Should I buy a Garmin or wait till the iPhone catches up?

[2A Batterie]

While I think Google maps is great on the iPhone, I've used Garmin GPS units before and they are great at getting me around a new city. If I got dropped off in the middle of nowhere, I think I would feel more comfortable using a Garmin to get me back to civilization. Plus, I like have verbal instructions instead of reading my phone while driving. I really want to maximize my iPhone use though Am I missing out on something? Is there an app that will read off turn by turn directions on the iPhone? Is there any GPS software in the works for the iPhone? I really would prefer sticking with my iPhone, but a true GPS unit really does wonders for me I've also used VZNav on a BlackBerry Pearl 8130 (on verizon network), which worked great too. Are there any comparable programs or options for the iPhone?

 

[iPegboy]

you could just wait for the Nuviphone: http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/30/garmin-announces-the-nuviphone/

but yeah, nothing GPS right now with the iPhone. no one really knows if the second version of the phone will have it in there.

 

[Surely]

While I think Google maps is great on the iPhone, I've used Garmin GPS units before and they are great at getting me around a new city. If I got dropped off in the middle of nowhere, I think I would feel more comfortable using a Garmin to get me back to civilization. Plus, I like have verbal instructions instead of reading my phone while driving. I really want to maximize my iPhone use though Am I missing out on something? Is there an app that will read off turn by turn directions on the iPhone? Is there any GPS software in the works for the iPhone? I really would prefer sticking with my iPhone, but a true GPS unit really does wonders for me I've also used VZNav on a BlackBerry Pearl 8130 (on verizon network), which worked great too. Are there any comparable programs or options for the iPhone?

Just curious:
How often are you dropped off in the middle of nowhere?
How often are you in a new city?
How often do you really need GPS when you are driving around the city you live in?

I'm not asking to be a smartass, I'm just trying to understand the need to have constant GPS on you. Are you some kind of nomad/world traveller that is in a new city every week? Are you not familiar enough with the city that you reside in to get around? Do your friends blindfold and bind you, stick you in the trunk of their car, and drop you off in the middle of nowhere that often that you need to find your way back to civilization?

OK, so the last question had a bit of smartass in it.

 

[BOSS10L]

2A,

While I do think that the GPS functionality of the iPhone may someday be good enough as a standby, IMHO, nothing beats the ease of use of a purpose-built machine. I love my iPhone and wouldn't trade it for anything (except a newer, better iPhone! ), but I just couldn't see using it for a GPS in the traditional sense (ie- while motoring). I wouldn't want to suction-cup my iPhone to my windshield, and as you pointed out, having voice-guided navigation is very versatile.

I have the bottom-of-the-barrel Magellan Roadmate GPS (got it for Christmas), and it does wonderfully. If the family and I were in an unfamiliar area (on vacation in downtown Orlando, FL for example) on foot and I wanted to find the nearest Starbucks, then sure, I'd whip out the iPhone, but if I'm in my car driving, I want the true GPS.

Same holds true for Safari. If I'm on the go, my iPhone fills in like a champ. But if I'm anywhere that I can sit down for more than 30 minutes, plug into an outlet and use wireless or wired network, the MB comes out to play.

 

[sduckett]

I TOTALLY agree... the GPS craze right now it just that.. more of a fad.. all of the GPS nav things you see in cars... great idea, but how often are you really lost or do you need to get directions some place? I would bet generally they just sit on the dashes of cars sucking power from your battery.

Now, having said that, I DO use google maps a great deal in my work: finding out where a client lives, getting directions from where I am to someplace else.. and probably most of all, NOT USING 411 anymore!!!! Gdamn that costs a lost of money, great to be able to search for a business and have the phone number right there.

I like the looks of the new Garmin phone.. damn where have I seen that look before??? hmmm.. OH
YEAH!!!

IT'S an iPHONE!!!!

Why would you want to buy an iPhone over the Garmin? because I dont see longevity in the unit, in a year it will change (if it stays around at all) and the old one will be obsolete, and.. does it even have 3rd party software for it?

The iPhone however, Apple is awesome about supporting older products, being OS X driven, newer software will still work!

