GPS on mobile a real alternative to a proper Sat Nav?

jaxconrad · 23-11-2008, 20:07

Hi, I was wondering whether anyone can tell me whether the GPS/navigation on something the new Blackberry Storm (or similar smart phone) is a serious alternative to buying a stand alone Sat Nav.

I've been thinking of getting a Sat Nav for weeks, but at the same time I've been looking at new phones and see a lot are now offering GPS. At the moment i'm leaning towards the the Blackberry Storm. From what I've read, if I pay an extra £5 a month for "Find & Go" on Vodafone, it will give me 3D mapping and turn by turn voice commands.

Anyone have an experience using Vodafone's Find & Go, or any other mobile based GPS/Navigation program?

legends wear 7 · 23-11-2008, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxconrad

Hi, I was wondering whether anyone can tell me whether the GPS/navigation on something the new Blackberry Storm (or similar smart phone) is a serious alternative to buying a stand alone Sat Nav.

I've been thinking of getting a Sat Nav for weeks, but at the same time I've been looking at new phones and see a lot are now offering GPS. At the moment i'm leaning towards the the Blackberry Storm. From what I've read, if I pay an extra £5 a month for "Find & Go" on Vodafone, it will give me 3D mapping and turn by turn voice commands.

Anyone have an experience using Vodafone's Find & Go, or any other mobile based GPS/Navigation program?

The Storm with Find and Go works just as well as my TomTom.

find and go on a storm will be free for first 6 months too

dan44762000 · 24-11-2008, 12:19

used to use tom tom on my n95 with great results. it was just like a stand alone sat nav but on a smaller screen.

Finglonga · 24-11-2008, 13:03

My Garmin is much better than my N95. Quicker at finding satellites, quicker at making a route and doesn't lose the lock ever. Also the screen is much bigger and easier to enter any details in or to scroll about. As a result the N95 GPS was never used.

Ricardodaforce · 24-11-2008, 13:48

Telmap on the Curve 8310 is an awesome bit of kit.

skimminstones · 24-11-2008, 20:30

Ive used tomtom on my n95 and never had a problem. Just the same as a normal tomtom just a smaller screen. Still perfectly useable. Got me up and down the country fine.

Ive just downloaded a beta version of telmap, only used it briefly at the moment but seems to do the job ok.

stephen1980 · 24-11-2008, 20:58

I have a touchdimond and use tomtom and google maps on it, since I updated the software on my phone they work great the phone finds the satellites in a fw seconds. They only bad point is that a lot of the time tomtom does not like the address in the phones addressbook.

Snake_Eater · 25-11-2008, 00:32

TOMTOM 7 on the Sony ericsson X1i is the best sat nav i have ever used.

LostFool · 26-11-2008, 09:15

I have GPS on my TomTom One XL and BB Bold. I find them both good for different situations.

In the car, the TomTom is much better - bigger screen and an easier touch screen interface plus you don't have to keep downloading maps.

While out on foot, Google Maps on the Bold just rocks - it's just brilliant for finding your way to a bar or restaurant when in a strange town. BB Maps is terrible and I haven't used the Vodafone SatNav app much.

Moony · 26-11-2008, 10:58

GPS on iphone is ok - if a little slow, but it has a major limitation though in that it doesnt have pre-loaded maps - so you cant use it unless you have some sort of connection to the internet.

flagpole · 26-11-2008, 11:23

I have garmin mobile XT on my N95-2.

It's great. the routing is the same as the standard garmin kit. the phone is more than powerful enough, and there are advantages to using a-GPS.

Downside is the screen isn't as big. But it's a worth while compromise as i always have my phone on me.

marknotgeorge · 27-11-2008, 15:13

I used TomTom 6 on my N73, which worked well. It was a bit clunky though, using a bluetooth GPS dongle, and two charging leads. Now I have a Nokia 6220C with built-in GPS and free Nokia Maps for 3 months. That seems to work well too.

I've cobbled together a through the speakers car kit for £1.60 by using a 2.5-3.5mm jack plug adapter and a cassette adapter into the car stereo of my Astra. The 6220's bright enough to know that when I've plugged headphones in (as opposed to a headset) to use it's own microphone. The only drawack I can see is that I can't listen to the radio on the move, just mp3

UppyJC · 27-11-2008, 15:20

I've always used TomTom navigator on a variety of Windows mobile phones. Works just as well as any dedicated unit I've used with the added advantage of having the built in connectivity for things like TomTom traffic...

bigtunes · 27-11-2008, 15:30

TomTom 7 on a MDA Compact III, seems to get me where I'm going on the rare occasions I use it.

