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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
Hi,
i read a lot of posts about getting TomTom 7 to work and how it is not working on the TP2. HTC offers a 15 day trial of Copilot which supposedly works on the TP2. You can check it out at http://www.htc.com/uk/SupportViewNews.aspx?dl_id=595&news_id=185. I think it could be a nice and working alternative for a full blown navigation system on the TP2. Still better than trying all kinds of dubious fixes and hacks to get TT7 to work. Maybe it's something for you
Jan
What ever - say good bye to TT because of the procedure which you have to do when you change the device
I installed Garmin Mobile XT the other night, works well.
I really like how you can search on a street name and not have to put in the city first like tomtom makes you (so many times i couldnt find where i wanted to goto cause tomtom had it in some weird city)
Anyway, works really well...
Just going to have a look at tweaking it for better response later, as it seemed to pause a second before updating at intersections.
After buying TomTom Navigator 7 retail (on SD card) and finding it wan't install at all on my TP2, tried and finally registered Copilot 7: very happy with it, works fine on TP2 with no GPS delay
I downloaded the trial, and will give it a shot at the weekend.
It`s very wird for me what u all saing. For me Tom Tom ver. 7.19 working with no problem at all. I just bought my tp2, even did`t do hard reset, i did`t do anything, and tom tom works strait after instal it.
We are talking about the retail version of TT7 preinstalled on 4 GB microSD card: it refuses to install on any device that isn't on the official list, like Diamond and Raphael (tried unsuccessfully on TP2 and Xperia X1).
I am using TT6 Navigator (same version that was on my P3300) due to the lack of maps for North America.
I needed to install WVGAFIX3 before I was able to view TT6 correctly though.
I found that Copliot works fine, but can be quite innacurate at times. If I'm driving on a road that's next to a motorway, it can sometimes jump me onto the motorway which I never found with TomTom. The lag is not _too_ bad, but it's still not great, just better tham TT7.
I've just installed a trial for Navigon, and I have to say, it's more polished than CoPilot, and smoother than TT7, although there is still some lag which is REALLY beginning to frustrate me
I found Copilot to be quite inaccurate as well in my recent tests. I am downloading Navigon now and giving it a shot.
Hmm navigon 7 is constantly freezing the device. Which version did you install?
Managed to get it to work with the files provided for the Xperia http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=443453. It looks pretty crappy as the graphics have not been adapted to WVGA, but In the end the navigation counts
Its a hellofalot faster than copilot anyways.
Too bad, there is not uninstall capability (copilot live downloaded from HTC support) when you done with the trial. So end up you have to delete the folder manually and not good cause it will stay at your registry.
Luckily I have a full backup before install this.
I use to be a TomTom user and always had problems finding the GPS unit if the GPS hadn’t been previously activated. I use to load either Goggle maps or Live Search, let the program active the GPS unit and then load TomTom, this worked 100% of the time.
I'm now a VERY happy Garmin XT user. No problem with finding the internal GPS unit, fast loading and very quick contact address search.
I did a two day test run with Copilot and Navigon and I found Navigon to be the much better solution. Copilots behaviour was erratic at best, it jumped between cities and even when it worked it was slow as hell and inaccurate. Navigon worked just fine and was fast and accurate as well so I'll stick to that one.
Ah and I had to manually kill Copilot as well as no uninstaller was there.
copilot 6 on touch pro 2
didnt want to start a new thread so i have resurrected this one. does anyone know if copilot 6 will work on the touch pro 2 (WM6.1). looked everywhere online but no answer. it seems i am the only broke dude trying to run such an old program on a shiny new device. (excuse is i,m waiting for copilot 8)
If copilot 6 did work it wouldn't look pretty - I ran my existing CP7 on the TP2 and the higher screen resolution distorted everything - personally having the wrong aspect ratio on things drives me up the wall so I found it pretty distracting.
