Small G-MAPS East Review [Archive]

MotionxxUSxx

Jan 6, 2009, 08:54 AM

Just tried gmap us east for the first time in the car and I am impressed.

1.) Offline maps are great. You no longer need to wait for each map to download like you do when you are using google maps in the car.

2.) It found my location instantly

2.) Extremely easy to calculate a route with many options (avoid tolls, highways, scenic routes, fastest, shortest, etc)

3.) The maps follow you as you drive. The dot always seemed to be in the correct location.

4.) I went a different way than the displayed route and g-maps rerouted me in a few short seconds. (This is the killer feature that I was looking for). The map tells you what road you are currently on.

5.) You have the ability to show many poi's on the map. You can turn these on and off in settings menu found under the apple general settings menu. I'm not sure why developers just don't include the settings menu in the app itself.

6.) It's very easy to zoom in and out.

7.) You can set the colors of the map. It even has auto colors so the map will change to from day colors to night colors based on the time of day.

8.) You can save favorites. For example I have my home and work saved. It's as easy as selecting a favorite and hit go.

All it really needs now is the ability for the maps to rotate so you are always facing up. I thought that they mentioned that this will be incorporated in the future.

This is the best you will get until, Apple allows voice prompting for turn by turn directions.

benfica88

Jan 6, 2009, 09:25 AM

MotionxxUSxx

Jan 6, 2009, 09:27 AM

Program is horrible. Besides the re-routing there's nothing else this does better than Google maps excluding the offline maps portion.
The worst part is that the program actually dims and locks the screen. You have to keep tapping the screen to keep the program up.
At least google maps keeps the screen bright and doesn't lock when moving...

Are you kidding me, you have to set the screen to not automatically lock. This needs to be done with google maps as well. This is way better than google maps. Isn't rerouting the most important feature.

bmms8

Jan 6, 2009, 09:44 AM

i agree this is the best map app out there. i am very happy with it thus far. there are obviously a couple things they need to work on, but overall its great, and much better than google maps.

kas23

Jan 6, 2009, 10:17 AM

I wonder why this is mostly stuck in the North-facing position? Is this a technically difficult to develop or is this an SDK restriction? Well, they do have forward-facing intersections, so it likely is not an absolute SDK restriction.

This App needs to further itself more from Google Maps and then I think it will start to catch on.

benfica88

Jan 6, 2009, 11:25 AM

Are you kidding me, you have to set the screen to not automatically lock. This needs to be done with google maps as well. This is way better than google maps. Isn't rerouting the most important feature.

When being charged Google maps never auto locks. On top of that as long as you keep moving it never dims the screen. Even if you do stop and move again the screen brightens.

MotionxxUSxx

Jan 6, 2009, 11:39 AM

When being charged Google maps never auto locks. On top of that as long as you keep moving it never dims the screen. Even if you do stop and move again the screen brightens.

I don't charge my phone while in the car.

eplchamps0304

Jan 6, 2009, 11:47 AM

I don't charge my phone while in the car.

You are going to have to if you intend to use it as a gps

MotionxxUSxx

Jan 6, 2009, 12:15 PM

You are going to have to if you intend to use it as a gps

With offline maps, I didn't see much drainage. With g-maps, all I'm using is the GPS, there is no constant data download for the maps.

bbplayer5

Jan 6, 2009, 12:38 PM

They really need to mark your position with an arrow, not a blinking dot. Not only that, but they need to rotate the screen as you turn!!!

Its "ok" right now... needs a lot of work.

jhanlon

Jan 6, 2009, 01:00 PM

The biggest advantage over Google Maps will come when the European maps become available and will be able to be used with Data Roaming (prohibitively expensive) turned off. These nit picking objections will be paled along side the capability.

Ashyukun

Jan 6, 2009, 01:38 PM

With offline maps, I didn't see much drainage. With g-maps, all I'm using is the GPS, there is no constant data download for the maps.
You'll still likely want to be charging it, especially on longer trips- having the screen backlight on at a level it can be read in daylight is one of the bigger battery drains. But you are right, it will use a good bit less power than when constantly having to download data for Google Maps. I've run into situations where I've had it plugged in and in theory charging but still been watching the battery level drain due to how much power the combined backlight, data, and GPS were using...

