailed as Google though. I went over to a nearby town to do some dyno testing the other day. I typed in the business name but it didn't find it. So, I opened Google and got the address then went back into Scenic to enter it manually. No issues in finding the place. Maybe that's a Here map data thing?
No worries. Another couple of rides in since my last post and no issues. I don't seem to have the Carplay problems that others are having. I'm using the Chigee AIO-5 unit on the bike. When it and the iPhone connect Scenic opens automatically.
After a ride I have to remember to save it or to delete it as it'll sit there in the background thinking that I'm still riding. So, a 30 minute ride may turn into many hours despite me sitting on the couch at home after the ride, for example.
That is, I'll get home, turn off the bike, grab the phone off its mount, go inside, have a drink or whatever, then when I go to use the phone I'll see that Scenic is still active.
It's no big deal, just that I have to remember to terminate the app and ride after.
The Search feature isn't as detailed as Google though. I went over to a nearby town to do some dyno testing the other day. I typed in the business name but it didn't find it. So, I opened Google and got the address then went back into Scenic to enter it manually. No issues in finding the place. Maybe that's a Here map data thing?
Quote from Guido on 29.04.2024, 08:40After a ride I have to remember to save it or to delete it as it'll sit there in the background thinking that I'm still riding. So, a 30 minute ride may turn into many hours despite me sitting on the couch at home after the ride, for example.
That is, I'll get home, turn off the bike, grab the phone off its mount, go inside, have a drink or whatever, then when I go to use the phone I'll see that Scenic is still active.
It's no big deal, just that I have to remember to terminate the app and ride after.
I know what you mean. I also forget sometimes and then I hear the "Ride Paused" beep in my pocket, reminding me that I forgot to finish the ride. I'm looking into ways to make this easier. Perhaps a notification to warn that Scenic is still active after disconnecting from CarPlay. Not sure yet.
After a ride I have to remember to save it or to delete it as it'll sit there in the background thinking that I'm still riding. So, a 30 minute ride may turn into many hours despite me sitting on the couch at home after the ride, for example.
That is, I'll get home, turn off the bike, grab the phone off its mount, go inside, have a drink or whatever, then when I go to use the phone I'll see that Scenic is still active.
It's no big deal, just that I have to remember to terminate the app and ride after.
I know what you mean. I also forget sometimes and then I hear the "Ride Paused" beep in my pocket, reminding me that I forgot to finish the ride. I'm looking into ways to make this easier. Perhaps a notification to warn that Scenic is still active after disconnecting from CarPlay. Not sure yet.
Quote from Marts on 29.04.2024, 18:42Quote from Guido on 29.04.2024, 08:40I know what you mean. I also forget sometimes and then I hear the "Ride Paused" beep in my pocket, reminding me that I forgot to finish the ride. I'm looking into ways to make this easier. Perhaps a notification to warn that Scenic is still active after disconnecting from CarPlay. Not sure yet.
Yeah, it's a hard one. Maybe have it auto-finish once destination is reached and a pop-up to ask if you want to save the ride or to even auto-save the ride, perhaps?
Quote from Guido on 29.04.2024, 08:40I know what you mean. I also forget sometimes and then I hear the "Ride Paused" beep in my pocket, reminding me that I forgot to finish the ride. I'm looking into ways to make this easier. Perhaps a notification to warn that Scenic is still active after disconnecting from CarPlay. Not sure yet.
Yeah, it's a hard one. Maybe have it auto-finish once destination is reached and a pop-up to ask if you want to save the ride or to even auto-save the ride, perhaps?
