2D vs 3D Maps

buurin · 01-25-2006, 04:07 PM

So I just upgraded to iGuidance from MS Streets and Trips 2006.

I am happy with the decision due to the fact Streets and Trips is pretty bad for touchscreen.

However I heard a lot of people complain that S&T2006 does not have 3D maps. Before my upgrade I was thinking this must be very beneficial, however in my limited use of these new 3D maps with iGuidance I almost find it annoying.

So i was just curious whats all the fuss about regarding 3D maps? Just the cool factor or it is somehow more useful?

antimatter · 01-25-2006, 05:28 PM

I guess it just depends on what your used to . For me 3d maps are a necesity. It gives a truer to life perspective.

Peoples · 01-25-2006, 05:31 PM

yeah....make sure if you have 3d enabled, that the top of the screen is your heading, and not north

buurin · 01-25-2006, 06:45 PM

yeh having it north is terrible.

Wow, a necesity! Thats a strong word. I am going to force myself to use 3D for a week (not that its a chore or anything) and report back. I used 2D for quite some time so we'll see.

Also the voice in iGuidance is much nicer. Kinda turns me on a bit, ya know?

fliplap · 01-25-2006, 06:49 PM

I used to use 2D exclusively. Then for some odd reason I switched one day, I never went back. For me, 3D is just so much easier to read and navigate, plus you can generally fit more useful data on the screen at a lower zoom level since things further away are smaller.

buurin · 01-25-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by fliplap

I used to use 2D exclusively. Then for some odd reason I switched one day, I never went back. For me, 3D is just so much easier to read and navigate, plus you can generally fit more useful data on the screen at a lower zoom level since things further away are smaller.

Great point. you def can see further. sounds like after I get used to it i wont switch back.

i think also a major thing is that the quality of the UI is just lesser than Streets and Trips UI, which makes the experience, for me, a little less impressive.

PURDooM · 01-25-2006, 09:23 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by fliplap

I used to use 2D exclusively. Then for some odd reason I switched one day, I never went back. For me, 3D is just so much easier to read and navigate, plus you can generally fit more useful data on the screen at a lower zoom level since things further away are smaller.

I kinda switch off depending on the mood I am in.

Yuriy · 01-25-2006, 09:41 PM

I use 3D all the time. 2D is just not good, my eyesight is pretty bad and I need to see what's ahead of me. In 2D if I zoom out too far I can't see anything, and if I zoom in to where I can see the lines then I can only see like 300 ft ahead, so it's worthless. In 3D it's just a lot better. And sure, it also looks flippin' cool as hell.
2D is useful if you want to see the full route though. For example, I'd probably be using 2D if I decided to hit Canada sometime and I'd just have the voice navigation enabled.

nkotch · 01-25-2006, 09:54 PM

Personal preference and what you're used to really. For most of the past year I've been using Mapopolis on a PDA and it only has the 2D view so I got used to that and prefer that to these 3D views. In the 2D view I feel that I can see more of the surround roads around me....seems like I have more of a "bird's eye" view of the area which I like (I like seeing the "big picture").

Though it is cool to switch to 3D view to show it off to someone. : )

Marvin Hlavac · 01-28-2006, 02:26 PM

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 ;-)

SnyperBob · 01-28-2006, 02:58 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, 01:50 AM

Quote: 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, 08:33 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, 11:06 AM

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, 01:13 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.