2D vs 3D Maps

**SnyperBob** · 01-28-2006, 03:58 PM

Listen to what Marvin says....he's like the iGuidance guru....I've marveled at his articles, insight and info about iGuidance over at the gpspassion site.

I like 3d mode because with 2D, I always think I'll fall off the end of the earth when I get to the edge of the 2D map. Gotta keep reminding myself that this damn Earth thing is round

**buurin** · 01-31-2006, 02:50 AM

Originally Posted by Marvin Hlavac

buurin I'm glad to see you trying iGuidance!

1. The benefit of 3D-view is in letting you see more of the road ahead at the same zoom level. You will see the details around you, and yet you will retain the ability to see quite far ahead.

2. Yes, please next time you speak to your friends at Microsoft let them know about the sexy voice of iGuidance (as opposed to the annoying robotic sounding S&T ;-)

3. UI is completely different than S&T, so it may take a bit to become accustomed to it. But in my humble opinion iGuidance has a very easy to use UI and nothing unnecessary is on the screen (unlike S&T)

The guys working on development of S&T should each get a copy of iGuidance ;-) It would benefit the future versions of S&T ;-)

Haha yeah S&T has a pretty bad voice, i must admit... My s&t voice(Anna) actually broke(still dont know how) so i had to use one of the preinstalled voiced (Michelle I think). After using the preinstalled voice it makes you appreciate the s&t voice.

I'm really starting to like the 3d view. i highly doubt i'll move back to 2d.

I have a lot of complaints about s&t when it comes to using it was a navigational tool... its awesome for using it like mapquest but when it comes to using it in the car it really is pretty annoying when compared to a solution clearly designed for on-road use. Before using iguidance I could deal with s&t but there is no way i could go back now. Quite frankly I think s&t is dangerous in a car unless you have a passenger to control it. however i did use s&t for about 6 months on a laptop and never rear ended anyone

**Marvin Hlavac** · 01-31-2006, 09:33 AM

"Before using iGuidance I could deal with Streets & Trips but there is no way I could go back now."

You couldn't have said it any better ;-)

By the way, I recall once you mentioned in one of your previous posts that you were at Microsoft. I don't know if you work there or if you visited, but if you do have a chance to meet with someone responsible in some way for S&T, it would indeed be helpful if you could let them know about your recent experiences comparing iGuidance and S&T on a laptop while driving ;-)

As you said, S&T is awesome for a lot of things (and I would not leave home without it), but for GPS navigation it has a lot of room for improvement ;-)

**JackMan** · 02-03-2006, 12:06 PM

Personally, I like how streets and trips looks more like a road map. Though I can see how iGuidance would be a huge improvement for those of you who don't use latops and just have touchsreens! I'm sticking with the 2D maps for now.. Maybe 2007 will have some new features that will make me want to switch over to the 3D maps, but as far as using the gps in the plane goes. It's way too fast to see it in 3D. But I will say that S&T DOES have room for improvement.. but for my uses, I think it's near perfect. I have never had a problem with it's nav tool, and I've never hit a car, been hit by a car, or come close to anything like that when using it.. Somepeople can't do two things at once when in their car.. *ahem* cell phones! ahh lol

**roadhog** · 02-03-2006, 02:13 PM

Hmmm. I think 3D was very useful on a PDA screen as it was portrait layout. Most Car PC screens seem to be landscape, and widescreen to boot. 2D or 3D you can see more each side than in the direction of travel.... An excellent idea for a new skin if anyone has the time.

**Goofus** · 02-03-2006, 02:23 PM

I'm a 2D man myself. If north isn't always up on my map, I get totally confused and can't figure out which direction I'm going. Using a 3D view with north always up, when I drive south and look at the screen I get scared because it looks like I'm going to run myself over.

**Marvin Hlavac** · 02-03-2006, 03:31 PM

Isn't running 3D with north up confusing?

I alternate 3D and 2D depending on situation. But I use 3D mode only with "heading-up" (or I use 2D with north-up).