Igo My Way vs Navigon

[fredf]

I'd like to start a thread dedicated to the comparison of these two GPS programs.
Others may argue, but to me Igo and Navigon are the two contenders (both essentially at the same price) for best user friendly, maps on the phone, no monthly subscription service GPS. G-Map and Sygic are there also but I would like to here from people who can compare these two.....

[m3coolpix]

Subscribing to this one :D

Definitely interested, but while I really don't think too hard about $4-$5 here and there comparing similar apps....dropping $75-$85 a pop to compare apps is a bit much. :o

[fredf]

Subscribing to this one :D

Definitely interested, but while I really don't think too hard about $4-$5 here and there comparing similar apps....dropping $75-$85 a pop to compare apps is a bit much. :o

agreed, that is a lot of money. but, from what I can see, for North America, they are all in the same price range so that is what it's going to take to sign on for one of these.
And, again, without getting into arguments, it is just the Navigon and iGO that I think are the best and I would like to focus the discussion on comparison of these too.
In particular I would like to make up my mind before the Aug 15 price increase for the Navigon.

[FearlessFreep]

I'm in the same boat. I've about made up my mind for iGo My Way, but am going to wait until mid next week to buy one or the other. $80 is a lot for an app and I want to do my homework first. It's one thing if you get a game that's crappy for $.99 or $4.99. It's another to make an $80 mistake.

[curly14]

I'm in the same boat. I've about made up my mind for iGo My Way, but am going to wait until mid next week to buy one or the other. $80 is a lot for an app and I want to do my homework first. It's one thing if you get a game that's crappy for $.99 or $4.99. It's another to make an $80 mistake.

Have been using the Navigon for the last two weeks and have been everything and more then I can expect. Plus look for more features to come soon from Navigon. i.e. T2S for street names and updated maps for free..:)

[Rayfire]

Have been using the Navigon for the last two weeks and have been everything and more then I can expect. Plus look for more features to come soon from Navigon. i.e. T2S for street names and updated maps for free..:)

I'm sorry but I've missed the part where you said about the maps, where'd you get/read it from?

[m3coolpix]

I'm thinking of putting together a post specifically aimed at reviewing Navigon, both from a everyday user's standpoint, but also from a troubleshooting standpoint.

This morning I did a trip running around to 3 cities in the DFW area. I specifically did stuff to make Navigon recalculate, lose the GPS signal, and all sorts of other stuff to make it 'mess up'. Was interesting, but Navigon performed well. I can see where some of the comments about directions and GPS signal issues might come from. Details later.

The main difference I see between Navigon and iGO (ATM) is the labeling of street names, and the GPS signal quality indicator. This from looking at the iTunes description of iGO, and reading the iGO PDF manual (which almost can read as a feature description/user manual for Navigon, BTW). Navigon could add the GPS signal indicator and change the text look in a software update.

Personally, I don't like the 'look' of iGO. Navigon is a bit more pleasing to the eye for me.

[FearlessFreep]

@curly14 - I do not recall seeing anything from Navigon regarding free map updates - can you please share your link?

I believe iGo My Way has an automatic day/night mode switch. Does Navigon also have that? What about 3D terrain for mountains, etc? Just trying to refine the list of differences. The two are certainly very similar.

Regardless I think one thing is clear - you do NOT need a separate GPS chip (Tom Tom) in order to use the iPhone for TBT navigation.

[curly14]

I'm sorry but I've missed the part where you said about the maps, where'd you get/read it from?

Found this review on the web I can only hope the updates are free I mixed it up with the no monthly fee...sorry :( my bad


Navigon Turn-By-Turn iPhone App Now Available, No Monthly Fee Included
July 22nd, 2009 1:27 PM | by Christen da Cosa |

As talks of a turn-by-turn GPS arriving on the iPhone heated up, so did the debate as to whether or not companies would charge a monthly fee. Then AT&T released their Navigator app for the iPhone and reaffirmed everyone’s suspicions and ultimately leading many folks to say or suggest that you’re better off buying a standalone GPS unit. Fear not, though, because Navigon has got your back.
Today, the company released the first turn-by-turn GPS application for the iPhone that doesn’t include a monthly fee. In their infinite amount of wisdom they probably realized how profitable and fast they could move a GPS system that would only have a one time fee and zero hardware costs. So starting today, right now you can grab their iPhone application, which provides many of the same features found on a standalone GPS unit for $69.99. The price will increase to $100 on August 15th when they’ll probably issue the app’s next update. Just keep in mind that the app is a whopping 1.29GB, which can probably be attributed to the map data.
So what features are included with Navigon’s iPhone app? Voice announcements, intelligent address entry, Reality View Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, real signpost display, day and night mode, direct access to your iPhone contact list, the latest NAVTEQ maps, 2D and 3D map views, access to user defined POIs, one click take me home and more.

