how do you navigate; cell phone?

Is the best way to do it with a RAM mount using a cell phone with unlimited data plan?

After a recent trip I am realizing my current setup may be flawed.
With a 4GB cell plan currently, a friend recommended I upgrade to unlimited data, which he has and says is worth the extra monthly cost.
I think it goes up from $50/mo to $65/mo.

Normally I turn apps on and off manually to save data, but it's a pain and still reaches the limit anyway.

My current GPS, an old Garmin Nuvi, has tried taking me off course maybe 7 times already, even with updated maps.
Trying to get with the modern times here; seems like maybe the way nowadays is Google Maps

 

Google maps for navigation. I typically use ~ 300mb of data per month running it.

I also have a Gaia gps subscription that I use to plan out trips and look at maps

 

Google maps. There really isn’t a better way to navigate these days.

 

If you don’t currently need unlimited data I would just get a new accurate Garmin gps. What you would pay for unlimited data for one year would buy a new Garmin. You’ll probably get a little bigger screen than your phone which is nice too. Also when using your phone as a gps it can be a hassle in city traffic trying to find a location while talking on your phone.
I use my phone on occasion as a gps And it works great but I prefer my regular gps.

 

Never had many issues with Apple Maps. The newest update is great.

 

Apple maps have stepped it up. They do have few little things that i like over google. Mostly the traffic light icons and she tells you to turn at light instead of saying next “left or right “ I prefer google of the map layout on screen I use it alot to look for fishing ponds all over the place

 

I’m old and cheap. Still rocking a Garmin GPS. It’s easy on the data plan. The device I use is a Nuvi 760.

 

I use all of the above.

For driving, I have a Garmin "Drive 51" GPS that I picked up refurbished for cheap and I also use a combination of Waze & Google Maps(I like Waze on the road better). Before every trip, I'll do a map recon via google maps and I keep an atlas in the truck just in case. I tend to hit a lot of dead cell spots and the manual or non cell dependant options are useful.

For work, I use a combination of Avenza Maps(gives me MGRS and requires a PDF map loaded in), google maps, a Foretrex 601, and a paper map.

 

I use Waze. Before the pandemic, I drove about 125-135 miles on average daily mostly inside city limits for work. Waze has been my go-to navigation with Google Maps as a back up. One part I need on a navigation system is real-time traffic data (directions are secondary), meaning that it needs to be connected to a live source of traffic data and changes in map data reliably at all times (annually updated map data could turn into a fiasco in the daily practice). In my experience, any navigation system has its own flaws in different aspects. Pick one (or two) and familiarize yourself with them.

 

I put in a carplay enabled head unit and use Google Maps or Waze. I like it much more than mounting my phone for the larger screen if nothing else. I may be underselling that - it's divine.

I've never looked at the data usage for GPS. I believe with Google Maps you can save maps locally which might save some data.

 

iPhone google maps on road if I really need help as my memory works for most trips.
Off-road I always print or buy a real forest service or all trails type map as cell coverage often disappears. Always have a compass
Garmins/Sat Nav systems are great too but I'm old school off-road and want to pre-plan on paper.

 

For on-road nav I always use Google Maps. If you are worried about data, you should try downloading offline maps of your route while you are still connected to WiFi. Thats a big saver

Old school dedicated GPS units tend to use more of a set route from A to B, whereas Google can access its traffic data to find the most efficient route at whatever time you're traveling.

As far as mounting you can do a solution like the picture you posted, but you should look up the A-pillar RAM mount as well. I think thats a really clean solution because it puts the phone right near your line of sight, but doesnt obstruct view if you get it positioned just right. And the RAM mount catalog is just about endless, so you can pick whatever kind of mount & arms works best