Which Sat-Nav iPhone App do I get?

[covertsurfer]

I am off on a trip next week and have been keeping an eye on the Sat-Nav apps. I see all of them do not provide live traffic information which is the key issue I am waiting for really but unlikely to appear by next week.

I like the idea of the proposed cradle's coming to market which I can use once they appear. From the looks of it TomTom's cradle will have built in GPS to enhance the iPhone whereas Navigon won't.

I have also read by TomTom that any update to their app will need a full re-purchase whereas Navigon has just issued an update free to all current owners.

As I cannot try before I buy and there are mixed reviews for all Sat-Nav apps I am a bit tentative before I buy.

What's your advice?

 

[Tomb85]

I am off on a trip next week and have been keeping an eye on the Sat-Nav apps. I see all of them do not provide live traffic information which is the key issue I am waiting for really but unlikely to appear by next week.

I like the idea of the proposed cradle's coming to market which I can use once they appear. From the looks of it TomTom's cradle will have built in GPS to enhance the iPhone whereas Navigon won't.

I have also read by TomTom that any update to their app will need a full re-purchase whereas Navigon has just issued an update free to all current owners.

As I cannot try before I buy and there are mixed reviews for all Sat-Nav apps I am a bit tentative before I buy.

What's your advice?

I have tomtom UK & Ireland and I think it is awesome. Doesn't have traffic on it as far as I'm aware. Some people have mentioned GPS inaccuracy - I got on really well with a bit of blu tac on my dash board propping ip up against the windshield. Really 21st century lol. But I love it. I had a garmin before. It came close to being thrown out the window many times.

If you have a long trip make sure you have a car charger. Or I wouldn't bother at all mate.

 

[countrydweller]

I am off on a trip next week and have been keeping an eye on the Sat-Nav apps. I see all of them do not provide live traffic information which is the key issue I am waiting for really but unlikely to appear by next week.

I like the idea of the proposed cradle's coming to market which I can use once they appear. From the looks of it TomTom's cradle will have built in GPS to enhance the iPhone whereas Navigon won't.

I have also read by TomTom that any update to their app will need a full re-purchase whereas Navigon has just issued an update free to all current owners.

As I cannot try before I buy and there are mixed reviews for all Sat-Nav apps I am a bit tentative before I buy.

What's your advice?

As of now, I would go with Navigon. Wondering though, where did you read that TomTom updates would be a the full price of the original app?

 

[dhy8386]

Thats obviously not right. I think he meant map updates.

I will tell you this since i have three - Navigon, TomTom, and G-Map. RIGHT NOW Navigon is clear winner. It has text to speach which is a must and the ipod integration is fantastic. TomTom has better routing options and capabilities and G-Map right now is inferior to both.

That said, TomTOm will for sure update their app for Text to speech but they are not as open about updates as Navigon and so we have no idea when this will happen. Additionally, G-Map has submitted a new version to the app store which should be out any day (they submitted 4 days later than Navigon which just came out 2 days ago) barring a rejection and IF (big IF) it looks anything like what is on Youtube then it may well be worth a try. It should not only have text to speech but it looks to have more robust routing options then Navigon and also provides your route directions so you can see how it takes you. It will also have a TomTom like avoid route feature which will be welcome. I would wait until early next week before you purchase to see if it comes out and then check out early reviews. I will be happy to post one if it comes out. They also use Navteq maps so theoretically should be same as Navigon if they both are using latest versions.

Otherwise i do not think there is much choice if you need to get it by next week. Navigon is the only way to go as it is the most advanced, for now.

I have not tried others like iGo and CoPilot but from everything i have read on the web, these two fall behind.

I did an extensive comparison here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/784588/