Navigon GPS Software on iPhone

Hi,
just bought the Navigon GPS software for the iPhone. As it's one of the most expensive Apps in the store I thought people might appreciate some feedback.
I've no connection to the Navigon company.

Here are my thoughts....I'm a long term user of a TomTom 700 in car nav system........

Why did I want an iPhone app?

Mainly the convenience of always having a GPS whenever I have my phone.
Plus I wanted all the maps without data roaming charges in Europe.

Is it expensive?

£79.99 - quite a lot for an iPhone app but not in the context of buying a Europe satnav!

Does it work?

Yes, navigates from A->B very well.

Compared to my Tomtom 700? Well there's pros and cons....

Pros.

Maps are more up to date (to update my Western Europe tomtom maps would be £44.95)

Current speed limit is displayed (I think more recent TomToms do this too!)

Comprehensive POIs supplied.

Cons

Feels like a first release in some areas although the essential stuff works:

e.g. Post codes need to be 6/7 digits (addresses still work)

Preloaded POIs are sometimes a bit obscure in categorisation (e.g. pubs are in Culture-> Nightlife category!).

Can't delete maps that are not needed for the moment (e.g. I won't be needing Albania in the foreseeable future) There is a workaround for this that I haven't tried.

No way of inputing 3rd party POIs/alternative voices.

Need A-B route planning software (rather than current location -> B)

Finally:

The download's a bit of a monster (1.6Gb) but you need more space than that to load it. I deleted my itunes and some photos but will restore the ones I still want now.

All in all I'm well pleased with this purchase.

Any other thoughts/questions?

Regards

jawdrops

Edited by jawdrops (Wed 01-Jul-09 21:31:25)

I bought the British Isles edition for £37.99. I figured I would probably buy the TomTom app when it comes out, so the June introductory deal gives me a chance to try the concept out before I decide to spend what will no doubt be considerably more for TomTom. I don't have a SatNav currently, and in my situation Navigon fills that hole. For me, at that price, Navigon was a no-brainer.

Re. the Cons above ...

The built-in Maps application already provides route planning to my satisfaction.

Real time voice assisted navigation from where I am now to where I wanna be is what I need - occasionally. I tested it by diverting from the recommended route, and it seemed to pick up the diversion immediately, and the instructions continued on the revised route.

Post code truncation is not a big deal. A few taps get you to a full address entry, as it finds town and street names on the fly. A couple of letters of each will usually get you to a list that you can tap. I figure that's no more taps than a full post code. Even a full postcode would still only get you to a section of a road, and you still require the house number for a complete location.

The British Isles version is only a 215 MBytes download, so size is not an issue.

My list of Cons:

Power drain is quick. My battery was 50% depleted after only 15-20 mins. You need to run it from the car power supply.

It should be possible to enter a position and then ask it for points of interest around that location. Maybe it's possible, but I haven't been able to work out how to do that.

If you already have a route plotted can you tell it to divert you around a road block? i.e. in TomTom I am able to say recalculate route->avoid roadblock-><various distances from 100yd to 3 miles>

I'm currently trying to decide on a new phone and I think it's currently between an HTC Hero or an iPhone.

I don't think so, but I haven't explored it very far. I'm not aware that it knows about road blocks, or other real time disturbances to the basic map.

Sorry if I wasn't clear, I don't mean real time. In tomtom I literally tell it there is something wrong ahead and it replans my route avoiding the next however many miles I tell it.

Alan, I'm being really lazy. I'm tempted to download Navigon, but is there an iPhone car charger available?

I'm sure there are lots of cigar lighter adapters, but I don't have any experience of them, so I'd have to do the same Google search as you, and it's really very hot

The TomTom app is reputed to include a car mounting kit and other accessories. I've also asked my regular garage to quote for the factory hands-free option and I'm waiting to see the details of that kit. So I'm going to hold out for a while to see these offers before I start buying up third party extras to hook my iPhone into my car.

Hi Jonny,

You know TomTom is coming for iPhone anyway, right? So you'll get that feature when that's released. (Due this summer).

ta,
Phil.

Phones are intended for postable use, spashing £80 on something for a static purpose seems useless. Google Maps is suficient for 99.999999% of users.

Ah I didn't know that. Hmmm still a tough decision to make then between the iPhone and an HTC Hero.

It's turn by turn. Why carry a sat nav unit when you can use your phone?