Is it possible to update the map material for the iPhone?
Answer: At the moment, the software has the newest NAVTEQ maps available. Questions concerning map updates will be answered at a later time.

I believe if you want European maps those you have to purchase

[m3coolpix]

I believe iGo My Way has an automatic day/night mode switch. Does Navigon also have that? What about 3D terrain for mountains, etc? Just trying to refine the list of differences. The two are certainly very similar.

Regardless I think one thing is clear - you do NOT need a separate GPS chip (Tom Tom) in order to use the iPhone for TBT navigation.

Navigon currently has a on/off switch for setting up day/night mode. I've not used it at night yet. All it does is switch between (or maybe better called reverse) the background/text colors from light to dark, and vice versa. One thing to note, is the text for upcoming street names is MUCH easier to read in night mode.

Can't comment about 3D terrain for mountains....TX doesn't have any :D

[NightStorm]

@curly14 - I do not recall seeing anything from Navigon regarding free map updates - can you please share your link?

I believe iGo My Way has an automatic day/night mode switch. Does Navigon also have that? What about 3D terrain for mountains, etc? Just trying to refine the list of differences. The two are certainly very similar.

Regardless I think one thing is clear - you do NOT need a separate GPS chip (Tom Tom) in order to use the iPhone for TBT navigation.

I'm pretty sure auto day/night mode is one of the announced features coming in the promised update to Navigon MobileNavigator.

[curly14]

I'm pretty sure auto day/night mode is one of the announced features coming in the promised update to Navigon MobileNavigator.

Navigon already has a day/night mode;)

[NightStorm]

Navigon already has a day/night mode;)

Yes, but it doesn't switch automatically based on the time on the device (unless it was included in the 1.1 update, but that isn't out for North America yet). This is what I was referencing in the post I quoted.

[FearlessFreep]

Yes, but it doesn't switch automatically based on the time on the device (unless it was included in the 1.1 update, but that isn't out for North America yet). This is what I was referencing in the post I quoted.

That's what I was asking as well. That's what my Garmin and apparently the Igo My Way do - they take the time of sundown to wherever you are located and switch automatically at that time.

[sjdigital]

I'm thinking of putting together a post specifically aimed at reviewing Navigon, both from a everyday user's standpoint, but also from a troubleshooting standpoint.

That would be good to see, m3coolpix. I had been thinking that something much the same would have been useful based on the European version so if you kick off, I'm sure folks will contribute positively (y'all will, won't you? ;))

[bonesaw]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10306460-1.html

[countrydweller]

Have been using the Navigon for the last two weeks and have been everything and more then I can expect. Plus look for more features to come soon from Navigon. i.e. T2S for street names and updated maps for free..:)

Curly, still going with 9/3 for TOMTOM????

[dZp]

PocketGPSWorld have put up a nice comparison chart listing prices/features/pros/cons of all the currently available TBT navigation apps for iPhone:
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/iphone-navigation-app-comparison-xr5133.php

[severe]

PocketGPSWorld have put up a nice comparison chart listing prices/features/pros/cons of all the currently available TBT navigation apps for iPhone:
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/iphone-navigation-app-comparison-xr5133.php

That's a nice chart, dZp.

Thanks.

[m3coolpix]

PocketGPSWorld have put up a nice comparison chart listing prices/features/pros/cons of all the currently available TBT navigation apps for iPhone...]

Very good comparison. I think they need to include screenshots also, though. While iGO definitely looks better in that chart, it doesn't look better in person :D. Yeah, I saw the notes in the 'cons' of iGO, but.... iGO to me really looks like it was cut n pasted artwork done by my 6 year old. YMMV.

[ptackbar]

Very good comparison. I think they need to include screenshots also, though. While iGO definitely looks better in that chart, it doesn't look better in person :D. Yeah, I saw the notes in the 'cons' of iGO, but.... iGO to me really looks like it was cut n pasted artwork done by my 6 year old. YMMV.

Is that based on your use of iGo or on the screenshots you've seen?

[severe]

Some of the Navigon "coming soon" features, in this chart, are already available in 1.1.


Call POI

Route Planning

[FearlessFreep]

Some of the Navigon "coming soon" features, in this chart, are already available in 1.1.


Call POI

Route Planning
Yes, but 1.1 hasn't been released for North America yet, only Europe.

BTW, the Stopwatches in the chart for the Tom Tom app are hilarious! "Well .... we're WAITING !"

[m3coolpix]

Is that based on your use of iGo or on the screenshots you've seen?

Screenshots posted all over the web, several videos of it on the web (one produced by iGo themselves), 15 years of Photoshop and Illustrator use.....including logo, illustration and graphic design.....

[fredf]

we may want to hear from people with some experience with Copilot which will be out in North America soon.

As I'm reading it from comments, both iGo and Navigon are good apps. Navigon is less visually effective (text may not stand out enough) and iGo may be guilty of being too much like a video game (ie: visually too busy).

