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Magellan or Tom Tom?
- Thread starter APPLEFAN8
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Magellan seems to kinda have been abandoned, some pretty upset users here on these boards. I'm sure you'll hear from them.
Heard a lot of good things about TomTom, if it wasn't $50 I would have looked closer at it.
I had CoPilot ($5) but it really felt clunky and I kept trying to like it but I just couldn't bring myself to use it. MotionX GPS Drive ($1) I really liked using but I rather have the maps on the device in case I lose service or something happens like that. Its great for probably 90% of all uses.
I bought Navigon since its on sale (each region is $17, or $50 for US) and I really like it so far. Can tell you get a bit more by paying more. Although I bet most people would be happy with MotionX.
Heard a lot of good things about TomTom, if it wasn't $50 I would have looked closer at it.
I had CoPilot ($5) but it really felt clunky and I kept trying to like it but I just couldn't bring myself to use it. MotionX GPS Drive ($1) I really liked using but I rather have the maps on the device in case I lose service or something happens like that. Its great for probably 90% of all uses.
I bought Navigon since its on sale (each region is $17, or $50 for US) and I really like it so far. Can tell you get a bit more by paying more. Although I bet most people would be happy with MotionX.
I have Tom Tom, did not like it - thought somewhat functional, it just did not look as good as Navigon. I got Navigon today and from the first couple test - I really like it.
I've had Navigon for the last year or so. In fact, I have driven to from FLA to NC, FLA to NY and vice versa at least twice with it. It was purchased before there were region specific apps.
It has always been reliable and given correct directions. It actually has rarely thrown me a problem.
Assuming you are in the US and don't plan on going across county any time soon, I'd strongly suggest Navigon Region. Heck; even if you like to roam the county, I'd still say Navigon. (They are the same price.)
In my mind, there are only two real turn-by-turn apps for the iPhone. It's a Navigon and Tom Tom game. They both are from great companies and offer comparable services.
The best suggestion I can offer is the following:
Get a car mount! The iPhone needs to be close (attached) to the windshield. The GPS transmitter in the phone isn't the best to acquire a signal when on a seat. I have this one.
Next, get some type of charger + Audio output.
I use this charger and this for audio.
Audio is important because -- well -- you need to hear directions and your music. (Navigon handles driving directions with music well. It's lowers the music volume and speaks.)
Any GPS app will murder your battery. If you plan to use the app for more than 15 minutes, it'll need to be plugged in. Don't spend a lot of money on either the charger or tape/FM. It's just not really worth it.
It has always been reliable and given correct directions. It actually has rarely thrown me a problem.
Assuming you are in the US and don't plan on going across county any time soon, I'd strongly suggest Navigon Region. Heck; even if you like to roam the county, I'd still say Navigon. (They are the same price.)
In my mind, there are only two real turn-by-turn apps for the iPhone. It's a Navigon and Tom Tom game. They both are from great companies and offer comparable services.
The best suggestion I can offer is the following:
Get a car mount! The iPhone needs to be close (attached) to the windshield. The GPS transmitter in the phone isn't the best to acquire a signal when on a seat. I have this one.
Next, get some type of charger + Audio output.
I use this charger and this for audio.
Audio is important because -- well -- you need to hear directions and your music. (Navigon handles driving directions with music well. It's lowers the music volume and speaks.)
Any GPS app will murder your battery. If you plan to use the app for more than 15 minutes, it'll need to be plugged in. Don't spend a lot of money on either the charger or tape/FM. It's just not really worth it.
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I third (fourth?) Navigon. It's better than my stand-alone Magellan GPS, and it's better than my mother's stand-alone TomTom. It's full-featured, well supported by Navigon, just got updated maps yesterday, and just plain works.
As for fleshman's point about needing to be near the window, that's true for the 3G and 3GS, but my 4 has been in the seat and working perfectly, and in the central console and working perfectly, and even indoors! The 4 got a GPS receiver upgrade, and it shows. That said, a window mount is still a good idea, simply for ease of operation and safety while driving. I am waiting for Griffin to update their WindowSeat to accommodate the 4, because none of their attachments work with it right now.
I also installed an adapter that both charges my iPhone and plays audio through my car stereo. Mine is the USA SPEC PA15-TOY, and it works well.
As for fleshman's point about needing to be near the window, that's true for the 3G and 3GS, but my 4 has been in the seat and working perfectly, and in the central console and working perfectly, and even indoors! The 4 got a GPS receiver upgrade, and it shows. That said, a window mount is still a good idea, simply for ease of operation and safety while driving. I am waiting for Griffin to update their WindowSeat to accommodate the 4, because none of their attachments work with it right now.
I also installed an adapter that both charges my iPhone and plays audio through my car stereo. Mine is the USA SPEC PA15-TOY, and it works well.
He's correct about Magellan, they haven't updated it for quite a long while but a fellow poster, maggie, is telling that they're in the beta feature now and the update is about to be released. (Pls read)
Right now I'm using CoPilot (the one priced at $20) as a temporary till Magellan fixes their app. If I had the money, I'll probably lean more on Navigon as they have released updates often and are listen to their customers very well.
I've used TomTom since they first came out [when it was $99, so I should be the one complaining it's now $49].
Anyways, I've used it with and without the car kit on a 3GS; I've compared it with the navigation in my car and it's a lot better. Of course, in a way, this is the only dedicated navigation device I've used.
IQ routes are great. I've gone on a cross-country road-trips with it and it's excellent; I was able to fine POIs and reach my destinations quickly.
That was before the traffic and Google search functionality. I don't actually use the traffic functionality, so I can't comment on that. I can only assume it would be a lot better. Built-in Google search works very well.
The multiple updates are also very nice. I hate only getting one update a year on my car (and sometimes they change the whole system, so you don't even get updates). I've gone on trips where new roads are only on the TomTom app.
That said, I've never used the Navigon or Magellan applications.
Anyways, I've used it with and without the car kit on a 3GS; I've compared it with the navigation in my car and it's a lot better. Of course, in a way, this is the only dedicated navigation device I've used.
IQ routes are great. I've gone on a cross-country road-trips with it and it's excellent; I was able to fine POIs and reach my destinations quickly.
That was before the traffic and Google search functionality. I don't actually use the traffic functionality, so I can't comment on that. I can only assume it would be a lot better. Built-in Google search works very well.
The multiple updates are also very nice. I hate only getting one update a year on my car (and sometimes they change the whole system, so you don't even get updates). I've gone on trips where new roads are only on the TomTom app.
That said, I've never used the Navigon or Magellan applications.
I use Google Maps Navigation. It comes for free on my Android phone. Not sure if there is an iPhone version.
Magellan here. While I agree that there hasn't been an update in a while, After using most of the GPS apps, I find that the Magellan offers the most features and functionality. It's a good app that works very well. The only thing I would like to see is the background function so that when a call comes in I don't have to restart the app.