MotionxxUSxx

Jan 6, 2009, 01:54 PM

You'll still likely want to be charging it, especially on longer trips- having the screen backlight on at a level it can be read in daylight is one of the bigger battery drains. But you are right, it will use a good bit less power than when constantly having to download data for Google Maps. I've run into situations where I've had it plugged in and in theory charging but still been watching the battery level drain due to how much power the combined backlight, data, and GPS were using...

that's true. I plan on buying a charger and hopefully the charger will be able to keep up with the power drain since it will no longer be downloading maps.

markgamber

Jan 6, 2009, 03:52 PM

They really need to mark your position with an arrow, not a blinking dot. Not only that, but they need to rotate the screen as you turn!!!

Its "ok" right now... needs a lot of work.

Actually, an arrow indicating direction would be really nice if there's a valid reason why the map can't rotate. I could use either option. A blinking dot on a non-rotating map isn't doing anyone any favors.

For the thread starter....would you recommend this to someone who needs a casual GPS app and believes Google Maps is crap? The online maps sound good but if it's still more distracting to have to watch it instead of listen, I'll pass and keep my Tilt for a while longer.

MotionxxUSxx

Jan 6, 2009, 04:23 PM

Actually, an arrow indicating direction would be really nice if there's a valid reason why the map can't rotate. I could use either option. A blinking dot on a non-rotating map isn't doing anyone any favors.

For the thread starter....would you recommend this to someone who needs a casual GPS app and believes Google Maps is crap? Or is it really only incrementally better than Google Maps and still more of a pain to use than it's worth?

I think it's great for $20. Your getting a map that reroutes automatically on the fly along with many options to control your routes and display a bunch of different POI's. If you don't mind the map always facing up and not rotating, than it is much better to use for driving than google maps. I found it pretty useful this morning. This is not something that you would use everytime you get in the car as most of the time you know where you are going, but it is great when you have no idea where you are going. I also love the ability to store favorites so you can access them and create a route on the fly. I also think the auto map colors are sweet as well.

The rerouting function is worth the $20 alone.

Hope this helps.

markgamber

Jan 6, 2009, 04:42 PM

I think it's great for $20. Your getting a map that reroutes automatically on the fly along with many options to control your routes and display a bunch of different POI's. If you don't mind the map always facing up and not rotating, than it is much better to use for driving than google maps. I found it pretty useful this morning. This is not something that you would use everytime you get in the car as most of the time you know where you are going, but it is great when you have no idea where you are going. I also love the ability to store favorites so you can access them and create a route on the fly. I also think the auto map colors are sweet as well.

The rerouting function is worth the $20 alone.

Hope this helps.

Yeah, it did help, thanks. I'll snag a copy later. I don't really need a decent GPS often enough to get a stand-alone unit and I would like to retire the Tilt.

markgamber

Jan 6, 2009, 04:48 PM

Bah...double post.

Well, since you can't delete a double post, may as well use it. :-) Maybe if enough people download this app, Apple will get off it's pompous ass and allow TBT with beeps, bongs and voice directions.

okaive

Jan 7, 2009, 02:51 AM

When will they have the rest of the states available?

bbplayer5

Jan 7, 2009, 07:03 AM

This thing is picking insane directions to get somewhere... I was going straight down a street to my destination, and for some reason it wanted me to turn off and go 3 blocks west, and come around a totally out of the way direction.

Not impressed at all...

WPB2

Jan 7, 2009, 07:10 AM

I don't like the app, I downloaded it for 20 bucks, and for me Google maps does a better job. I wish i had my 20 bucks back.

Ashyukun

Jan 7, 2009, 07:58 AM

When will they have the rest of the states available?
Likely due to the size requirements/limits on apps they split it up into two versions: East and West. The West version was actually available a bit before this one- http://appshopper.com/navigation/g-map-us-west.

BobF4321

Jan 7, 2009, 09:17 AM

FYI, I just went to the support site, and their feedback form includes an option for "G-Maps North America".... maybe this version will be out soon. This should also provide Canada maps.

benfica88

Jan 7, 2009, 10:47 AM

I don't charge my phone while in the car.

