Best Navigation app for iPhone 4s ?

[MartyXB]

I like Roadmate from Magellen. They have local maps so I am not reliant on cellular data. When it comes time to make a turn it sounds a "ding". Screen is configurable. Traffic is good and it is free (does not require a annual subscription). Red light camera alert included free as well.

I also have TomTom, both the app and the unit (XL340 TM Live). My key gripe with TomTom is that they do not have a functioning "Avoid Highway/Freeway" option. When chosen it still takes you on highways/freeways. This is a big issue to me where in New York City and vicinity the freeway network grinds to a halt during rush hour and many times I want to avoid it completely.

I own almost all the aps - Roadmate, TomTom, Garmin (two versions, one with celluar maps and one with all maps aboard), Telenav GPS Plus, Navigon, Copilot USA, Mapquest, and GPS Drive from Motion X. I primarily use Roadmate and TomTom with 80% of time with Roadmate. Nice to have 64gb to play with

I always run all the GPS apps before I start on a long trip (on my iPad), mostly to get a clear picture of route choices and traffic issues. Magellen Roadmate appears to be the most "traffic sensitive" of the bunch and TomTom not a bad choice and quite accurate.

I look to Navigon to give me meaningful alternate routes. I once had to go from NYC to Buffalo and I really liked one of the routes that Navigon showed which claimed to be within 15 minutes from its fastest choice but took me through the Catskills region of NY which I was familiar with.

Garmin had useless traffic info so I almost never use it.

 

[Jimmy James]

I've never needed a GPS where I haven't had a data connection. Plus you can pre-download the maps if you like.

That's interesting, I've really only needed gps when I don't have a data connection (i.e. traveling internationally, or rural/backcountry areas where they is often cellular coverage.

 

[takeshi74]

I find it curious that there's a stigma behind navigation apps that require a data connection. If you're on Verizon with unlimited data, from my experience with Google Navigation on Android, this is a nonissue.

You're extrapolating based on a single data point. I've traveled quite a bit across this country (30K+ miles) with a number of different devices and apps on various carriers. Granted that's just one more data point but there are certainly areas and instances where even Verizon doesn't have data coverage.

Some like to bring up precaching as a one-size-fits-all matter but it's a matter of preference. I can't stand the hassle myself but YMMV.

Don't assume that your experiences are indicative of everyone else's. I prefer locally stored map data based on my experiences. If you don't, great. No one's forcing you to use locally stored maps if you don't see the point. Also don't assume that your preference is or should be universal. Use what works for you. I'll use what works for me.

That's interesting, I've really only needed gps when I don't have a data connection (i.e. traveling internationally, or rural/backcountry areas where they is often cellular coverage.

Again subjective matter. Consider these things when you're reading up on what's best (no matter what the topic), keeping in mind that another person's priorities/preferences/needs may vary. The blind suggestions in these threads are useless. Always include why you prefer what you prefer so others can compare to see if your reasons matter to them.

It does have a built-in GPS chip however the chip isn't as accurate as dedicated GPS units so Magellan and TomTom put GPS boosters into their car mount kits.

Accuracy's not why (civilian GPS is civilian GPS). Reception is why.

 

[skillz1318]

I've had Navigon since the original release and have always loved it and never had any issues.

 

[elmo151]

6 of one had dozen of the other.

go to the app store and read the reviews.

you can google/bing for reviews of there apps

 

[Jimmy James]

Again subjective matter. Consider these things when you're reading up on what's best (no matter what the topic), keeping in mind that another person's priorities/preferences/needs may vary. The blind suggestions in these threads are useless. Always include why you prefer what you prefer so others can compare to see if your reasons matter to them.

I prefer on board maps because I don't have cellular coverage where I need gps (travelling internationally, out of coverage areas). This is "why" and it was clear in my reply to the other poster.

Blindly replying to posts without comprehending them is "useless".

 

[yang88she]

I really enjoy the tom tom

 

[dwd3885]

is there any GPS app that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Thing I like about Android is FREE Google Maps Navigation. Anything like that on iOS?

 

[ericrwalker]

is there any GPS app that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Thing I like about Android is FREE Google Maps Navigation. Anything like that on iOS?

How much is an arm or leg worth to you? You can buy TomTom and Garmin for $30 on sale often. (about $70 cheaper than what I bought it for).

$30 is like 3 packs of cigarettes, 7 gallons of gas, 6 or 7 cups of coffee, a bottle of Jack Daniels.

I don't think it will break the bank of the average person. You could probably cut back on some of the above if you really need a decent GPS program.

 

[dwd3885]

How much is an arm or leg worth to you? You can buy TomTom and Garmin for $30 on sale often. (about $70 cheaper than what I bought it for).

$30 is like 3 packs of cigarettes, 7 gallons of gas, 6 or 7 cups of coffee, a bottle of Jack Daniels.

I don't think it will break the bank of the average person. You could probably cut back on some of the above if you really need a decent GPS program.

I see TomTom but it's $50. Also, is it a one time purchase or monthly/yearly fee? $30 is a lot when Android's free. (I'm just now moving from Android to iOS, that's why I compare)

 

[ericrwalker]

I see TomTom but it's $50. Also, is it a one time purchase or monthly/yearly fee? $30 is a lot when Android's free. (I'm just now moving from Android to iOS, that's why I compare)

I am guessing androids free one uses internet maps? Yes it's $50 right now, but it goes on sale often.

Nothing wrong with comparing, but you will be getting a much better GPS experience with TomTom, Navigon, or Garmin. Also you don't need a cellphone service for it to work, and you use no data, unless you have the traffic option on. (paid service).

