Iphone 3gs question - GPS turn by turn

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FordB

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#37695 17-Jul-2009 15:49

Hi Everyone.

I just saw in the app store that there is a GPS navigator (turn by turn) for your car that comes with Aussie and NZ maps. Does this mean that if i purchased this app and used it i wouldnt be changed any data because the maps are already loading...the iphone is simply accessing the GPS sats??

johnr

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#236494 17-Jul-2009 16:30

You would need to confirm this with the Vendor of the app

John

itey

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#236502 17-Jul-2009 17:11

Which app is this ?

FordB

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#236510 17-Jul-2009 17:51

Its this one here: http://www.apptism.com/apps/mobilemaps-australia-amp-new-zealand-turn-by-turn-voice-guided-gps-navigation

psychrn

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#236529 17-Jul-2009 19:09

Looking at the detail;s and file size all maps would be included- over 200 mb suggests this.

Tom Tom Maps are due to be released soon too if you want to wait. They will come with a window mount and external gps for car use as well. the]is makes the phones internal gps more accurate inside a car and in areas with tall buildings.

There was some talk about this app on the Yahoo Iphone group of which I am one of the mods http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/apple-iphone/

http://iphone.tomtom.com/ release date still unknown but cant be far away

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FordB

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#236532 17-Jul-2009 19:16

Thanks Psychrn

Yes i think i will wait if a Tom Tom app is coming out...just wanted to check that it wouldnt use data since it didn't have to download maps etc...:)

Qdabean

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#236740 18-Jul-2009 19:50

I purchased this app a few weeks ago and have used it many times since. It is a fantastic app and you are correct it uses no online data whatsoever. I have owned a TomTom in the past and this app seems to be as good for the casual user such as myself. At $85 it's very good value especially considering it has Aus included and is only 200mb. I suspect that TomTom will be more expensive and take up more room. I thoroughly recommend it ... but that's only my take on it.

RustyGonad

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#236829 19-Jul-2009 10:24

Qdabean: I purchased this app a few weeks ago and have used it many times since. It is a fantastic app and you are correct it uses no online data whatsoever. I have owned a TomTom in the past and this app seems to be as good for the casual user such as myself. At $85 it's very good value especially considering it has Aus included and is only 200mb. I suspect that TomTom will be more expensive and take up more room. I thoroughly recommend it ... but that's only my take on it.

Wot he said - Been using it since the day it came out - for the money its a great little app. While I don't dispute TomTom (use to use it on a Nokia) will be good as well I suspect it will be 3-4 times the price of MobileMaps.

There's a bunch of stuff that could be more iPhone friendly in it, but hey - it only cost $85 bucks - for that money its awesome...

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UrbanGrafix

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#236890 19-Jul-2009 15:30

My question is, has anyone tried this on Telecom because of the lack of A-GPS I am wanting to know about the time it takes to fix and if it is as accurate (maybe only in the city etc)

RustyGonad

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#236897 19-Jul-2009 16:10

UrbanGrafix: My question is, has anyone tried this on Telecom because of the lack of A-GPS I am wanting to know about the time it takes to fix and if it is as accurate (maybe only in the city etc)

Shouldn't make one bit of difference. A-GPS is nowhere near accurate enough for turn by turn, to the best of my knowledge, neither MobileMaps, nor TomTom even use it (it has been indicated that TomTom will go on iPod touches which don't have it at all using the external GPS cradle).

The best I've seen from A-GPS from NZ towers is a rough estimate of about 1500 metres, which could tell me I'm in Mission Bay - which i already knew...

Looking at the way it starts up, its stays dimmed until you get an actual Satellite lock - so I'm guessing it doesn't even consider A-GPS info. Normal startup seems to be around 10-15 seconds.

Basically it should work just the same as google maps ie if you can't see a few GPS birds your going nowhere fast...

UrbanGrafix

182 posts

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#236899 19-Jul-2009 16:15

My best it has accuratly located my exact location in maps down to my address but most of the time it just shows the closest tower.

Thanks for the info as well Vodafones 3G doesn't even work for the iPhone in Wanaka and surrounding locations so I am thinking of switching to Telecom once the free net ends on Voda lol as it can help alot for skiing and the ski apps

EDIT: I wonder if the cradle tomtom are going to offer will help much for gps etc, as what is the accuracy and speed of the app like on the 3Gs (I am looking for some vids as we speak)

webup

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#236907 19-Jul-2009 17:03

My N95 is pretty flawless driving with its inbuilt GPS

freitasm

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#236925 19-Jul-2009 18:40

Yep, but don't confuse GPS and AGPS. AGPS might help give you a general idea of where you are, and might help your GPS get a quicker satellite lock. But that's pretty much it. For precise location you need the built-in GPS and obviously a good view of the sky.

marmel

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#236936 19-Jul-2009 19:22

freitasm: Yep, but don't confuse GPS and AGPS. AGPS might help give you a general idea of where you are, and might help your GPS get a quicker satellite lock. But that's pretty much it. For precise location you need the built-in GPS and obviously a good view of the sky.

You don't necessarily need a good view of the sky either. Modern gps chips are very good at detecting signals where you wouldn't expect them to like inside buildings and in dense bush. I have seen posts on geocaching.com from people tracking there movements inside large shopping malls etc. Although these tracks were recorded using dedicated gps units the chips in these and modern cellphones are essentially the same, sirfstar III etc. A lot depends on how effective the phone design is and where the gps module is positioned inside the case. I have used a N95 running Garmin XT and it was pretty good once it got a lock.

However when you read some reviews it would almost seem that the phone manufacturer has stuffed a gps module in there at the last minute to "keep up with the competition" and haven't really thought about how effective it might actually work.

I think the Tom Tom unit will be extremely good at getting a fix and holding it as it has it's own gps receiver in the cradle but you will pay for it, not sure how much but it will be a lot more than $85.