There is always the issue of future updates. All these companies are promising new updates with extra features in the 'near' future. I suspect they will all have similar capabilities soon enough.

It seems to me that the decision will hinge on
1. the 'feel' of each program. this is a very individual thing. different users like different interfaces.
I would like to have more comment on this from users of both (all three) of these programs.

2. how much we trust the developers of each program to keep current and truly deliver on their update promises.
So if anyone has some knowledge of the history of these companies and what kind of attitude they are likely to take, I would like to hear that also.

Keep the comments flowing. These are all very expensive programs and we would all like as much information as possible on which to base our decisions.

[Jethrotoe]

PocketGPSWorld have put up a nice comparison chart listing prices/features/pros/cons of all the currently available TBT navigation apps for iPhone:
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/iphone-navigation-app-comparison-xr5133.php

Thank you and thank you.
I've been looking for something like this. Keeping track of features on paper is a pain and you did the work.

I'm a bit new to iTunes so maybe it does this but I haven't figured out how. Why do I have to search and go through a whole list of programs for GPS and look for Nav, Igo and Sygic? You really can't compare very well. Going back and forth is a drag when they are pages apart. Why can't I group the 3 and switch back and forth easily? Is there a way? What do you folks do?

As far as these programs go, I picked up on Navigon the other night and it's ok to pretty good IMO. The new features coming will definitely make it better. But I think that would also go for the other GPS programs. These (Nav, Igo, Sygic) are not quite ready for prime time. The question then is, will they charge us for getting the needed features to make them real, full featured GPS programs. I hate buying Ver. 1.0 of anything.

[mynameismud1]

PocketGPSWorld have put up a nice comparison chart listing prices/features/pros/cons of all the currently available TBT navigation apps for iPhone:
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/iphone-navigation-app-comparison-xr5133.php

At first I was leaning toward iGO. From the above comparison I had a few questions so I submitted a service request to the iGO site. Here is what I asked:

> Question: I am very interested in your app. I have some questions I could
> not find in the FAQ, that I need to know before purchasing.
> 1. I see that the map updates are free till 12/2010. How often are the
> maps updated and how often can those updates be downloaded, for free till
> 12/2010.
> 2. After 12/2010, how much money are the map updates and how often are
> they available?
> 3. When you say "Stopover support" is coming in a future update, do you
> mean adding a stop other than the final destination in the route?
> 4. Does the iGO My Way support user generated custom POIs?

Their answer:
Updates are foreseen to be released every quarter of the year. Owners of iGO My way 2009 for iPhone are entitled to free downloads of these updates until the end of 2010 - you can download them as many times as you like.
For the details about the updates after that period please contact us later.
Yes, there will be a feature where you can add another "point" to be reached during the route, which is not the final destination.
The feature to be able to handle users' POI-s is currently not available - you can add points to your favorites.

[eaglesteve]

PocketGPSWorld have put up a nice comparison chart listing prices/features/pros/cons of all the currently available TBT navigation apps for iPhone:
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/iphone-navigation-app-comparison-xr5133.php

They got some inaccurate information on this chart. I notice that they say Sygic can't call POI. This is not correct. You can all POI with Sygic.

[ddrueckhammer]

Ok so which one do you like better and why?

Also, how does CoPilot compare? Is it really that buggy? $35 is a great price.

[mynameismud1]

The CoPilot is only available with UK maps. Unless you live there it is not really an option.

As far as the Navigon is concerned, does anybody have any info on map updates? I heard somewhere else (not sure if its true) that Navigon is not updating US maps anymore. I have not seen any info on map updates for Nivigon. If they don't have regular map updates then the app has a limited useful life.

The iGO says it has quarterly updates and free till 12/2010. That sounds like a winner IF they actually make update the updates, if you know what I mean.

NavTeq may be the leader, but I really don't know about them. NC finished a new section of I-485 here in March or April. I reported it two weeks later with as much detail as I could think of. I just checked and they still have not updated it. This is not some small side street, this is a major Interstate extension around Charlotte (OK, OK I know it's no NYC or LA, but it's still a large city). But that seems to be the only game in town for smaller navigation companies.

Still leaning toward iGO but have not ruled out Navigon.

[ddrueckhammer]

^
CoPilot released a North American version today...

I too am between iGo MyWay or Navigon unless TomTom releases their app soon...

The free updates for iGo sound great though.

[Randman]

I've tried AT&T's for a month and Navigon is so much better than it. Quite happy with it and the price.

[fasttech]

I love the little icons Navigon has for POI's like Pizza Hut, Shell, Exxon, etc. What happens when you select one of these little icons, do you see the details of the location like Google Maps has?

I also had the same question about iGO My Way. I don't see the cool images that show you which restaurant or gas station the POI is, but can you select them and see the details like in Google maps? I wonder if they are going to be adding the actual icon for the location like Navigon has.