Related
Does anyone have any suggestions from first hand experience? I have a GlobalSat BT-359 from my soon to be departed Nokia e61.
I've tried a few shareware apps for 'off road' stuff, hilwalking, etc. Useful for limited applications.
For road navigation.. Tomtom all the way for me Now using Navigator 6 with the Tomtom BT GPS. Its not the cheapest, but there are good deals out there and it works well.
I currently use tomtom6 but have used destinator in the past and its my prefered. This is in australia and the tomtom maps are not as detailed but they are more customizable with different voices and point of intererst etc. i believe the maps are done from local providers so tomtom for the states might be better.
Has anyone had any delay when intially starting TomTom 6?
I have TomTom 5.xx and it takes about a minute or more to load up.
Seems like iGuidance does the same (according to someone).
I'm going to try Wayfinder on a 5 day free trial for a project I have. I'll post results next week.
iNav iGuidance in my opinion
I've tried TomTom, iGuidance and iGo and my favorite by far is iGo.
Do you have a link to iGo and by chance have you tried it on a Hermes running WM6. I'm a long iGuidance user, like it alot, but right now it has several annoying issues with WM6 that need to be patched and currently there's no timeline on when iNav will fix it. I'd like to give iGo a Go
I use TomTom for road navigatoin and Anquet for off road (walking, and cycling)
Anquet is pricy! but it has OS mapping available for the entire UK, (and i believe its this OS map data thats has enforced the high price. most of the the UK is at 1/25k Which is idea for walking, (you can see trees marked and field boundrys.
The mapping app for the PPC in the early version was poor but the newer stuff is pretty good.
That said i have recently installed Gmaps. Google Maps free PPC app, if your in a 3G area its really quite fast to load, and being able to see satalite images (if the res is good enough where you are) is pretty cool. Driving in my car with it drawing Satalite photos clear enough to see cars on makes you feel like Jack Bower!
Gmaps will do point to point navigation too, and in the US it can pick up traffic infomation.
Wayfinder GPS Software Review
So I tried the free 5 day Wayfinder download. Here's how I see it:
1: The download was easy but getting it to work was another thing. 3 installs and 2 uninstalls later it came up.
2: You need to authenticate prior to first use. Authentication took about 5 attempts including having to ask for the code from tech support which delayed thing 24hrs. The code is supposed to be included according to the Readme but it wasn't. The code sent didn’t work and I finally authenticated when the software asked permission to do so by sending an sms to their server.
3. This application requires an internet connection to download maps, which means that if your connection is slow, good luck. If you loose the connection due to drop out or no service you are screwed. If you loose connection, you get a pop-up error message and the software seems to be no longer useable because you close the message but it keeps returning. The only option is to close the application.
4: The accuracy was good and the auto corrections worked well on a 32 mile drive home. I purposely took a different route to see how it would respond and I must say it reacted quickly and accurately.
5: The task bar is at the top of the screen and is very large, too large in fact. I couldn’t find a way to reduce the size or minimize it.
6: I couldn't get the screen zoom to show me the entire route. It wasn't as if I was going cross country, it was only 32 miles.
7: The search function worked very well. My office is in a good sized city but my home is almost in the middle of no where. It found both locations with no problem the first time. That's an advantage of an on-line service.
Finally, I worked with Rt66 on a Nokia e61 for a project. Rt66 supplies all of the maps in the application so you don't need to be on-line at all which is a good thing. Rt66 also plots your course with a line overlayed on the map. Wayfinder doesn’t. Rt66 seemed to have some quirks of its own but overall was a much more useable product.
The bottom line is that if you have a good signal all the time you are fine. Cingular does not have 100% coverage nationwide which means you may run into problems planning routes and using the system if you are in a low or no signal area. I think I'll stick to a maps-on-board program.
Lyle
Wayfinder GPS Software Review
So I tried the free 5 day Wayfinder download. Here's how I see it:
1: The download was easy but getting it to work was another thing. 3 installs and 2 uninstalls later it finally came up.
