GPS poll

maxxell · 03-21-2005, 09:01 AM

Hey all,

I've noticed that millions of people have asked what is the *BEST* GPS software for their carputer. Rather than just ask the same dumb question, and hopefully to quell successive posters, I thought I'd start a poll of everyone who has GPS.

So, if you have GPS in your carputer, let us know what package you use, and how you like it, whether you would recommend others, and what you wish your package could do that it cant.

Maybe if this gets big/good/informative enough, it could one day be a sticky.

BoyNextDoor · 03-21-2005, 09:22 AM

Iguidance 2 - Best ever

carpcnoobie · 03-21-2005, 09:33 AM

THANK YOU FOR starting this thread. People have been mad at those who say

but the truth is, with this question, people need to

!

You might want to split this into North America, Europe and Other.

As for me... I use Routis.

I like the way it works. Very clean, intuitive. Fairly touchscreen friendly, although the buttons can be a touch small (fixed that).

My biggest problem with Routis.. discontinued.. no more updates. Gonna have to bite the bullet and go with iGuidance which is basically the same program, but still in production.

Bugbyte · 03-21-2005, 10:37 AM

Delorme Street Atlas USA. Works great, particularly with voice control. But it's really not for the car, the buttons and tabs are tiny and there's no 3D view.

0l33l · 03-21-2005, 01:04 PM

iGuidance + NaviVoice is better than Street Atlast for the car. OR
Ninja Monkey's Map Monkey + NaviVoice is beteer than Street Atlas

HummDinger · 03-21-2005, 01:13 PM

I vote for iGuidance 2, about to give co-pilot live 8 a shot here in a few. Ill post back. I have tried SA 2005, Hated it no different than 2003 or 2004 same old clumsy interface. Tried routis, same as iguidance accept it doesnt exist anymore. Tried randmcnally, if you dont have internet in your car it is worthless. Tried older co-pilot versions but required co-pilot reciever, too much money. Tried the microsoft maps, liked it accept no voice navigation and to hard to navigate program with out mouse and larger screen.
Anyway got the new co-pilot for $175.00 from some guy on ebay and now Im about to give it a shot later today.

TaylorMade · 03-21-2005, 01:22 PM

I'd like to see what GPS receiver/mouse units you're using too. I only have experience with the Delorme Earthmate, which worked great outside my vehicle, but sucked inside. Now with a new vehicle, I'm searching for another GPS mouse....

0l33l · 03-21-2005, 01:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by TaylorMade

I'd like to see what GPS receiver/mouse units you're using too. I only have experience with the Delorme Earthmate, which worked great outside my vehicle, but sucked inside. Now with a new vehicle, I'm searching for another GPS mouse....

Earthmate. But after I get everything set up, and start working on v.3 of my project then I'll probably go with an OEM GPS with deadreckoning.

Bugbyte · 03-21-2005, 10:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 0l33l

iGuidance + NaviVoice is better than Street Atlast for the car. OR
Ninja Monkey's Map Monkey + NaviVoice is beteer than Street Atlas

Yeah, but they're kind of pricey for software. I gotta make choices and right now I'm saving for a Mac mini. Then I'll have OTHER GPS problems to solve!

As for GPS unit, I'm using a Royaltek Sapphire and have been pleased with it.

EsKALad · 03-21-2005, 10:15 PM

i use iguidance and i really like it...using the bu 303 usb on the dash in the corner of the dash with good signal...if everyone likes iguidance so much why isnt any of the front ends come integrated with it? like how media engine is doing with destinator..? maybe im just slow lol

0l33l · 03-21-2005, 10:35 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by EsKALad

i use iguidance and i really like it...using the bu 303 usb on the dash in the corner of the dash with good signal...if everyone likes iguidance so much why isnt any of the front ends come integrated with it? like how media engine is doing with destinator..? maybe im just slow lol

iGuidance doesn't have an SDK

bridqer · 03-21-2005, 11:20 PM

I have used SA and CP. I have S&T 2005 also but have not been motivated to play with it. I liked some things in SA2003+ like the dvd phonebook and the mobil map colors(black background with white roads) custom poi icons and how easiy it was to just pick a point on the map as a destination. The interface and guidance was terrible. I now use CoPilot 8 which is much better for touchscreens and guidance.
I have used the new earthmate, holux gm-210 and the rikaline 6010(shipps with CP). The earthmate was just terrible, trees were a problem, hard time locking and almost imposible going over 50mph, . The holux was great, no problems. the rikaline was just as good.

Animepix · 03-23-2005, 03:34 AM

Is that Royaltek Sapphire GPS mouse receiver that comes with iGuidance any good? Or should I get a diffrent mouse?

divinity · 03-23-2005, 02:14 PM

I've used earthmate (old serial and newer USB) and deluo gps units. I prefer the deluo a great deal due to the magnet. Let's me stick it on the roof when I'm having trouble getting a signal on my dash. The old serial earthmate (which I'm sure noone uses still) sucked due to proprietary format. The newer usb (actually went through two) was pretty good. First one was stolen thanks to the bright yellow, second one had the wires go loose I think, didn't bother troubleshooting it much cause it was USB. Went to serial just because there's not the USB driver issue. Although the serial deluo requires a fix to keep windows from thinking the gps is sending mouse signals, causing the cursor to jump all over the place. Quick and easy fix though.

Software wise:
Using MapMonkey/D3/(whatever it's called) now because of the integration with frodoplayer, automatic rerouting, and voice prompts and flash of streets and turns coming up. Lack of data kind of sucks. I've had quite a few address that I can't find and end up just manually picking a point I know is close to my destination.

Streets and Trips is good as far as info on business, gas stations, restaurants, etc. Street Atlas annoys the hell out of me. Way too much on one screen for in-car usage.
Used Mappoint integrated with MediaCar before I switched to Frodo, did well, but I ached for automatic rerouting.
Umm.. what else...
Also tried out ExpertGPS for awhile. Very very cool to see an aerial photo version of a map as you drive along. Not very useful, but definitely gives a good "wow" factor to passengers. Wish there was an easy way to download all the maps in one fell swoop for an area though. I did it manually and it took forever just to get a few mile radius from my place.

If I had to buy a new gps and had the $$$ I'd go for a bluetooth one, just to get rid of the wire running across my dash. But other than that the simple cheap deluo is great in my opinion. Real easy to tell when it has a signal or not too.

Bugbyte · 03-25-2005, 12:33 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Animepix

Is that Royaltek Sapphire GPS mouse receiver that comes with iGuidance any good? Or should I get a diffrent mouse?

See my post above. I like mine.