But it will still autolock regardless!!! You have to set the phone to never auto lock everytime you use it.

bbplayer5

Jan 7, 2009, 10:48 AM

This really needs to turn with you, work in landscape, and give better directions... The directions are HORRIBLE right now...

eplchamps0304

Jan 7, 2009, 12:19 PM

Does not work in landscape? The free xgps even does that and turns with you.

bbplayer5

Jan 7, 2009, 01:24 PM

Does not work in landscape? The free xgps even does that and turns with you.

xgps is very rough right now... but it will be good if they put some more time into it.

eplchamps0304

Jan 7, 2009, 01:27 PM

xgps is very rough right now... but it will be good if they put some more time into it.

I know its rough...its free....to pay 20 for maps that wont even do the most basic of things....landscape....is a waste.

kas23

Feb 7, 2009, 05:10 AM

bbplayer5

Feb 7, 2009, 12:02 PM

New G-Map East/West Update:

http://appshopper.com/navigation/g-map-us-east

It sounds like they are beginning to polish it up a bit. But, still no T-b-T directions yet. I guess we can see from present users if this update is substantial or not.

I own the program and got the update... I can say the new views are fantastic, and the accuracy is great so far.

Def worth it. Keep an eye on xgps though - free and will be a new version out on the 20th or so.

kas23

Feb 7, 2009, 02:48 PM

I own the program and got the update... I can say the new views are fantastic, and the accuracy is great so far.

Def worth it. Keep an eye on xgps though - free and will be a new version out on the 20th or so.

Is the new X Map 3D view full-time now? Or, is it always North-facing except for a limited amount of intersections?

scott99

Feb 7, 2009, 02:55 PM

I own the program and got the update... I can say the new views are fantastic, and the accuracy is great so far.

Def worth it. Keep an eye on xgps though - free and will be a new version out on the 20th or so.

What and where can you find xgps ? I did a search and couldnt find it.

bbplayer5

Feb 7, 2009, 04:07 PM

http://xgpsdev.xwaves.net/

Stocktrader

Feb 7, 2009, 08:13 PM

"ITEM you tried to buy is no longer available"

scott99

Feb 7, 2009, 08:51 PM

http://xgpsdev.xwaves.net/

Is his for jailbroken iphones only ?

kwyn

Feb 7, 2009, 09:44 PM

Why was this taken out of the store? BTW, did the map
Turn based on the direction you're heading?

ex8886

Feb 7, 2009, 11:04 PM

Hey guys, since nobody posted any pictures, I thought I should. Here are a couple of screen shots. The latest update was quite nice, now it's a much more useful for navigation than before. Now it tells you when you have to turn, and how far the turn is for you. The 3D view has a cheese city image in the upper corner to make it seem more '3D like' I guess, but I really don't mind it much. As before, it shows you what street you're on on the bottom, and what street your next turn is on top. It also comes with a disclaimer when starting the app. The daytime screen shot was taken when I was driving earlier today, so that's what it looks like when it's in use. The rerouting still works pretty fast, within 5-10 seconds it displays the new directions most of the time (in one case it took 30 seconds though).

It's still missing any kind of a sound that tells you that you're turning soon, and it only works in portrait mode. The developer stated on their site that they're gonna add voice turn by turn once Apple loosens it's restrictions. Sorry if my post doesn't make that much sense since I'm typing it up really quick, before I head out for the night.

BTW, I have the West version of the app, but I'm pretty sure both received the same update.

Why was this taken out of the store? BTW, did the map
Turn based on the direction you're heading?

I just checked and it's still in the store. The map turns in the direction that you're heading finally!

kwyn

Feb 8, 2009, 10:31 AM

bmms8

Feb 8, 2009, 11:09 AM

Yup. Saw it was back in the store, downloaded it, but it stalls everytime I try to sync it to my iphone. Can't install it. I even did a full restore of the phone.

I'll try it from a different pc later.

it does take some time. give it about 25-30 minutes. it will eventually sync. hopefully this new version fixes the issue of mistakingly telling you go to the opposite direction on a freeway.

kas23

Feb 8, 2009, 11:48 AM

Yup. Saw it was back in the store, downloaded it, but it stalls everytime I try to sync it to my iphone. Can't install it. I even did a full restore of the phone.

I'll try it from a different pc later.

