BringGo Master Thread

[ChicksHateMe]

I CAN NOT believe I just spent the last few hours reading this WHOLE thread. Here are the major points I got out of this long thread;

Initially, the release was a flop. Even though it was suppose to work on the "Majority" of Android Smart phones, it was really limited to a small number of models, mostly older ones.

The early MyLink Radio's needed updates for BringGo to work on them, which took a bit of time and sometimes "Bricked" the radio's, and they had to be replaced. The roll-out of the update was not well done. Some dealers did it, some tried to charge for it and some didn't know about it or denied it even existed.

Many of the BringGo updates added problems as much as fixed them.

Because of the lack of support for many of the Android phones, people tried and had great success using it by Rooting the phone and Spoofing it as a compatible one.

Android phones that it works on can use it on the MyLink Radio through the phones BlueTooth connection.

iPhone users have to connect it to the Mylink Radio via the USB Plug.

Traffic reports are iffy at best, if they are even available.

The phones need to remain on while using it.

It was still unstable a year after release with issues such as;

a. Locking up so that the phone and/or MyLink needed to be reset.
b. It could not work with some specific locations.
c. Other Intermittent problems with voice.
d. Live traffic was still unreliable.

I miss anything?

There are alternatives as some mentioned.

OnStar
Waze
Garmin, Tom Tom, Magellan type GPS's
Google Maps
Sygic


______________________________

So, After all that reading, I am still hoping this works on My new Verizon LG G2 so that I can try it out. It's on the list of compatible phones, but that doesn't seem to mean anything.

I hope it has become more stable and reliable. I would prefer BringGo on my MyLink Radio over my other options;

1. Paying high fees for OnStar, when I use it once a month.
2. Buying a GPS and filling my Dash.
3. Having to fight with my phone, using Waze, Google Maps, etc....

I get my phone Wednesday and it will be the first App I attempt to add. I Just hope I don't have to go through all the torture you Paying Beta-Testers did over the last year or so.....

So.

 

[postman]

____________________________

So, After all that reading, I am still hoping this works on My new Verizon LG G2 so that I can try it out. It's on the list of compatible phones, but that doesn't seem to mean anything.

I hope it has become more stable and reliable. I would prefer BringGo on my MyLink Radio over my other options;

1. Paying high fees for OnStar, when I use it once a month.
2. Buying a GPS and filling my Dash.
3. Having to fight with my phone, using Waze, Google Maps, etc....

I get my phone Wednesday and it will be the first App I attempt to add. I Just hope I don't have to go through all the torture you Paying Beta-Testers did over the last year or so.....

So.

You have a good synopsis of Bringgo's short history. It's an app that promised much but has failed for many (most?).

Let us know how it goes on your G2. My HTC One S is now listed as compatible but when I go to Google Play, it states "your device is incompatible". I still have to root/spoof to get it.

Good Luck!

 

[ChicksHateMe]

You have a good synopsis of Bringgo's short history. It's an app that promised much but has failed for many (most?).

Let us know how it goes on your G2. My HTC One S is now listed as compatible but when I go to Google Play, it states "your device is incompatible". I still have to root/spoof to get it.

Good Luck!

Thanks,

One thing I do wonder about, that I haven't read mentioned was....

When BringGo is up on the MyLink Radio and you're driving along, listening to tunes, then, all of a sudden, you get a call on your phone, which is also tied into the MyLink Radio via BlueTooth, What happens?

Is it a mess? Radio going, BringGo yapping out directions and you and someone trying to have a conversation? Like a bar room conversation?

Does BringGo take precedent over the call AND Music?

Does the call Take precedent?

Just wondering....

 

[Fempunk]

Im guessing it would work like onstar. Lowers your call volume to speak the directions

 

[JackGSonic]

BringGo will mute (or pause if USB) audio for direction queues. A call will mute directions but the map will still display the route. Personal experience with both of these on my Nexus 5.

 

[sonic_braaappp]

So i tried downloading the app, obviously for USA, not brazil or the other countries, and it will not even work on my phone. i know GM was trying to be cool with the bluetooth connection everything, but would it have been so hard to just install a GPS that was already built in, and just had to be selected to use? the whole downloading it onto a smartphone and relying on a laggy bluetooth connection is annoying, especially when, as stated, the app won't even work/download on my phone.

