Pros and Cons of Major PPC GPS Systems from Users

**Rishad** · 06-26-06, 03:57 PM

I think most of you who are regular in this forum (GPS Talk) have noticed the number of new threads created everyday asking for opinions on GPS navigation software for the PPC. This is understandable since with so many choices and without a demo it is a hard decision where you want to put your money.

So in this thread lets try to list down the pros and cons of the navigation systems we used on our PPCs.

A couple of things to remember before you post your list,

Please do not go into any kind of discussion here, just write down pros and cons in list format.

Only list pros and cons of navigation system that you have personally used on your PPC. Do not post anything that you just heard from somewhere else.

Include your software version and testing environment.

Don't mix software and hardware in the same post. For example you can write down a list of pros and cons of BT-338 in a different post from where you talked about iGuidance.

If you see any flawed information in a post then PM him/her about it. Don't make a comment on this thread.

Add your own list and help people choose a GPS system suitable for them. :)

**Rishad** · 06-26-06, 04:01 PM

Environment: X30h (OS: 2003SE)

iGuidance 2.1.3.2

Pros

Runs on both PPC and laptop
Ability to create your own maps
Not heavy on the resources
Ability to show route directions in list format
Fast and reliable routing
POIs with phone numbers
Navteq maps are good (in most areas)

Cons

3D view on the PPC is not very impressive and map movement is not fluent
GUI has room for improvement
Voice prompts sometimes seem a little too chatty
Have to create your own voice prompts if you want a new one
Stylus free operation not fully supported

TomTom 5.21

Pros

Best 3D view on the PPC (IMO), map movement is very fluent
TomTom application on the PPC is great in terms of features offered
Even after routing and in navigation mode it takes only about ~8-10MB of main memory to run
Fast and reliable routing
Ability to show route directions in list, image format
POIs with phone numbers and ability to call via bluetooth
Comes with various day/night schemes to choose from
Excellent clear voice prompts
Comes with various voices to choose from
Nice stylus free operating

Cons

TeleAtlas maps are sometimes not the most updated (Note that TomTom 5 has different versions of the same maps)
Default installation to main memory (but can be moved to storage card to save main memory)
Customer support is not satisfactory

OCN5 / MobileNavigator|5

Pros

Nice GUI with useful features
3D view during navigation is very nice but not as fluent as TomTom
Recent, favorites and route planning are handled nicely
Satisfactory customer support
Nice and clear voice prompts
Navteq maps are good (in most areas)

Cons

Extremely heavy on the resources and sometimes a little slow
Doesn’t have the ability to show route directions in list format
Prefs.ini file corruption is a common issue (happens if you don’t wait long enough to turn the device off after closing the program)
Color schemes and voice prompts are not easily changeable
Routing algorithm has bugs

Mapopolis Navigator 4

Pros

Lightning fast
Doesn’t take much resources on the PPC
Fast and reliable routing
Demo available with downloadable maps

Cons

No 3D view
Voice prompts are not the greatest
No stylus free operation

MS Pocket Streets 2006

Pros

Cheap
Fast and doesn’t take much resources on the PPC
Maps are available online for download

Cons

Not really a navigation system (no routing) on the PPC, just a nice bonus with MS Streets and Trips
Readymade PPC maps are not very detailed

JakeRich · 06-26-06, 08:36 PM

akheron kicked it off, I've made it "sticky," so now it's up to you...

Follow the guidance akheron suggested--one product at a time--just pros and cons, no comment on vendor(s) or bundle(s), make sure you identify your environment. If we follow akheron's model, we'll build a buyer's guide that others where others can benefit from your experience.

And remember, no flames, please!

JakeRich · 06-26-06, 08:48 PM

Environment: X50v running WM2003SE

Mapopolis In addition to what akheron said:

PROS:

VGA display is crisp, particularly with the latest beta version.

CONS:

Robo-voice is functional, but not easy on the ears.
Multi-stop planning is awkward.

Destinator PN

PROS:

Great screen layout.
Display is great on VGA.
Multi-stop routing.
Quick routing/re-routing.
Saved routes with auto-ordering of intermediate stops makes planning of reverse routes a snap.

CONS:

Routes seem to tend to favor main roads.
Planning and routing are two separate functions, and it's easy to forget which you are using.

darekz · 06-26-06, 10:11 PM

In addition :
Tom Tom 5 - Cons: need to switch maps manualy

texasvlad · 06-26-06, 10:37 PM

X51v(WM5)

MS Pocket Streets 2004

Pros:
- has PC version
- cheap

Cons:
- Dont start until another programs are closed
- no seamless map. size of one map is limited about 100miles
- detalization level is not adaptive
and no route, no 3D :) and etc

jackb_guppy · 06-27-06, 12:22 AM

Mapopolis 4.7

PRO:

Foot print small under 10 megs total (1 county) to 1.6G for all of U.S.
Variable setting of prompting, both lead time before turn and how often to repeat.