2: You need to authenticate prior to first use. Authentication took about 5 attempts including having to ask for the code from tech support which delayed thing 24hrs. The code is supposed to be included according to the Readme but it wasn't. The code sent didn’t work and I finally authenticated when the software asked permission to do so by sending an sms to their server.
3. This application requires an internet connection to download maps, which means that if your connection is slow, good luck. If you loose the connection due to drop out or no service you are screwed. If you loose connection, you get a pop-up error message and the software seems to be no longer useable because you close the message but it keeps returning. The only option is to close the application.
4: The search function worked very well. My office is in a good sized city but my home is almost in the middle of no where. It found both locations with no problem the first time. That's an advantage of an on-line service.
5: The accuracy was good and the auto corrections worked well on a 32 mile drive home. I purposely took a different route to see how it would respond and I must say it reacted quickly and accurately.
6: The task bar is at the top of the screen and is very large, too large in fact. I couldn’t find a way to reduce the size or minimize it.
7: I couldn't get the screen zoom to show me the entire route. It wasn't as if I was going cross country, it was only 32 miles.
Finally, I previously worked with Rt66 on a Nokia e61 for a work related project. Rt66 supplies all of the maps in the application so you don't need to be on-line at all which is a good thing. Rt66 also plots your course with a line overlayed on the map which I like. Wayfinder doesn’t. Rt66 seemed to have some quirks of its own but overall was a much more useable product. Would I go back to Rt66? Maybe but I need to check out the other map on0board applications first.
The bottom line for Wayfinder is that if you have a good signal all the time you are fine. Cingular does not have 100% coverage nationwide which means you may run into problems planning routes and using the system if you are in a low or no signal area. I think I'll stick to a maps-on-board program.
Lyle
RemE said:
Do you have a link to iGo and by chance have you tried it on a Hermes running WM6. I'm a long iGuidance user, like it alot, but right now it has several annoying issues with WM6 that need to be patched and currently there's no timeline on when iNav will fix it. I'd like to give iGo a Go
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am running iGo on WM6 and it's flawless.
You can buy iGo here: http://www.i-go.com/en/
kwan said:
Has anyone had any delay when intially starting TomTom 6?
I have TomTom 5.xx and it takes about a minute or more to load up.
Seems like iGuidance does the same (according to someone).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had start-up freezes with Tomtom, but seems fine at the moment. I am using Black 3.0 ROM.
kwan said:
Has anyone had any delay when intially starting TomTom 6?
I have TomTom 5.xx and it takes about a minute or more to load up.
Seems like iGuidance does the same (according to someone).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem with TomTom 5 and Windows Mobile 5. When I upgraded the phone to Windows Mobile 6 TomTom ran super fast.
FYI TomTom 6 is even faster!~~
I tried TomTom6 for my trip down to New york, and Atlantic City all I can say its the best GPS software I've used period
it was paired it with i.Trek M5 GPS receiver
I use tomtom 6.03 on LVSW's WM6 ROM. in a word, WOW! awesome program, fast, and optimised for PDA use while driving.
yvrRome said:
You can buy iGo here: http://www.i-go.com/en/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where... I can't see any prices or buy now links???!!!!!
When it's about car navigation, I can recommend Tom Tom 6. I've tried Destinator, which I found more flexible, but the actual location dragged about 200meters so after I had driven past my exit did the arrow come to the spot.
Missed so many turns I ditched that POS.
I have used Route 66 on P910i, which is better than Destinator but doesn't give as much coverage of Finland as Tom tom 6.
stewcp said:
Where... I can't see any prices or buy now links???!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look at here
http://www.google.se/search?hl=sv&q=Buy+NavNGo&meta=
and the review of the iGO is here :
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/iGo2006.php
and also take a look at theirs forum for usable tips how to configure voice commands for your satisfaction :
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modul...opic&t=41654&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Igo is def the best however it doesn't seem to work with wm6, goes really slow and eats up memory till you need to reset. Unfortunately I can't test it on my hermes as they don't do a microsd version.
