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NAVIGON Mobile Navigator - North America
- Thread starter vertigo235
- Start date
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I gotta say I'm pretty disappointed in the app especially for the price being asked. When it has a GPS signal it's pretty impressive, but the GPS signal is just too unreliable for using in a car. If it's really cloudy or if the route is somewhat tree lined I'll loose my signal for minutes at time. I've never had this problem with a normal GPS. At this point it seems like a bit of a novelty app to me. I really wish there was some way to get my money back. It actually has me annoyed with the whole app store in general. I'm getting tired of blowing money on apps that I can't try out beforehand.
Also, just for reference; I've restored my phone twice now trying to improve the GPS signal. The phone is placed with line of sight to the sky, and google maps usually has a perfect GPS signal when navigon can't find one (though I still think the GPS chip in the iphone isn't good enough for car navigation anyway).
It's good to see this post. I wish everyone would get on the same page on this. There are so many comments in the TomTom threads saying "I don't know why I'd need an external GPS in the mount. The one in the phone works just fine." There are people practically saying they throw the phone on the floor in their car and Navigon works just fine. 🙂
Back when the 3G came out it was repeatedly stated by the hardware websites that the GPS antenna in the 3G was much too small to provide reliable GPS acquisition for turn-by-turn applications. My only direct experience with the failures of the GPS was attempting to do Geocaching. In a word, it sucked. Any tree canopy at all would shift the accuracy to the 150 to 300 foot range.
Somehow now the previously-determined inadequate GPS is now perfectly adequate for navigation use when timing and accuracy are critical. I don't know if the people giving it glowing reviews are in the central US where the next tree is 4 miles away and a hill to them is a speed bump. I wish Apple would let us see the signal levels on the GPS channels to let us make up our own minds.
m3coolpix
macrumors 6502a
Found this on the Navigon's web site, for those having GPS signal issues (did have to correct typos!-sheesz). Maybe some other factors are causing some issues for people.
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A limited GPS signal can have many different reasons:
Bad positioning of the iPhone in the car. Like with every portable navigation device, the iPhone should always have a free view to the sky.
Metallized thermally insulated windshield
Usage of design or protective covers - While using our NAVIGON Software please avoid using covers since these influence the reception of a GPS signal.
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I wonder how many posting here that are having GPS signal issues have cases on their iPhones?
FWIW, we've now used the Navigon app throughout rural and metropolitan areas of Texas (me) and throughout rural and city areas of Louisiana (my dad). No major GPS signal problems (meaning loss of signal for 5+ seconds). I have a 2 week old iPhone 3GS, and he has my 1 year old iPhone 3G. Both on 3.0 software. Neither of us is currently using a case, and both of us are using a car charger and window mount.
It probably would help some of the Navigon reviews if the above FAQ information was posted on the App Store description page.
I'll try tomorrow on a 120 mile trip to see how a case affects my use. I've got a SwitchEasy case I can put on it.
--------
A limited GPS signal can have many different reasons:
Bad positioning of the iPhone in the car. Like with every portable navigation device, the iPhone should always have a free view to the sky.
Metallized thermally insulated windshield
Usage of design or protective covers - While using our NAVIGON Software please avoid using covers since these influence the reception of a GPS signal.
-----------
I wonder how many posting here that are having GPS signal issues have cases on their iPhones?
FWIW, we've now used the Navigon app throughout rural and metropolitan areas of Texas (me) and throughout rural and city areas of Louisiana (my dad). No major GPS signal problems (meaning loss of signal for 5+ seconds). I have a 2 week old iPhone 3GS, and he has my 1 year old iPhone 3G. Both on 3.0 software. Neither of us is currently using a case, and both of us are using a car charger and window mount.
It probably would help some of the Navigon reviews if the above FAQ information was posted on the App Store description page.
I'll try tomorrow on a 120 mile trip to see how a case affects my use. I've got a SwitchEasy case I can put on it.
Pika
macrumors 68000
While I am not minimizing that some people are having major GPS signal strength issues, here is another data point: I have never once seen Navigon lose the GPS signal once it has obtained the initial "lock." That includes a lot of driving in the past two weeks in urban and rural areas, in and out of heavily wooded areas, and in the middle of a thunderstorm. It also includes both window mounted in our van and on a low, dashboard mount in my Jeep (with a hard top on the Jeep). I do not, however, have a case of any kind on my phone.
Could it be that some phones have a better GPS chip set than others? Or are the mixed results we are seeing case related?
I'm afraid there is too many factors with the GPS lock, I guess I'm lucky to have a phone, iPhone mount, car, location that I put the iPhone, that doesn't give me any problems.
Looks like some people have a problem with one of the things above that is causing them not to keep a solid signal.
Looks like some people have a problem with one of the things above that is causing them not to keep a solid signal.
m3coolpix
macrumors 6502a
More on the GPS signal issues....
