Blogs Is Google Maps on your phone a TomTom killer?

http://www.bit-tech.net/blog/2009/11/09/is-google-maps-a-tomtom-killer/

 

no, but verizon navigator is.

i used to use my tablet with Delorme Street atlas and a Microsoft USB gps receiver for navigation ... both for work and family trips.
While i loved the easy to read 12" screen, the maps were not always all that accurate - especially one way roads.

when i got my Dare this spring, i started playing with navigator on my cell. it might not be as robust as a standalone GPS unit, but it blows the tablet away. it's always accurate, the maps get updated more often, and it tends to reroute the way i drive better than Street Atlas or Streets & Trips ever did.

I just can't see spending money i don't have on stuff i already have. If i had a proper smart phone with GPS enabled, i might get worked up about Google maps. work gave me a crappy Moto Q9e ... bleh. maybe if I switch to a Droid, i will try it out. but i seriously do not see myself being able to afford a new personal phone anytime soon.

 

What phones have you been using?

My (now two year old) N82 would happily do 4+ hours of GPS navigation, along with excellent fix time and accuracy (less than a couple of seconds, and it would even show which side of the road you were on at 70mph). But yes, the screen size is an issue. Similarly, friends' iPhone 3GSes fix really quickly - that's the whole point of A-GPS; it's faster than GPS.

I now have a Samsung Galaxy, and while the display and battery life are amazing, the GPS is a bit weak compared to the Nokia. It sits at about 20m accurate for several minutes before getting a good fix. I can't wait for android 2.0!

Also, have a look at this:

 

Short answer: Yes.

 

Google Maps is still far off from being a dedicated sat nav killer. You forgot to mention that Google Maps require a regular Internet connection to obtain maps... if you venture into an area where it only supports low speed GPRS or is a blackspot for reception (especially if you hit mountainous roads such as those in Wales or Scotland), you can forget Google Maps altogether.

People who use phones that don't have an "unlimited web" use will also have to pay a substantial amount for data use, especially those not wanting to opt for the £35+ price plans on a twelve million year contract. You can also forget using it abroad unless you have access to a mobile operator abroad who will supply you with data connection for a reasonable price.

Products like the TomTom Go series have been refined constantly to make it as good as a modern sat nav product can be. It does have its weak points, like the initial cost and the need to pay for updated maps whereas Google Maps seem to be updated often and for free.

Pros and cons on both end but dedicated sat nav is a clear winner. Personally, Google Maps is a good backup but for every day use, I'd stick with my TomTom Go.

 

I like the idea of Google Maps as sat nav as it would get around the problem of maps getting out-of-date...of course the flip side of this is that it means a net connection is required for the entire journey.

What I'd like to see is some way of entering your route, and then having all the required parts of the map downloaded and cached before setting off.
This would also help with download limits as you can use your home wifi.
Of course if you take a wrong turn then you'll need a net connection of some sort, but it'd solve 99% of problems!

 

Ahh, fair enough!

 

For me, having a navigation application on my phone is a good thing. I don't need a dedicated GPS unit enough for it to be worth while but it is useful to have access to something like Google Maps occasionally.

So its not stopping me buying something dedicated, just providing me with a service I wouldn't otherwise have.

 

I use google maps instead of a SatNav, but not on a phone, I just check my route beforehand and occasionally write a few notes.
I almost never need to get my phone out, except for a quick position check.

 

No more than the TomTom is a Garmin handheld killer (a much more valid comparison anyway)

Still got my pre-zirf eMap, and despite the inaccuracies I still find it a lot more flexible, at least away from the road.

 

I find that even the dedicated satnavs get confused too often and should only be used as a secondary navigation device, with the first being road signs.

Oh and i could get from Reading,Berkshire,England to Perth,Tayside, Scotland using my N95 on one battery charge. And it would normaly take between 5-10 minutes for a proper satelite fix.