 

[JackGSonic]

So i tried downloading the app, obviously for USA, not brazil or the other countries, and it will not even work on my phone. i know GM was trying to be cool with the bluetooth connection everything, but would it have been so hard to just install a GPS that was already built in, and just had to be selected to use? the whole downloading it onto a smartphone and relying on a laggy bluetooth connection is annoying, especially when, as stated, the app won't even work/download on my phone.

It's a cost cutting maneuver. Remember that Navigation upgrades on the higher GM models runs around $700 or more.

 

[laborsmith]

BringGo will mute (or pause if USB) audio for direction queues. A call will mute directions but the map will still display the route. Personal experience with both of these on my Nexus 5.

That is how it works for me.

My phone is not listed as one that will work with BringGo but it does.

Chevy has bricked not just Sonic/Spark MyLink head units but numerous other including Camaro and the version for the new Corvette. They replace the head unit under warranty but it seems like a waste of money and customer good will to me.

I am not sure about traffic, it seems to be something I might have but I have not bothered to figure out what it is let alone how to use it.

In closing, I like BringGo as it works for me but I have very little experience with other Nav systems unless you count OnStar which I consider to be a travesty and would elaborate but thinking about OnStar only raises my blood pressure.

Laborsmith

 

[NR552]

As a Bringo-NO-GO user for over a year now here's my lastest:

I have a Samsung Galaxy 4s... that initially I was told to ugprade my phone from a 2s (Bringo support said my phone was too slow, etc)... Did that-- guess what, NOT SUPPORTED. That pissed me off. I gave up and used Google Maps, then switched to WAZE (learned about it from this post)... and love Waze. Much better.

I discovered about 5 months or so ago, that an update for BringGo came out, allowing the Galaxy 4s to work. I got the update, and have to say it's A LOT better than it was. Rarely crashes, but does have some issues still.

#1-- Traffic-- I call it PHANTOM TRAFFIC... as it'll show correct dates/times now for traffic problems, but when you get there-- NO ISSUES, NO TRAFFIC. It also gives you notices of traffic problems that aren't even on your route, or in your general area. (I don't care about a crash on the 101FWY in Downtown LA, I am in San Diego, and not commuting to LA on my route). ALSO, if you mute the turn by turn navigation (so that there's a red line through it).. eventually "bitching bringo betty" will STILL come on and start talking...you can't turn the voice off, period.

#2-- The zone to turn feature no longer works properly. If you have the map zoomed out (say you're driving from PHX to TUCSON, AZ for example) and have a straight shot on the I-10... zoomed out to see the start and finish... it will never zoom in when you get to a required turn or exit. It USE to do that. Not anymore.

#3-- Have had it crash on me maybe 3 times outta 25 times used. Which, being on an Android app, running torque on the same phone @ the same time, good chance a limitation of my phone. I am ok with that.


--

So, for time sensitive navigation, I use WAZE. Realtime traffic, with social media input on current conditions.

If I am driving on a road trip where traffic isn't a real concern (driving to PHX, AZ, Vegas, etc).. I'll use BringGO, and Waze as a backup (I can run both @ the same time on my phone.

Also, when I am in an area with limited data connectivity, BringGo works as it's loaded completely on my phone, and that's a big plus.

Please somebody, port the Google Car stuff to Mylink, PLEASE!

 

[ChicksHateMe]

BringGo - My first Impression.

New 2013 Sonic and a New LG G2. Looked on site, and saw phone was compatible, so I DL'd it. During map DL there was a Pop-up for File Download with NON-English characters. IF I clicked on the OK, it would actually STOP the downloads. Confusing.... I stopped clicking and left box there. DL'd all maps overnight via WiFi.

Turned on next day and it gave a warning "Device Not Compatible" What? Clicked OK. SW came up and I checked it out. Setting a route was not as user-friendly as I'd hoped. I heard a little noise, Turned out to be female voice whispering commands. Volume up to 100% made no noticeable difference.

Decided to test drive.it. It had me at my HOME, so I get it ready and pressed "GO". Screen said I NEVER left my house. Shouldn't have tried so much to figure it out while driving. And I Never did. Seemed to never have a Satellite connection no matter where I was along the trip. Frustrating as hell.

I got back home, went inside and Voila!!!, the Satellite appeared again. Showing me at my location

I had hopes. It has potential. But after a year of availability, this software is FAR from stable or useable in my opinion..... Even Dangerous.

 

[ChicksHateMe]

This software had been out over a year, right? It horrible. What I think BringGo needs to fix is;

Need to get the Compatible and Non-Compatible messages right.