Not so hot on foot in central London though, seems to suffer unless there is a fairly clear view of the sky.

liamhere · 27-11-2008, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtunes

TomTom 7 on a MDA Compact III, seems to get me where I'm going on the rare occasions I use it.

Not so hot on foot in central London though, seems to suffer unless there is a fairly clear view of the sky.

i have nothing but praise for tomtom on my htc diamond

does what it says on the tin!

stephen1980 · 28-11-2008, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by liamhere

i have nothing but praise for tomtom on my htc diamond

does what it says on the tin!

I also have a htc diamond. I have lots of address in my phonebook, if I use google maps it is happy with most of the addresses, but if I use tomtom it does not recognise most of the addresses any idea what I am doing wrong.

semtex65 · 30-11-2008, 12:55

I use TomTom on my N95 8GB almost daily and it works pretty good. Voice instructions run through the bluetooth car kit so, aside from the slightly smaller screen, its just as good as having a dedicated satnav i'd say.

Only downside was that I do have to use a 3rd party app to allow TomTom to use the internal GPS receiver.

kyussmondo · 30-11-2008, 16:49

The only problem I have is the screen isn't as big as stand-alone sat nav devices.

Just to add to the iPhone. There is no turn by turn directions, and if you are driving along a motorway then even with 3G, Google Maps will have trouble keeping up. I am really hoping for proper sat nav on the iPhone. The pedestrian maps is a neat addition, but still needs a lot of work. For example, I live in a rural area. If I ask to walk somewhere it will take the roads and doesn't acknowledge public footpaths or bridle-ways, not that I do walk much, but IF I did then it would be useful

Rotara · 31-12-2008, 20:21

I have the HTC TyTN II and the TomTom Navigator it came with works pretty well, only trouble is the bundled software only gives me a map for one city. Pretty much a demo.

So I'm going to have to purchase the full version, but before I do I was wondering if anyone has used the Navigon alternative?

The Navigon Mobile Navigator 7

It looks fantastic on the website but just wondered if anyone had any real world experience with this product.?

Cheers.

23-11-2008, 20:07	#1
jaxconrad Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: London Posts: 1,874	GPS on mobile a real alternative to a proper Sat Nav? Hi, I was wondering whether anyone can tell me whether the GPS/navigation on something the new Blackberry Storm (or similar smart phone) is a serious alternative to buying a stand alone Sat Nav. I've been thinking of getting a Sat Nav for weeks, but at the same time I've been looking at new phones and see a lot are now offering GPS. At the moment i'm leaning towards the the Blackberry Storm. From what I've read, if I pay an extra £5 a month for "Find & Go" on Vodafone, it will give me 3D mapping and turn by turn voice commands. Anyone have an experience using Vodafone's Find & Go, or any other mobile based GPS/Navigation program?

27-11-2008, 16:01	#15
liamhere Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: birmingham U.K Posts: 1,930	tt7 and my diamond Quote: Originally Posted by bigtunes TomTom 7 on a MDA Compact III, seems to get me where I'm going on the rare occasions I use it. Not so hot on foot in central London though, seems to suffer unless there is a fairly clear view of the sky. i have nothing but praise for tomtom on my htc diamond does what it says on the tin!

23-11-2008, 20:24	#2
legends wear 7 Guest Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,070	Quote: Originally Posted by jaxconrad Hi, I was wondering whether anyone can tell me whether the GPS/navigation on something the new Blackberry Storm (or similar smart phone) is a serious alternative to buying a stand alone Sat Nav. I've been thinking of getting a Sat Nav for weeks, but at the same time I've been looking at new phones and see a lot are now offering GPS. At the moment i'm leaning towards the the Blackberry Storm. From what I've read, if I pay an extra £5 a month for "Find & Go" on Vodafone, it will give me 3D mapping and turn by turn voice commands. Anyone have an experience using Vodafone's Find & Go, or any other mobile based GPS/Navigation program? The Storm with Find and Go works just as well as my TomTom. find and go on a storm will be free for first 6 months too

24-11-2008, 12:19	#3
dan44762000 Inactive Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,178	used to use tom tom on my n95 with great results. it was just like a stand alone sat nav but on a smaller screen.

24-11-2008, 13:03	#4
Finglonga Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Stafford. Posts: 4,706	My Garmin is much better than my N95. Quicker at finding satellites, quicker at making a route and doesn't lose the lock ever. Also the screen is much bigger and easier to enter any details in or to scroll about. As a result the N95 GPS was never used.

24-11-2008, 13:48	#5
Ricardodaforce Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alacant Posts: 7,773	Telmap on the Curve 8310 is an awesome bit of kit.

