GPS versus Droid

I agree that in a pinch, the GPS functions in a phone are an alternative. As to being able to receive a call, it will depend on the data connection being used. If you are using Verizon's 3G network, the answer is no, you can't receive a call while using a data connection. I'm not certain about their LTE, but there is the possibility you can do both if you have a LTE data connection.

i have same feeling on my smartphone that volume is to low to hear when it is used as a navigation aid.

I have to turn the volume down quite a bit on the Droid X. Have only used the GPS on the phone a couple times and it does pretty good. Nice to have in a pinch.

It is good to have both, but to us the GPS is a better option. We also still keep maps and use them. The maps are an invaluable resource for traveling.

Did you say fix the display?

The razr has a 4.30 inch
Super AMOLED Capacitive touch screen with a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels and Scratch-resistant glass gorilla glass protecting it.

So resolution and brightness should be no problem, pinch to zoom in or out for your comfort, and adjust the brightness

Do you really prefer the Nuvi color TFT with white backlight 480 x 272 pixels display even at 5"

I have always had a problem with Garmin's 480 x 272 screen resolution, having to zoom to 80' to see poi's around you.

So why didn't you turn it up? Or is the truck so loud that it makes the Nuvi sound like crap also?

They are made to do that, can you believe it?
Yes they do just fine.

Just get your kid a mount before he hurts someone or himself in an accident.
http://www.shopandroid.com/motorola-droid-razr-car-mounts.ht...

It's a matter of time before pnd's are a thing of the past, so you may as well get yourself schooled and comfortable with the future gadgets , or your heading to a time when a VCR would blink 12:00am, you get my drift. Some people didn't want to learn new things, and still have those blinking VCR's today.

But as my signature below says:

I would take a stand alone GPS over a cellphone GPS anytime. Most of the cellphone GPS's won't work if you are ever in a area without cellular service. Their are a few that will allow you to download maps, but for the monthly cost of the cellular GPS (not to mention data costs), I'll stick with my Nuvi with lifetime maps.

SmartPhones use apps! You do know that right?

This means that you can use a app that will allow all map material, voice announcements and system files even poi files are saved on the smartphone. Therefore no data charges or charges other than your phone bill you already have and possibly, the app's one time fee with no waiting time for data transfers.

Here are a couple:

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.navigon.navigator_...

http://www.copilotlive.com/us/

http://www.androidmarket.es/route-66-maps-navigation

BobDee - I've learned to stop responding to these types of posts. Its a waste of time. Most folks on this site don't want to believe there are viable alternatives to their beloved Garmins.

Didn't know that it downloaded to phone. Will look into this. Thanks

That's a bit of a harsh statement.
Not all people have to have the latest and greatest.
Perhaps for economic reasons, or a preference to buy something that will satisfy their requirements in simply getting them from point A to point B.

I have multiple Garmins, a built-in GM nav and a Droid X and have found the Droid X is plenty loud enough to hear so no problem with that but the screen is not the easiest to see in bright light and hard to glance at and see what you need to see.

The Droid X makes a very good nav in a pinch when I'm in a vehicle with no other nav or when on foot but for day to day use I would rate the GM nav by far the best with the Garmin's second and the Droid X a close third place behind the Garmin's.

When I get a call I loose nav directions during the call on the Droid X which can be a problem if you were coming up on where you need to turn and get a call.

I don't think it really matters for basic address-to-address navigation but you can't beat hot access constantly updated map if you'll be looking for points of interest.

Have you seen the slowness of review process even for periodic update for Navteq reporting site? On Google, POIs are regularly updated via users like wikipedia through Mapmaker and reviewed by other users.

If they use to incorporate aggregated traffic data from past as well as current available information, it will blow any non cellular based traffic service too.

Most folks here are not as smart as you and BobDee are...

GPS better option.

I can't believe we're having this conversation, on a new thread, yet again...

I concur, most folks 'round here are much smarter than others.

There are many types of GPSr out there and to make blanket generalizations and propose as irrefutable and conclusive results is pretty arrogant if not belligerent, and surely myopic.

I don't see smartphones being built to the same environmental specs as GPSr units, such as waterproof, drop, vibe, dust, etc. Until then, there is no way a smartphone can even be compared to a GPSr.

