Navigation capabilities

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Level 1

147 points

Navigation capabilities

iPhone users:

I do not have an iPhone. But that is another story. My brother is perhaps interested in getting an iPhone, in part for the navigation capabilities. I am interested to know how you feel about using the iPhone as a car navigator, and what apps you like or don't like, and why. How does it stack up to a good standalone unit such as a Garmin Nuvi? Is it adequate in areas with poor cell reception? Sprint navigation for the Palm Pre looks very good, but suffers when out of range of towers. Thoughts here? Can you point me to some good reviews and comparisons?

MacBook C2D White 1 GB, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Nov 19, 2009 11:04 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Michael Black

Level 10

80,274 points

Nov 19, 2009 12:06 PM in response to dndrich

I don't use my iPhone for nav (have a Garmin Nuvi 265WT in the car for that), but I would note that you are comparing quite different things in your post.

Like sprint, AT&T offers a nav app (actually, essentially the same app, as both merely put their brand on Telenav's app). These cell provider nav apps do require a cellular connection to download maps and traffic information as you use them, so no cell signal, no navigation.

There are also several apps for the iPhone that install as standalone apps with the maps stored on the phone itself - eg. TomTom and others. These apps will not require a data connection to function, as they include all the map data they need as part of the install. Some features, like real time traffic info may not work when out of signal area, but the maps and basic navigation stuff is wholly contained on the phone itself.

I've used AT&T's branded version of Telenav before, and it is a nice app., but it is dependent on a cell signal, and if only on EDGE, it cannot run while using the phone (3G is okay, as it can handle both voice and data simultaneously).

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Answer 2

dndrich Author

Level 1

147 points

Nov 19, 2009 1:41 PM in response to dndrich

Thank you. That is useful info. I am interested to hear any other opinions out there?

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Answer 3

judge404

Level 1

0 points

Nov 22, 2009 10:22 AM in response to dndrich

I use NDrive South Africa on my iPhone 3G and I've just completed a two day journey to places I know absolutely nothing about. It was great all the way - never put a foot wrong and got me to my destination without fuss.

I was concerned about the need for a data feed too - but NDrive doesn't require this (as backed up by a reviewer from Canada who uses his without 3G or cellular access - http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/reviews/app-review-ndrive-canada-gps-for-iphone-3g3 gs/

I haven't compared it with Garmin's or Tom Tom's - but a friend of mine runs Garmin on a Samsung D900 - and it's responses and accuracy are identical to the iPhone (we did a side by side test drive with both phones next to each other). The iPhone actually grabs a satellite signal much faster than the Samsung - which often takes a few minutes to sort itself out before it's ready to go.

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