Kudos to ALK support though, I emailed them asking about an upgrade of CP7 to CP7-HD (which does support the TP2) and they sorted it out for me without charge.
Thanks matey. Wont bother installing then. I didnt want to go through the stress of installing it and finding out it didnt work or look good. I actually bought copilot 7 HD but returned it cos it didnt say HD on the pack. I was also going to download it from ALK,s website but I thought, what the heck its almost 2 years old, Copilot 8 will be released soon so I,ll wait for that.
Cheers
CP7 loaded just fine on my TP2, and works (even in landscape mode), but it's method of telling you the routing is questionable (missed several turns and junctions, really disconcerting, the map's right, just the audio feedback seems stuffed to hell and back), and the less said about it's handling of things like POI and safety camera files from other sources is best left unsaid, or I'll go into foul language mode (seven %*£&%$ notifications after the other for each £%&$%* camera?!)...
I have to find a card adaptor for the next trial, which'll be Navigon...
I have to find a card adaptor for the next trial, which'll be Navigon...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need a card adaptor per se, I installed it on a usb memory stick and copied it later to the sd card on my TP2.
Hi,
I have always wondered, do I need a data plan in order to use GPS on this device? This is my first device to have built-in GPS. For the past few days I have only been using it at home where there is a wifi connection and it picks up my location with no problems. GPRS is turned off on the device since I do not have a data plan (very expensive with Rogers). What I'm wondering is if I will need a constant data connection to use the map (Google maps) outside the house.
If you are using Google Maps you would need a data connection because the maps are stored on their server and therefore have to be loaded onto your device. If you don't want to use the data connection you'll have to download third party GPS maps onto your device such as Garmin Mobile XT, TomTom 7, or ZorroGPS. If you have the maps stored on your device there is no need to access any information over a data connection.
Thanks for the quick response....
Any recomendations?
If you just want driving directions, iGO8 is pretty good.
Thanks! Thats pretty much all I need!
I'll check it out and report back.
The website says "It only runs on the on the original SD card". I already have a 16GB SD card and I can't lose that to run GPS software.
Did I read wrong?
iGO8 runs on any SD (or even internal memory), Garmin, as they say, only runs on their microSD cards.
Hmm, weird thing is on Nav N Go website, iGO8 is not available in with Canadian maps. Is this correct or am I weird?
You can copy Garmin to your own SD card. It does take some hacking, but totally possible. Do a google search, there is a very useful thread on AT&T Wireless' forums.
After a some research, I finally bumped into CoPilot Live 8. Looks amazing!!! I already purchased it and will be testing it out over the weekend.
Thanks for all your suggestions.
How has the CoPilot worked out?
Does look good, and cheap... looks like you have to buy the software with each map though. Still, another licence I suppose!
p_shep said:
How has the CoPilot worked out?
Does look good, and cheap... looks like you have to buy the software with each map though. Still, another licence I suppose!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are mixed reviews of CoPilot 8. Have a look:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=548314
http://www.trustedreviews.com/car-tech/review/2009/08/17/ALK-CoPilot-Live-8-for-Windows-Mobile/p1
I remember reading some complaints that maps were rather out of date, but can't find the references to those reviews (sorry!).
p_shep said:
How has the CoPilot worked out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In short, I'm happy with it. Then again, I don't have much to compare it with. The graphics are simple and clean, and the response and accuracy is pretty satisfactory. I'll see if I can get you some screenshots.
Me too
I used to be a diehard TomTom customer but have switched to CoPilot since getting the TouchPro2. I got cheesed off with TomTom's lack of recognition for their customers, tried the Copilot demo that HTC had on their site liked but live 8 and haven't had any problems with it, maps are clean and easy to understand, it's got some nice little features like lane directions when coming off a motorway (might be UK specific, not sure).
I've since converted all my favourites from TomTom and imported them into CoPilot as POI's so happier than a pig in the proverbial
Oh, how do you convert the favourites? I googled, but couldn't find much.