Need to make it so when you press Auto-OK, it doesn't ask again.

Need to get rid of Pop-Ups with characters that apparently do nothing.

Need to make it so the voice volume can be heard and actually adjusted to hear it.

Need to warn about No Satellite access BEFORE people start driving. Something more than a SMALL x on a SMALL icon. A noise or Voice warning is needed.

Need to make setting and Saving individual Routes more User-Friendly. I STILL don't know how to find a Route I thought I saved.

I'm sure there's more too. But I only tried it once.

 

[laborsmith]

I am not a BringGo defender. I believe I have called both Chevrolet and BringGo out enough times, and often enough, to make my contention credible.

That being said, how is BringGo more dangerous, or even as dangerous, as any other similar program? I ask this because I read dozens of thread criticizing other Chevrolet navigation options, including, if you can believe it, the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray navigation option, a $795 option on the 1LT and 2LT and included in the 3lt Preferred Package.

I am not saying BringGo is problem free (I have dozens of posts to say otherwise) but I am asking why is BringGo dangerous to use? And if it is dangerous, why is it more dangerous than other navigation options offered by Chevrolet or compatible with Chevrolet MyLink systems?


Laborsmith

 

[ChicksHateMe]

Second Opinion is MUCH better than the first. I got the satellite working all day. Pretty Nice now that it worked.

Why was is MORE dangerous to me, based on my first day with it? Because It "looked" like it had me at my starting point that first day. I was all set to go, and I take off. The car on the screen wasn't in sync with the car I was driving. I didn't know the software at all, being the first time using it. I wondered why the screen wasn't moving too. I didn't think stopping would help BringGo figure out the direction I was "Moving" in. I did stop a few times, but nothing helped get it started. So, I figured I needed the gps changes....

SO, I drove, moving, trying to figure a way to have it show that movement. Too much time looking at settings and the map. Moving the Map barely with my fingers. No action on a 3 hour drive that I expected it to work. After all, the satellite did have me at my start location. If just didn't leave that spot.

I didn't spend the WHOLE trip trying to figure it out. After a few attempts to play with settings while driving and getting a few close calls, I got ticked off and shut it off. But, when it didn't work as it should, it was a distraction I didn't need, didn't expect and shouldn't have had.

Today, while it worked, it was pretty awesome. And now that I KNOW how it is suppose to work, It made the trip a little safer, but anytime you have to take your eyes off the road, it's a risk. When it doesn't work the way it's suppose to, it's a greater risk.

I'm just glad it's working. I will probably play with it the remaining 28 days and scoop it up. Actually Kinda lovin it.

One thing. Even though you don't NEED to hook it up with the USB to get it to work, like you do with an iPhone, You still kinda need to. I didn't, and my phone lasted 1/2 the day compared to a day without BringGo. That sucks for me because the LG L2's battery is not removable.

 

[laborsmith]

It does usea ton of battery power. My solution was to get a plug in for the "cigar lighter" which works well for me. Seems to me I tried using the USB port but it did not keep the battery charged or did not work out well for some reason.


Laborsmith

 

[ChicksHateMe]

It does use battery power. My solution was to get a plug in for the "cigar lighter" which works well for me. Seems to me I tried using the USB port but it did not keep the battery charged or did not work out well for some reason.


Laborsmith

Thanks for pointing that out. I do have a cord just hanging from the USB port, and was using that, but maybe it isn't charging the phone well. Or, at least offsetting the draining.

That's one thing I like about the layout of the Sonic's Console. I Bought a PowerCup and I put it in the rear Cupholder. Cord's just the right length to make it to the DC Outlet (lighter to me). It has a USB output plus 2 AC outputs. I think I will see if that makes a difference using an AC adapter off that.

Either way, seems I need to get in the habit of plugging my phone in every time I get in the car. I didn't want to give up my Simple Flip Phone, but now that I have, I've installed apps like Any.do to replace my DayTimer, BringGo, gtasks, calendar, etc.... So, it doesn't last the day, and when it dies, I'm lost.

Kinda wanting the simple life back with flip and paper. OR more efficient apps OR a better battery, or at least access to it, so I could change it. But I'll adapt.

But back to BringGo.... It does suck up the power, but I don't see me running it all day every day either. Only now cause I am checking it out. After the bad reviews and bad first day I hated how much time I wasted researching it. But now that I got it working. It's pretty awesome and I'd select it as my default Navigation choice if it keeps working this well. Well worth the $50.00 considering what it can do (when it works) and the integration with the car.