^^^^^
He's right. If you're adding close to a gig of data onto your phone, it's going to take forever to back it up. Give it about 30-40 minutes.

kwyn

Feb 8, 2009, 01:57 PM

OK. It installed on my iphone. It did take quite some time. About 40 minutes or so!!

Anyway, not as good as wife's Garmin, but I don't care what the reviews say, this is BETTER THAN GOOGLE MAPS!!!!! It turns when you turn. Looks way more like a standalone GPS than Google Maps.

Sometimes it gets confused in parking lots (Thinks your on the road still facing the way you were before you pulled into the lot). Some street names don't show up, also one fairly new development (really small but 2 years old) in my area wasn't even on the map.

Seems to be more accurate than Google Maps too in regard to where you actually are on the map(Maybe cause the maps don't have to be streamed????). I haven't noticed myself floating all over the map like in Google Maps.

Just got it running today so I don't know if it's worth $20.00 or not yet. But so far, I am pleasantly surprised after reading some of the lousy review previously given.

BTW, now that I'm done posting this, I think I'll just cut an paste it into the reviews on Itunes with a 3 star rating due to the issues I mentioned.

Rayfire

Feb 8, 2009, 04:12 PM

Hey guys, since nobody posted any pictures, I thought I should. Here are a couple of screen shots. The latest update was quite nice, now it's a much more useful for navigation than before. Now it tells you when you have to turn, and how far the turn is for you. The 3D view has a cheese city image in the upper corner to make it seem more '3D like' I guess, but I really don't mind it much. As before, it shows you what street you're on on the bottom, and what street your next turn is on top. It also comes with a disclaimer when starting the app. The daytime screen shot was taken when I was driving earlier today, so that's what it looks like when it's in use. The rerouting still works pretty fast, within 5-10 seconds it displays the new directions most of the time (in one case it took 30 seconds though).

It's still missing any kind of a sound that tells you that you're turning soon, and it only works in portrait mode. The developer stated on their site that they're gonna add voice turn by turn once Apple loosens it's restrictions. Sorry if my post doesn't make that much sense since I'm typing it up really quick, before I head out for the night.

BTW, I have the West version of the app, but I'm pretty sure both received the same update.

I just checked and it's still in the store. The map turns in the direction that you're heading finally!

Do you think the US West version is really worth it on your opinion? The rerouting feature is the one that I really need since the default Maps app doesn't have it. 5-10 seconds to reroute is ok for me while driving.

bmms8

Feb 8, 2009, 04:26 PM

Do you think the US West version is really worth it on your opinion? The rerouting feature is the one that I really need since the default Maps app doesn't have it. 5-10 seconds to reroute is ok for me while driving.

i think it is very worth it. it does get bad reviews but i have a jailbroken phone so i use pandora and this at the same time and it works perfectly. the new version is much better since it tells you if the turn is a right or a left. 3D view is nice as well. it also tells you how long your turn is in. three major points the previous version did not have.

ex8886

Feb 8, 2009, 08:08 PM

Do you think the US West version is really worth it on your opinion? The rerouting feature is the one that I really need since the default Maps app doesn't have it. 5-10 seconds to reroute is ok for me while driving.

I definitely think it's worth it, especially for me. The rerouting takes less than 5 seconds most of the time. The app is professionally done and gives you lots of options when selecting a route (scenic drive, avoid highway, and so on). And for me, it has all the states that I use and travel to (OR, WA, CA, AZ, and MO). So if you're living on the west coast, or it has all the states you need, it's a no brainer. And considering that it's only $20, while tom tom and garmin are probably gonna be $60-100 per year IF they ever come out with one. Some things that it's missing though is voice tbt, not dimming/locking the display, and pulling addresses from your contacts.

kas23

Feb 8, 2009, 09:45 PM

This is looking mighty nice by the minute. Eventually I hope it has some kind of turn notification. I wouldn't really care if it is a voice or not. A chime when you are a minute away and double chimes when you are 30 seconds away would be perfectly fine. You can then briefly look at the app for the turn.

phoenixsuns

Feb 10, 2009, 08:52 PM

i have an unlocked iphone 2g with no data plan. i know i won't be able to use turn by turn features or anything like that, but i did want a substitute for google maps (since i can only get them when on wifi). would this be good for that? also, can it use cell towers alone (i.e. no data) to find me even with no data plan?

efice32

Feb 10, 2009, 10:31 PM