Mobility Site - View Single Post - Pros and Cons of Major PPC GPS Systems from Users

LHR · 07-10-07, 06:39 PM

Quoting Saber11, above: “After much rending of hair, gnashing of teeth, wailing…”

I’ve narrowed down my GPS software selection to Garmin M10, OCN6, IG4 & TT6 to use with my Axim X51V A12 for North America.

Below, are my preliminary research findings / impressions from reading various forums, reviews and latest GPS sources. I’ll update this as I continue my research. The ranking is in the order of what I’d likely be purchasing:

#1) Garmin Mobile 10 - seems to be the overall most robust solution
PROS: highly accurate routing, includes both laptop & PDA s/w which allows route and/or waypoint transfers from the desktop to PDA (at least on the Axim x51v),
NavTeq ver 8 map (ver 9 to be released in August), free traffic/ weather/ fuel/ hotel data & other wireless svcs via GPRS/EDGE Bluetooth connection, 3D map view, route to contacts
CONS: 6 million POIs (proprietary?), no TTS (text to speech), no FM receiver for FM/XM/TMC traffic feeds via included Garmin GPS 10X Sirf III-based receiver, no longer free map upgrades even if you purchased a day before new version is released, you’ll still have to pay the $75 map upgrade fee, not as easy to install

#2) OnCourseNavigator 6 – Jake Rich’s review initially made this my top choice
PROS: best 3D graphics, reliable routing, 12.5 million POIs (customizable DB), easy idiot-proof self-install, smooth 3D map view, easy searching of POIs, 30-day money back guarantee, ETA relatively accurate
CONS: TeleAtlas 3Q2006 maps, no TTS, can only be run from SD card, no route to contacts

#3) Iguidance 4 – seems to be most reliable down to which side of street
PROS: reliable routing, NAvTeq 1Q2007 maps, has TTS, tells you which side of the street, best ETA calculations, 6 million POIs
CONS: apparent direct routing glitches mentioned on gpspassion, global search feature not user-friendly, std & TTS voice prompts differ in volume/quality, new version difficult to install, graphics could be improved

#4) TomTom 6 – seems to be easiest to use and most customizable
PROS: fast routing, very nice graphics, most user friendly GUI, TomTom Plus Services, ability to easily import/export POIs, easy to setup and install, stable and robust, route to contacts, highly customizable, up to date maps
CONS: no North Up mode, map errors and routing efficiency?

Pease feel free to update and/or CORRECT any inaccuracies or outdated data I may have missed or misinterpreted.

07-10-07, 06:39 PM	#56 (permalink)
LHR Aximsite Rookie Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 63 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Garmin M10 vs OCN6 vs IG4 vs TT6 Quoting Saber11, above: “After much rending of hair, gnashing of teeth, wailing…” I’ve narrowed down my GPS software selection to Garmin M10, OCN6, IG4 & TT6 to use with my Axim X51V A12 for North America. Below, are my preliminary research findings / impressions from reading various forums, reviews and latest GPS sources. I’ll update this as I continue my research. The ranking is in the order of what I’d likely be purchasing: #1) Garmin Mobile 10 - seems to be the overall most robust solution PROS: highly accurate routing, includes both laptop & PDA s/w which allows route and/or waypoint transfers from the desktop to PDA (at least on the Axim x51v), NavTeq ver 8 map (ver 9 to be released in August), free traffic/ weather/ fuel/ hotel data & other wireless svcs via GPRS/EDGE Bluetooth connection, 3D map view, route to contacts CONS: 6 million POIs (proprietary?), no TTS (text to speech), no FM receiver for FM/XM/TMC traffic feeds via included Garmin GPS 10X Sirf III-based receiver, no longer free map upgrades even if you purchased a day before new version is released, you’ll still have to pay the $75 map upgrade fee, not as easy to install #2) OnCourseNavigator 6 – Jake Rich’s review initially made this my top choice PROS: best 3D graphics, reliable routing, 12.5 million POIs (customizable DB), easy idiot-proof self-install, smooth 3D map view, easy searching of POIs, 30-day money back guarantee, ETA relatively accurate CONS: TeleAtlas 3Q2006 maps, no TTS, can only be run from SD card, no route to contacts #3) Iguidance 4 – seems to be most reliable down to which side of street PROS: reliable routing, NAvTeq 1Q2007 maps, has TTS, tells you which side of the street, best ETA calculations, 6 million POIs CONS: apparent direct routing glitches mentioned on gpspassion, global search feature not user-friendly, std & TTS voice prompts differ in volume/quality, new version difficult to install, graphics could be improved #4) TomTom 6 – seems to be easiest to use and most customizable PROS: fast routing, very nice graphics, most user friendly GUI, TomTom Plus Services, ability to easily import/export POIs, easy to setup and install, stable and robust, route to contacts, highly customizable, up to date maps CONS: no North Up mode, map errors and routing efficiency? Pease feel free to update and/or CORRECT any inaccuracies or outdated data I may have missed or misinterpreted.