Is any one using IGuidance 2009 on TP2? I sent an email to support to check if it works on WVGA, and got the reply saying it will but the screen will not use full WVGA while using menus, but while driving, it will use full screen. That way it's working fine, but the TTS is not working, it just says "turn right on to" and does not say street name. It's working great on Fuze.
Is it working for anyone here?
Thanks
pistou said:
There are mixed reviews of CoPilot 8. Have a look:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=548314
http://www.trustedreviews.com/car-tech/review/2009/08/17/ALK-CoPilot-Live-8-for-Windows-Mobile/p1
I remember reading some complaints that maps were rather out of date, but can't find the references to those reviews (sorry!).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The maps are definitely a bit out of date -- I run CPL 8 on my Fuze (soon to upgrade to Tilt 2), and its maps don't include my parents' subdivision, which was built in 2006.
However, ALK has just rolled out their MapSure program -- just report map omissions/errors, and they promise to have new maps ready in 45 days.
CoPilot 8 bug
Has anyone noticed a bug in CoPilot Live 8 where if you select POI > Nearby > Restaurants, it gives you a list of hotels. And if you select hotels, it says "Restaurants" but with an empty list? I noticed this the first time I installed and even after upgrading my ROM to 6.5
I currently have TomTom it it get my by for local or short trips when I don't have my Garmin (stand alone unit). For long trips I try to avoid it as it's routing isn't as good as my Garmin. I think I will eventually buy Garmin XT for my Tilt 2.
TomTom allows for great user customization of menus and such, but I'm willing to give that up for better routing, especially on long trips.
I've considered the other GPS programs out there, but don't have any experience with them. So I think it eventualy going to be Garmin for me.
I am thinking of purchasing a Motorola droid with a car mount/media station for cheap (probably around 100$) and i was wondering if i could use it as a gps without cell phone service?
i wouldn't see why not... gps is simply a signal just like wifi(if its free of course) it would be just like buying a tomtom i would imagine... try putting ur phone into airplane mode and testing the gps
Of course, do keep in mind that both Google Maps and Sprint Nav need a data connection at least initially to download the route information. The new GMaps is supposed to be able to work offline once it does the initial route, though you may need a connection if you veer off course.
There is at least one app that works off maps on the SD card, but I can't recall its name right now.
Visionikz03 said:
i wouldn't see why not... gps is simply a signal just like wifi(if its free of course) it would be just like buying a tomtom i would imagine... try putting ur phone into airplane mode and testing the gps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will tomorrow.
bkrodgers said:
Of course, do keep in mind that both Google Maps and Sprint Nav need a data connection at least initially to download the route information. The new GMaps is supposed to be able to work offline once it does the initial route, though you may need a connection if you veer off course.
There is at least one app that works off maps on the SD card, but I can't recall its name right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you think of it, please let me know!
CoPilot Live lets you store the maps on your SD, or so they claim. The reviews on the market aren't too great though.
http://www.alk.com/copilot/android/
There are others as well, a quick search yields:
http://www.mapdroyd.com/
http://www.ndriveweb.com/products/product/96/
http://www.sygic.com/index.php/en/how-to-buy.html
Perhaps others too. But I can't vouch for any of these. I'm fine using GMaps even with the data connection requirements. Especially now that you don't need a data connection all the time -- only when generating a new route. I'm not sure whether it can handle simple missed turns without a connection or if it doesn't cache anything outside the route. I haven't tested that yet.
I've never found a maps or navigation program that I like other than Google, and I've tried pretty much all of them. They're a hassle to get maps for. The new GMaps does cache tiles, though I haven't tested it extensively, and I don't know that it caches maps in the Navigation program (which I use all the time as well).
GPS will lock even with no cell service. But unless you find a good offline map app, you'll just have your nice little blue arrow showing you exactly where you are on a plain gray featureless map.
$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.