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I have an HTC Mogul and am interested in a low-cost GPS solution. I am looking at the Holux M-1000, M-1200 and GPSlim 240, but want to know what my mapping/softeware options are without spending another $150 on a program like TomTom.
I understand Google and Windows Live have mapping software, and I currently have GoogleMaps on my PPC. Can anyone who uses these, or any other freeware share what the experience is like?
GoogleMaps' site says it has these features:
You Are Here (I know where I am, so this is no big deal) Where's the nearest... cup of coffee, late night pizza or last-minute bouquet? (OK - maybe this is useful)
Is there traffic up ahead? See it so you can avoid it. (I live in Vermont - there is NO traffic!)
How do I get there from where I am? Type your destination and away you go. (Not very detailed here, is it? So let's say your GPS/GMaps automatically tells you where you are. You type in where you want to go and get directions.
On a system like TomTom, I am assuming you are looking at a map that shows where you are, and says "Turn right in 100 ft. on Main Street" and shows a right-hand arrow. Once you have done this, the screen would say "Drive 6 miles" or something like that.
So, my question is, does Google do this? Does it in any way tell you what you need to do next based on you location and the directions to where you are going? Or does it just display your location as a point on a map, and it is up to you to figure out what and when to do? If so, is anyone using this and finding it useful, or a half-assed navigation solution?
Thanks,
BB
try google navigator 2.4 at pdafun.net it is not free though which is the same with google maps, you pay for network traffic.
hh
Looks Interesting
Have you used this? $60 is way cheaper than $150 for TomTom and I like the satellite view.
GPS...
I use a Holux 1000 and it works great with my Wizard with Live and Gmaps. Havn't tried a "turn-by-turn voice app" yet such as Tom-Tom.
Also, you need to give Beeline gps a try. Its a pretty cool app if you are into navigation.
Tried Google navigator (pdafun.net). IMO, seems a little buggy but I only tried it for about 10 minutes.
They will probably get the same love letter from Google that MGMaps did for content violations. ;-)
http://www.mgmaps.com/news.php?item=136
Try the Navibe GB735, it works great for me...
http://shop.treonauts.com/content/accessories/10-95--2230.htm
I have the Navibe GB735 Bluetooth GPS reciever that I got for my Treo 700wx during a trip to St. Louis, Chicago and Tulsa last September. I wrote a review of it here (http://forum.treonauts.com/palm-smartphones/treo-700w-wx/5919-gps-basics-help.html) under my other name (NavyStore). I still use it for work and just running around town with the Google Mobile Maps software.
Since I was upgraded to the xv6800 (Titan/Mogul) last week, I've used it twice and saw no changes. I have unlimited data w/ Verizon (but would love detailed instructions on how to get TomTom software I got to work on my phone) so it works fine as long as it holds a signal. Although, it does crash when VZW drops the data connection...
Hope these help some.
google maps does not do vocal turn by turn or a 3d view
it does do directions and what i use it for........ you can copy addresses from IE and paste them into google maps...
I use destinator 7 as my turn by turn GPS software and it is very good, but does not allow you to paste addresses into the fields... which mean i have to memorize or write the address down when i enter it...
i use both and can say, you can get by with only using google maps but it is not a turn by turn GPS software
I use my GPSlim 236 with Windows Live Search on a regular basis. Directions are a snap as long as you have unlimited data as well as a little patience in setting it up. I like the traffic feature as well here in Atlanta. You do get a little beep before a turn, but no voice. The view is not all that specatcular with the small screen of my Wizard but sufficient nevertheless. The best part is the SMS/email of directions and phone integration if you need to call a location.
As for Google Maps, I like it a little less, but it's not a bad program either. Personal preference.
