GPS iPhone ? (C14 and CAR)

[CrashKLRtoConnie]

Thinking about getting an iPhone. A friend in FLA loves her iPhone and uses it as her CAR as a GPS + calls + tunes.

Anyone use an iPhone as a GPS (or more) on the C14 and is willing to comment on how it compares to a standard GPS (Garmin etc)?

Would love to be able to use an iPhone on the bike, in the car .... but hate the cost and hear the ATT service has coverage gaps compared with Verison ...

[RBX QB]

Been there done that. A few things to be aware of:

1) iPhone batteries drain pretty quickly running ATT Navigator. Since the C14 has a power outlet, you can just use a car charger to solve that one.
2) ATT Navigator pulls data from the cell network to determine position. Lose coverage, lose GPS. Ask me how I know. I did see a Magellan cradle a while back at the Apple store... something like $100. Might be worth looking into, if it has it's own GPS antenna and map data storage.
3) ATT Navigator is $10 a month. I discontinue the service when I don't need it. It can be added or deleted using the ATT app.

Of course, I have no idea if Verizon has a similar app, so my experience may be of no help. I've used Navigator with my bluetooth helmet in metropolitan areas, and it's quite effective. I wouldn't want to dash mount the phone for visual directions, tho... because the iPhone gets pretty hot when it transmits and receives data that often. Again, ask me how I know. The verbal commands are pretty accurate, and the iPhone automatically mutes music when it gives directions.

So, in a pinch, an iPhone works quite well as a GPS... but nowhere near as effective as an actual GPS unit.

[stevewfl]

I used my 'droid (iPhone competitior) on this trip. Mountains, deserts, seas, valleys, plains, etc. Worked great through this abuse:  http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2298.0

[jjsC6]

I just switched to Verizon and they no longer have an unlimited data plan.  I would be concerned about how much a "streaming" program would run up you data usage.

[Jeremy Mitchell]

I used my iPhone as a nav device with music and it worked well.  I bought an app called Motion X and it has an integrated mp3 player that will mute the music when instructions for upcoming turns are being spoken.  That app was cheap ($2.00 IIRC) but the voice guidance is $20 year. 

I just switched phones and got an HTC Merge (Droid) and love it.  I have the Navigon app so that there are no issues with maps that need to use data to load.  It doesn't have an integrated MP3 player so I can't figure out how to get the music to mute while directions are being spoken.  It works great other than that.

[stevewfl]

I used my iPhone as a nav device with music and it worked well.  I bought an app called Motion X and it has an integrated mp3 player that will mute the music when instructions for upcoming turns are being spoken.  That app was cheap ($2.00 IIRC) but the voice guidance is $20 year. 

I just switched phones and got an HTC Merge (Droid) and love it.  I have the Navigon app so that there are no issues with maps that need to use data to load.  It doesn't have an integrated MP3 player so I can't figure out how to get the music to mute while directions are being spoken.  It works great other than that.

Also with the droid it will mute the music automatically when Navi has something to say 

[atilla457]

I haven't used the iPhone version yet but I'm eyeing the Tom Tom gps app.  It is $49 and should work without cell coverage.  They used to have a deal for $39 which I missed; that's why I'm waiting.

I have their stand-alone model (3 years old) and works well.

There are other iPhone apps too.

I wouldn't go with AT&T if it requires constant cell coverage.

[Mister Tee]

I use my Iphone as a GPS in the car (no I don't have a mount for the bike.)  I do not have an add on navigator program, I just use the stock map function, and it works great.  Lose data coverage, you lose the ability to update your map but you don't lose GPS position capability.

But I don't rely on a GPS to get me everywhere I go anyway - I use it more like a map.  I study it for a bit and just drive.  Sometimes, in remote areas, it's nice to know you're on the right road when the roads aren't marked well.

[Jeremy Mitchell]

Also with the droid it will mute the music automatically when Navi has something to say 

Is there a setting that I need to change?  I am still new to the Droid platform so I am still working out some of the kinks.

[okxd45]

Is there a setting that I need to change?  I am still new to the Droid platform so I am still working out some of the kinks.

Me too! Just got the Evo.

[Steve K]

I use my iPhone 3GS for nav and music both in my car and on the bike.  I use TomTom for nav.  Having the maps on the phone is worth the extra cost if you ever go out of cell range (which is when you need nav the most!).  The phone works great either streaming pandora or using the ipod app.  TomTom will turn down the music for the voice prompts.  Nav does eat the battery, so I use a car charger to power the phone. 

[Rhino]

I used my 'droid (iPhone competitior) on this trip. Mountains, deserts, seas, valleys, plains, etc. Worked great through this abuse:  http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2298.0

+1 Droid Pro with Google maps

[JoeR]

I have the Navigon app on my iPhone 4, I also use it for music on long trips.  Works great, I have Etymotic ear buds that block a good percentage of ambient sound so I don't have to run the volume more than 50%-75%.  I leave the iPhone in my tank bag with the charger plugged into the dash.  The Navigon voice directions fade in over the music for lane changes, turns, distance to travel etc.  I downloaded the app at home where I have wireless internet, and did not have any noticeable usage increase on my wireless bill.   The Navigon app never got lost, the maps are downloaded initially, and the gps works even when out of sight of cell towers.  The maps are more up to date than the Garmin I use in my car.  Best $35 I've spent on navigation software.

[RBX QB]

The talk of apps has intrigued me, and I found this comparison http://www.macworld.com/article/156720/2011/01/gps.html.

It seems to have all the ones we've discussed in the thread so far. I'd think there might be a similar comparison for the Droid platform.

Hope this helps.

[OregonLAN]

I use a Nexus S 4G (Android device) with Telenav, Navigon and Google Maps. Telenav and Navigon both cache maps on the SD, so cell service isn't required unless you start a new trip or change your way points.

Each device has it's own pros and cons. A dedicated GPS is generally easier to use, more visible and faster at locating a GPS signal than a smartphone. Also, it doesn't require any type of cell service. However, I've found that dedicated GPS' are commonly wrong or outdated. Many of time my GPS has taken me down the wrong road our on a route that impossible to pass in a vehicle. A couple of times I've ran into cities that were not even in the database (Try searching for Aloha, Oregon on a Garmin).