Consumer.org didn't like Ovi Maps

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NZtechfreak

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#340793 11-Jun-2010 20:46

Never had that issue on any of something like 5 Nokia handsets I've had with Nokia Maps...

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lurker

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#340809 11-Jun-2010 21:45

I wonder how many people they get to test these devices, and if they all experienced the same problems. The article seems very strange to me. If one tester can't get an accurate position I'm sure there's some technical glitch, but if everybody who tested the units had such a bad experience I'd be very surprised. In their technical articles they can be a bit clueless but in this case it seems they have got it really wrong.

I wonder if Nokia will be responding to this article. The article suggests multiple testers but I wonder if it was just a single unit being tested by different people, none of whom thought to try another unit?

Charles000

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#340936 12-Jun-2010 13:27

My friend just spent a week driving around the south island, and bought a dedicated GPS for the trip. I asked her why, since she already has an iphone, and she said something about data costs and not always being able to get a 3g connection.

Offline maps are great.

turb

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#340937 12-Jun-2010 13:32

I bit the bullet and bought the Nokia 5230 from {Insert name of Sunnybrae Rd based vendor on the PriceSpy listing here}, they don't have a fantastic reputation (see elsewhere on GZ), but I live quite nearby, so I figured I can always go and hassle them at the shop if there's a problem.

They are doing the genuine Nokia GPS kit (car charger and windscreen holder) for $40 if you buy it at the same time, also a screen protector for $10 instead of $15. A sweet deal I reckon. Just over $300 all up.

It comes fitted with a 2Gb card.

It looks like the phone has come from Hong Kong (pre-installed HK restaurant listings!), but no hassles with the setup. The charger has a UK type mains plug but the shop give you a neat little adaptor.

I tried out the GPS driving around between Devonport and Albany and it works a treat. I had the A-GPS and internet connection off. The screen is not as clear as a standalone GPS, but of course the screen is smaller and I'm still using the crappy presale screen cover. Also it was in bright sunlight. Having said all that it is still easy to see where you are meant to go. The voice instructions are clear and timely.

I'm looking forward to trying it out for cycling round town, using the walking route feature.

As a left-hander, I haven't quite sussed out which hand to hold it with and which to tap/write with the stylus. The slider bar (like in windows) is always on the right of the screen, which is fine on a PC screen, but on a touchscreen phone a left hander has to reach across with the stylus to use it, which obscures what you're trying to see. It would be nice if you could personalise it into Left Handed Mode.

I was a bit surprised to see that with the phone in the holder horizontally, the GPS antenna is underneath - still works though...so yeah...

As suggested above I reckon there must be some wierd reason why the test came out as it did. I hope it doesn't put people off the Nokia.

I'm rapt with the 5230, and very glad I posted this thread. Thanks for all your thoughts and advice guys.

GZ is great isn't it!

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d0tn3t

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#340942 12-Jun-2010 14:02

I used ovi maps on my old E71, and it was great. My only complaint was the size of the E71 screen more than anything. The accuracy was always great, the voices were clear, and the maps looked great.

On my iPhone 3GS (now sold), tomtom was horrible. The map often lagged, and looked as though it was scaled up from an old VHS tape. I understand using GPS turn by turn uses a bit of battery, but you could practically see the percentage drop down bit by bit as you drove.

Sure iOS on the iPhone slams S60v3 in many ways, but turn by turn (and GPS multitasking) is not one of them. I was spoilt by Ovi Maps (and the great sync ability with Ovi Maps online).

Consumer seems to be way off the mark sometimes, misguiding people with just enough info to be dangerous. I feel for salespeople who have to contend with customers that have been 'informed' by some of the reviews.

turb

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#340967 12-Jun-2010 16:04

I have a saved route on Ovi Maps on PC I'm trying to sync onto my phone, but I can't see how to do it. Ovi Suite seems to want to sync everything else, but nowhere does it mention maps.

Is there a way of doing this via the USB? Or does it have to be via the network? I don't want rack up a lot of data.

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#340978 12-Jun-2010 16:46

My wife has nokia 5800 with ovi maps. Compared it to car gps and tomtom on a short Auckland city journey. Nokia worked well without any lag compared to other devices.

that would be an ecumenical matter

BrentR

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#340979 12-Jun-2010 16:48

turb: I have a saved route on Ovi Maps on PC I'm trying to sync onto my phone, but I can't see how to do it. Ovi Suite seems to want to sync everything else, but nowhere does it mention maps.

Is there a way of doing this via the USB? Or does it have to be via the network? I don't want rack up a lot of data.

?

Has to be done over the air.

Technofreak

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#341046 12-Jun-2010 20:31

Turb

Pleased to hear that you found the replies here helpful.

I can't help with the synching problem but have a suggestion regarding the slider bar issue.

Take a look at SPB shell, Google it and you will find it. It is an after market GUI and there is one for the Symbian S60 platform that the 5230 runs on. It is very good and supports "swipe" scrolling to select applications. It has some other great functions also. You can download and use for 2 weeks for free then you need to pay. It is quite expensive I think though at around $30 USD.

There are heaps of other great appplications some of which are free, Google is your friend here too. One which I have is Sports Tracker, which is free, It's great if you're into any sort of activity like running, cycling, mountain biking, hiking etc. It records where you go, your speed and elevation/altitude. You upload your activity data on to the Sport tracker website and then access your account to see where you went and how fast etc.

I'm sure you will enjoy the 5230.

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dale77

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#343562 20-Jun-2010 22:31

I was surprized Consumer gave it such a bad rap.

My Ovi maps experiences:

GPS occasionally takes a while to lock, but more often is quick as.

No problems with accuracy, directions are always timely. Ok, it did once tell me to take the 5th exit at the roundabout, which would have had me doing a three sixty.

When required, has always got me to destination. Let me describe one experience emphasizing the goodness of the 5800 generally.

I needed to pickup courier parcel. Plugged in the address into maps, told it to take me there. Set a podcast going on the music player as I went, the voice directions just overlay over the top. Parcel wasn't at destination, used web browser to find helpline number on courier website, and used phone to roast the guy who sent me after the wild goose, and organize alternative drop-off.

Went to US a while back. Loaded up Ohio state maps, they got me around no problems, auto-coped with getting me back on to the freeway after taking the wrong exit. Told me I was going too fast when I missed a lowered speed limit.

Problems:

Likes Linwood ave in Christchurch LOTS. Always wants to take me down it...
Haven't figured out how to view the whole route a la google maps directions.
Doesn't get irritated after the 4th "route re-calculation" - show some emotion will you!
Map data has some missing turns which can make sub-optimal routes, but this is common to Google maps, so is just an underlying data problem.

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Technofreak

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#344655 23-Jun-2010 19:44

I downloaded the Consumer review. I couldn't believe they were reviewing the same product I have been using. My experience has been quite the opposite to that of the reviewer, So much so I wrote to Consumer telling them that their review didn't reflect my experience nor that of several people that I knew with Ovi maps, and suggested that they should retest Ovi Maps.

I didn't expect a reply from them, but I did get one, and they are planning to do a re test but not right away.

I did smile at one comment on their website telling them that they should have used the N97 to test Ovi Maps since the 5800 was a low end smart phone in comparision to the N97. Forgive me if I am wrong but doesn't the N97 run the same platform as the 5800?

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lurker

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#345602 26-Jun-2010 20:20

I received a response from Consumer earlier, I was told that 3 people tried it on 2 separate phones, and that others had reported inaccuracies.

I'm looking forward to a retest in the future...

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