I was using google maps for a while but then notices it would lose the GPS signal connection quickly. I tried all the different baud's and nothing worked. I did some searching on here and found that the problem seemed to be with google maps time out conditions. They are to short. So, I started using Live Search. I like it just as mich as google maps. It's actually a but easier to get to and from directions entered in for routing since you can browse to contacts for directions. The only issue I have now is that whenever I do a to and from directions route, Live Search always puts me at a previously entered destination. Does anyone know of a cache delete or something like that in Live Search? Anyone ever have this issue? I am using these apps. on an AT&T Tilt.
the Holux MX 1000 is a good deal if you dont mind the size ( well, as big as a zippo but a lil thicker ) . It hooks up quick ( I would say 10-20 sec , cold start ) and very stable. You can stick it into your key chain and you are ready to go.
For map, I prefer live search over Google map .
I've been using Live Search and love it when it works. The turn by turn is great. I wish it spoke, but it does at least beep. It saved me this past weekend lost in a strange city. Awesome. However, it seems to make my device (Tilt) unstable. I need to soft reset regularly after using it and I seem to lose my GPS signal easily. I don't know if this is my tilt, or the software, but i will freeze up for 3 minutes or so before it get moving again (which it does, most of the time!). As I said, when it works, it's awesome, as good as a full featured GPS solution. But I'm not sure it's wholly stable?
Yea, Live Search is really the way to go. It has much tighter integration with Windows Mobile and the "Speak your destination/search" is absolutely the best. Plus it has turn-by-turn unlike Google Maps. I have Tom Tom also on my phone, but when I'm searching for a location, Live Search wins for ease of use.
Have you tried nav4all??
Hi,
Just wondered if anyone has tried Nav4all on their devices?
What do you guys think?
Works great with my Tytn and blue tooth gps key-ring! (Freedom 2000)
Frogger
LiveSearch has no coverage for me (Belgium)...
On my TyTN (with Holux GPSlim 236), I have used
Smart2go: offline maps, nice 3D view, but no active navigation (doesn't seem to update gps position).
Google mobile: can determine rough location based on gsm cell, no active navigation
AmazeGPS: only have been able to test the alpha release, so it wasn't very stable; screenshots look interesting
Nav4All: good vocal directions, very basic but quite functional system
I have been searching for the free Navigon Mobile Navigation 6: the java version was free, but is no longer available on their site for download... (dunno if it still works though)
As my dataplan is on a different sim card, I mostly use my old phone (Nokia 6260) for data stuff (have it set up as external modem on my TyTN !). The upside is that I can use it as a standalone navigation; however I only managed to use Nav4All, and it seemed to loose its GPRS connection every now and then...
Haven't tested it enough on the TyTn to see if I get the same behaviour there.
Jörg
So I upgraded my phone as described by this site http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=24979 and I was curious what else is necessary to use GPS. The Rom I am using (http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=26776) works great but I could not get GPS to work with windows live search or google maps. So did some searching and from I gather, you need to run some other gps program prior or simultaneously to one of the map programs. Is this correct? I downloaded quick gps, GpsViewer.PPC300_2577, and GPS Test. Does one of these programs need to be running at any time I want to use GPS with Live search or google maps?
Thanks for the help
google maps, should work. I used that for quite a while. it will most likely take a few minutes to get a fix.
Hi all. I was one of the people moaning about the woeful volume levels on my T-Mobile UK Desire. I solved the issue by flashing with a generic ROM (although it seems to be a Virgin Media ROM judging from the bookmarks)
Anyway, being in the UK I didn't have access to the free Google Navigation...I even gave the Brut hack a try but uninstalled it due to it's unstable nature and lack of features.
Well, I've just been prompted to update to Maps 4.1.1 and I now have navigation. Fully functional, with the arrow and the street name (both missing in the hacked version)
Is this a general roll out by Google? Is this now available to everyone, even on branded ROMs, or is this an added bonus of flashing a generic ROM?
Let me know
UPDATE:
Google officially verify Navigation: http://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/mobile/navigation/
I'm not using the desire (nexus user here) and navigation appears to be working ok for me as well!
Haven't recently updated maps (was on 4.1.1 before) so they must have allowed it to work in the UK now w00t!
glad to hear you got the volume sorted... no navigation or update to maps here.. i cant even seen google maps in the market even though it cam pre installed on my phone.. .bummer
I didn't even notice I had this. When I got my Desire, the update to maps was one of the first things it asked me to do.
