How many people use Smartphone GPS?

I have an iphone and I use it in emergencies only. I wouldn't use it as a primary because it be difficult to switch between a gps unit and a phone.

Germin is still better.

on my iPhone 4 in my 2nd car, but still use a Garmin Nuvi 760 in my daily driver. In some ways the iPhone solution is better. I get a satellite fix faster on the iPhone, and when traveling at speed, it's a bit more accurate. Using the Garmin, If Im going at highway speed, my position on the map lags a bit behind where I actually am, and sometimes I've crossed an intersection before it happens on the Nuvi. I also like the voice somewhat better. And you can't beat having your whole CD collection on your GPS (iPhone) to play through your car stereo.

Only in dire emergencies. The refresh rate of Garmin Mobile XT on my phone is abominable at best.

SINCE I GIVE UP MY NUVI 760 I USE ONLY MY GARMINFONE

I use my Garmin Nuvifone G60 everyday for navigating. I Will upgrade to the Garminfone eventually when the price comes down a bit more.

Occasionally use Google Maps with GPS on my HTC Touch.

The Little Lady and I both have HTC smartphones with a GPSr in them. We use them as emergency GPS units, and they excel at that. However, for planned travel, we still use our Garmin Nuvi 660 or Garmin Nuvi 760. (The 5th GPSr is a Garmin Astro that we use Geocaching and tracking our dog.)

Is a master at none.

And I've tried things like VZW's VZNav... once you've had a dedicated GPSr, nothing compares. And cell phone apps are dependent on a network connection - lose that, and you're lost.

My $0.02

Not if your phone also has GPS...

Besides TomTom maps, I also have cycling and geocaching apps on my HTC Touch that take me where I want to go.

Ditto

It's funny how many people think that, but that's not true for a phone with a GPS chip like the iPhone. My iPhone with TomTom, gets a satellite fix faster and more accurate than my Garmin Nuvi 760. It uses GPS AND cell phone triangulation to get the satellite fix, so it should work better when driving within tall buildings and under tree cover.

The iPhone is the exception apparently... googled TomTom's iPhone app - it apparently has full maps in the app... makes me want to get an iPhone all the more. Too bad AT&T's network is horrible where I spend most of my time.

Not true. I'm using Garmin Mobile XT for Symbian on my Nokia 5800. I have no data plan at all. In fact, AT&T put a data block on my line (block all data traffic) as I requested in order to avoid unintentional data charges.

Works just like any other GPSr devices.

Agree with the jack of all trades master of none thing.

For cell phone apps, only apps that pull the map data from the Internet would not function. Garmin Mobile XT, IGo, Tom Tom, and Navigon would all continue to function on a smartphone even with the service shut off. This is because they all store their maps on a MicroSD card.

Without phone service however, Garmin Mobile XT and all the other GPS apps like it wouldn't be able to use the various lookup features, like searching for the lowest price for gas, unless the phone can access a Wi-Fi hotspot.

I also have Garmin Mobile XT, but the maps are getting a little bit dates. Has anybody figured out a way to upgrade the maps on Garmin Mobile XT?

From what little research I've bothered to do on this, I believe the base software is tied to the card using a serial number. Therefore you can't upgrade that software. However, the page on Garmin's web site* regarding Garmin Mobile XT mentions purchasing maps separately. So, regardless of whether you purchased the Micro SD premade, or downloaded the core software, I believe you should be able to buy a one-time or lifetime upgrade and update the maps.

I have not had occasion to try this, since I built my card from Garmin's freely offered software and purchased the maps separately. So, you try this at your own risk and I'm not going to be held responsible if you end up spending money for something you can't use.

* http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=010-10...

I still prefer my Garmin over the phone

i use both. the advantage is i always have my phone

On my HTC Touch Pro 2 I use Google Maps only if I want a satellite view of where I am/going. It is also handy for locating nearby geocaching sites using the data connection. I must admit, its ability to download the initial satellite locations from the network makes cold start very fast.

I use mine on the occasionally to find a place in town that I haven't been to before and to Geocache if I don't have my dedicated unit with me.

When I do not have my Garmin, I use the blackberry if needed.

I use my HTC Touch with, Garmin mobile, google Maps, Yahoo Go And Msn Live & Bing Depending on what i am looking for. I ussually do not even bring my Garmin 205 do not want my car to get broken into.

I use my HTC Touch with, Garmin mobile, google Maps, Yahoo Go And Msn Live & Bing Depending on what i am looking for. I ussually do not even bring my Garmin 205 do not want my car to get broken into.
Please Delete.

How come there is not a delete post button, I tried to post once but the internet was hanging so I hit the Post button a few times and when I logged out then logged in again I saw 4 of the same post. Any way to delete 3 of the posts. I tried edit feature but it needs info in subject box. any Ideas??