I spoke to the tech guys there, who said that it worked, however I am not convinced as it still isn't on their list of compatible OS's.
So will adopt the wait and see.
Plus its locked to the card so sucks if you have more than one device, like I do.
my gps is out more than a kilometre (a little less than a mile)
any ideas? i am using gpsviewer and tomtom6
i have dcd 2.3.1 rom
3.27 radio
any ideas?
ack
out? You mean it's off by more than a mile?
If so... someone's cloned your phone? :/ donno sorry.
dieseldennis said:
my gps is out more than a kilometre (a little less than a mile)
any ideas? i am using gpsviewer and tomtom6
i have dcd 2.3.1 rom
3.27 radio
any ideas?
ack
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a trip. So you are a mile away using Tom Tom?
Because if you where using Google Maps or Microsoft Live Search it would make sense because they tend to use agps (Cellular Towers) first to try and find your location and then they use the GPS receiver.
It might be the baud rate.... who knows. Or maybe just try to wait until it locks to at least 4 satellites for a better accurate read.
yeah it is a bit of a trip........
sometimes i get up to 6 7 or 8 sat locked on and im still out just as much.
im downloading iguidance right now im hoping its a mapping prob with tomtom.............i googled it and other people are having simular map issues with tomtom6.
wish me luck
anyone running iguidance ? any instal tips anyone has id appreciate it
Mine is perfect
I am useing the same as you and mine is bang on, i mean right to the foot nearly.
dieseldennis said:
yeah it is a bit of a trip........
sometimes i get up to 6 7 or 8 sat locked on and im still out just as much.
im downloading iguidance right now im hoping its a mapping prob with tomtom.............i googled it and other people are having simular map issues with tomtom6.
wish me luck
anyone running iguidance ? any instal tips anyone has id appreciate it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sucks man. Hopefully iguidance works for you. I have Tom Tom Navigator 6 and havent had any issues with it. I hear it sucks for rural places. That is why sometimes people use Garmin.
I wasn't able to replicate your results thus I cannot resolve this. But feel free to let us know how iguidance is. I haven't tried it.
Perhaps your in a linear superposition of two position eigenstates. When your gps takes a measurement your wave function collapses to one or the other. If there are two different routes to the local store,you could try going shopping and see if you interfere with yourself when you arrive. ;-)
I am using tomtom ,igo and destinator and they perform just as well if nto better then my bluetooth gps receiver.
dieseldennis said:
my gps is out more than a kilometre (a little less than a mile)
any ideas? i am using gpsviewer and tomtom6
i have dcd 2.3.1 rom
3.27 radio
any ideas?
ack
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
soft reset...was happening to me..hadn't had to soft reset in like 3 days..did a soft reset and was good. my problem was that gps kept connecting quickly...but its active location was like 1-2 miles from where i actually was...
soft resetting usually does a phone good anyway, I usually soft reset when i wake up.
btw my sprint Navigation is "Dead Nut" I drove to this real exclusive part of Truckee to do an estimate and it put me right to the peoples front door....AND IT WAS A NEW HOUSE!!!
Had this happen to me once...more than a mile actually, nearly oh, 6km or so. I tried to soft reset, multiple times and it didn't do jack. (Was using Google maps.) I just left it, as in, didn't play with the GPS for a day cause I got frustrated trying to fix it and lo and behold, it worked again. So...shrug, don't fret over it unless its ALWAYS a mile off...
verkion
Try the things in this thread. it worked for me... I am using Delorme Street Atlas for now because I already own it & am to cheap to pay for the internet on my phone... And it was always off by alot.. Then I tried the baffles sw & it worked... And now I'm trying the VisualGPSce & it appears to work better even... It even shows me in the backyard vs the front yard.
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=17032
Different GPS problems
When your GPS gives you the wrong location, it can only fall into 2 categories.
Satellite Signal-Signals have been known to do all sorts of weird things. You are dealing with a very weak signal when you use GPS and it is prone to bouncing off of all sorts of things. This "bouncing" delays the arrival at your receiver and causes your location to be off.
