• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

GPS Navigation - onboard maps

W

Wiz4769

Lurker
Im seriously considering giving up my Iphone 3gs that is now up for upgrade for a Galaxy S2 Skyrocket....But It seems that for 95% of the apps for iPhone are available for android. But for some reason the GPS Navigation is not up to par it would seem. I really like having a full Nav app with full maps on the device as a backup. I use a Nuvi for most times, but have found myself in another car, with a friend, etc and need to use the phone for navigation. iphone has Garmin, Navigon, Tom Tom, Magellan, just to name a few big ones. ALL are onboard full navigation apps.

Why are these not available for android? I think Navigon is the only one I have seen and a couple others , but lack the millions of POIs and features the big ones have. Am I totally wrong here? I really want to make the swap, but I still have a couple reservations on the switch and this one bothers me and I would think would bother you guys as well. Please dont start the you can download certain tiles and all that, Im talking about full US maps onboard only.
 
CoPilot Live is pretty good for US maps -- they issue monthly map updates, and respond quickly to user-reported map errors. All maps are stored on the device, so it doesn't need a data connection unless you're doing something that requires real-time data (e.g. traffic updates, weather, fuel prices).

I've used CoPilot Live on Android & WinMo devices for several years and have never had any regrets. I tried Navigon for WinMo a year or so back, but it was crap, with out-of-date maps and not at all finger-friendly.
 
Wiz4769 said:
iphone has Garmin, Navigon, Tom Tom, Magellan, just to name a few big ones. ALL are onboard full navigation apps.
Click to expand...

For the whole world that's a minimum of 7GB of maps, for North America a minimum of 2GB, that needs to be stored on your SD card.

Why are these not available for android?
Click to expand...

Because there are extremely few people who really need turn-by-turn navigation in every square mile of North America available to them at ALL times. Let alone in the whole world.

I think Navigon is the only one I have seen and a couple others , but lack the millions of POIs and features the big ones have. Am I totally wrong here?
Click to expand...

"Millions of POIs and features" require X gigabytes of extra on-board storage space, over and above the maps, while 99% of people will never use 99% of them...
 
Pretty sure I said US maps, thats about a gig and a half on most apps and that includes the POIs. I dont care if some dont want the full maps in the phone to save room, there are several apps for that, and I know im not the only one wanting the maps on board so no data is needed to use it.

I dont know why sometimes there are a few android guys that get all defensive when questions are asked like this. Its obvious that there is some slack on the android side of apps and its ok. Like I said Im wanting to swap over from iPhone, but need some questions answered is all....

I will give CoPilot a look as well, I just wish the big Nav guys would get cracking on the Android platform.
 
I've driven in California and New Jersey using CoPilot on Android - no problems at all.

Rob
 
Wiz4769 said:
I dont know why sometimes there are a few android guys that get all defensive when questions are asked like this.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure where you got that. You asked questions. I answered and explained. How is that 'defensive'?

Its obvious that there is some slack on the android side of apps and its ok.
Click to expand...

With a couple hundred thousand Android apps that is not so obvious to me. A case in point: Apple's got Siri, Android's got at least 6 alternatives.
 
Funny with the few replies , you knew you were the one I was referring to...Look it just get frustrating when you ask about something and you get a reason why you shouldnt be wanting what you asked for. You gave answers , but not really to the questions I asked, just reasons why you THINK Android doesnt offer what was requested. Again you dont stay on topic and get defensive on your reply. I never said a thing about Siri or give a crap about that app. I dont expect apple and android to be the exact same, thats why we have choices and Im looking for a change to try out, so you dont need to try and defend Android with me. I have just a couple things that are on my must list and this happens to be one.

I can see why some would have no issues with on the fly maps, dont leave the city, dont use the Nav often , etc. We know there are apps for this. But Im specifically asking about GPS Nav with onboard maps only. You seem to know some things about Android so If you have some insight to this inquiry I would be glad to hear it.
 
Wiz4769 said:
I just wish the big Nav guys would get cracking on the Android platform.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't hold your breath. I suspect the big players are not entering into the Android market because of Google Navigation. It more or less kills that market for them. At best we might see them sign deals with various handset manufacturers.

Personally I bought CoPilot Live so I could have offline maps but honestly I never use it. Still it is nice to have just in case. I either use Google Nav or Waze. One of these days I may play around with OpenStreetMaps as an offline solution.

If this is the only thing holding you back from getting an Android phone - my advice would be get one. If you start start using Google Nav I think you'll stop worrying about the offline maps. If nothing else you still have the iPhone 3G to fall back on with its offline maps already loaded.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom