CoPilot Live--NA Gets TTS...best $65 I've ever saved!

[Metsfan7450]

This just came out about an hour ago:
Detailed Text to Speech voice directions
Updated street maps
True iphone keyboard
improved contact integration
improved GPS performance in walking mode
In-app Mapsure downloads available monthly

This is truely the BEST $65 I've ever saved. Navigon and Tom Tom should not be priced anywhere close to as high as they are. This app is perfect!

[dhy8386]

Sounds like a nice update. Im curious, can you compare all three for us as far as how you like them, pros and cons of each, etc. I have TT and Nav but would love to see them compared to this.

[Metsfan7450]

This is the most detailed review I could find when I was trying to figure out which one to buy. There are other reviews out there that rank CoPilot either 1st in GPS apps or very close.

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/iphone-navigation-app-comparison-xr5133.php

[gregr209]

I have the update but can't figure out how to get the TTS to work. Any ideas?

[gregr209]

I have the update but can't figure out how to get the TTS to work. Any ideas?

Never mind...I found the instructions on the iTunes app page for Co-pilot. Wow the voice that does TTS is HORRIBLE sounding but hey...for 35 bucks, I'll take it! :-)

[sidewinder]

In this case, saving $65 is penny wise and pound foolish as far as I am concerned. Navigon is so much better that I think it is a better bargain than Co-Pilot.

S-

[Metsfan7450]

Never mind...I found the instructions on the iTunes app page for Co-pilot. Wow the voice that does TTS is HORRIBLE sounding but hey...for 35 bucks, I'll take it! :-)

Yeah, Frank kind of sounds like a serial killer or Hal from 2001 Space Odyssey.

[Metsfan7450]

In this case, saving $65 is penny wise and pound foolish as far as I am concerned. Navigon is so much better that I think it is a better bargain than Co-Pilot.

S-

Have you actually used CoPilot because most reviewers of these GPS apps disagree with your assessment?

I have a friend who has Navigon so I've seen it in action and can honestly say, price aside, CoPilot is a better looking GPS app. If you add the cost into the equation, it's a no-brainer. My friend is looking to get his money back from Navigon so he can purchase CoPilot.

[SpaceKitty]

Have you actually used CoPilot because most reviewers of these GPS apps disagree with your assessment?

I have a friend who has Navigon so I've seen it in action and can honestly say, price aside, CoPilot is a better looking GPS app. If you add the cost into the equation, it's a no-brainer. My friend is looking to get his money back from Navigon so he can purchase CoPilot.

I got a refund for Navigon. It was the worst app when it came to being able to read the street names. When the map would show areas with the olive green background, trying to read anything on screen was even more impossible.

CoPilot for the win!

[bbplayer5]

The updated Sygic is actually really good.

[newoverhere]

After the update, I no longer see the Live Search option. Do you guys have the same issue??

[luv2hum]

can anyone post a video to how this app works in action? the only videos on youtube that i found are in other languages.
thnx

[gregr209]

After the update, I no longer see the Live Search option. Do you guys have the same issue??

I lost the Live Search feature as well. I wrote the company yesterday asking what was up but haven't heard back. I think I read they are going to charge for it. In my opinion that feature was one of the best things about the product. I can't believe they ripped it out. If they want me to pay for it fine, I will, just bring it back ASAP!!!!!!!

Greg

[sidewinder]

Have you actually used CoPilot because most reviewers of these GPS apps disagree with your assessment?

I have a friend who has Navigon so I've seen it in action and can honestly say, price aside, CoPilot is a better looking GPS app. If you add the cost into the equation, it's a no-brainer. My friend is looking to get his money back from Navigon so he can purchase CoPilot.

I have used both a much prefer Navigon......

S-

[tivoboy]

Yes, I think alk is going to CHARGE for the live search feature, which queries MSFT search I think. Bummer, but I can sort of understand. As a customer outreach protocol, offering it and taking it away is a pretty poor way of introducing it to a customer base, but alas, there aren't a lot of other options for iphone apps. Maybe someday, we'll get temporal de-activations or something.

As for voices, historically, ALK has offered multiple voices so maybe in the future one will be able to either SELECT a different voice, or :-( BUY a different voice for a fee.

ALK seems to be going to charge 25$? or something for an annual TRAFFIC and LIVE SEARCH feature, which when combined with a pretty darn decent product and all these features, for less than 60$ all in for app, TTS, direct dial, ipod controls, traffic, live search and direct dial is going to be pretty darn compelling.

[luv2hum]

anybody have any ideas as to where to find a live review of this app? will it announce the street names? what does text to speech mean in a gps app?:apple::rolleyes::confused:

[tivoboy]

anybody have any ideas as to where to find a live review of this app? will it announce the street names? what does text to speech mean in a gps app?:apple::rolleyes::confused:

TTS or text to speach means it READS the text as a name, so yes, it reads street names.

[luv2hum]

so instead of saying "in 200 feet turn right"
it says "in 200 feet turn right on main street"?

[luv2hum]

also what happens if you get a call in the middle of using the gps?

[dhgamer]

Yeah, Frank kind of sounds like a serial killer or Hal from 2001 Space Odyssey.

I've been using the UK English TTS voice, sounds much better.

[swindmill]

so instead of saying "in 200 feet turn right"
it says "in 200 feet turn right on main street"?

Yeah. That's what TTS means.

[MBHockey]

I much prefer the UI of Navigon to CoPilot, from what I've seen in the pictures. Glad CoPilot is catching up in features though.

[sidewinder]

Have you actually used CoPilot because most reviewers of these GPS apps disagree with your assessment?

I have a friend who has Navigon so I've seen it in action and can honestly say, price aside, CoPilot is a better looking GPS app. If you add the cost into the equation, it's a no-brainer. My friend is looking to get his money back from Navigon so he can purchase CoPilot.
Have you actually checked out recent reviews? Navigon is kicking CoPilot's butt. For good reason too. It is a much more polished looking application that functions better.

S-

[SpaceKitty]

Have you actually checked out recent reviews? Navigon is kicking CoPilot's butt. For good reason too. It is a much more polished looking application that functions better.

S-

And that of course is up to user opinion. I dumped Navigon and went with CoPilot. 99% of the streets are labled in Copilot and I can actually read everything on the screen unlike Navigon. I wish more people would give CoPilot a chance, I think they would like it better.

[Motorheadbanger]

And that of course is up to user opinion. I dumped Navigon and went with CoPilot. 99% of the streets are labled in Copilot and I can actually read everything on the screen unlike Navigon. I wish more people would give CoPilot a chance, I think they would like it better.

Like you said, it's user opinion. IMO, function and reliability rank a little higher on my list of required features than readability. Makes one wonder how often peoples eyes are taken off the road to read what streets they're not on. :eek:

[Rayfire]

Can someone tell me how to "not lose" the TTS voice? Somehow I've been losing it after a couple of app usage and I always go to Settings and Reset to Default (found under Maintenance - mispelled)
I answered my own question lol, read below

And for all the folks who lost the Live Search, mine is there and working, app's version is 8.0.0.417.
I just figured out that if you do the License Reset (their suggestion at iTunes) you do lose Live Search
but you'll get for sure the TTS working flawlessly.

Edit:
The latest update actually now displays the exit sign, and displays the turns if you have a turn after turn within .5 mile, and speaks the exit name because of TTS. The update really is a momentum change.

[surferfl7]

Just one quick question, how is the iPod integration with this app? Does the music fade out when the app speaks and then fades back in when its done talking?

[bassguy]

I downloaded CoPilot two days ago and can say I couldn't be happier with it. I travel a lot and have been using a Garmin unit for the past 3 years. It has always worked great for me but decided it'd be nice to not have to pack it for flights and rental cars.
I haven't tried the Navigon or TomTom on Iphone but have used the gps units from both of them in the past year. TomTom was nice and functional but I honestly thought it was big on wow but not great at mapping. Navigon I really liked, the UI was pretty bad but once working it was very strong.
So far CoPilot has locked onto GPS signal within 30 seconds. I don't have a windshield mount and let it sit on the passenger seat, keeps signal and works great. Routing has been very good so far, the POI's are great with the integration to dial from app. It could use some more features but it looks like the developer is working on it. When I sent a question to them they responded very quickly. For the price I don't think you can really do better than this app.

[Rayfire]

Just one quick question, how is the iPod integration with this app? Does the music fade out when the app speaks and then fades back in when its done talking?

You have to start iPod first, it doesn't fade out but it plays while the announcement (turn-by-turn) is made, just like Navigon before it was updated.

[luv2hum]

and what happens if you get a phone call in the middle of using the navigation?

