I prefer a dedicated GPS unit. Using my iPhone as a GPS depletes the battery and then I can't TALK on the iPhone, which is the primary reason I bought it for. For the occasional lookup it's fine, but the battery drain is a concern for me.
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It's time to buy a new GPS, or should I just use the iPhone?
- Thread starter sixxmum
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While I love using maps on my iPhone, especially when out walking, it hasn't yet replaced my trusty Garmin nuvi for driving.
The Garmin already came with all the in-car accessories I need (windshield mount, power and traffic receiver cable), plus an excellent screen even in direct sunlight, my iPhone's screen in direct sunlight becomes hard to read. I also love Navteq's map base for accuracy (I kinda wish Apple had bought Navteq back in 2007 instead of Nokia) and I don't have to tie up my iPhone and drain its battery when driving. Having said that, I'm sure one day when my Garmin dies I probably won't replace it with another standalone GPS.
The Garmin already came with all the in-car accessories I need (windshield mount, power and traffic receiver cable), plus an excellent screen even in direct sunlight, my iPhone's screen in direct sunlight becomes hard to read. I also love Navteq's map base for accuracy (I kinda wish Apple had bought Navteq back in 2007 instead of Nokia) and I don't have to tie up my iPhone and drain its battery when driving. Having said that, I'm sure one day when my Garmin dies I probably won't replace it with another standalone GPS.
I was worried after hearing some of the complaints about Maps, but I've had zero issues with it so far, and the turn-by-turn nav is SO much easier to use when driving by yourself than Google Maps ever was. I'm very pleased with it so far.
Sounds like that may be the decision point, how much do you use your iPhone as a phone (I get very few calls on mine). When my daughter went to college in August and I gave her my Garmin. I have been using my 4 as my GPS since then and it has worked very well. So far I like motionX and Waze, both have worked very well. I had originally planned to get the Garmin app, but so far I have not seen the need. I have a nice mount for the phone in the car and an iSimple setup that connects (and charges) the iPhone to the factory radio. So I can hear the turn by turn prompts through the car speakers.
Works very well and I do agree with others that Waze is a very nice program, very clean and easy to use ui.
Works very well and I do agree with others that Waze is a very nice program, very clean and easy to use ui.
TomTom for the iPhone is awesome. They even include an iPad version now as well. Best part about it is that the maps are stored on your phone so you don't worry about data usage or losing service, etc. It's not cheap but it's a very high quality application.
Long time GPS user here. I've had half a dozen Garmin units used mostly on my motorcycle. I've recently gone to just using Navigon on the iPhone. Some limitations vs. a traditional GPS but the gap has closed significantly.
Unlike others, I've had good luck with the first few trips I've taken using the new maps app too.
Stick with a standalone GPS if you must have any of these:
1) Route construction on a PC uploaded to the unit
2) Integrated weather overlays
3) Uninterrupted no nonsense guidance despite incoming calls, txt messages, or fading batteries etc.
Unlike others, I've had good luck with the first few trips I've taken using the new maps app too.
Stick with a standalone GPS if you must have any of these:
1) Route construction on a PC uploaded to the unit
2) Integrated weather overlays
3) Uninterrupted no nonsense guidance despite incoming calls, txt messages, or fading batteries etc.
Use the iPhone. If you don't like Apple Maps then use a third party app. There's really no reason to spend $100+ on a device that only has one purpose.
Not dumping my standalone GPS. It's mounted, works well, speaks loud enough, locates satellites easily and strongly, screen is large and bright; fully paid for. If a call comes in while on the highway, I take the call without losing continuity with what the standalone GPS is doing.
I have been using Navigon since it was released and I, too, have been very happy with it. I'm not thrilled that they sold out to Garmin but I'll survive.
Nope, it's been working really well for me. Not much of a difference since I got the 5, not counting the fact that they released an update to the app itself, making it fully iOS6 and iPhone 5 compatible.
I really can't say enough good things about Navigon, even with the buyout, they haven't remotely abandoned the app. So many little quibbles I had with the app back when it was first released have been fully addressed with updates over the years.
I would definitely recommend just using the iPhone for GPS to save some money. The maps are more than reliable enough to navigate to addresses, and if you really have an issue with the onboard maps, theres apps from all the GPS makers to satisfy your needs. Garmin, TomTom, Navigon, Magellan, all have an app on the App Store 
.
Even with cars with built in Nav, I would prefer the iPhone nav, as built in Nav costs too much to pay for updates.
. Even with cars with built in Nav, I would prefer the iPhone nav, as built in Nav costs too much to pay for updates.