I can see having my phone for years, or untill the new 3G 32 GB comes out

 

[ucfgrad93]

2A,

While I do think that the GPS functionality of the iPhone may someday be good enough as a standby, IMHO, nothing beats the ease of use of a purpose-built machine. I love my iPhone and wouldn't trade it for anything (except a newer, better iPhone! ), but I just couldn't see using it for a GPS in the traditional sense (ie- while motoring). I wouldn't want to suction-cup my iPhone to my windshield, and as you pointed out, having voice-guided navigation is very versatile.

I have the bottom-of-the-barrel Magellan Roadmate GPS (got it for Christmas), and it does wonderfully. If the family and I were in an unfamiliar area (on vacation in downtown Orlando, FL for example) on foot and I wanted to find the nearest Starbucks, then sure, I'd whip out the iPhone, but if I'm in my car driving, I want the true GPS.

Same holds true for Safari. If I'm on the go, my iPhone fills in like a champ. But if I'm anywhere that I can sit down for more than 30 minutes, plug into an outlet and use wireless or wired network, the MB comes out to play.

Well said. I have a Magellan Roadmate 2000 and it is great. When I recently took a trip to Los Angeles it got me where I needed to go. Larger screen and voice commands make it much easier and safer to use while driving.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

I've tried using the iPhone for directions and I can see how it would be good for walking but in the car it's worthless. I have a TomTom nav in my car and although I rarely use it, it's definitely helpful when you come up on a closed road or traffic jam.

 

[toddngina]

Getting a GPS service on the iPhone is huge to me. Prior to the iPhone, I had the Navigator service through Verizon on a run of the mill cell phone. That service was fantastic! The database was always up-to-date (via cell service, great integration!) and the spoken directions were spot-on. I've owned and used several GPS navigation systems, and the Verizon service was a terrific alternative to Garmins and the built-in system in my car. The best part - I always had it on me, because, well, it was on my cell phone! One less box to lug around. The biggest drawbacks of the Verizon - poor map displays and less than ideal user interface. Hmmm, what product out there could correct those woes? As a frequent business and pleasure traveler, being able to pull out an accurate navigation system when needed sure is helpful. The iPhone is almost there already, just throw in a GPS chip and add some good driving/walking direction software and its good to go.

As soon as the iPhone is upgraded with 3G AND GPS, I'll trade up.

 

[pcorajr]

To the poster above asking the smartass questions is not about how often or how crucial GPS is use/needed. Its all about cutting down on the amout of units i have to carry around. Or about the fact that the iphone interface would allow for a great GPS integration.

I just got my Iphone 4 days ago and so far I have enjoy every aspect of it. here is a list of things i usually carry to and from work and on trips.

PSP (For casual gaming on flights and breaks)
Ipod Nano (Music Duh)
Blackberry (Mobile internet +Email IM and others )
Tom Tom GPS (Because i am directionally challenged)
Laptop

Now with what the iphone offers and with what coming in June and the near future I will be able to leave behind my PSP, Ipod, bb and hopefully my TOM TOM.

It's all about convenience.

 

[Archie-]

I sure see a lot of sour grapes in this thread. I'm sure once the iPhone gets GPS it will suddenly be the defining feature of a smartphone, and Apple would be the only one who does it right.

 

[2A Batterie]

Just curious:
How often are you dropped off in the middle of nowhere?
How often are you in a new city?
How often do you really need GPS when you are driving around the city you live in?

I'm not asking to be a smartass, I'm just trying to understand the need to have constant GPS on you. Are you some kind of nomad/world traveller that is in a new city every week? Are you not familiar enough with the city that you reside in to get around? Do your friends blindfold and bind you, stick you in the trunk of their car, and drop you off in the middle of nowhere that often that you need to find your way back to civilization?

OK, so the last question had a bit of smartass in it.

These are perfectly valid questions. My perfectly valid response is that I, like many other professionals, travel quite frequently. Even when in my own city I go to destinations that I have never been to, such as a new friend's house. I don't have the mental capacity to retain a whole metropolitan area's
amount of maps. Also, I prefer listening to directions instead of glancing while I am driving.

I agree, there are some sour grapes in this thread. Regardless, I appreciate the feedback.

My personal feedback is that the VZNav available for use on BlackBerry's on Verizon is a huge plus. I'd love it if Apple had it too.