Thinking about a sales pitch I had a few weeks ago when we recently had the windows tinted on my wife's new car.....I was looking at two different high performance tint options (here in TX, every degree counts with in car temperatures, we do everything to keep the car cool).....one option was 'metallized' and the other was 'ceramic'. Each was a coating on the tinting. The sales lady mentioned that the metallized product would affect cell phone reception and toll tag functionality (like not work as well).
So, we went with the ceramic (cost was an arm and a leg), but it works.
How does this affect the GPS signals getting to the iPhone if the iPhone is mounted in the windshield (and most everyone is tinting the side windows)? Well, come to find out, they use the metallized coatings in the front windshields too. It helps with heat reduction.
Google 'metallized windshields', and you'll find all kinds of info, and even some PDFs listings of car manufacturers and models that have it.
No wonder TomTom will be selling a mount that has an external GPS antenna. I'll bet that their GPS antenna is in the suction cup area (just behind it), which gets their GPS antenna VERY close to the windshield for the best reception. When using a good window mount, the iPhone is still 3-6" away (if not more) from the windshield. All this added together (distance to the windshield, metallized windshields, iPhone cases, GPS chip quality variations, and iPhone GPS antenna size), is what causes the mixed GPS signal locks/acquisition experience for everyone.
Thinking about a sales pitch I had a few weeks ago when we recently had the windows tinted on my wife's new car.....I was looking at two different high performance tint options (here in TX, every degree counts with in car temperatures, we do everything to keep the car cool).....one option was 'metallized' and the other was 'ceramic'. Each was a coating on the tinting. The sales lady mentioned that the metallized product would affect cell phone reception and toll tag functionality (like not work as well).
So, we went with the ceramic (cost was an arm and a leg), but it works.
How does this affect the GPS signals getting to the iPhone if the iPhone is mounted in the windshield (and most everyone is tinting the side windows)? Well, come to find out, they use the metallized coatings in the front windshields too. It helps with heat reduction.
Google 'metallized windshields', and you'll find all kinds of info, and even some PDFs listings of car manufacturers and models that have it.
No wonder TomTom will be selling a mount that has an external GPS antenna. I'll bet that their GPS antenna is in the suction cup area (just behind it), which gets their GPS antenna VERY close to the windshield for the best reception. When using a good window mount, the iPhone is still 3-6" away (if not more) from the windshield. All this added together (distance to the windshield, metallized windshields, iPhone cases, GPS chip quality variations, and iPhone GPS antenna size), is what causes the mixed GPS signal locks/acquisition experience for everyone.
I keep loosing reception on the GPS really anytime I pull the phone into the car, it seems to stay locked for awhile and then looses it. I guess it requires a much more precise location instead of making the circle bigger, a la Google Maps.
Rayfire
macrumors 68030
Appreciate your responses NightStorm, gloss, vertigo235, blueprint1983, m3coolpix, jdee2wheels. It seems most of the reviews too at the iTunes App Store mainly caught people who are still waiting for TomTom to release their own. I might have to jump over the bandwagon too soon.
Rayfire
macrumors 68030
(btw consider this as a bump)
Ok people, it's Aug 9 (US) here already and for those of you who are in the same boat as me waiting for TomTom to be released before Aug 15, are you guys still waiting?
I have a hunch TomTom won't be able to release it that early, if they did announce something they'll probably give a week or two weeks of notice before the actual availability date. So will you guys get Navigon over TomTom instead? I mean we're just 6 days shy from the app price hike.
Ok people, it's Aug 9 (US) here already and for those of you who are in the same boat as me waiting for TomTom to be released before Aug 15, are you guys still waiting?
I have a hunch TomTom won't be able to release it that early, if they did announce something they'll probably give a week or two weeks of notice before the actual availability date. So will you guys get Navigon over TomTom instead? I mean we're just 6 days shy from the app price hike.
Pika
macrumors 68000
I don't see what so special about TomTom compared to Navigon. If Garmin is developing a GPS app for the iPhone when TomTom get released, i would go with Garmin over TomTom anytime. TomTom GPS hardware sucks compared to Garmin. Garmin Rocks and their user interface is awesome compared to the complexity of TomTom.
I bought the Navigon last night while I was visiting family in the Tampa Bay area... installed and took a quick trip from one family member house to another 10 minutes away and gave perfect directions and was spot on with map location and had no problems with GPS locking on signal.
This is my first experience with GPS. Last two years using a first gen iphone and google maps and have been pretty happy with it for getting directions. Upgraded to 3GS and still used google maps and it was ok when i made a trip from boca to the best western near disney but the gps not accurate as far as showing me off the road and directional never really pointing in right direction and always thought it was the gps chip/signal.
But was pleasantly surprised with the Navigon that it showed me exactly on the road and loved the voice feature and the detail of direction so it's not the chip. it's the programming (and give me thought that the maps app will be tweaked in later updates hopefully which is good for backup). IMO... it is worth the special price for an app that gives you solid performance.
