Garmin GPs vs iPhone screen resolution

First: Thats the way the market works, competition!
Next: How many pixels do you want in order to see what you are looking for? (In order to understand my point I am not 17 but above 70!). Don't misunderstand me , I love competition!

I have had an iPhone for over two years... in fact... I am on my second one (upgraded to the 3G model and gave my daughter my old one)

For me, I use my GPS when I am driving and like the size of the unit. The only time I have used my iPhone for directions is when I was with a group of folks and no one had a GPS and we were lost.

It is a good second option... but wouldn't use it as a primary. But yes... the resolutions kicks!!

Most likely because you can't get an iPhone for $200 without signing a contract with a cell phone carrier. It's a subsidized price. If you were to purchase an iPhone without a subsidy, it would likely be more like $500.

I agree about buying at a subsidized price but Garmin and other GPS manufacturers are being put on notice that Smart phones are progressing at a rapid pace and since most people own cell phones and subscribing to two year contracts is the norm. The traditional GPS could possibly be supplanted sooner than later except of course to the hard core GPS niche like many of us. But for the mass populace, the accuracy of cell phone triangulation is just fine.

If you spend any time at all reading cell phone forums, this is true at first, then - folks discover they're not getting what GPS technology is really capable of, and become peeved their phone on triangulation is really lousy.

Yes, I do see many tech savvy (those typical of posting in internet forums) unhappy with how their cell phones perform as a GPS. But equally so just talking to the average cell phone user (in my experience) I've found they are ecstatic to have that capability and they tell me stories of how they've gotten around Los Angeles, NY, San Francisco and were happy to have that functionality in their phones.
I'm just saying that for die hard GPS fans like us, cell phones are not even close yet. But considering the rapid progress these devices have already made and the fact that most people have cell phones and not necessarily stand alone GPS devices. I fully expect cell phones to really take a huge market share in the GPS market. Especially considering their price vs stand alone GPS prices plus map upgrades.

DrewDT - Garmin agrees with your opinion. That's why they are spending the time & money to develop the Nuviphone.

My point exactly. I am 71 and have some vision "issues" and found the iPhone screen ever so much easier to read than the Garmin screen.

What you say is true, Mama, but quite a few of the GPS units cost north of $500 and still suffer from mediocre screen resolution

Have you ever looked at the resolution on an iPhone? I had not, until the NYC trip, and now I know how good it is possible for the resolution on a GPS unit to be.

What you say is true, Mama, but quite a few of the GPS units cost north of $500 and still suffer from mediocre screen resolution

Have you ever looked at the resolution on an iPhone? I had not, until the NYC trip, and now I know how good it is possible for the resolution on a GPS unit to be.

Googling "iPhone and GPS" and I found this:
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That sound you hear is the not-yet-released nüvifone trembling in fear, as TomTom has just announced that an iPhone-ready version of its famed navigation software is practically ready to rock 'n roll. More specifically, a TomTom spokesman was quoted as saying that its "navigation system runs on the iPhone already," and he made the statement hot on the heels of the iPhone 3G announcement. Sadly, he wouldn't disclose an estimated release date for the software, but it's safe to say that the TomTom touch could make Apple's darling a formidable nüvifone opponent.
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Garmin better hop to it. It's amazing how fast a company can be left in the dust if they don't keep up.

AT&T.

If they come out with a LTE version of the iPhone, I'll get one.

You are overlooking an important part of the business model for mobile phones. Monthly Fees! All mobile providers sell the phones for a lot less than they cost to make. They recover those funds over the duration of the contract. The only revenue Garmin gets after the sale is the tiny fraction of users who purchase map updates. The iPhone costs a lot more than that to make.

It's like the "let's give them the printer and then nail them for the ink" philosophy. That way they will think they are getting a deal.

These are good points but since most people have cell phones already and are accustomed to their monthly plans with an additional fee for data plans, it is an easier sell for an all in one device that is easier to carry around with you and you don't have to worry about where to put it when you aren't driving. Smart phones these days offer much more than GPS navigation.
IPhones and and Blackberries have so much third party software available to them that users can customize their devices to exactly what they want them to be. GPS is just another convenient customization. There is also the ability to have access to more current and varying map data / POI's than what most of us are accustomed to with our stand alone GPS units.

I did try the GPS function yesterday on my iPhone. I also purchased and downloaded a GPS application for the iPhone. Works... but again... need glasses to read anything.

My own personal preference on things like this is I use my iPhone as a phone and contact manager. The GPS feature is good to have in a pinch. On my GPS units I do not buy them for Bluetooth, MP3 or viewing photos. I think the other options are pretty much useless (for some Bluetooth works).

Just my two cents...

Cheers,
Ronnie

Cams Ahoy!!! is an Iphone application that has the POI Factory redlight and speed camera info.

We are the data source for this great tool;)

Miss POI

Cams Ahoy is NOT avaialble in the Canadian Store

Wait, it may have been a glitch in the system. It looks like it will work now.

I hope this application will be available for Blackberries in the future.
It looks like the wave of the future is undeniable, our trusty POI Factory is on board as well. It'll be scary once this application can be updated like we do now with our stand alone GPS's.

http://camsahoy.com/