Anyway, it was £54.99 at first, looks like they've hiked the price. The UK only version is cheaper.

The built in maps aren't built in, they're streamed from the internet. Therefore you need a decent signal. If you lose internet or only have GPRS then the maps won't display.

The design of the HTC Hero should be enough to make you get an iPhone.

HTC make ugly tacky designs. The Hero has an ugly curved bottom section and naff looking buttons.

It has a custom GUI too, so i'm not sure how it will behave with other Android apps?

Gilesuk,
I don't think that what you state is correct......as unlike googlemaps I believe the maps are resident on the phone (hence the 1.6Gbyrte download).

I may stand to be corrected but could you clarify are you speculating or speaking from experience of your usege with the app?

Regards

jawdrops

Gilesuk,
According to the Navigon site no internet connection is needed....

http://www.navigon.com/site/uk/en/products/navigatio...

Regards

jawdrops

In reply to a post by krazykizza:

Phones are intended for postable use, spashing £80 on something for a static purpose seems useless.

Well for me portable includes in-car and as for £80 it's good value compared to a dedicated sat-nav and more convenient (1 device etc)

In reply to a post by krazykizza:

Google Maps is suficient for 99.999999% of users.

But only in the country of your contract otherwise I believe data charges start racking up (see my no internet needed post below) also turn by turn voice instruction for car driving is very superior to google maps.

So at the end of the day it's all about priorities.

Regards
jawdrops

In reply to a post by AlanH:

Post code truncation is not a big deal. A few taps get you to a full address entry, as it finds town and street names on the fly. A couple of letters of each will usually get you to a list that you can tap. I figure that's no more taps than a full post code. Even a full postcode would still only get you to a section of a road, and you still require the house number for a complete location.

I have to disagree with you there, I have owned 3 SatNavs over the last few years and the first one was running Navigon software with the 5 digit post code search and it was the most frustrating thing ever. For example try entering a Pub that has no building number but is on a 5 mile stretch of an A road. With a full post code search the navigator gets you close enough that you can see to place. With the stupid 5 digit post code you have to drive up and down 5 miles of road to find the place you are looking for. Not only that sometimes the road names in the database do not match with the postcode. So for example the address might be 50 old high street but the navigator has no old high street for the first 5 digits of the postcode but instead lists another dozen or so road names that you have no idea if one of them is an alternative name. Totally frustrating and utterly useless at times.

The second Navigator I bought just recently was a Navigon branded navigator, full post code search was a real improvement but the software was just a real pain, it felt really clunky and the routing was worse than the old one, especially annoying was that it would tell me to turn left in the middle of a main road where there was no turning but there was a slight left hand curve in the road where as it would fail to tell me to turn where there was a real turning so I'd have to look at the map. I literally dumped that one after 8 weeks it was so bad.

Having tried two Navigon based navigators that were bought because they were cheaper than Garmin and Tom Tom I decided to splash out and buy a Tom Tom and it is miles ahead of the Navigon, everything works smoothly, well thought out interface, brilliant post code lookup and points of interest. No stupid error messages when trying to save locations, a real dream in comparison, really worlds apart. I recently bought a navigator on behalf of my father-in-law and as there was an offer on a Garmin I went for that. Not quite as nice as the TomTom software but again still a lot better than Navigon.

I must admit that the idea of having SatNav on my iPhone is appealing but after being so disappointed with Navigon before I decided I wouldn't waste my money even at the introductory price of £37. I decided it was a waste of money because there is no gaurantee that they will update it for proper post code search and the reviews on the app store say that the map data is old and generally the app is not that good.

My advice, don't bother, wait for Tom Tom even if it is significantly more than the Navigon software it will be well worth the extra.

In reply to a post by AlanH:

the reviews on the app store say that the map data is old and generally the app is not that good.

My advice, don't bother, wait for Tom Tom even if it is significantly more than the Navigon software it will be well worth the extra.

Not sure what other reviewers are comparing with. Comparing the maps to my existing tomtom 700 I've found them to be up to date. Overall I've been impressed with the Navigon for its primary purpose (ie navigating from A-B) , the POIs are much more complete (which partially address the 'pub' issue above) but full post code search would be a benefit (do hope navigon respond - the iPhone app store has a different dynamic than updates for fixed devices). It will be interesting to see tomtom pricing but so far, for a relatively modest price the idea of always having the Navigon satnav with me is worth the price!