[Metsfan7450]

and what happens if you get a phone call in the middle of using the navigation?

The latest update allows you to resume GPS use after the phone call. I haven't had it happen yet, but it's supposed to pick right back up from where you left off.

This is the link for the users guide....it has a lot of good info and could answer any other questions you may have.

http://guide.copilotlive.net/doku.php

[luv2hum]

thanks, i really would like to see avideo of this in use, but nothing is avialbale anywhere i checked...any ideas?

[Metsfan7450]

thanks, i really would like to see avideo of this in use, but nothing is avialbale anywhere i checked...any ideas?

I'm not sure how you can see it live....I'm assuming you've searched youtube. My video recorder is on the fritz or else I'd take one for you.

[Rayfire]

The latest update allows you to resume GPS use after the phone call. I haven't had it happen yet, but it's supposed to pick right back up from where you left off.

This is the link for the users guide....it has a lot of good info and could answer any other questions you may have.

http://guide.copilotlive.net/doku.php

Yes it does resume after a phone call, calculates your location pretty fast too.

luv2hum,
With regards to live video use of the app, that is kinda hard since I don't have anyone to take a shot neither do I have a spare video recorder. Sorry.

[luv2hum]

yes, i have searched. i can not find a video, although for navigon and tom tom i was able to see it. i just want to see the gps in action before comiitiing.

[Rayfire]

yes, i have searched. i can not find a video, although for navigon and tom tom i was able to see it. i just want to see the gps in action before comiitiing.

From my experience, it has some hiccups still IF you're driving slow - what I meant by slow is if you're driving at residential streets (20mph) sometimes it still points me to the road parallel to where my car is at BUT if you're driving at the highway or freeway, it's dead on accurate. This maybe one of the iPhone's constraint due to the nature of its GPS chip.

Be warned also cause some people are complaining about outdated maps, here in WA it isn't outdated (for the Metro part)

[HellToupee]

So far I'm really pleased with CoPilot. My only gripe would be the volume of the TTS when I'm using the iphone's ipod. I wish either the music would pause or the volume of tts be louder.
No map issues here

[luv2hum]

Can I use this gps while on a call through headst or spakerphone?

[SpaceKitty]

F

Be warned also cause some people are complaining about outdated maps, here in WA it isn't outdated (for the Metro part)

I don't know about outdated maps so much, some are just inaccurate. On one major road here in Denver, it shows two streets going through a field where there there has never been a street before. It's some land that a farmer grows hay on every year. There are a few other streets like those scattered around that have never existed. Other than that, I can find nothing else wrong with app.

[Rayfire]

So far I'm really pleased with CoPilot. My only gripe would be the volume of the TTS when I'm using the iphone's ipod. I wish either the music would pause or the volume of tts be louder.
No map issues here
Yes they should increase the TTS volume, if they could that would really help since I use XM sat radio on my vehicle to play music, then the iPhone volume as stand alone.

Can I use this gps while on a call through headst or spakerphone?
Well you can but you need to run the app AFTER you've picked up or made the call.

I don't know about outdated maps so much, some are just inaccurate. On one major road here in Denver, it shows two streets going through a field where there there has never been a street before. It's some land that a farmer grows hay on every year. There are a few other streets like those scattered around that have never existed. Other than that, I can find nothing else wrong with app.
People are complaining about the outdated maps on the review section of this app, but that's good to hear that you don't have any major issues.

[stockcerts]

I haven't used copilot, but I have had Navigon since day one. I have been very happy with the several updates that have come out, and I'm really looking forward to the live traffic update later this month.

When I buy software I look for a vendor that has a good product life cycle and the means to support and update their product long after the initial release.

[luv2hum]

Well you can but you need to run the app AFTER you've picked up or made the call.



ok so if i am driving using the gps nav and following directions, and a call comes in, how can i answer it and still be following along with the map?

[jtara]

From my experience, it has some hiccups still IF you're driving slow - what I meant by slow is if you're driving at residential streets (20mph) sometimes it still points me to the road parallel to where my car is at BUT if you're driving at the highway or freeway, it's dead on accurate. This maybe one of the iPhone's constraint due to the nature of its GPS chip.


Sounds to me like the app is trying to be too smart for it's own good. I'm guessing that they are trying to force the location to the nearest road, rather than just plotting where the GPS says you are. While that may increase customer confidence in cases where it works (so, you don't see it wandering off the road) I think ultimately it's a bad idea.