 

[hexonxonx]

I would get a Garmin. I have a Garmin Nuvi 680 that I bought a year ago and I use it all the time and especially for vacations. If and when a GPS app or device is made to work with the iPhone, I doubt that it would have all the functions of the stand alone GPS.

One of the most convenient functions of a Garmin GPS is that it already pairs up with the iPhone so that you can use the handsfree functions of the GPS. This means you can pair up the iPhone with the GPS to make and take calls, view your contacts, view missed calls, view recent calls and call millions of POIs including hotels, casinos restaurants, all from the screen of your GPS. The GPS already has these phone numbers built in and when the iPhone is paired up with it, tapping the dial button on the GPS screen, automatically dials that number. On incomming calls, you are even given the option to answer or ignore the call and it looks very much like the screen does on this so called Nuviphone that Garmin is planning.

It is very convenient to be able to use the GPS touch screen to dial any call all while your iPhone is still in your pocket or case in the backseat or trunk.

If you have any questions, just ask.

 

[hexonxonx]

Just curious:
How often are you dropped off in the middle of nowhere?
How often are you in a new city?
How often do you really need GPS when you are driving around the city you live in?

I'm not asking to be a smartass, I'm just trying to understand the need to have constant GPS on you. Are you some kind of nomad/world traveller that is in a new city every week? Are you not familiar enough with the city that you reside in to get around? Do your friends blindfold and bind you, stick you in the trunk of their car, and drop you off in the middle of nowhere that often that you need to find your way back to civilization?

OK, so the last question had a bit of smartass in it.

It is far more easier to read the screen on a GPS that tells you the street names than it is to sometimes try and read the street signs. Especially in an area you aren't familiar with. Driving in bad weather is another example, sometimes snow can cover those street signs and rain can make it just as hard.

It's also great to have a GPS because it can guide you flawlessly to the restaurant that you have no idea where it is in a city you have never been to before.

Don't question someone who may feel they want or need one. They have their reasons obviously.

 

[Surely]

To the poster above asking the smartass questions is not about how often or how crucial GPS is use/needed. Its all about cutting down on the amout of units i have to carry around. Or about the fact that the iphone interface would allow for a great GPS integration.

I just got my Iphone 4 days ago and so far I have enjoy every aspect of it. here is a list of things i usually carry to and from work and on trips.

PSP (For casual gaming on flights and breaks)
Ipod Nano (Music Duh)
Blackberry (Mobile internet +Email IM and others )
Tom Tom GPS (Because i am directionally challenged)
Laptop

Now with what the iphone offers and with what coming in June and the near future I will be able to leave behind my PSP, Ipod, bb and hopefully my TOM TOM.

It's all about convenience.

Snicker

These are perfectly valid questions. My perfectly valid response is that I, like many other professionals, travel quite frequently. Even when in my own city I go to destinations that I have never been to, such as a new friend's house. I don't have the mental capacity to retain a whole metropolitan area's
amount of maps. Also, I prefer listening to directions instead of glancing while I am driving.

I agree, there are some sour grapes in this thread. Regardless, I appreciate the feedback.

My personal feedback is that the VZNav available for use on BlackBerry's on Verizon is a huge plus. I'd love it if Apple had it too.

Thank you. I think they are valid questions as well. Thank you for politely answering them.

It is far more easier to read the screen on a GPS that tells you the street names than it is to sometimes try and read the street signs. Especially in an area you aren't familiar with. Driving in bad weather is another example, sometimes snow can cover those street signs and rain can make it just as hard.

It's also great to have a GPS because it can guide you flawlessly to the restaurant that you have no idea where it is in a city you have never been to before.

Don't question someone who may feel they want or need one. They have their reasons obviously.

Excuse me? I will question if I chose to. I wanted to find out his/her opinion. That is the point of forums. If no one asked questions, what is the point? I guess I'm just not omnipotent like you.

 

[iAmLegend]

If you are using your iPhone as a GPS system in your car, please find some way to make your car noticeable on the road so I can avoid driving near you.

Thanks.

 

[dukebound85]

I TOTALLY agree... the GPS craze right now it just that.. more of a fad.. all of the GPS nav things you see in cars... great idea, but how often are you really lost or do you need to get directions some place? I would bet generally they just sit on the dashes of cars sucking power from your battery.

no it is useful.

remember the big old road maps....need i make the point further

just today i needed one to find an airpark but instead i had to drive around for an hr and eventually ask someone....gps would have save me

 

[hexonxonx]

I TOTALLY agree... the GPS craze right now it just that.. more of a fad.. all of the GPS nav things you see in cars... great idea, but how often are you really lost or do you need to get directions some place? I would bet generally they just sit on the dashes of cars sucking power from your battery.