A lot of options, but BringGo now seems to be the best one.

 

[ChicksHateMe]

[EDITED - Original post below, but I spoke too soon and it's a LIE]

This software is taking me on a roller-coaster ride. One trip I have no sound and when there is suppose to be sound, it just mutes the music.

Next trip I happen to play some audio file over my Bluetooth and BringGo's voice works....

TODAY. Again, no audio, just muting music. SO, I have to pull over, play some audio file and then BringGo speaks.

BUT.... The software is SUPER unstable and inconsistent. Here's some of the things it does;

1. No Audio from BringGo until some Audio is played via Bluetooth.
2. Once you do hear Audio, and if you don't watch volume, the Radio will blow out speakers.
3. IF I get Bringo audio, the Volume level is not controllable via BringGo.
4. BringGo audio does appear to be controllable by the Bluetooth Volume on my Phone not BringGo itself.
5. Hard to get the BringGo Volume and Radio Volume to be same level.
6. BringGo's mute also does nothing.

I thought it was working, but It's still a mess to deal with. And when you think you got it, and it doesn't work, pull over cause it's not a quick and easy fix and those curves in the road come up quick.....

It sucks BringGo can make an amazing app using complicated mapping, but can't control VOLUME, like almost every other app in the world has a grasp on. It's mind boggling.

Maybe there's an App that can control the Bluetooth Volume easier than multiple clicks into settings or having to play an audio file each time.

Could it be something with the MyLink Radio? Ah, thinking about it, even if it was, it seems a software fix in BringGo would be the simpler solution, becuase somehow it eventually works. Just getting it to seems like a puzzle right now, and I don't know the simplest steps to solve it right now.

I like it when it is working, but rather than break something from the frustration or crash into something trying to figure out it's inconsistencies, I may have to just settle for google maps like it seems most have...


[ORIGINAL POST - I spoke too soon]

BringGo's working out great now. I was a little frustrated because it was finally working but without sound. I didn't care too much that the voice was off, but hated it cutting out some good songs.

I remember reading where someone said to install pandora or another program to adjust the Bluetooth volume through that program, but can't remember where I saw it, or what to do. Plus, I just didn't want to install anything other than BringGo.

Yesterday I went to play a recording of my granddaughter to someone and I was sitting in the car. Because the car running and the car and phone were sync'd the audio played over the car's bluetooth instead of the phone. Wicked loud too.

Later I brought up BringGo and Voila, the Voice could now be heard. Seems all you have to do it play one thing through bluetooth to get BringGo to speak.

I've been playing with it while I'm still on the trial, but I will definitely be paying the $50.00 for it.

 

[ChicksHateMe]

I sent two emails to support@engistech.com and have not received a reply. Seems they don't give a crap. Just want to rake in the cash from people who want to us it "As Is".

From seeing what's doing, it seems like the capabilities are there. They just need a software developer with a clue to fix it. It really is amazing. Seems the most complicated and unique parts of the program work, whereas the simpler, more common functions don't. Weird......

 

[laborsmith]

Engis is very small to take on a project of this size. I believe Chevrolet would do well to provide more support. I like using BringGo and much prefer using it to alternatives I have used in the past, either smartphone navigation programs or my all time favorite - OnStar. No need to send the black Suburbans, I continue to be the foremost advocate of OnStar to ever walk the face of the earth!!!!! Any hint of sarcasm totally intended.


Laborsmith

 

[ChicksHateMe]

They may be small, but there are usually code libraries with the functions for audio control available in most any language. Probably not so much working with maps and GPS and the sort. To get all that tough stuff working so well, and to fall short on the simpler audio side of the program baffles me (I do some programming myself).

LaborSmith,

I think I missed the posts where you rave about all the things you love about OnStar. I'd like to read them Sometime. ...

 

[ChicksHateMe]

After the roller coaster ride this program's put me on, I decided next time out I am going to try Google Maps alone. I'll look up my trip while on WiFi, do the "OK Maps" to have it saved locally, and work off that. Might save me $50.00 and a lot of frustration.

If Google Maps works out, I'll just get a nice Dash mount for my phone.

Wonder why no one's come up with a way to put Google Maps on the MyLink Radio yet. There are API's available from Chevy for software design with the Mylink Radio. Maybe a non-compete agreement is in place, so Engis can take their sweet time fixing BringGo, if they ever even do. Get ME the source code, I could get it done. hehe.