I just use my phone now. I ditched my standalone GPS device with the iPhone 4.
Motion X and Waze are both good for my usage.
Motion X and Waze are both good for my usage.
Depends on which one you get. Apps like Waze and Apple Maps do use data as they direct you, while apps like Navigon and TomTom do not. You download the maps to your iPhone, and you don't need data for anything other than (optional) traffic info.
I'd strongly suggest a Garmin(*) for nav
I know it seems silly, preferring a touch-screen device thats only running a single app - over a multifaceted shiny iPhone BUT I used my Google Nexus One smartphone instead of a Garmin navigator for a year and it was destroyed!
It depends on how you mount the phone in a navigating position? I used the expensive Google branded Google Nexus One Bluetooth car-holder, I noticed the phone was vibrating and being shocked with pot-holes and swerves and road-repairs etc The phone was being baked by the sun whilst running the Google nav app (doubly hot!) I'd assumed the excellently constructed Nexus One would handle all the hassles of being a navigator - due to its very high quality construction by HTC, but in the end it failed after just 11 months. A multi-track flexible circuit board became open-circuit inside the phone - the circuit board for the power switch and screen wake-up just stopped working. It's a known fault (now) but I think I accelerated the failure
There's therefore a small risk that using an iPhone 5 100% as your navigator might shake a similar design fault into evidence with teh Apple phone; I assume that my Nexus would have lasted several years had it not been shaken and rattled and rolled in its navigator life, but just existed as a 'phone'
I've bought the iPhone5, I might occasionally use it for navigation BUT I'll mostly use the 60 (*) or Navigon or Mio or Tom-Tom hardware that is built to be cooked and shaken!
I know it seems silly, preferring a touch-screen device thats only running a single app - over a multifaceted shiny iPhone BUT I used my Google Nexus One smartphone instead of a Garmin navigator for a year and it was destroyed!
It depends on how you mount the phone in a navigating position? I used the expensive Google branded Google Nexus One Bluetooth car-holder, I noticed the phone was vibrating and being shocked with pot-holes and swerves and road-repairs etc The phone was being baked by the sun whilst running the Google nav app (doubly hot!) I'd assumed the excellently constructed Nexus One would handle all the hassles of being a navigator - due to its very high quality construction by HTC, but in the end it failed after just 11 months. A multi-track flexible circuit board became open-circuit inside the phone - the circuit board for the power switch and screen wake-up just stopped working. It's a known fault (now) but I think I accelerated the failure
There's therefore a small risk that using an iPhone 5 100% as your navigator might shake a similar design fault into evidence with teh Apple phone; I assume that my Nexus would have lasted several years had it not been shaken and rattled and rolled in its navigator life, but just existed as a 'phone'
I've bought the iPhone5, I might occasionally use it for navigation BUT I'll mostly use the 60 (*) or Navigon or Mio or Tom-Tom hardware that is built to be cooked and shaken!
For me, the cons of using my phone as a GPS device just aren't worth it. You can get a good dedicated unit with lifetime map updates for under $100 now. Then you don't have to worry about cell coverage or taking up a ton of your phones (expensive) storage with map data. Plus then you have full access to your phone while using the navigation.
The iPhone works nicely for little things here and there where it isn't worth pulling out the GPS unit, but that's all I care to use it for.
Any yes, these are my opinions and I know many others are happy using their phone as their only navigation device. To each his own.
This
For me, a standalone device is the way to go especially for long trips. Remember, the iPhone is a multi-function device which means its missing features that are common on standalone devices. As noted above, the iPhone is great for here and there, but for trips that require my devices to be separated, my dedicated GPS can't be beat as far as functionality.
You make a valid point.
I mount my iPhone on the bottom of my dash near my gear shifter. That way it stays in the shade, and the AC keeps it cool. It barely gets hot at all even while navigating.
I like the stand alone GPS. We only use it on long car trips to other states. We don't own one but we borrow it from my parents. I like my phone for other things while traveling. But when I'm in town my phone works fine. If you don't want to shell out a lot of money for one it is getting close to shopping season. Surely they will have some discounted ones.
I used an old iPhone 3G for nothing but GPS (Navigon), and it still works fine to this day. The issue is having it on the windshield for you it seems like, especially if you live in a place like I do where you could fry an egg on the sidewalk, or bake cookies on your dash.
You do make a good point, and I do have an old Mio I bought from Radio Shack that I am going to put in place of the old iPhone once the iPhone dies. I don't generally like using my iP5 for navigating that much either.
It looks like Nexii had an issue though, seeing as the 3G still works fine I don't know what to think, but it did scare me.