 

[dwd3885]

I am guessing androids free one uses internet maps? Yes it's $50 right now, but it goes on sale often.

Nothing wrong with comparing, but you will be getting a much better GPS experience with TomTom, Navigon, or Garmin. Also you don't need a cellphone service for it to work, and you use no data, unless you have the traffic option on. (paid service).

Android's free one uses Google Maps.

Any experiences with GPS Navigation 2 by Skobble? There are two free ones I see, Map Quest and Waze. So I guess we can give those a shot.

I do understand the Navigon, TomTom or Garmin would be top quality though. Thanks.

 

[ericrwalker]

Android's free one uses Google Maps.

Any experiences with GPS Navigation 2 by Skobble? There are two free ones I see, Map Quest and Waze. So I guess we can give those a shot.

I do understand the Navigon, TomTom or Garmin would be top quality though. Thanks.

Yeah, I have no experience with those. I downloaded waze, but never use it.

Just TomTom and Garmin. Good luck, and keep an eye out, I am sure they will go on sale again.

 

[MartyXB]

How much is an arm or leg worth to you? You can buy TomTom and Garmin for $30 on sale often. (about $70 cheaper than what I bought it for).

$30 is like 3 packs of cigarettes, 7 gallons of gas, 6 or 7 cups of coffee, a bottle of Jack Daniels.

I don't think it will break the bank of the average person. You could probably cut back on some of the above if you really need a decent GPS program.

To me the GPS program is one of the most important applications that I have. I have spent quite a few dollars buying every one out there because it is so critical to me and wanted to make sure that I had the best, not just one that works ok.

To take me from point A to point B quickly and safely is a major deal to me. It is for that reason why I am so upset at TomTom for not getting their "avoid freeways" to work properly. What is so frustrating is that they have other routing options that at first blush appear to offer equivalent options but DON'T WORK! They have "limited speed" option where you put in a maximum speed. I at first thought that this means take roads with speeds less than or equal the entered speed. This way I could put in 40mph and think that it will exclude all roads with speeds above 40 so the highways with their 55+ speed limit would be excluded. Nope, to this day I have no idea what that option is to do.

Let me give an example. A few months ago I took my daughter with me in the car and went across Long Islands southern shore to a friends house. It was extremely foggy. I "told" my Magellan Roadmate GPS app to "avoid freeways" so it kept me off the freeway network. I passed one accident after another to my left involving cars traveling on the adjoining highway in the dense fog. Roadmate kept me safe - TomTom would have routed me on those highways.

The problem is that TomTom uses Tele Atlas as their map source while most others use Navteq and my guess is that the underlying database in Tele Atlas is incomplete as to their classification of just what is a highway/parkway/freeway/limited access roadway or however you want to call it. This upsets me because if not for this issue TomTom would be the GPS of choice. That being said, Magellan Roadmate deserves to be in the evaluation process since it is an excellent product and gives you free traffic and red light camera alerts to boot.

 

[tivoboy]

try it

is there any GPS app that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Thing I like about Android is FREE Google Maps Navigation. Anything like that on iOS?

try the ALK COPILOT app, there is a free version that simply doesn't do VOICE PROMPTS or a paid version of the same that does for between 9.99-14.99$

 

[ericrwalker]

I have to agree with you 100%. My iPhone has replaced the built in Nav on my Honda ($2000.00) and has replaced the Garmin that we used in my wifes car ($299 at the time).

When I bought the TomTom App the day it was release it was $99 and worth every penny. It's still cheaper than most TomTom or Garmin Stand alone units, and at the time I traveled a lot for my job so I no longer had to borrow my wife's Garmin on the road(though I would forget half the time). I never forget my phone.

I also bought the Garmin North America App (on Sale I think $49), and GoGo Japan Navigator (I think $50 or $60).

The good news is my wife now has an iPhone too and they are installed on both phones.

Though some of the guys looking for free might be younger guys and don't need GPS that often or have enough money to spend on it. I don't want to spend all my data downloading maps while I drive, plus there are a lot of roads in the Adirondack mountains where I lose cell service and would then lose my GPS.

To me the GPS program is one of the most important applications that I have. I have spent quite a few dollars buying every one out there because it is so critical to me and wanted to make sure that I had the best, not just one that works ok.

To take me from point A to point B quickly and safely is a major deal to me. It is for that reason why I am so upset at TomTom for not getting their "avoid freeways" to work properly. What is so frustrating is that they have other routing options that at first blush appear to offer equivalent options but DON'T WORK! They have "limited speed" option where you put in a maximum speed. I at first thought that this means take roads with speeds less than or equal the entered speed. This way I could put in 40mph and think that it will exclude all roads with speeds above 40 so the highways with their 55+ speed limit would be excluded. Nope, to this day I have no idea what that option is to do.

Let me give an example. A few months ago I took my daughter with me in the car and went across Long Islands southern shore to a friends house. It was extremely foggy. I "told" my Magellan Roadmate GPS app to "avoid freeways" so it kept me off the freeway network. I passed one accident after another to my left involving cars traveling on the adjoining highway in the dense fog. Roadmate kept me safe - TomTom would have routed me on those highways.

The problem is that TomTom uses Tele Atlas as their map source while most others use Navteq and my guess is that the underlying database in Tele Atlas is incomplete as to their classification of just what is a highway/parkway/freeway/limited access roadway or however you want to call it. This upsets me because if not for this issue TomTom would be the GPS of choice. That being said, Magellan Roadmate deserves to be in the evaluation process since it is an excellent product and gives you free traffic and red light camera alerts to boot.