If you want to see what the iPhone GPS delivers without this extra "help" just watch Google Maps as you drive. It will wander off the road, but not very far, and certainly not to the next street over!

But if they are doing what I think they are doing, if the position inaccuracy is more than 1/2 the distance to the next road over, then, as Ronald Reagan used to say "There you go!" Literally. :eek:

(edit: LOL, never mind. It's a navigation app. It HAS to force you onto a road. This is a problem with any nav app. It HAS to pick a road. It's a tough problem. The GPS in the iPhone is decent - I've written an (unreleased) iPhone GPS app that can measure distance traveled accurately to about 1.5%, but it's not a nav app. I considered briefly the notion of forcing it to a road, but found filtering suited my purpose better. Anyway, during testing I've captured the raw data for display on Google Earth to better understand and study the data. It's really quite good. OK, except for the occasional building I drive through...)

[scott99]

I really wanna buy this app, got a $50 itunes card for my birthday. But it keeps telling me "Not enough space for this app, please delete some pictures and photos". I have 2.6 gigs available, I don't understand it. I heard this app was 1.3 gig. I have emailed them about this problem, but have not received a response. I'm a couple hours away from saying screw it, and downloading G-Maps instead for $40. Very frustrating.:mad:

[SpaceKitty]

I really wanna buy this app, got a $50 itunes card for my birthday. But it keeps telling me "Not enough space for this app, please delete some pictures and photos". I have 2.6 gigs available, I don't understand it. I heard this app was 1.3 gig. I have emailed them about this problem, but have not received a response. I'm a couple hours away from saying screw it, and downloading G-Maps instead for $40. Very frustrating.:mad:

Remove some things first, then install CoPilot. After that, you can ass the things that you removed before the install. It just needs at least double the space of the app to install.

[Rayfire]

ok so if i am driving using the gps nav and following directions, and a call comes in, how can i answer it and still be following along with the map?
So the call comes in, the app "quits" and let's the incoming call get answered.
You need to press your Home button, then run the app again to continue following directions, the app will pick up from your route from your previous state and will calculate your location.

^
Let me try that tomorrow and see how the directions will "mix" with the current conversation or not.

Sounds to me like the app is trying to be too smart for it's own good. I'm guessing that they are trying to force the location to the nearest road, rather than just plotting where the GPS says you are. While that may increase customer confidence in cases where it works (so, you don't see it wandering off the road) I think ultimately it's a bad idea.

If you want to see what the iPhone GPS delivers without this extra "help" just watch Google Maps as you drive. It will wander off the road, but not very far, and certainly not to the next street over!

But if they are doing what I think they are doing, if the position inaccuracy is more than 1/2 the distance to the next road over, then, as Ronald Reagan used to say "There you go!" Literally. :eek:

(edit: LOL, never mind. It's a navigation app. It HAS to force you onto a road. This is a problem with any nav app. It HAS to pick a road. It's a tough problem. The GPS in the iPhone is decent - I've written an (unreleased) iPhone GPS app that can measure distance traveled accurately to about 1.5%, but it's not a nav app. I considered briefly the notion of forcing it to a road, but found filtering suited my purpose better. Anyway, during testing I've captured the raw data for display on Google Earth to better understand and study the data. It's really quite good. OK, except for the occasional building I drive through...)
Precisely. Sometimes it's dead on accurate even though I'm driving less than 10mph and sometimes it wanders off, due to the nature of nav apps and how your phone is positioned. If only Tomtom's car kit would have been cheaper.. but I'm not going with any of their iPhone products anymore.

[luv2hum]

^
Let me try that tomorrow and see how the directions will "mix" with the current conversation or not.


any updates?

[Rayfire]

any updates?

Yup it does mix with the directions. So accept the incoming call, press Home button, then run the app again. Just be careful as you're not supposed to do this while driving :cool:

[stockscalper]

Yeah, Frank kind of sounds like a serial killer or Hal from 2001 Space Odyssey.

Use the UK voice, it's much nicer and a female to boot.

[HellToupee]

Use the UK voice, it's much nicer and a female to boot.

I used the uk voice & she says things like "take the slip road" instead of exit ramp etc

[mac-slap-happy]

Can CoPilot (or any of the iPhone GPS apps) relay the audio turn-by-turn directions via bluetooth? I ask because I have a bluetooth helmet that I use for my motorcycle, and with my previous phone (MotoQ), the Garmin software would route audio via bluetooth which made it very usable on the bike.