Software-Software can be the second issue. This can either be the mapping software(such TomTom) or it can be a computational error. Your GPS is pinpointing your location by comparing "clocks". Sometimes it can 'flub' and make a mistake, but this is extremely rare.
Given that you were CONSTANTLY off by 1 mile, I would feel safe assuming that this was a software issue. I would test multiple mapping systems(especially Google Maps).
If you are using your GPS is an area with high buildings, hills, or inside of a building you might notice "jumping".
Telenav works perfectly and has data assisted location.
Ahhh
You are about to enter another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. Next stop, the Twilight Zone…
Do do do do, do do do do
Maybe there is something wrong with your phones GPS chip. As I use QuickGPS, Astrolauncher, and TomTom 6 and I am right on every time....
So this may be a stupid question from someone who isn't an advanced tablet user, but why is the GPS so important to so many people? If I need a GPS to get somewhere, I use my phone or GPS. And even if my tablet is tethered to my phone with the GPS off, it still gets it's location just fine. If I'm just an ignorant fool please feel free to let me know, just wondering what the benefit of it is.
Dan
I like maps and have very nice and detailed maps from memory map. It's very nice on a phone, but it would be so mutch better from a tablet.
Besides that, I can't stand it if something doesn't work (even if I never gone use it).
ddelong22 said:
So this may be a stupid question from someone who isn't an advanced tablet user, but why is the GPS so important to so many people? If I need a GPS to get somewhere, I use my phone or GPS. And even if my tablet is tethered to my phone with the GPS off, it still gets it's location just fine. If I'm just an ignorant fool please feel free to let me know, just wondering what the benefit of it is.
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they make seat mounts where you could technically use it as a turn by turn navigation. someone mentioned he wanted to mount one in his RV. I personally wouldn't mind having mine be functional so when I am riding with my friends to a vacation spot or something I can backseat turn by turn us to a liquor store or something....... all in all shouldn't be a huge deal for most but the fact that Asus was dumb enough to put a aluminum plate to block signal is kind of alarming.
ddelong22 said:
So this may be a stupid question from someone who isn't an advanced tablet user, but why is the GPS so important to so many people? If I need a GPS to get somewhere, I use my phone or GPS. And even if my tablet is tethered to my phone with the GPS off, it still gets it's location just fine. If I'm just an ignorant fool please feel free to let me know, just wondering what the benefit of it is.
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[A] I believe the point of GPS on this device (or any modern tablet / phone) is the utter ubiquity of GPS functions in apps, search, etc.... that coupled with gps hardware being so small, cheap, and power-conscious - it makes little sense to leave it out (even wih major usability issues)
I rarely use gps on my phone, let alone a tablet. Location based services are overrated
Maybe a gps to track a jog or hike? I'd love to see a jogger carrying a tablet
I'd also say that the people that post on these forums are generally not like the average user
It allows the FBI to find you when you view questionable material on the web.
Also, it allows Google to know where you are while collecting all of your habits, personal info and tastes.
Not everyone has a smart phone...not everyone can afford multiple gadget...
They buy the best gadget that meets their needs, the tp was originally advertised as the only device you need....
before ASUS dropped it from its specs, gps was part of the tp, so they expected the product to work...
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
Well whats important with GPS?? Well, whether you use it or not. If the box says it has GPS, it better have a working GPS. If you buy a car and it says it has a rearview camera and you find out that rearview camera was not working. Would you just says its ok thats what turning your head and looking at the mirrors are for. You paid for the feature, you best bet it works correctly if you paid for it. But if you bought it after the fact that they struck the GPS out of the box specs, then you shouldnt complain about the GPS or the use of it on your tablet.
People are upset because the box says GPS, and you paid for GPS but your not getting GPS.
Not getting what you paid for = upsetting.
Its like buying a turbo charged MR2 then finding out that the turbo isn't actually hooked up because toyota says the MR2 isn't meant to be a high performance race car...
And to add to that note..