I added the Brut hack because I just assumed it wasn't there.
It does state it is in beta still but yea, seems Navigation is included now.
Working for me here to on my Desire. Just going to remove the brut hack to test it works without that...
[Edit] Yeah, it works fine with the Nav Launcher and Brut hack, excellent!
Well spotted Aitese!!
I hadn't bothered downloading the update to maps as I was using Brut maps and it worked well enough for me. However downloaded the update today, selected that newer version of maps for navigation and it is working. Haven't compared it against the cracked version (sat in an office) but looks to have more information on the screen etc.
Have you got some screenshots? I've got Google Maps 4.1.1, but it all looks the same for me....what am I missing?
Have you got some screenshots? I've got Google Maps 4.1.1, but it all looks the same for me....what am I missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't do screen shots as I don't have all the development junk here but just search for a destination and when it finds it you should have several options, show route, navigate or street view. The navigate option wasn't there when I first got the phone last week.
Am I right in thinking the option "navigate" should be right under "show on map"? If so, I've not got this. I'm running the stock rom with Google Maps 4.1.1. Iv'e never applied any hacks to get navigation in the past.
If I'm doing something wrong, please let me know as I'd love to get this working.
Aitese said:
Can't do screen shots as I don't have all the development junk here but just search for a destination and when it finds it you should have several options, show route, navigate or street view. The navigate option wasn't there when I first got the phone last week.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, working now. Had to reboot the phone to get it.... w00t!
Yea, that's where it appears on mine.
I select 'Directions' from the menu, enter my destination, then under 'Show on Map' I get the 'Navigate' option.
I've uninstalled the Brut hack now and it's still there.
working for me on T-Mobile UK
Happy days! I wonder how none of the tech blogs have spotted this.
Yep, definitely working for me on T-Mobile.
Shows up on my phone now after a reset, sweet. Shame I don't drive
Get the impression it might be a mistake though, looked at a google forum thread where someone mentioned on the 14th that they had navigation working on the 14th of April on his Nexus one, and a Google employee responded a couple of days later saying it was only enabled in the US.
liamw said:
Get the impression it might be a mistake though, looked at a google forum thread where someone mentioned on the 14th that they had navigation working on the 14th of April on his Nexus one, and a Google employee responded a couple of days later saying it was only enabled in the US.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well...if you suddenly get prompted to install Maps 4.1.2 any time soon...DON'T!
Aitese said:
Well...if you suddenly get prompted to install Maps 4.1.2 any time soon...DON'T!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had 4.1.1 on for a while so not sure this is version dependant (certainly haven't noticed it up until now anyway).
FWIW, Maps is on my T Mob handset as well, and has been since I got the phone wed /thurs last week.
I haven't tested the reliability of it though, but it's def there.
I'll try it out on the journey home...
Works fine for me on generic HTC ROM...bonus!! Does say it's beta but meh
Tmob, works fine. Announces it is a beta.
I'm having issues with Google Navigation and I'm wondering if someone can help.
Let's get this out of the way first. I'm running the CM7 Nightlies, but this isn't a GPS issue. I've done the GPS fix. GPS is working fine. I can see myself in Maps to a 20m accuracy even when I'm in my concrete bunker of an office building. Google Maps sees me just fine.
I can scan around in Maps and I'm getting the satellite layer updates. I know where I am and I can see where I'd like to go. I can click on the location and the Places update comes up. I can surf around in there, read reviews and do all that that app offers. So far, so good.
If I click on the Get Directions it will provide me with a list of directions. Awesome. I know where I am, I know where I'd like to be and now I know how to get there. Great!
If I click on the Navigation button Google Navigation comes up. It goes to "Getting Directions" and will just sit there... forever...
I've cleared the app data. I've even reinstalled Maps. It still will not work. Is anyone else having this issue?
Just another piece of information, if I install Waze and all of this works fine. I can even see other Waze users driving around town live. It's not a GPS tracking issue then either. Should I just switch to Waze?