24-11-2008, 20:30	#6
skimminstones Inactive Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 8,186	Ive used tomtom on my n95 and never had a problem. Just the same as a normal tomtom just a smaller screen. Still perfectly useable. Got me up and down the country fine. Ive just downloaded a beta version of telmap, only used it briefly at the moment but seems to do the job ok.

24-11-2008, 20:58	#7
stephen1980 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London Posts: 954	I have a touchdimond and use tomtom and google maps on it, since I updated the software on my phone they work great the phone finds the satellites in a fw seconds. They only bad point is that a lot of the time tomtom does not like the address in the phones addressbook.

25-11-2008, 00:32	#8
Snake_Eater Inactive Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 881	TOMTOM 7 on the Sony ericsson X1i is the best sat nav i have ever used.

26-11-2008, 09:15	#9
LostFool Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 59,737	I have GPS on my TomTom One XL and BB Bold. I find them both good for different situations. In the car, the TomTom is much better - bigger screen and an easier touch screen interface plus you don't have to keep downloading maps. While out on foot, Google Maps on the Bold just rocks - it's just brilliant for finding your way to a bar or restaurant when in a strange town. BB Maps is terrible and I haven't used the Vodafone SatNav app much.

26-11-2008, 10:58	#10
Moony Guest Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 14,710	GPS on iphone is ok - if a little slow, but it has a major limitation though in that it doesnt have pre-loaded maps - so you cant use it unless you have some sort of connection to the internet.

26-11-2008, 11:23	#11
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	I have garmin mobile XT on my N95-2. It's great. the routing is the same as the standard garmin kit. the phone is more than powerful enough, and there are advantages to using a-GPS. Downside is the screen isn't as big. But it's a worth while compromise as i always have my phone on me.

27-11-2008, 15:13	#12
marknotgeorge Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Back home... Posts: 2,085	I used TomTom 6 on my N73, which worked well. It was a bit clunky though, using a bluetooth GPS dongle, and two charging leads. Now I have a Nokia 6220C with built-in GPS and free Nokia Maps for 3 months. That seems to work well too. I've cobbled together a through the speakers car kit for £1.60 by using a 2.5-3.5mm jack plug adapter and a cassette adapter into the car stereo of my Astra. The 6220's bright enough to know that when I've plugged headphones in (as opposed to a headset) to use it's own microphone. The only drawack I can see is that I can't listen to the radio on the move, just mp3

27-11-2008, 15:20	#13
UppyJC Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bristol Posts: 364	I've always used TomTom navigator on a variety of Windows mobile phones. Works just as well as any dedicated unit I've used with the added advantage of having the built in connectivity for things like TomTom traffic...

27-11-2008, 15:30	#14
bigtunes Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the internet Posts: 818	TomTom 7 on a MDA Compact III, seems to get me where I'm going on the rare occasions I use it. Not so hot on foot in central London though, seems to suffer unless there is a fairly clear view of the sky.

28-11-2008, 18:03	#16
stephen1980 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London Posts: 954	Quote: Originally Posted by liamhere i have nothing but praise for tomtom on my htc diamond does what it says on the tin! I also have a htc diamond. I have lots of address in my phonebook, if I use google maps it is happy with most of the addresses, but if I use tomtom it does not recognise most of the addresses any idea what I am doing wrong.

30-11-2008, 12:55	#17
semtex65 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 460	I use TomTom on my N95 8GB almost daily and it works pretty good. Voice instructions run through the bluetooth car kit so, aside from the slightly smaller screen, its just as good as having a dedicated satnav i'd say. Only downside was that I do have to use a 3rd party app to allow TomTom to use the internal GPS receiver.

30-11-2008, 16:49	#18
kyussmondo Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk Posts: 1,731	The only problem I have is the screen isn't as big as stand-alone sat nav devices. Just to add to the iPhone. There is no turn by turn directions, and if you are driving along a motorway then even with 3G, Google Maps will have trouble keeping up. I am really hoping for proper sat nav on the iPhone. The pedestrian maps is a neat addition, but still needs a lot of work. For example, I live in a rural area. If I ask to walk somewhere it will take the roads and doesn't acknowledge public footpaths or bridle-ways, not that I do walk much, but IF I did then it would be useful

31-12-2008, 20:21	#19
Rotara Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central London Posts: 839	I have the HTC TyTN II and the TomTom Navigator it came with works pretty well, only trouble is the bundled software only gives me a map for one city. Pretty much a demo. So I'm going to have to purchase the full version, but before I do I was wondering if anyone has used the Navigon alternative? The Navigon Mobile Navigator 7 It looks fantastic on the website but just wondered if anyone had any real world experience with this product.? Cheers.

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GPS on mobile a real alternative to a proper Sat Nav?