Whats your favorite TBT navigation app for the iPhone and why?

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refractured June 19, 2011

Whats your favorite TBT navigation app for the iPhone and why?

I'm moving across the country next month (to NYC), and I'm looking to grab the best TBT navigation app. Both Navigon and Magellan have updated their apps recently, and I've heard great things about both. Interestingly enough, its quite difficult to find updated (to the current version) videos demoing either. Navigon has alot of great reviews, but some things like updated maps, and the in-app purchases seem to be some of the cons.

Magellan offers real-time traffic included and updated maps for the next 3 years, but I hear the interface is cumbersome.

I don't know much about TomTom, but overall it doesn't seem to be a contender with Magellan and Navigon.

Finally, with the news of Garmin purchasing Navigon, my guess is that this can only benefit Navigon overall.

So let me know your experiences (with the apps only, please) and if you live in NYC, the accuracy of the maps. Thanks!

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tranziq 11 months ago

I like Waze. not only is it a turn by turn but it is also a social based GPS. Point out Road Construction or slow traffic and anyone around gets updated and the app can redirect you around it.

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Hans6119 2011-06-22 14:21:31

I like MotionX GPS drive for it's price of $0.99, it's live traffic updates, iPod integration, and for knowing about contruction projects in real time! Just try it I'll guarantee you'll love it.

Here the link... itunes.apple.com/us/app/motionx-gps-drive/id328095... enjoy:)

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blackfish 2011-06-20 11:36:09

I use Navigon in both USA and Canada and it's been quite good. No real complaints that I wouldn't raise against any GPS app or device. They're not perfect. :)
Recent updates have been welcome. The maps seem up to date to me, but I haven't driven to NYC with it yet so I can't help you there.

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kalexander 2011-06-20 16:03:01

I use TomTom in the US and have no problem putting it head to head against Navigon or Magellan. For some reason the US has a thing against TomTom, I bet it's mostly because of marketing, or lack of marketing that they do. I struggle when I pick up a different GPS unit/app.

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refractured 2011-06-20 22:18:54

I think I had read that the main issue with TomTom is that their maps are way out of date. I'm also seeing issues with traffic reporting? its limited or timed? What do you like best about the TomTom app?

kalexander 2011-06-21 15:03:00

I dont find any problems with their maps. The "issue" is that TomTom uses maps from TeleAtlas (which company it now owns); whereas Garmin and Magelan use NAVTEQ maps. For years that general consensus was, maybe still is, although I hear it less and less, is that TeleAtlas maps were "better" in Europe and the Navteq maps were "better" in US. From what I keep reading online, that difference seems to have mostly disappeared.

I drive a good bit for work in the NorthEastern US area, and have been using one TomTom product or another for about 6-7 years. I've never gotten lost or directed to the wrong location. The routes that are picked are usually pretty decent as well.

What I like about the TT units, and this includes the iOS app is the amount of information that is visible at the bottom of the screen, things such as time to destination, miles to destination, current time and estimated arrival time, as well as distance to next turn and the type of turn (left/right/etc). The information is laid out in an easily glanceable grid/box; whenever I look at any of the other GPS units (iOS and standalone) I find that the map/navigation screen is usually lacking one or more of the above indicators. TT will also give you a warning of an upcoming turn, first, 2 miles out if you're on a highway, and then as you get closer; I find that Garmins let you know just before the turn. My experience with Garmin units also drives me insane as the colors of all the roads, as well as of your route seem to all run together. TT units have a number of pre-set and user-selectable road/route colors, that are much easier to follow.

PS: For full disclosure, what I did see of the Navigon app on iOS, about a year ago, I liked as well.

kalexander 2011-06-21 16:33:10

PPS: Forgot to mention that I dont use the traffic option, so can't speak to that.

MarkPharaoh 2011-06-21 11:49:31

When I was still in the iOS ecosystem I used Navigon. Only had a slight issue on one trip, every other time it was spot on.

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Dawagner1 2011-07-06 18:43:03

I have been using copilot live and it works well for me. I like having the maps on my device. From the reviews, some folks have been having a hard time getting it to work for them.

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