Wow... I can't believe nobody else has this issue. Has anyone else tried this?
Because I really hate it when someone has an issue, fixes it themselves and never lets anyone know how, I bumped this thread to post what the problem was and how I fixed it. That way, if anyone does a search for this problem, they have both a reference and a resolution.
I believe the problem was my overzealousness in deleting apps that I didn't use or didn't believe I used. When flashing a new ROM, the first thing I always do is go through the /system/app folder and delete the crap I didn't want on my phone. One of the things I always deleted was the GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk. I never use the quick search widget because I always pull up the browser for Google searches.
I updated to CM7 Nightly Build 39 yesterday and, instead of pulling that APK I decided to test the GPS, Maps, Places and Navigation interaction. I was able to get an almost instant GPS lock. I could scan around Maps and get the layer updates. I could find the places I wanted in Places. Then, for the real test, I attempted to get driving directions to a local restaurant. It came up in a couple seconds.
So, the morals of the story are to not delete things when you aren't completely sure of everything they are tied to and don't give up solving problems on your own when nobody else is able to help you. I hope this helps someone.
no problems here. i think u deleted something.
$39.99, no trial. Let's just say at least it's a step forward.
http://www.wpcentral.com/garmin-streetpilot-hits-marketplace
...lets hope the European version will follow soon...
Too bad you can't download the full maps, though. You need to download your maps on a "per route" basis.
I am somewhat greatfull that I have t-mobile germany, so I get the Navigon App for "free". Here, I don't need a data volume to navigate.
It's available for the US and Canada.
Is it just a case of a locked API that no one is currently offering a GPS navigation app that has maps pre-loaded?
All these ones that are coming out that need a data connection are pretty useless since i only really use sat-nav out in the sticks where i don't get reception.
I'm not keen on having to pre-download a map each time i make a journey either.
I really miss IGo8 off my old Blackstone
Freypal said:
Is it just a case of a locked API that no one is currently offering a GPS navigation app that has maps pre-loaded?
All these ones that are coming out that need a data connection are pretty useless since i only really use sat-nav out in the sticks where i don't get reception.
I'm not keen on having to pre-download a map each time i make a journey either.
I really miss IGo8 off my old Blackstone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not think it is API problem. They seem to keep storing the maps as you keep using new routes. I think they are using on-demand maps as a DRM method. It is difficult to pirate when the app keeps communicating (and authenticating) with Garmin servers.
Localhorst86 said:
Too bad you can't download the full maps, though. You need to download your maps on a "per route" basis.
I am somewhat greatfull that I have t-mobile germany, so I get the Navigon App for "free". Here, I don't need a data volume to navigate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed on the Navigon software; the 3.0 version is outstanding. And looks far more "metro" in style than this $40 software.
I believe the reason we are not seeing any offline gps software (ie with offline maps and offline routing) is because these companies have algorithms and "engines" for planning routes, and they cannot (or don't want to) convert these DLLs to silverlight. MS doesn't allow you to use your own proprietary code and DLLs in the marketplace. So the only proper nav apps with offline routing and maps, such as Navigon, can only exist if they are manufacturer or carrier-supplied (in the same way that HTC can offer compass and flashlight apps).
Pity this is US/Canada only... really after a decent nav app (Turn-By-Turn's (GPSTuner) POI's dont work in Australia!)
It is a shame for those in other regions, but for those of us in North America, it is pretty sweet. My only gripes with the app are the fact that they didn't include a "run under lock screen" option (a must-have option for Focus users), and the voice seems, at times, to be over-compressed, and comes out just a tad fuzzy. By way of comparison the voice on the AT&T Navigator app is crystal clear. But that is about the only advantage it has over Garmin's new app.
Hello,
I think that navigon will be for Europe.
anyway, it is a very good GPS (navigon) I used this program in try v3.
it's great.
I like it. Looks promising. However I would not get it. I already have a gps for that reason.
I picked it up a couple of days and tried it out and was sorely unimpressed.
