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Thinking of getting iPad to replace my TomTom
- Thread starter hohohong
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I haven't pulled my Tom Tom out since I downloaded Navigon on my iPhone. I'm not saying Navigon is superior but rather having GPS in a multifunctional device like an iPhone or iPad is a treat.
The GPS in the iPad is pretty solid based on reports and the processor is fast. The only thing is size and how you plan to mount it if at all.
I swear if Apple ever delivers a 7" iPad it's gonna be my GPS whenever i'm in the car.
The GPS in the iPad is pretty solid based on reports and the processor is fast. The only thing is size and how you plan to mount it if at all.
I swear if Apple ever delivers a 7" iPad it's gonna be my GPS whenever i'm in the car.
The Wifi only iPad will be nowhere near enough to replace a standalone GPS, the only location finding hardware in the wifi iPad is the WiFi triangulation. And even with that you will not be able to have google maps download unless you buy something like the tomtom app. For Gps replacement, the only way to go is with the iPad WiFi+3g.
I don't understand all these people who want 3G iPads as well as already owning a 3G capable mobile phone/iPhone?
Why are people paying for two data plans?
And as for using the iPad instead of a TomTom... have you seen the size of the iPad. Where on earth are you going to mount it for viewing?
Why are people paying for two data plans?
And as for using the iPad instead of a TomTom... have you seen the size of the iPad. Where on earth are you going to mount it for viewing?
Why are people paying for two data plans?
Probably because
1) The only way to share the data on another device is have that support; most devices do not have that support and the iPhone requires jailbreaking.
2) Swapping SIMs sounds easy, but it's tedious; I already lost my microSIM once trying that. Also when you have your iPhone SIM in your iPad, you'll miss both calls and messages.
I don't understand all these people who want 3G iPads as well as already owning a 3G capable mobile phone/iPhone?
Why are people paying for two data plans?
And as for using the iPad instead of a TomTom... have you seen the size of the iPad. Where on earth are you going to mount it for viewing?
I'll explain to you why
I was sure I would buy a Wifi-only iPad until my operator, Movistar Spain, released their tariffs for the iPad.
Basically, Movistar is the exclusive iPhone carrier here in Spain. So last week they said: for anyone who has the top two iphone tariffs (there are 3: 15,25 and 39 euro), the same tariff will be SHARED with your iPad and they will give you a micro sim card for free.
So, in short: any spanish iphone user with a 25 or 39 euro internet data plans will be able to use the very same plan with their ipads for no extra money. Zero!!
Those on the lower 15 euro tariff can upgrade to the 25 euro and get the same deal.
I'm so freakingly happy with Movistar.. they used to be the worst most expensive carrier in Spain, but now they're doing it right with the iphone. First, the data plans are unlimited data.. really unlimited. The different data plans means you have a certain amount of data at top 3G speeds, and after that you get your speed reduced to 128k but data is still unlimited.
15 eur = 300 mb at 3G speed, then unlimited at 128k speeds
25 eur = 1 gb at 3G speed, then unlimited at 128k speeds
39 eur = 3 gb at 3G speed, then unlimited at 128k speeds
NEXT, when OS 3.0 was released, they announced that ANY iphone user would be able to use internet tethering FOR FREE.
Now, they give an ipad data sim card FOR FREE to those who already have an iphone data plan
The wifi iPad doesn't have GPS capability. It does have location services via wifi, but finding your location at any given time depends on you being in range of an 802.11x network.
The wifi model won't replace a GPS device. Better off to buy the 3G and download Tom Tom or Navigon once they have an iPad version.
As to the two-data-plan question, it assumes that the person's phone is as capable as an iPad. Mine isn't - it's a Blackberry on Verizon. Small screen, slow 3G connection, crappy OS.
The wifi model won't replace a GPS device. Better off to buy the 3G and download Tom Tom or Navigon once they have an iPad version.
As to the two-data-plan question, it assumes that the person's phone is as capable as an iPad. Mine isn't - it's a Blackberry on Verizon. Small screen, slow 3G connection, crappy OS.
Yes, you for sure would need the 3G iPad to do turn by turn.
Yes, using the iPad for navigation is awesome! We are in Orlando right now and I've been using both Maps and Navigon on my iPad the whole time. Navigon's interface is great, but their maps are not. MotionX GPS Drive should be out soon, and the other major players should not be far behind.
On the other hand, do you plan on mounting the iPad in your vehicle? Or if you are like my family, I make my wife drive and I navigate with the iPad on my lap! LOL.
Yes, using the iPad for navigation is awesome! We are in Orlando right now and I've been using both Maps and Navigon on my iPad the whole time. Navigon's interface is great, but their maps are not. MotionX GPS Drive should be out soon, and the other major players should not be far behind.
