I feel your pain. Probably the most disappointing feature of my 2021 BE was the entire Navigation system. I've had numerous Ford Synk (?) systems, and also have a BMW system from 2017 and they ALL would outperform the Honda unit. I use an iPhone, and even that drops off way too often. I don't want to add another screen but would like to replace the factory Honda system... Don't think there are any "replacements" made that would fit and be compatible.

 

I agree the infotainment in our trucks is not that great. The Garmin unit you got does look pretty nice.

 

I also have a 2021 BE and the “interface” glitches with Android auto are probably my biggest pet peeve, it seems like once or twice a week I have to delete and re-install the phone/connection. Honda does many things well but I would say the infotainment system is not amongst their best attempts. One would think that across their line (especially) on higher levels/trims they would have a better product, btw, I have a Samsung S21 Ultra phone.

 

i'm using a Pixel 6 with Android Auto...Waze as a nav app...Pandora for tunes...not had any issues.

 

Same here

 

I use Android Auto on a Pixel 6 as well but with Google maps and have no issues to report with that. AA relies mostly in the phone, not your cars infotainment system. Try deleting the app cache and then reinstalling AA. It may resolve your issues.

I agree though that Honda needs to improve their screen tech and UI though. The touch screen is atrocious and misses lies of touches. The anti glare looks milky and doesn't do much good. The voice commands crash and hang for me all the time and require restarting the car to recover.

 

I had the same issues and after doing some search I found that enabling USB debugging on my phone (Galaxy S10) fixed 96.8% of the problems I had. It really hasn't given me any problems after that. Try enabling it on your phone if you can. Might help....

[Solved] How to Enable USB Debugging on Android Mobile Phone (apeaksoft.com)

 

I have a pixel 5 and a 2022 RTL. I run Google maps with zero issues with navigation. Have been using Android auto for about 4 years now. The length and the quality of the USB cable also make a difference. The shorter the better. I have had the most luck using the one that came with my phone from Google.

One small annoyance: I have to make sure I pause my podcast app or Spotify. If not, it will auto start. It's annoying because I have to pause, and then disconnect the phone from the cable before I can switch over to the truck's XM radio. With android auto plugged in it removes the XM option from the bead unit until I stop whatever phone based audio is playing and disconnect/reconnect the phone.

 

The length and the quality of the USB cable also make a difference. The shorter the better. I have had the most luck using the one that came with my phone from Google.

Yup! This as well. USB Debugging helps with cables other than the one that came with your phone, I believe. Not all cables are the same. Some cables are just for charging and doesn't have data transferring ability which is needed. But that would be obvious when you plug it in, and it doesn't interface with Android Auto or Apply Play.

 

Regarding cables, I use the one that came with my phone. As far as I know, USB C spec mandates power and data so any USB C cable plugged in directly (i.e. not using a C to A adapter) should work - YMMV.

Regarding auto play, there is a setting in AA to en/disable that. The setting is called Automatically resume media. Disable it and that issue should resolve.

 

I just checked settings on the phone, Start android auto automatically is set to always. Other selections are if used in the last drive or default (set by the car). I also cleared cache per a previous suggestion. I'll try and plug the phone in at lunch for a quick trip to the post office and see how it behaves. I still really like the display on the Garmin, so that will probably stay but I may use the phone as well for any longer trips.

 

thought when I got the RL that I would just use the phone linked through android auto. It's never been a foolproof process, usually takes up to a minute before the phone makes the connection with the head unit, and even after that, it can get hung up and not display anything which can take another couple of minutes to troubleshoot. And if I'm making multiple stops, it is not worth even trying to hook it up. It also forces the audio to start playing whatever was last running on the phone, even if I'm listening to the radio.

I'm not sure if I can blame the head unit alone.

I doubt it's phone/Android related. My phone is much older than yours (6 years old) and is also on Android 10 and it works fine with my after-market head unit. The stock head unit in the Ridgeline is very dated technology. Although not integrated, those stand-alone dedicate are a nice alternative.

 

My AA has worked well on my 21 E. Much better then my 19 CRV. I have an S8 running android 10. I also have a Motorola MA1 for wireless AA. That works fairly well with the occasional minor glitch. That said, I cannot use the wireless AA for anything over about an hour. The phone battery drains rapidly and the wireless charger is worthless. For longer drives drives I use an usb cable. Except for the junk charger I am satisfied with the setup. I've never used the stock Garmin setup, I've never had to.

 

Wait.... I couldn't connect my note 9 running android 10. I thought only Android 11 and above can use the AA ma1 for wireless.

 

I went out at lunch for a quick trip to the post office. I plugged the phone in same time as I started the car. It took about 20-30 seconds and I could hear the bleeps of the phone, but nothing on the screen. I finally opened it up and swiped down to see all the alerts. Once I do that, I get an android auto connected alert and then it pops up on the screen several seconds later. Going home I just turned the truck back on, never having disconnected the cable from the phone. Screen was blank for most of the trip, about 5 mins. After I pulled in the driveway I left the car running and started playing with the Garmin. Not sure when I looked over but Waze was now up and running, that was the last thing I turned on going out. It must have taken several minutes for the alerts to time out and clear.

I hadn't done much with the Garmin, but I started playing with it. Once you are in the where to screen, all you have to do is say Hey garmin and it immediately responds. All the acceptable commands are already on the screen as push buttons, so all you have to do is say find address or whatever. You dont have to remember what phrase to use, they are right there. I rambled off a few addresses from memory and it displayed the correct address as the first in the list. Once you are in a navigation mode, it always responds to hey garmin. Honesty, it is so much easier and intuitive than the phone and all the apps and much easier than the older units where you first have to enter state, then city then address.

 

New Ridgeline owner here. My Note 9 handled android auto just fine with previous vehicle, f150 Sync3. Using same phone and cable the ridgeline had the random disconnects, etc. Even though I was sure the cable wasn't the problem, I bought a new Anker cable. Several days of using it and haven't had a disconnect. Funny thiings, those cables.

 

OP I'm with you that a dedicated GPS system should be in every vehicle made nowadays, and the last decade.

This is new, or hard to do for the manufacturers, and isn't expensive either. It should be mandatory equipment in every car and pickup made.
Nice setup you have there now.

 

I'm liking my setup more and more. Gives me an always on visual reference when I'm driving in unfamiliar areas. I also added the Garmin wireless camera that I have mounted on the front license plate. I use that quite a bit pulling into tight spots in parking lots since it's hard to gauge where the front of this truck ends. Not quite a cheap setup with both, but it makes everyday driving much nicer.

 

Interesting... Curious as to the details of this Garman camera, and how you've integrated it into the system. Details?? Thanks!

 

Like may things in my life, I became happier with the AA situation in my RL after lowering my expectations. I have started hooking up the phone prior to starting the RL, that helps a bunch. Also, giving the units lots of time to sort things out without pushing any buttons helps prevent lock ups. I use BT for daily driving and only attempt to use AA on long trips or when traveling into unknown territory. I will try the USB debug setting to see if that helps.

 

With my iphone 11, sometimes I just use the maps straight up on the phone without plugging it into the truck's interface. It works ok with carplay, but it's slow, clunky. It does beat printing out mapquest directions.

The Garmin was nice for a time, because it was so dedicated to just one thing. One day the tech will be just perfect, but the cost of fuel - electricity or gasoline, or another source - will keep most people from driving. We all work from home now, so why drive anywhere anymore?

 

Thanks! This detail helps a lot!!!