I was on about the Google maps application.

Indeed, the maps of Navigon are in memory. In fact I downloaded the EU version and altered the ipa file to remove the maps I didnt need as 1.6GB is a lot of space in an 8GB iPhone.

Yes. I was making the point that Google Maps application is not up to the job of navigation as it requires a net connection.

Browsing maps is incredibly slow on the Google maps application compared to Navigon. Even with wifi/3G.

All map data is old. You think surveying the whole of the UK can be done fast?

Most map data is about 12-18 months out of date.

Oh ok,
Looks like we're in agreement!

jawdrops

Yeah the initial price was an introductory offer - which they honoured until the advertised date.
Regards
jawdrops

A quick question - is it better to download onto my Mac and then sync or download directly onto the iPhone?

Workmates were not impressed at the £54.99 price, never mind the full price.

The price isn't the problem, it's finding a decent iPhone car holder.

In reply to a post by w4man:

A quick question - is it better to download onto my Mac and then sync or download directly onto the iPhone?

I always download apps to my Mac, as It's faster. And I want the apps to be available for download to my iPhone and iPod touch.

Don't know which is better...I downloaded 'over the air' direct to my iphone, and it worked fine.....You will need to clear a large space though...as the download/install must involves a larger amount of space than the ultimate app size of 1.6Gb. I did this by copying most of my photos and then deleting all my itunes and then re-synching after the install.

Regards

jawdrops

It's a nice app.. I do wish I had waited for the Tom Tom version to come out with the charger dock.. as like you said, it does drain your power!

It's not the fastest app either but all in all, one less device to keep in the car now.

Matt

Tomtom's dock also has a GPS receiver, so their software will be required to use this.

You can get a charger and cradle, you shouldnt expect to use a GPS app on the phone and have it last a long time. The Tomtom units I've owned only lasted 2 hours on battery.

Has anyone tried the latest Griifin?

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/roadtrip#

Regards

jawdrops

Saw it in the Apple store in Birmingham. I don't like holders that use the lighter socket to mount to the car. I prefer windscreen mounts.

I ended up buying the Navigon British Isles maps. I've had TomTom previously and I prefer the Navigon tbth. It fits in your pocket. The TomTom doesn't.

The interface is good enough and updates quickly.

No complaints here. Thanks for the post!

Navigon lite free for test purpose's

Link will take you to the iTunes app store
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/vi...

215mb download.

I saw that - I bought it instead. No complaints.

All,
Well I've used it for a couple of cross country road trips in the UK and I'm quite impressed with the capability. The gps does 'bomb' out more often than a dedicated tomtom but this is probably an iphone or a lack of screen mount issue.

Regards
jawdrops

The GPS signal reception on the iPhone is pretty poor. It's ok with line of sight, but put the iPhone in your pocket and the signal goes.

Update on the IPhone GPS

Nice to see that Navigon have updated the GPS within a month of my post and as a free upgrade (in the iTunes tradition!) Features now include:

Route planning (offline)

Speed Cameras and audible warnings

Interim stops

Switchably view street names of streets intersecting your route

Now all we really need for 5 stars is:

- Full postcode search (the one bundled is okay 'cos it throws up street within a given postcode - but full routing would be better).

- Ability to delete maps not likely to be used (although I know there's a hack for this - it would be nice in the app).

- A nice widescreen holder

- User editable POIs.

- Range of voices

I've used a few times now and I'm still a big fan.....keep the updates coming!


Regards

jawdrops

It is annoying to have to keep downloading 1.6gb only to delete loads of maps.

But this is what is wrong with the iPhone app model, everything has to be self contained. If they allowed one app pack to refer to another then it would allow for maps and app to be separate.

Edited by deleted (Tue 28-Jul-09 21:08:45)

gilesjuk,
How did you manage to delete the maps so that you only ended up with the ones you wanted?

Regards

jawdrops

Rename the Navigon.ipa to be a zip. Unzip. Show package contents for the Navigon bundle, delete the maps you don't want. Zip back up (make sure the folder structure is the same) and rename to .ipa. Then remove and reinstall the application.

You may need to remove the original out of iTunes then double click the new one to get your modified version installed.

KEEP A BACKUP.

gilesjuk,
ok thanks for the qucik reply I'll try it when I've got a little time to spare. Up to now I've always downloaded the Navigon straight onto the iPhone i.e. not onto iTunes first.

Regards

jawdrops