And you find out the guy in your neighborhood bought the same MR2 at the same dealer and his turbo actually works. Its like WTF??? The guy is ranting I love my MR2 and not all MR2's are the same. And another guy with a faulty MR2 is also saying "its ok I dont use the turbo that much anyways" ... hehehehe.. Sorry just had to add.
Here's another idiot question, is GPS a subscription service?
No. As long as the device you have has a GPS receiver all it needs is a navigation software. The prime has a built in GPS receiver and has a navigation app so in theory it should lock on to satellites without the help of a wifi connection. But due to whatever Asus did to the prime, whether the aluminum case or firmware. The prime is a hit, or somewhere in the middle, to a complete miss in getting a lock on a satellite. Thus making the prime's GPS way below other devices with a GPS receiver and made Asus remove it from their specs.
ddelong22 said:
So this may be a stupid question from someone who isn't an advanced tablet user, but why is the GPS so important to so many people? If I need a GPS to get somewhere, I use my phone or GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Think a little, then you will know:
1. Not everyone has GPS in their phone. Buying phone with GPS = additional cost.
2. Dedicated GPS devices have often outdated maps because they lack internet connection and buing one = additional cost.
3. Tablet has enormous screen, great for using navigation while being a passenger (you hold the tablet in your hands, look at maps or use navigation) - the screen is much bigger and better than most phones (I for one have very basic phone because I have tablet for more advanced things).
4. Tablet has a great battery life - it's perfect for out-of-car navigation (trips on foot, on a bike) and for tracking GPS for your photo camera on any type of trips.
5. GPS is usefull not only for navigation. Simple thing like having Google Maps locate you is very useful, but also webpages and many fun application use it. Just search the market for GPS, you will find a lot of useful applications of your tablet with GPS.
6. For instanced where your tablet gets stolen GPS can help you locate it.
I think I missed some things, because I'm writing this list second time, from what I remember...
I've tried Telenav - not impressed, at least not enough to pay $10 a month.
Can anyone recommend any 3rd party GPS apps that are known to work with the Radar? I've heard Navigon doesn't work because of the lack of compass, but I don't have first hand experience so that statement could be wrong.
Any feedback is appreciated!
try this....
Hi there...
Try "Turn by Turn" Navigation.
It's free/trial, as long as you don't ask for directions...
Y.
Navigon works great and well worth the price. Plus the new version lets you download only the maps you need, taking up only about ~300mb of space.
Because of gps tracking, a compass isn't really needed. The map rotates with each turn I make.
Is gmaps pro worth buying? I came from an hd2 with android to this phone and not being able to find bus directions is a pain
Does anyone know of a navigon trial version. Had copilot7 on my touch hd, stupidly assumed I could install on radar...sadly mango is not best supported os, and most devs now concentrating on iPhone and android....grrrr. Still an iPhone hater and love windows, so need a new choice. Also heard that navigon doesn't work on radar coz of lack of compass, but is shown as supported on navigon website...just want to check it out b4 I commit to buy, as UK version is staggering £72 :-/
Anyone try Garmin?
carmonkeyboy said:
Does anyone know of a navigon trial version. Had copilot7 on my touch hd, stupidly assumed I could install on radar...sadly mango is not best supported os, and most devs now concentrating on iPhone and android....grrrr. Still an iPhone hater and love windows, so need a new choice. Also heard that navigon doesn't work on radar coz of lack of compass, but is shown as supported on navigon website...just want to check it out b4 I commit to buy, as UK version is staggering £72 :-/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, weird. I thought I replied to this thread already but I guess not, hah.
I can confirm that Navigon works wonderfully on the Radar, even without the digital compass. It tracks awesomely and quickly and when I turn in the car, it's able to detect via gps that I'm turning as well, and the navigation is seamless.