I used the mapquest app on my phone and it works pretty well. I only used it because I didn't have the Nuvi with me. It got the job done.

I'll stick with my Garmin. On my phone Sat. acquistion is very slow. Garmin has a larger screen and the phone nav function eats up battery time.

AT&T coverage where I live and work is sparse if at all. But I have wifi at home and 3G is only 50 miles down the road.
But, I do like the iPhone. If something better comes out I'LL switch.

Once you see the latest Navigon version for the iPhone you will definitely think twice about dumping your Garmin. The maps are on the phone so you don't rely on the network. It has lane guidance, junction view, Google search, traffic, 3d landscape view and much more. From all the reviews and the YouTube videos it looks like it is the best program so far.

I have a 1490T and I also like the speed limit information and other statistics that are displayed. I would only use my smartphone for emergencies.

Only using HTC Android, Nice to see Sat view.

Always use my Magellan, free is better than paying for my phone's GPS service.

While driving I use my nuvi. I have a Garmin 60csx handheld for outdoorsy activities like caching. I haven't opted for a GPS app on the iPhone so have mainly used just Google Maps on it while walking.

What phone are you using that charges you for GPS service? It's free after paying for the Tom Tom app on my iPhone.

The GPS signals are free, but the monthly data plan you have to pay for in order to get the smart phone to begin with runs a lot more than the cost of a GPS unit.

I use it every now and then
. But the screen is to small

I use the Samsung Mythic, and don't have a data plan. If I did use it, it wouldn't be free. I just don't see the need to have a data plan. The only app I would use is the GPS, and my Magellan covers that for free. Plus my carrier has poor reception in the area.

Google maps on the Blackberry and iPad for true real time traffic info.... The day google real time traffic data from all the gps enabled devices becomes available will be a huge step forward for traffic enabled gps. Not only is it RT but it extends traffic data to roads not monitored by the traffic services. Not to mention since the data is received through a cell connection it is available in a much larger area, And it just gets better every day as more people run the applications. I actually find the accuracy of the gps better in my blackberry and iPad, showing my location moving off highways onto service roads more accurately than my nuvi devices.

I use a Nokia N900 with Sygic Mobile Maps all the time. Doesn't require internet connection as the maps are on the phone.

Super easy to use with phone functions because the N900 can multitask.

They suck compared to my Garmin. Emergency mode only.

As stated above my Blackberry has the advantage of ALWAYS being with me. I find the GPS just as accurate as a Garmin. Would never give the Garmin but just the same I would never give up the Blackberry.

Interesting because along with my new job came the option to have any phone I wanted, provided it could sync to Exchange, and so I gave up my 8530 which I was just issued last Dec.

I got the new Droid X and tried the GPS function--it was pretty unbelievable, and free, not like VZ Navigator which is a per month charge.

I too once thought I would never give up the BlackBerry, and have had success after success in trading RIM stock, until lately.

BlackBerry is great at a corporate level, as everything is locked down and secure. What other system is going to allow your employer to read your SMS text messages?

It's interesting to watch how quickly people respond to a paradigm shift--last month I thought I wanted one of those nuvi 3790's 3 years from now when the price goes under $200. But after getting the Droid I think a suction mount for the Droid X makes more sense.

I have a Blackberry Storm and have followed gps directions, using Google and Bing.
I have not had a problem at all.

I just like having a dedicated unit.

mapquest mobile for iphone works pretty good.

The last few trips I've left my Nuvi in my glove box and used my Android phone exclusively.

I think Garmin has a better algorithm than Sprint Navigation, but the free google 3d turn-by-turn isn't bad at all, and I'm not paying extra for traffic updates.

Plus I can listen to Pandora all the while and not bother with the radio.

garmin for road, htc for weather and traffic. the weather channel app overlays the satellite on a map.

The iPhone requires a cell tower. The gps only needs a clear sky. I use my iPhone when I am riding with someone w/o a gps.

On our home plan, Verizon wants $9.95/month for VZ Navigator - way overpriced! When I don't have a GPS with me, I typically use Google-411 for finding businesses. They'll even connect you so you can ask for more detailed instructions or other questions.

Actually, the iPhone is pretty poor as a phone but excellent at just about everything else. Whether that phone problem is Apple's QC getting more slipshod as it gets more popular, or AT&T screwing the pooch on its network capabilities, I don't know. I have used the MapQuest for iPhone and it generally works pretty well although it really needs a specific address and can't find locations (such as parks) very well at all. The main reason I don't use the iPhone for GPS purposes most of the time is that it's hard to get the volume high enough without having it up to your ear. So while I'll use it if the GPS isn't in the car with me and I don't know where I'm going, I don't use it for ordinary purposes.

I use the Smartphone Google map which is very good for directions and POI.