Garmin-PC, Navigator11-FREE and Odyssey Navigator Comparison.

**Mickz** · 12-19-2011, 11:10 PM

I started to talk about Garmin and Odyssey in the last two updates on my Work-log starting with the first of the two updates here ->

My Worklog Post #130

I also found MapFactor Navigator11 – Free which is an OpenStreetMaps based free turn-by-turn GPS navigation system for Windows and Windows Mobile devices. http://navigatorfree.mapfactor.com/en/

Maps are from http://www.openstreetmap.org/ and there are maps for many countries including Australia. I also found free maps for Garmin based on the same source.

I have Garmin-PC SW and a Garmin x20 GPS mouse, the Maps are locked to the X20 Mouse and as it’s a HW device, its registered on the Garmin site and I can update maps at anytime, just like a standard Garmin GPS. I can run the Garmin-PC software on any PC I like.

I’ve used this for almost two years and it’s great. I solved all HW-SW issues that I had (lot of people have) with the final SW release prior to it being discontinued.

I now have another small USB GPS mouse that shows as a Com port and works with most GPS applications. This means I don’t have to run any GPS gate software to convert the Garmin Mouse to standard format and a com port. So Garmin-PC has its own GPS receiver and other backup GPS apps have this new GPS mouse. That takes care of the problem with either Mouse failing in the middle of nowhere. Garmin GPS is mounted underneath the Honda’s removable panel located in the top centre of the dash and about 4 inches back from the base of the windscreen. The 2nd GPS mouse is mounted underneath the Rear Centre stop light housing and is 6” from the base of the rear windscreen. Both get a good sat-fix inside my low 18ft x 18ft steel carport even when backed up to the “closed” aluminium panel lift door.

The FE shows a select menu when the GPS Button is double clicked, this allows me to swap GPS applications on the fly with the touch of a button.

Now it’s on to my attempts at trying to compare them.

**Mickz** · 12-19-2011, 11:15 PM

First, the obvious big differences:

Garmin does not have and OSK (mine does but I had to code one into the FE for it)

Odyssey and Navigator free both have an OSK (on screen keyboard.) Odyssey has IMHO the best OSK, it’s really nice to use and the OSK interface to the application search if so easy.

IMHO again, Odyssey is the easiest program to use on a small screen, Garmin next then Navigator11, Nav11 feels awkward and in some cases frustrating to use. I think Odyssey edges out Garmin with its turn previews and clean layout. It’s definitely the choice for inputting a new address and changing or adding to the route quickly.

Picture of a location at a close zoom level. Zoom levels are finer on Garmin and it’s hard to match each GPS app as they skip to different views but here goes. (Garmin set to least detail).

GARMIN

NAVIGATOR11-FREE

ODYSSEY

**Mickz** · 12-19-2011, 11:20 PM

Now zoomed out a bit and hard to match the coverage.

GARMIN

NAVIGATOR11-FREE

ODYSSEY

Garmin shows water ways and Parks correctly and this can make it easier to navigate sometimes as these are easily seen landmarks, especially when free driving (no set destination.)

Although Odyssey and Navigator11-Free don’t show a lot of street names in these views, this changes with different zoom levels and in practise when driving street names are displayed well in Odyssey and Garmin, Navigator11 has floating Street names and these appear to dance around a bit as you drive, makes it a little hard to read them if needed. Could be the way I set it up though, I'll have look at it later.

If anyone is interested I’ll post more results as I test and use them. If you’re planning on using one or want to ask a specific question about these apps then I’ll try and answer it - if I can.

NOTE:

Things that could impact on your choice are External Keyboard or Keystroke commands to control these applications.

Garmin allows you to control most things with a keyboard and is the only App that does not lock the zoom level when navigating. EDIT: Actually not quite true! I found a way to configure Odyssey to allow zoom while navigating.

Odyssey has a few keyboard commands like Zoom in/out, changing Views and some menu navigation but cannot be used with a keyboard to enter information into the OSK.

Navigator11-Free will take Keyboard input to the OSK but has limited input for anything else apart from Zoom in/out and the Enter key.

Navigator11-Free will not accept Street Numbers when searching for a location, just intersections, Poi etc.

**stretch4x4** · 12-19-2011, 11:54 PM

I like the sound of this!
I am going to need to figure out this stuff eventually.
What is the map source for odyssey? I like the idea of using openstreetmap but I know the coverage and accuracy in rural areas is severly lacking in places

Does navigator11-free download the openstreetmap database?

Cheers

**Mickz** · 12-20-2011, 12:05 AM

Hi, the map source for Odyssey is NATVEQ.010330 dated 2011/08/24. Also note Odyssey is not an AU designed application as most sites suggest.

Navigator-Free downloads the maps when you install it. The setup menu installs the Application and from that same menu you then select the option to download the maps you wish to use, so all of AU is downloaded.

This shows you a list of all free Maps and also Speed Camera and Warnings downloads.

I believe there are free or purchasable off-road maps available for Garmin on some sites in AU.

I added this a bit late so just in case you missed it - Navigator11-Free will not accept Street Numbers when searching for a location, just intersections and POI etc.

**stretch4x4** · 12-20-2011, 02:06 AM

Ah yes, generally wouldn't bother me as I tend to look things up on google maps first and either just pick an intersection or point on the map myself. Although no doubt it would be the longest street in Aus the one time I didn't do that and needed to find a number...
So which Odyssey are you testing as I found two..
http://www.infogation.com/index.html
http://www.twig.com.au/store/product...d017c7e7abc818
I was tempted to try and code in navigation into my front end using the open street map data but it is only good in some areas

WOAH just went and had a look to take some pictures and a town I knew was shocking is actually really good now!
Hmm maybe this is actually a decent option..
It is possible to download the whole database and also the renderer for the image tiles.. They also have the key to the database so that is looking like an excellent resource..
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Map_Features

**Mickz** · 12-20-2011, 03:19 AM

I think that first link is to the version for GPS devices, Phone and other small devices. They appear to be the same in use and map data. The second one is where I purchased mine. That info is on the last post on the 2nd last page of my Worklog.

Navagitor11-free has some nice features though.

Click on a map location and it brings up a small option bar where you can select a number of options with a single click of the appropriate icon - >

1. Set the location as Start.
2. Set Location as End.
3. Add to favourites.
4. Remove a road (if that’s the click point) from the route calculations.
5. Edit the location for Max speed etc.
6. Get info about the location and if you are connected to the net, you can bring up a Google map/picture of the location.

If connected to the net then in the Address window you can type an address and have it return the result with picture and coordinates straight into Navigator11 ready to be set as a favourite or route point.

There are some command line options to change the layout slightly but I haven’t looked at them.

**stretch4x4** · 12-20-2011, 04:25 AM

Well considering it is free I think I might just have to download it and give it ago

**Mickz** · 12-20-2011, 04:32 AM

Good Idea. I downloaded the install and placed it in a folder on the main drive. Then I pointed the download installer to that folder. This allowed me to take that one folder out to the Car PC and run the application without having to do another install or the need for a Net connection on the CarPC.

**stretch4x4** · 12-20-2011, 05:04 AM

Yeah I downloaded the installer just then and then remembered the size of the database last time I looked and how much free space I had on this laptop

DOH foiled again..

Will have to wait till tomorrow and install my new SSD into my car pc and install windows again and then I can try it