I also believe there is a Navigon trial, but it's only a simulation to play with routes and stuff and you can't actually use it to navigate.
guyhoang said:
Anyone try Garmin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have tried and own Garmin.. in some ways wish I would have gone with Navigon, but Garmin has been doing some updates..... aside from letting me download maps while on my wifi... The app is fantastic. The new update is slick. It looks to me like Garmin is developing on WP7 and that is a huge bonus... not just a token effort then poof they are gone like Intuit.
HTC Locations is now a full GPS app
Ok guys, here's some fresh news: HTC Locations was upgraded today to a full GPS navigation software. It includes downloadable maps of all countries, offline routing, turn by turn voice navigation in any language, speed cameras, points of interest, etc. So go ahead, upgrade and give it a try!
Having used all available GPS software (navigon, nokia drive, turn by turn, garmin etc) i must say i'm impressed with this one. This is the only GPS navigation software so far that planned some known routes exactly as i would plan them. I checked it out with Data turned off and it seems to plan routes and navigate 100% offline.
The only thing that seems to be missing, at least in my language, is Text To Speech. Also, voice navigation and speed cameras are subscription-based. They will be free for the first month and then you will be required to purchase them.
Yes! It works great, but we got one bad thing - one month trial....
How do you install Navigon to HTC Radar...does it have to be sideloaded to dev unlocked phone....cos i have been reading all about that, and have to say....woah...I think having just shelled out 500 for the phone, i would have expected to at least be able to do more than sync with Zune, and be forced to use live services. Perhaps I should have researched the platform more before buying. Just assumed it would be as good as all the other winmo devices that i have had
carmonkeyboy said:
How do you install Navigon to HTC Radar...does it have to be sideloaded to dev unlocked phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You buy it from the marketplace. Anything else is stealing.
carmonkeyboy said:
all the other winmo devices that i have had
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your Radar is not a "winmo device" and experiences you had with Windows Mobile should not be expected to inform Windows Phone ones.
Stealing
You miss my point.
I downloaded the navigon trial, 30 day, It says it has to be placed on memory card etc.
Downside....no memory card on Radar so, my question stands, how do you install it on HTC Radar?
I have no problem paying for decent sat nav for Radar....I had Co-Pilot on my HTC Touch Hd, and that was good. From what I have seen of Navigon, looks good also, but want to try before I spen £72 on it.
GPSOn turn by turn is fine, nice features with turn reminders flashing etc, but a 24 hour trial is hardly enough to determine whether it is worth £30.
My job requires daily driving all over the UK, and I just want to be able to put in postcode or address and forget it.
for $4 turn by is the best it also has satalite veiw
Have tried Navigon, Turn by Turn and HTC Locations.
The best one imo is HTC Locations IIRC ~29$ for life
+1 for htc locations
I'd like to keep my Flyer out in my truck as a perm GPS kinda thing. It gets kinda cold up in NY, so I'm concerned on how cold weather tolerant this thing is. The general rule is not to keep electronics outside when its cold, but come on... have you seen newer cars!! I left my Garmin outside 365/year without issue too.
I'd like to know fact from fiction on this. Maybe Myth Busters did something on it, lol.
If the worst thing to happen to my Flyer is a sluggish screen until it warms up, I'd like to keep it in the truck/car most of the time.
i literally never take my first gen ipod video from 2005 out of my trucks glovebox...in NJ, it gets as cold as single digits in the winter, and hits triple in the summer, and it's always in there, and somehow STILL works..and that's a moving hard drive too lol..i'd think as long as it doesn't move from cold to hot temps really quickly, no condensation should form or anything
Lion batteries tolerate cold better than heat but, I would imagine that there is still a potential for damage to occur.
I doubt the other components would be affected much.. but, just keep in mind there is a chance it will be on life support to actually run the rest of it's life.
If I may also go ahead and point this out.. You can get a Garmin with lifetime updates for about 250$ that doesn't require a cellular data connection and would be more reliable for what your buying it for..
Snow_fox said:
Lion batteries tolerate cold better than heat but, I would imagine that there is still a potential for damage to occur.
I doubt the other components would be affected much.. but, just keep in mind there is a chance it will be on life support to actually run the rest of it's life.