Issues:
1) It lost the satellite sync a number of times in urban, but not downtown Seattle.
2) It seems to have no sense of correcting the raw data. For example, if I'm travelling along a highway at speed, you'd think that I'd be going in the same heading as the road. It apparently just reads the raw compass data, resulting in the appearance of a perpetual power slide as I drive.
3) When it loses me and recalculates, it treats it like I'm starting a new trip (with the same phrase at the beginning) and may want me to start on a different, albeit nearby road.
4) Position inaccuracy kept it thinking I was moving when I wasn't. This happened a LOT, although clearly it new I wasn't moving much, and reset me.
5) It doesn't have street names like TomTom.
6) It doesn't let me pull from Contacts. Maybe when Mango is released?
The real summary here is that if I hadn't known where I was going, it would have taken me a fairly poor direction as it would lose me, think I was relatively far away, and start calling out instructions from that. I'd rather use Bing Maps (which I think the touching idea is terrible) or TomTom on my iPad. I got the Garmin because TomTom won't, for some reason, allow my traffic subscription to work on the iPad.
There are some things about the app I like:
1) Data entry for the address was nice. I preferred it over the TomTom.
2) Screen layout is nice.
3) Pictures of road changes are amazing!
I haven't experienced the first two issues you described at all, so I can neither confirm nor deny them .
Issue 3 is a minor annoyance (although I've never had it place me on the wrong street), but I hope it is addressed in an update soon.
Issue 4 I have seen a couple of times, but it did correct very quickly.
For issue 5, I have no idea what you mean. My copy always speaks the correct street name as I approach a turn. Maybe it varies by area, but I am in a much more rural area than Seattle, so I would expect that I would experience that problem before you would.
Issue 6 has nothing to do with the app, it is strictly an API issue. No GPS app on the marketplace today can pull from your contacts. But that will come with Mango.
I have not tried this app yet but i have tried and am currently using Navigon Select 3.0 form this thread and i must say that for the 1 day of testing it, it is working great. BTW, i am a bit biased when it comes to Navigon, i have been using it for a long time now on my old Iphone 3G.
Garmin broken?
I recently started having a problem with the Garmin Streetpilot. Every time i run it, it says "Acquiring Satellite" but never seems to acquire the satellite. I've let it go 15 minutes while driving, and no dice.
I remember getting a Samsung software to improve my GPS reception, and assumed it had somehow broken Garmin. Today I restored my phone back to NoDo, and then got the offical Mango upgrade, this time without getting the Samsung App. Installed Garmin, and wham, exact same problem. It just can't acquire the satellite. I went ahead and grabbed the Samsung app and tried it again, but still no dice.
Does anybody have the Garmin working on their successfully? I'm wondering if they put out an update i missed that broke the app.
I've never had that problem on my Focus, although the previous version wasn't very precise in following the road. However, I briefly tried the new Mango version yesterday (which presumably includes compass support), it had no trouble at all.
I'm starting to suspect the problem is that I didn't get a Samsung firmware update, so my compass isn't working. I'm wondering if the Garmin keeps trying to ping the compass and getting stuck because it can't access it?
That's possible, but I don't think the app would report that the satellite could not be acquired if the only problem was a missing compass.
I agree it doesn't make sense, but given what i've seen in software development, it wouldn't be too surprising.
bigfire said:
I recently started having a problem with the Garmin Streetpilot. Every time i run it, it says "Acquiring Satellite" but never seems to acquire the satellite. I've let it go 15 minutes while driving, and no dice.
I remember getting a Samsung software to improve my GPS reception, and assumed it had somehow broken Garmin. Today I restored my phone back to NoDo, and then got the offical Mango upgrade, this time without getting the Samsung App. Installed Garmin, and wham, exact same problem. It just can't acquire the satellite. I went ahead and grabbed the Samsung app and tried it again, but still no dice.
Does anybody have the Garmin working on their successfully? I'm wondering if they put out an update i missed that broke the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having exactly the same problem on Focus (Mango) using StreetPilot 7.5.