Just like iPods are a fad?p Mine gets used everyday. If I don't need it to find an address in a rural area, I use it to make phone calls via my iPhone. I never leave home without it. In fact, I have two Garmin Nuvi 680s one for each of my cars.

 

[BOSS10L]

I sure see a lot of sour grapes in this thread. I'm sure once the iPhone gets GPS it will suddenly be the defining feature of a smartphone, and Apple would be the only one who does it right.

For sure, if Apple is able to correctly integrate GPS into the iPhone, I'll be pleased as punch. Problem is, I'd only truly use GPS a few times a year at most. That is why I didn't get one until I got it for Christmas. I couldn't justify the expense on something I wasn't going to use. But now that I'm going to be home during the summers and we're planning on taking some nice road trips with the boys, my Magellan Roadmate will come in quite handy.

 

[2A Batterie]

I appreciate the feedback. Personally, I feel the GPS thing isn't just a fad. It has so much use. I travel quite a bit and use one all the time when I do. It also is a good way to tell someone "I'll be there in XX minutes", especially if you are meeting someone in a location that you've never been to before. When I was using a BlackBerry, I used the VZNav everyday. Having some sort of GPS unit is also great for finding specific types of businesses (pizza shops, libraries, etc.) when you are a frequent traveler.

Personally, I'm sold on using GPS as an everyday tool. I'm just curious whether or not to wait for an iPhone update so that I don't have weigh myself down with more gadgets. It looks like I probably will go with a Garmin.

 

[JMax1]

Simple: If you want it, get it.

 

[riverfreak]

I TOTALLY agree... the GPS craze right now it just that.. more of a fad.. all of the GPS nav things you see in cars... great idea, but how often are you really lost or do you need to get directions some place? I would bet generally they just sit on the dashes of cars sucking power from your battery.

GPS a fad? Right.

Human history is filled with inventions that fundamentally change who we are by changing our perspective of the world. Maps, optics, travel, telecommunications, the 'net. GPS continues that tradition. Integrated and ubiquitous GPS and internet access is going to have a profound impact on humanity.

That people can't imagine the utility of GPS in a future iPhone astounds me. It's not just about finding your way around.

 

[riverfreak]

2A Batterie:

I have a GPS Map 60 CSx. It's a great size for traveling and I've used mine all over the world. The only bummer, of course, is Garmin's maps which are $$$$. But I think that's the same with any manufacturer. The Nuviphone of course looks interesting, as does the new Colorado.

 

[RaceTripper]

GPS isn't just a Fad. I have a Garmin Nuvi 760 with the MSN Direct receiver and love it. I always have it in the car, and even when I don't need it for directions, having weather, traffic, and the POI database with phone numbers is very handy (not to mention the Red Light camera warnings). It's one of those things you can't imagine being without once you have it, like DVRs and heated car seats.

 

[avaloncourt]

Just like iPods are a fad?p Mine gets used everyday. If I don't need it to find an address in a rural area, I use it to make phone calls via my iPhone. I never leave home without it. In fact, I have two Garmin Nuvi 680s one for each of my cars.

Yeah, I don't get the 'fad' thing either. GPS receivers must have taken a huge chunk out of the printed map business. They are becoming very common. People who could never comprehend a map before can easily follow verbal directions. I travel a great deal on business and the GPS gets me where I need to go. I also have a Garmin but mine is the StreetPilot 680, the lumpy version of yours.

 

[avaloncourt]

The Nuviphone of course looks interesting, as does the new Colorado.

I've had many Garmins and, while I love them, a Garmin convergence device scares me. I had the Garmin iQue, the Palm/GPS, and it was a very expensive piece of garbage. It was an orphan Palm device. Nobody ever developed anything for it and it had issues with quite a bit of existing Palm software. The GPS was poorly designed and the software ran on the Palm and frequently crashed. For this reason I will never, ever purchase any Garmin convergence device again. I learned a very expensive lesson the first time around. I do love my StreetPilot 680 though.