If I may also go ahead and point this out.. You can get a Garmin with lifetime updates for about 250$ that doesn't require a cellular data connection and would be more reliable for what your buying it for..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the Flyer at BestBuy for $99 a few months ago when they messed up the price. I dont have a need for it in the house because I have a GT10.1. I was close to CraigsListing it for $175, but decided to buy the Flyer car dock and use it as device to leave in the truck for GPS and such.
I dont really want another Garmin if the Flyer can work (w/tethering).
While Li ion batteries tolerate cold temperatures better than some other types, they still drain much more quickly in freezing temperatures. If you are leaving your Flyer in screen-off mode (and not powering it down), then you should be careful its not draining until shutoff in cold temps. Full power cycles are not good for Li ion batteries long term. Its also possible that draining the battery until the device shuts off, will render the battery unable to take a charge. (doesn't happen often, but does happen with Android devices).
That said, I completely understand your feeling about wanting to use an Android device instead of a Garmin for car navigation. I haven't used the "latest" Garmins. But the one I have (couple years old) has a crappy unresponsive touch screen, low resolution, and search function is nothing compared to Google.
The only advantage to a Garmin, is that you don't need a data connection. But of course, there are ways around that with Android also, either downloading Google Map sections, or with 3rd party software.
This doesn't answer your question, but I'll just throw this out there:
I've had the Flyer since it's release date at Best Buy. I bought it with full intentions of leaving it in my truck as a GPS/Media Player/Browser.
I built a console for it that goes between my jump seat and dash (the unit basically sits right under my stereo) and I have left it there plugged into a usb charger and line in on my stereo since the day I bought it (I can easily remove it and have on occasion for a few hours at a time.
I live in West Virginia so it probably doesn't get quite as cold as it does in NY but it can get down below zero at night. We have had a pretty mild winter here but that being said - I have never had a single problem out of it. Neither heat nor cold has seemed to have any affect on it whatsoever.
This is not to say that it couldn't and I've wondered the same as you many times... but just as someone who is doing exactly what you plan to do... I have never had a problem with it.
Hope this helps.
Just an FYI regarding the need for a cellular or wifi signal to use the Flyer or View as a dedicated GPS. With the use of a standalone navigation app such as CoPilot Live (no affiliation) or similar, which include built-in maps, your GPS-enabled unit uses only the internal GPS antenna to set a fix, and the on-board maps to get you around. No data connection is required to constantly update maps, as is the case with Google Maps, which is an 'assisted GPS' (aGPS) program.
Once your nav app is loaded, conserve batt power by activating 'airplane mode,' then under 'Location' enable the 'use GPS satellites' function. Make sure your Flyer is securely mounted on windshield or dashboard with a reasonable view of the sky (that's where the satellites are). You'll have no problems getting around in remote areas not served by Sprint et al. Over the past few years we have used my Evo 4g, Evo 3D and Evo View to get around in Europe in just this manner (no phone calls though, these are not international phones).
Regarding cold temperatures, I would remove the device from your vehicle if sub-zero F readings are expected.
procerum said:
No data connection is required to constantly update maps, as is the case with Google Maps, which is an 'assisted GPS' (aGPS) program.
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That is not what assisted GPS (aGPS) means. aGPS uses cell tower triangulation to speed up GPS location. Virtually any usage of the phone's GPS involves aGPS.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS
Also, as I've mentioned previously, Google Maps has the ability to download maps so you can use Maps and Navigation online. You just have to download the maps one area at a time.
I think we're saying the same thing. The Flyer/View will perform GPS (vs. aGPS) duties just fine without tower triangulation (in airplane mode) if your program has built-in maps. No tethering required.
The map caching is in Google Labs, right? I played with that while waiting at an appointment. I tried a Nav to home with it and Nav just spun. I only tried once though. I didn't get a "data connection required" so i know it knew the cached data was there.
I will think about Copilot if GNav doesn't cut it.