On the other hand, do you plan on mounting the iPad in your vehicle? Or if you are like my family, I make my wife drive and I navigate with the iPad on my lap! LOL.
I don't understand all these people who want 3G iPads as well as already owning a 3G capable mobile phone/iPhone?
Why are people paying for two data plans?
And as for using the iPad instead of a TomTom... have you seen the size of the iPad. Where on earth are you going to mount it for viewing?
An iPhone and an iPad are two different things.
Apart from the obvious (phone for people wondering) they are pretty similar devices for the vast majority of people.
I have a specific role I want the iPad to play that can't be done as well on my iPhone (showing off my portfolio) but this in no way involves 3G.
The OP wants a TomTom replacement. That would use 3G but a TomTom would be a better option due to size, glossy screen, mounting problems. IMO, the iPhone would be a better TomTom replacement than a iPad.
So antiprotest, what do you do on your iPad 3G connection that can't be done on an iPhone??
If I were you I would just get the wifi model and buy a decent Nuvi. I have tried using my 3G as navigation, but always end up using my gamin instead. The iPad just seems too bulky and so far I do not have a good way to mount it. It just sits In the seat next to me and I'm scared its going to slide off when I slam on the breaks.
I would say Navigon is superior. I bought both TomTom and Navigon and I haven't used the TomTom app in months. I have tried routing with both and the TomTom is on crack. It comes up with the most bizarre routes. I can't trust its routing at all. The Navigon app has been great. The 3-D terrain add-on was an absolute waste of money. The "3-D" aspect is barely noticeable. On high, rugged terrain it is represented at best by a shadow. It's nothing like that sample images they showed when it was announced.
I have the incomplete instruction problem with my iPhone 3G. I've read most everyone is plagued with this. Navigon runs great on my iPad though. In my car there's a place where the console meets the dash assemply where the iPad fits quite well so it has done well as a GPS. I'm not using the 3G aspect so I don't get traffic unless I tether to my iPhone.
So antiprotest, what do you do on your iPad 3G connection that can't be done on an iPhone??
The iPhone's screen is too small to be useful.
Not everyone wants an iPhone and many that would like to have one, can't.
+1.
And most iPad owners have good jobs and lots of income and for a lousy $30 a month can have their cake and eat it too. Once you're always online with your iPhone there's no going offline with an iPad.
If you can't afford $30 a month for data, you shouldn't have bought an iPad to begin with. That's 2 trips to McDonald's, people.
BJ
Return the Tom Tom and get the 3G iPad.
I have both the Tom Tom and Navigon app and they both work quite well. I basically use them both to reality check eachother. One app make give me a wierd route while the other is spot on. It really depends on where I'm going.
You will definitely get more value for the money buying the iPad instead of the expensive Tom Tom.
I have both the Tom Tom and Navigon app and they both work quite well. I basically use them both to reality check eachother. One app make give me a wierd route while the other is spot on. It really depends on where I'm going.
You will definitely get more value for the money buying the iPad instead of the expensive Tom Tom.
Let's be realistic here.
The typical family buys 1 portable nav unit, keeps it in the glovebox 350 days a year, and moves it from car to car to car the other 15 days.
A portable nav's biggest benefit is to be there, sitting quietly in the sweaty glove box, until that time that WHAM you're lost or need directions. You reach into the glove box, you mount the thing on a beanbag or a suction cup BOOM problem solved.
An unwieldy iPad can't be the Johnny-on-the-spot problem solver that a $120 Nuvi is. Though there are a million things the iPad can be, there are some that it shouldn't be and an in-car nav is one of them.
BJ
I would return the tom-tom (or any portable GPS) irrespective of getting an iPad. A seldom used single function device is usually a bad idea. Instead, I would get a smart phone app instead... even if the app was not quite as good as a dedicated device. The app has a few great attributes:
1) it is always with you
2) It is always ready to go (batteries die in seldom used devices)
3) it is not extra bulk to carry when traveling.
/Jim
1) it is always with you
2) It is always ready to go (batteries die in seldom used devices)
3) it is not extra bulk to carry when traveling.
/Jim
+1 for Navigon. I can't wait for an iPad version, but the iPhone version is very usable for GPS with my car mount. Not sure where I would put the iPad in my car, but wouldn't it be lovely?
Hmmm I have a wifi ipad. Turned off wifi/ bluetooth. Drove around
NO INTERNET CONNECTION and my ipad was able to pinpoint my location.
Since I did not have DATA i could not search or street view etc.
But it new exactly where I was located. So the wifi ipad certainly does have gps capabilities without data.