I was just wondering if the iPhone GPS apps were the same before I dropped the coin on one.

[Rayfire]

Can CoPilot (or any of the iPhone GPS apps) relay the audio turn-by-turn directions via bluetooth? I ask because I have a bluetooth helmet that I use for my motorcycle, and with my previous phone (MotoQ), the Garmin software would route audio via bluetooth which made it very usable on the bike.

I was just wondering if the iPhone GPS apps were the same before I dropped the coin on one.

CoPilot does (that's the only GPS satnav app I have)

[hexonxonx]

A few minor annoyances:

Routes don't cancel once you arrive at your destination. I have to go in and select "cancel next stop" or else it will continue to guide me back to my destination.

Maps often show streets that don't exist.

Several times I have started up CoPilot and have had my phone in landscape mode during startup. When pressing the X to exit out of the little menu on startup, it would bring up a keyboard on top of that menu with no way to exit out of that. Why it brings up the keyboard there, I have no idea because there is not even a text input box. I would have to press the home button to start all over again. I've reinstalled the app and it doesn't seem to have happened since then.

I mainly use CoPilot to be able to read the street names for my job. I have used it to help me find an address about ten times. It has only been able to find an address 2 out of 10 times. The other times, it would just come up with a nearby address, say 7750 instead of 7749. Other times, it would not find the address till I tried searching by zip code instead wasting minutes that I don't have.

All in all, the app is still useful but needs some work.

[lemonademaker]

Anyone see this new "app" called

"Compare GPS Apps" .... looks like it does what it says... tells you what gps's come with what, price etc....

i just downloaded it....

[stockscalper]

A few minor annoyances:

Routes don't cancel once you arrive at your destination. I have to go in and select "cancel next stop" or else it will continue to guide me back to my destination.

Maps often show streets that don't exist.

Several times I have started up CoPilot and have had my phone in landscape mode during startup. When pressing the X to exit out of the little menu on startup, it would bring up a keyboard on top of that menu with no way to exit out of that. Why it brings up the keyboard there, I have no idea because there is not even a text input box. I would have to press the home button to start all over again. I've reinstalled the app and it doesn't seem to have happened since then.

I mainly use CoPilot to be able to read the street names for my job. I have used it to help me find an address about ten times. It has only been able to find an address 2 out of 10 times. The other times, it would just come up with a nearby address, say 7750 instead of 7749. Other times, it would not find the address till I tried searching by zip code instead wasting minutes that I don't have.

All in all, the app is still useful but needs some work.

Most GPS programs subscribe to Navateq, the leading mapmaker and U.S. based. TomTom uses Teleatlas, a European company and Copilot uses Mapsure for North America, but Navateq for Europe. I've read that Mapsure gets its maps from Tiger maps, which is the Census Bureau's mapping service. Mapsure's maps then are based upon the last census in 2000, which is why their maps appear to be old. They do add addresses users submit, but that has not been enough to keep the maps current. I wish they would subscribe to Navateq, then they would have the best navigation app for the iPhone. Navigon has beautiful 3D maps and subscribes to Navateq, but their app is plagued with problems holding a GPS signal.

[sidewinder]

Navigon has beautiful 3D maps and subscribes to Navateq, but their app is plagued with problems holding a GPS signal.

Plagued?? Maybe for you......but not for me with my iPhone 3GS or my wife with her iPhone 3G. Navigon has worked flawlessly for both of us.

S-

[midas001]

Can you purchase live traffic for the Iphone?

[Rayfire]

Can you purchase live traffic for the Iphone?

They said it's coming, just waiting for an update for it. Just like the Live Search services that they took down and said will be available on an update.

[ufotofu]

They said it's coming, just waiting for an update for it. Just like the Live Search services that they took down and said will be available on an update.

It's been available for several weeks already. You have to go to the Settings panel and choose show more settings. From the Licensing option you can then enter a code that you purchase online: http://www.alk.com/copilot/copilot8-liveservices.asp

[midas001]

thanks

Have you used the live traffic service?

[Rayfire]

It's been available for several weeks already. You have to go to the Settings panel and choose show more settings. From the Licensing option you can then enter a code that you purchase online: http://www.alk.com/copilot/copilot8-liveservices.asp

Oh wow I never knew they're out already, thanks for the info.

I wonder where they get the live traffic info.