DCwom Posted March 1 #1 Share Posted March 1 We're considering renting a car on some of the islands for our POA cruise, and am wondering about the tour apps for the islands. They sound like a reasonable way to navigate rather than using a tour book, maps, etc. Are they better for one island verses another? The road to Hana sounds like a good candidate, and maybe Waimea Canyon but I'm not sure about the other islands tour apps. Thoughts, experiences? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princeton123211 Posted March 2 #2 Share Posted March 2 7 hours ago, DCwom said: They sound like a reasonable way to navigate rather than using a tour book, maps, etc. Are they better for one island verses another? The road to Hana sounds like a good candidate, and maybe Waimea Canyon but I'm not sure about the other islands tour apps. Thoughts, experiences? The GuideAlong apps-- used to be called Gypsy Guide-- are exceptionally good. Hana is great, Big Island, Kauai, etc are great too. It will adapt to where you are in real time and help you find places you wouldn't have found on your own. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trivia addict Posted March 3 #3 Share Posted March 3 Thank you Princeton 123211. I will use this information also! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panhandle Couple Posted March 27 #4 Share Posted March 27 Can verify, we loved the Guidealong app and narration. We used the whole islands package. You do here some stories more than once on different islands. You can simply skip them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare philv Posted April 26 #5 Share Posted April 26 I used Gypsy app, guidealong.com, in 2022 for road to Hana. It was great. Learned a lot about Hawaiian history along with directions to local attractions. Really enhanced our experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free2bMeForever Posted April 26 #6 Share Posted April 26 I travel alone, so I don’t have a navigator and the research I did on both Shaka and GuideAlong (Gypsy) indicates that they do stories and directions, but integrate with blue tooth speakers, but NOT Android Auto or Car Play. Guess I will need to buy a holder for my phone, but it would sure be nice to have something integrated on the much larger navigation screen. Will be using the Shaka app next week on Oahu, so I’m sure I will have a better idea after that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princeton123211 Posted April 26 #7 Share Posted April 26 9 hours ago, Free2bMeForever said: I travel alone, so I don’t have a navigator and the research I did on both Shaka and GuideAlong (Gypsy) indicates that they do stories and directions, but integrate with blue tooth speakers, but NOT Android Auto or Car Play. They do integrate into CarPlay-- I just did the Hana road like 3 weeks ago in a rented Chevy Suburban from Avis and the audio played through the whole car with CarPlay with zero issue. This is specific to GuideAlong/Gypsy-- its been years since I used Shaka and fine GuideAlong to be better overall. Once you get started with the app there's zero need to see the screen so the fact that the screen part does not integrate doesn't really matter. Everything is audio and it is cued up and started in relation to your position on GPS. It will even dim whatever music you are playing from your phone when the narrations come on so you can listen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panhandle Couple Posted April 26 #8 Share Posted April 26 7 minutes ago, princeton123211 said: They do integrate into CarPlay-- I just did the Hana road like 3 weeks ago in a rented Chevy Suburban from Avis and the audio played through the whole car with CarPlay with zero issue. This is specific to GuideAlong/Gypsy-- its been years since I used Shaka and fine GuideAlong to be better overall. Once you get started with the app there's zero need to see the screen so the fact that the screen part does not integrate doesn't really matter. Everything is audio and it is cued up and started in relation to your position on GPS. It will even dim whatever music you are playing from your phone when the narrations come on so you can listen. I can verify that it also worked thru Apple car play in a Jeep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free2bMeForever Posted April 26 #9 Share Posted April 26 Thanks for that info. I actually chatted with GuideAlong customer service and was given incorrect info based on your experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princeton123211 Posted April 26 #10 Share Posted April 26 1 hour ago, Free2bMeForever said: Thanks for that info. I actually chatted with GuideAlong customer service and was given incorrect info based on your experience! I think what they might have meant is that it won't appear on the infotainment screen or be able to use the app within CarPlay but it certainly will play over the cars speaker system (which is the most important part). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCwom Posted April 27 Author #11 Share Posted April 27 14 hours ago, princeton123211 said: I think what they might have meant is that it won't appear on the infotainment screen or be able to use the app within CarPlay but it certainly will play over the cars speaker system (which is the most important part). I agree, I'd expect the Bluetooth to pair with the car audio, that's a phone function, not really an app function. We'll be using the app in about 3 weeks on all 4 island and I have a question for those who have used it, how far away does it suggest sights, places, etc.? For example, if you're halfway up the coast of Oahu how do you decide where you might want to turn-around? Do I need to map out a potential end point ahead of time, and then just use the app for the drive, or does it suggest to keep going further and further? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princeton123211 Posted April 27 #12 Share Posted April 27 5 hours ago, DCwom said: how far away does it suggest sights, places, etc.? It reads things out in real time based on where you are. 5 hours ago, DCwom said: For example, if you're halfway up the coast of Oahu how do you decide where you might want to turn-around? You can use the map to click ahead and read out locations ahead of time. Generally we figure out our general route irrespective of the app and then let the app tell us about things we’re seeing. The app will make suggestions of popular places to turn around so you can make decisions based on that. GuideAlong for example, on the road to Hana, has narration points that only read in one direction. So if you drive to Hana and then turn around you’ll hear new and different points of interest on the way back you didn’t hear on the way out. It’s very well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panhandle Couple Posted April 27 #13 Share Posted April 27 (edited) 5 hours ago, DCwom said: I agree, I'd expect the Bluetooth to pair with the car audio, that's a phone function, not really an app function. We'll be using the app in about 3 weeks on all 4 island and I have a question for those who have used it, how far away does it suggest sights, places, etc.? For example, if you're halfway up the coast of Oahu how do you decide where you might want to turn-around? Do I need to map out a potential end point ahead of time, and then just use the app for the drive, or does it suggest to keep going further and further? From each port, there are 2-4 different tours you can take. The guide simply says to keep driving, and as you approach major intersections, it will tell you which attraction is in what direction. If the vehicle already has a built in map screen, then simply turn it on and the guide calls out the road name or number. It generally doesn't use distances, but will say "just ahead" or "turn left once past the large red building" if road signs are small or sometimes non-existent. It will describe a side alternative with brief info on why you should go that route or town to visit, and also pull over scenic view locations. If you don't, it will simply say, "OK, on to XXX destination". It gives you time to make a decision for each suggestion. Also, outside of some stretches on the big island, (and Oahu interstate) most highways are 45 mph or less. This gives the guide time to describe things you are seeing, Hawaiian history, or other side routes. The app highlights each tour on its map on your phone. It does not cover every road on each island. You can also skip each narration if you find it boring. You will learn a lot about Hawaiian history, especially 1700-1900. You will figure this all out in the first 20 minutes or less of using it. There might be some u-tube videos showing this, but we never searched for them. If I'm remembering correctly, it will give you a time estimate for the route chosen once you start that route. You can stop when you want to, and it will start up again once moving. Edited April 27 by Panhandle Couple Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasHikers Posted May 15 #14 Share Posted May 15 On 4/26/2024 at 1:05 PM, Panhandle Couple said: I can verify that it also worked thru Apple car play in a Jeep. Is the app dependent on cell service. I thought I read somewhere that the cell service on the Road to Hana was spotty We have Verizon for our cell service. Will we have trouble with the GypsyApp on the various islands due to lack of cell service? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princeton123211 Posted May 15 #15 Share Posted May 15 1 hour ago, TexasHikers said: Is the app dependent on cell service. I thought I read somewhere that the cell service on the Road to Hana was spotty We have Verizon for our cell service. Will we have trouble with the GypsyApp on the various islands due to lack of cell service? No-- the app is downloaded in a place ahead of time where you have either cell or wifi service. Once downloaded it can operate with or without a signal. It relies only on GPS which works anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCwom Posted May 15 Author #16 Share Posted May 15 2 hours ago, princeton123211 said: No-- the app is downloaded in a place ahead of time where you have either cell or wifi service. Once downloaded it can operate with or without a signal. It relies only on GPS which works anywhere***. *** FYI, "Anywhere" that your phone can receive the GPS satellite signal. Sometimes deep valleys, etc can block the GPS signal to your phone, it really depends on the terrain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princeton123211 Posted May 15 #17 Share Posted May 15 58 minutes ago, DCwom said: *** FYI, "Anywhere" that your phone can receive the GPS satellite signal. Sometimes deep valleys, etc can block the GPS signal to your phone, it really depends on the terrain. Have used the app many times on the Hana road-- no issues anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCwom Posted June 2 Author #18 Share Posted June 2 Just got back this week. Used Guide along on all 4 islands, we called him Bob in the box. Worked great on Road to Hana, failed miserably on Oahu circle island tour, traffic was terrible on the north shore. Its important to have a plan and time table, the app will suggest lots of things, and you need to know what time you have to work with, you can't just stop at every suggested place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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