I like this thread, lots of good comments!
procerum said:
I think we're saying the same thing. The Flyer/View will perform GPS (vs. aGPS) duties just fine without tower triangulation (in airplane mode) if your program has built-in maps. No tethering required.
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No, we are not saying the same thing at all. You were saying that Google Maps can't be used without a data connection, since its an "aGPS program", and you seemed to be stating that aGPS had something to do with updating the maps (which it does not). Google Maps is fully functional without a data connection as I stated above.
Also, pretty much any current Android device is going to use aGPS when possible to shorten GPS lock time, regardless of what navigation app you are using (I hate when people call nav software "GPS", as GPS just determines lat/long and elevation and nothing more).
And now you are mis-using the term "tethering". A data connection is not tethering. Tethering is when you share a cell data connection with another device. For instance, tethering a phone to a laptop, means your laptop can use the data connection on your phone.
You really need to get your terms right.
---------- Post added at 08:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:13 PM ----------
kenyu73 said:
The map caching is in Google Labs, right?
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Yeah, that's right. I haven't played around with the feature much myself. But a buddy of mine recently used it during a trip to Europe, so he can navigate the cities on foot without pricey data roaming fees. He said it worked wonderfully.
redpoint73 said:
And now you are mis-using the term "tethering". A data connection is not tethering. Tethering is when you share a cell data connection with another device. For instance, tethering a phone to a laptop, means your laptop can use the data connection on your phone.
You really need to get your terms right.
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Thanks for the suggestion, Captain. I am attempting to help the OP, who used the term 'tethering,' which is unecessary, as is a data connection, if you have maps on your device:
kenyu73 said:
I dont really want another Garmin if the Flyer can work (w/tethering).
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My comments/methodologies are based upon actual travel experiences with these devices, which I'm sharing with the OP. Why do you feel the need to challenge me? Is this an initiation ritual for a new poster?
procerum said:
Thanks for the suggestion, Captain. I am attempting to help the OP, who used the term 'tethering,' which is unecessary, as is a data connection, if you have maps on your device:
My comments/methodologies are based upon actual travel experiences with these devices, which I'm sharing with the OP. Why do you feel the need to challenge me? Is this an initiation ritual for a new poster?
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Its all good gents. I just wanted to know if the Flyer was ok out in the cold.
Whether or not I'll use GNav or purchase something like Copilot is another story. I appreciated the comments from everyone.
procerum said:
kenyu73 said:
I dont really want another Garmin if the Flyer can work (w/tethering).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My comments/methodologies are based upon actual travel experiences with these devices, which I'm sharing with the OP. Why do you feel the need to challenge me? Is this an initiation ritual for a new poster?
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Click to collapse
The person your last response is directed at, and the OP are the same person.
No, I'm not trying to pick on you. But if you post something that is incorrect, people here are going to call it out. Or people here may just want to offer up a different opinion. Which brings me to the following.
I completely sympathize with the OP's desire to not want another Garmin navigation unit. I've found them to be crap. Overpriced for what they can do, not well made, and completely unreliable. I paid $399 for a flagship Nuvi unit, and it broke down a year after I bought it. Luckily, it was still on warranty, and they fixed it. But then the power cable failed soon after (out of warranty). Good thing I found a replacement on eBay for less than $10, because Garmin wants to charge you $30 (for something that will probably fail again in a year or so anyway). Both failures happened while I was traveling, and luckily I had my smartphone and Google Maps as backup.
Meanwhile, I have 3 HTC smartphones, and one tablet, from as far back as 4 years, still running fine as the day they were bought (aside from a few cosmetic blemishes from normal wear and tear). As far as I'm concerned, you are better off using a smartphone or tablet as navigation, with a 3rd party nav app with pre-loaded apps, if losing data connection is a concern.
Having a dedicated nav unit is probably a dying business model. Aside from providing software for smartphones, I don't see much of Garmin's business being around in a few years.
This is true, the last one I purchased was in 2003; it's unlikely that I'll ever purchase a dedicated unit again. The Flyer/View's 7-inch screen and robust build make for an excellent navigation device.