My parting post to a dead product (OCN5) and a dying forum (Oncoursenavigator.com)
In May 2006, this GPS newbie (that would be me) did his research. For days, as I usually do prior to a technology purchase, I scoured the internet reading reviews on various Pocket PC GPS alternatives. I learned that all GPS software, whether for a PDA, a laptop, or even an all-in-one device, had its quirks. I liked the OCN look better then the others. When the dust had all settled, I decided to plunk down my $200+ with a buygpsnow package purchase. I liked the BT-339/OCN package offered. It was my first GPS purchase - see below for the almost $1,500 on GPS's I've spent since my May OCN5 purchase.
Initially, my only disappointment was in my own lack of research, as detailed as I thought I was. OCN5 had some of the oldest maps as compared to the competition (Q42004). Even if I had known this prior to my purchase, I probably would have purchased OCN5 anyways, since I "ass""u""me"d there would be updates. As evidenced by some of my posts on this forum and reading others, I quickly became concerned with the OCN5 product, not for it's performance, but for its future. Well, my gut was correct, although I honestly didn't see the announcement from Navigon coming so soon.
My purchase disappointment is that in less than two months, a software product that I purchased for around $100+ which I thought would be updated became dead. The product itself still works (no real problems to speak of), and when I say "dead" I don't mean obsolete because as I was reminded in another post, roads don't change that fast and even the Q42004 maps are fairly accurate for most areas. I feel I missed something, because if I knew in May 2006 that on July 1 2006 the software would no longer exist, I would never have purchased it. I've seen a few people that feel they deserve a refund. I partially feel that way, but legal disclaimers basically shoot that down. It's a buyer beware world, and I feel part the software part of my purchase (the BT-339 part was a great buy) was money down the drain. Oh well.
I will continue to use OCN5 (5.3 patch) until at least the end of the year, and then I'll decide my next move. I compare OCN5's performance on my Dell Axim X51v to my sons all-in-one Magellan 700 and my daughters all-in-one Garmin c530 (just released). I liked the c530 so much that I also purchased one for my wife (and of course I'll get use from it). What I've found is the maps on OCN5 in my area are for all intensive purposes the same as the brand new Garmin c530 and Magellan 700. The BT-339/OCN5 combo acquires a satellite as quickly as the Magellan and Garmin. I like the 3D map view on OCN5 (very slick looking), but I also like the c530 because of the street names displayed in 3D. Having compared three seperate GPS alternatives first hand, I'd say they're basically equal. You'll pay more for more POI's, and for all-in-ones you'll pay more if they come with MP3 players, etc. But, at its core, it seems to me all GPS's perform nearly the same. Obviously the maps that companies decide to use will vary the product, but it's the programming of routing that to me seems quirky across the board. U-Turns where none exist has happened on all 3 units already. TO me, the bottom line is getting to you destination. If you were clueless as to where you were and you arrived safely, would you really care that you drove 5 extra useless miles? I wouldn't, so those who test in areas they know well and say their GPS is funky doesn't mean much to me. If I know a better route I'll take it and let the GPS recalculate the route, which all three seem to do very well.
It's a shame about the OCN5 product being the end of the road for Navigon in the US PDA market as I really liked it's look and feel. I'll try to be more careful with my next GPS PDA software purchase, as I would like to strecth my money a little farther than 2 months.
Well stated. OCN5 was also my introduction to GPS which I purchased the middle of May. I don't want to get burned again and I am looking at something like the Garmin nuvi 350. I really like the concept of a portable GPS unit.
see below for the almost $1,500 on GPS's I've spent since my May OCN5 purchase.
On what did you exactly spend the $1,500 on? For much less you could've gotten a good standalone unit like sony's new Nav-U (software/maps by Navigon as well).
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I'll try to be more careful with my next GPS PDA software purchase, as I would like to strecth my money a little farther than 2 months.
The post was well-expressed, except for this one sentence. Your purchase is still working...so your money is still stretching. There is no end to when you can use the maps or software that is not in your control. Just because Navigon has chosen to end the relationship doesn't mean the software stopped working. In fact, given that map updates cost as much as the software, in most cases, one could make a reasonable argument that each year or so, when newer maps are available and new features arrive from the vendors, you would be buying a new package anyway. So use OCN5 for a year, then look for a replacement when and if the features don't meet your needs or the maps get so inaccurate you feel you have to change. It's like buying paper maps--I used to spend money every year to get updated maps of my area. If one publisher went out of business right after I bought my maps, I didn't feel like my maps were now useless or that my money was ill-spent. I got what I paid for!
The post was well-expressed, except for this one sentence. Your purchase is still working...so your money is still stretching. There is no end to when you can use the maps or software that is not in your control. Just because Navigon has chosen to end the relationship doesn't mean the software stopped working. In fact, given that map updates cost as much as the software, in most cases, one could make a reasonable argument that each year or so, when newer maps are available and new features arrive from the vendors, you would be buying a new package anyway. So use OCN5 for a year, then look for a replacement when and if the features don't meet your needs or the maps get so inaccurate you feel you have to change. It's like buying paper maps--I used to spend money every year to get updated maps of my area. If one publisher went out of business right after I bought my maps, I didn't feel like my maps were now useless or that my money was ill-spent. I got what I paid for!
That sentence wasn't explained enough by me. It's a purely psychological thing.
I stated in my post that I know the software still works and will continue to do so for some time. But psychologically, when you shell out hard earned money and find out within two months that the company you purchased from is effectively gone, it just makes you "feel" like it was money wasted. To me, the only shame is I won't be anticipating a software update. I really like OCN5.
Edit: And EngrPaul in his post below makes a great point about the registration process of OCN5. If my X51v dies tomorrow and I need a replacement, OCN5 may in fact be of no use for me if I can't re-register it.
There is no end to when you can use the maps or software that is not in your control. Just because Navigon has chosen to end the relationship doesn't mean the software stopped working.
JakeRich,
I have one problem with your statement. Our software now only lasts as long as the device that it is installed on. When the device needs to be exchanged for a refurbished unit or replaced, the software is not functional anymore.
Already the delay for getting a license update has extended from 24 business hours to nearly a week or several weeks. What will happen months or a year from now? Who will have the serial number generator? What happens when the OCN site expires and there is no one to call?
This is why people are concerned, going as far as saying it is disposable software. If a license is tied to a device instead of a username, all us customers are stuck with software that is doomed.
Can Navigon do one last thing and allow us to register by our username instead of by device ID?
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"I'm a perfectionist, but not very good at it yet."
On what did you exactly spend the $1,500 on? For much less you could've gotten a good standalone unit like sony's new Nav-U (software/maps by Navigon as well).
The $1,500 was for a Magellan 700 for my son, and two Garmin c530's - one each for the wife and daughter.
My family are all directionally challenged. I've spent more time on Google maps and a cell phone being a human GPS for the wife and kids. No more. OCN5 for me was part toy and part tool. I'm very good at directions, but since I already had a nice piece of hardware (X51v), I figured I'd add a GPS to it.
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