CON:

No 3D displays (personally this is PRO for me)
Does not auto-dim to night mode.

JakeRich · 06-27-06, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by jackb_guppy

Mapopolis 4.7

PRO:

Foot print small under 10 megs total (1 county) to 1.6G for all of U.S.
Variable setting of prompting, both lead time before turn and how often to repeat.

CON:

No 3D displays (personally this is PRO for me)
Does not auto-dim to night mode.

On the last CON, the latest public beta available on their support website does automatically change from day to night mode colors. It doesn't change the brightness setting, however.

Fsman · 07-02-06, 08:59 AM

Backcountry Navigator Dell Axim X50 running WM2003SE

This type of GPS software is "raster-based" and is designed primarily for off-road use such as hiking and geocaching. While this type of mapping program can be used for driving navigation, it does not have common features found in many of the "vector-based" software such as routing, voice navigation, etc.

The "raster-based" software does shine when traveling off-road. Geographic features are shown in detail which can be a must for some users.

Pro:
Cheap raster based software ($30.00 US)
Excellent for hiking, geocaching and off road use
US maps are free are pre-calibrated.
Uses Topo Maps and Aerial Photos from Terra Server USA(many outdoor folks are familiar with this format)
Tracks and waypoints can be imported and exported

Con:
Only available in US
Can not import other types of maps
No associated desktop application and Maps are downloaded directly to the PDA (actually is a good thing; do not have to deal with a desktop application to get maps)
PDA must be connected to the Internet to download (This may be a good thing also, do not have to deal with a desktop application or buy CD's to get maps .)
To view on the desktop or to print, tracks and waypoints must be exported to a third party application. (not really a problem, I use Google Earth, its a fairly simple process and has good results)
Menu items not stylus free and somewhat clumbersome.

Edits made on 08/20/06 for clarity

SteveFLHTCI · 07-02-06, 09:24 AM

Mapopolis 4.71.04 (latest beta) Dell Axim x51v BT-338

Pros:
Lightning Fast
Stand alone routing without PC...totally PC independent if you have internet connection for program and map downloads
Entire country maps possible on 1 large memory card
Seamless coast-coast routing with corridor possible
No 3D view (for you jackb...I agree)
Small foorprint in memory, depending on maps loaded
Landscape mode available (why would you use it?)
Pilot data pane with bearing, distance and speed
Auto switchable navigation panes
Program is free with updates, demo maps available to try before you buy

Cons:
Routing is cumbersome without practice
County based maps makes above Con even more true
Menu is stylus driven....needs finger input
Clunky interface, needs to be updated a bit

byrnefm · 07-03-06, 03:06 AM

Destinator 6 Europe

Pros

Latest NavTeq maps (Q1/2006) - most others are still on 2005 maps
Finger friendly (easy to use while driving)
Competitively-priced
Good customer support (replies usually in one day)

Cons

QVGA display on the X50v - text, graphics are very pixellated, not at all smooth
Heavy on memory resources - nearly always run low on memory using it
Quite slow zooming in and out of maps
Doesn't automatically start up bluetooth if you're using a bluetooth GPS receiver

**ksong12** · 07-05-06, 09:13 AM

Tested with:

x50v WM2003SE MS BT stack
x50v WM5 MS BT Stack
x51v WM5 MS BT Stack
x51v WM5 Widcomm BT Stack (Doesn't work)

Pros:

Automated Bluetooth Connection
Good Navteq maps
Decent GUI
Not bad features list
Not bad POI list
In my area, maps VERY accurate.

Cons:

Expensive map upgrades
Automated Bluetooth Connection, with no COM port selection, making it useless with the Widcomm stack
Map panning very slow
Zooming very slow
Sometimes, if the compation thread (x50 upgraded) is running, the voice becomes VERY UNBELIVEABLY slow.
Cannot add POI
Calculating route sometimes slow

**ksong12** · 07-05-06, 09:16 AM

Tested with:

x51v WM5 A12, Widcomm stack

Pros:

Same pros as Dell
ETA is AMAZINGLY accurate. Maybe its just me, but on a 4, yes FOUR hour trip up to Massachusetts, from New Jersey, for the JSS competition, it was 1, yes ONE, MINUITE off.

Cons:

All of above except it works with Widcomm
A BIG problem, the built in keyboard is a piece of @#%$. Its in ABC order instead of QWERTY
and, Bluetooth is a bit flaky, doesn't always work

Bagelsnbrew · 07-05-06, 10:01 AM

iGuidance 2.1.3

PRO

Search by City first OR street first

CON

No predictive navigation (causes re calculations at stop lights and late turn notification)
Nav from contact rarely works

OCN5

CON

DISCONTINUED!

permalink · 07-05-06, 10:53 AM

Tested with:

x51v WM5 A12, MS BT Stack

Pros
Easy to use menu system
Crisp VGA graphics
Full UK post codes

Cons
Manual map switching
Does not read out road names