I drove back to ft. laud from tampa and periodically played with the navigon... I didnt really like the route it wanted me to use for beginning of trip but understand why it recommended it... i just happen to know a route that works best for me. i did notice it didnt get gps lock immediately but in about 30-45 seconds it gets a lock and i never lost it.
If I plan to have it on all the time instead of periodically checking then I will need a car charger cause it does use up battery fast. Maybe a window mount with charging (any suggestions?).
But again I have to say for the sale price... its a solid app for a 1.0 release. I imagine whatever comments they are getting as far as bugs and such they will address in a update and maybe they can even tweak performance more. I would like to see the tomtom and be interesting if garmin comes out with one but just hope navigon give out free updates for a little bit.
From the youtube vid on the tomtom site it doesnt seem to show any major difference to the navigon... the difference for me feeling worth spending on others will be if the accuracy is 'dramatically' better than the navigon. coming from a gps newbie, it's already been worlds better than the standard maps on the iphone so i got my moneys worth.
This is my first experience with GPS. Last two years using a first gen iphone and google maps and have been pretty happy with it for getting directions. Upgraded to 3GS and still used google maps and it was ok when i made a trip from boca to the best western near disney but the gps not accurate as far as showing me off the road and directional never really pointing in right direction and always thought it was the gps chip/signal.
But was pleasantly surprised with the Navigon that it showed me exactly on the road and loved the voice feature and the detail of direction so it's not the chip. it's the programming (and give me thought that the maps app will be tweaked in later updates hopefully which is good for backup). IMO... it is worth the special price for an app that gives you solid performance.
I drove back to ft. laud from tampa and periodically played with the navigon... I didnt really like the route it wanted me to use for beginning of trip but understand why it recommended it... i just happen to know a route that works best for me. i did notice it didnt get gps lock immediately but in about 30-45 seconds it gets a lock and i never lost it.
If I plan to have it on all the time instead of periodically checking then I will need a car charger cause it does use up battery fast. Maybe a window mount with charging (any suggestions?).
But again I have to say for the sale price... its a solid app for a 1.0 release. I imagine whatever comments they are getting as far as bugs and such they will address in a update and maybe they can even tweak performance more. I would like to see the tomtom and be interesting if garmin comes out with one but just hope navigon give out free updates for a little bit.
From the youtube vid on the tomtom site it doesnt seem to show any major difference to the navigon... the difference for me feeling worth spending on others will be if the accuracy is 'dramatically' better than the navigon. coming from a gps newbie, it's already been worlds better than the standard maps on the iphone so i got my moneys worth.
the most annoying thing about navigon app is that sometimes it just chooses to SPELL OUT the road i'm driving on???
for whatever reason if i am going down regional road, it will say please continue on R E G I O N A L for 2.2 whatever more kms. extremely annoying to listen to! just so bizarre and unexpected.
for whatever reason if i am going down regional road, it will say please continue on R E G I O N A L for 2.2 whatever more kms. extremely annoying to listen to! just so bizarre and unexpected.
Rayfire
macrumors 68030
I'll wait till the end of the week before I buy this app, I am still kinda worried about their updates whether they're going to be free or not since the one coming up says "free" but when I look on their FAQs, they still don't have a definite answer to the pricing of map/software updates.
I'm the same. On the fence between Navigon and iGo My Way. If I had to buy today, I'd probably go with the latter, but that's why I'm waiting until just before the Navigon price hike.
Rayfire
macrumors 68030
People waiting till the end of this week to buy Navigon, you might want to take a look at this:
Sept 22 anyone? 🙄
"Brightsite", the Twitter account of Dutch site Bright.nl, reports that TomTom has sent out a brief invitation to a special media event scheduled for September 22nd. iPhoneclub.nl reprints [Google translation] the text of the invitation in its entirety:While no mention of the much-anticipated TomTom for iPhone hardware/software solution is made in the invitation, speculation is unsurprisingly touching on the introduction of the company's iPhone offerings as a possible topic for the event.
Article Link: TomTom Special Media Event on September 22nd?
I don't care if TomTom comes out on Sept. 22 (Epic fail if it does). I'm not paying $150+ for a solution that isn't necessary, and delayed.
CNet review of Navigon v. iGo My Way
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10306460-1.html?tag=mncol;title
It should be noted that a couple of the shortcomings listed are already quoted as being addressed in updates for both applications.
CNet review of Navigon v. iGo My Way
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10306460-1.html?tag=mncol;title
It should be noted that a couple of the shortcomings listed are already quoted as being addressed in updates for both applications.
m3coolpix
macrumors 6502a
I realize this is a Navigon thread, but in case anyone is wondering iGo My Way has a similar feature as well if you're comparing the two:
"The smart history 'learns' the user's behavior and habits, and offers a ranked list with the most likely destinations based on the current GPS position, previous routes, day of the week, and time of day."
m3coolpix
macrumors 6502a
That's pretty cool. But, once I've been to a destination, I rarely setup Navigation to get me there again.
I've never used the recents feature of Navigon....
What else would be the benefit?