I can see where a low to mid range GPSr is out-performed by a smartphone GPS app. Smartphone GPS is probably about as good as most bottom to mid range GPSr units. But I have yet to see anything come close to a GPSMAP 60CSx. Navigon on my iPhone 4S is pretty nice, but I can't see using it full-time as a replacement for the 60CSx. I'll prefer the 5 yr young 60CSx over smartphone GPS for now, unless something superior comes along.

But then, I won't use my iPhone in the environments I use my 60CSx, such as hiking, fishing, etc.

I personally prefer paper maps. GPS units can die from a battery drain, or you can lose the gps signal. Nothing beats paper maps for me!!!!

Eventually something will go wrong and you have nothing.
Battery dies: No phone, no text, no camera, no GPS.
Trip and drop on the hard unforgiving ground: See above.
Screen breaks: Most cases, see above.

Keep things separate and something will still work.

Not saying having everything in one device is not handy, but it is nice to be able talk on the phone and still use the GPS as it is intended. A lot of phone out there still do not allow this whether using data or not.

Myself I have tried using GPS on both the Android HTC, Blackberry 9700, and my Ipad. I'll stick with the Garmin.

My son's phone is on Verizon so I guess he can't get a call while navigating. Normally not a huge issue but I use my GPS's on business trips where I need to use both. I guess with the right setup I could.

My issue with the Razr screen was not that it was not nice, it was, but that the characters were too small for navigation purposes (need to read it at a glance) and that it was too easily made unreadable by glare. Maybe there is some way to solve this. That's the kind of information I am hoping to get. I know some of us prefer our GPSs and others see smart phones as the coming thing so they don't want to continue to invest time and money in GPSs. But those are not always real well informed opinions.

I appreciate the input but so far I remain unconvinced that smart phones are a good solution. I carry an early form of smart phone - a Blackberry - so I am not against them. But I know it is not a good substitute for my GPS. I was a little surprised that my son's Razr wasn't either. But it might be better than I realize, that is what I am trying to figure out.

This is minor but the Razr got us about as close to my friend's house as our Garmins do. We still had to look at mailboxs to find the house. It did have a nice feature, however, in that it showed a picture of the house. It wasn't easy to match to the houses (it was an odd view) but I bet that is really helpful sometimes.

Jim

I'm not gettin' involved in this thread.

Come on Bear007 you are the COW this week you need to get involved

The OP made an innocent observation in the Garmin talk forum of his own experience with a "smart"phone and BobDee couldn’t wait to pounce on him for his honest opinion using a “smart”phone, can we grow up and respect other’s opinions or is this becoming a “gotcha” subject?

Everybody should have ZUMOs so you can switch between your car and motorcycle. Leave the phone at home so they can't call you. Yes, you have to buy the motorcycle to mount the ZUMO on.

IMHO!

Yes, it seems to frequently turn into a pissing match amongst the posters.

It never gets left at 'to each his own'.

I do like saying things like "Navigate to Target" on my Android and have it pull up the Targets nearby and give me turn by turn directions but my Garmin has a place too.

Amen!

Like TV didn’t kill radio just because a “smart”phone can vibrate is not going to kill the vibrator business and neither because it can take you there is going to be the demise of the PND.

There always be a need for radio, GPS PNDs and vibrators

Glad to hear OP. You are a very small minority but good for you.

I'll leave it at that.

Thanks
I will look at these

I use both. While driving the Garmin works best (especially if you need to talk on the phone while driving), but when I'm on foot the cell phone GPS is perfect. The best part about the cell phone gps is it's always on me. I don't think one will ever replace the other.

GPS accuracy is different for different phones. I have an LG G2X and the GPS accuracy is fantastic. But Android phones also use the existence of available WiFi networks to help pinpoint accuracy.

Still, I'd rather have a separate phone & GPS while driving.

I've never tried my iPhone maps (or an app) for GPSing. This thread prompted me to check the Itunes store for apps. Most reviews are not that great. I then checked the iPhone maps and can see that it won't work for me. The screen is too small to use while driving, and there aren't voice directions.

Conversely, I can mount my Garmin on the windshield in the lower left where I can easily see and hear it. I don't need the screen resolution of my iPhone for this. My Garmin works fine in this case.

Believe me, I'm not married to my Garmin. But I do like it. The iPhone will do things that run circles around my Garmin. But of course, my Garmin isn't designed to do much more than direct me to where I'm going. And that, it does quite well. My iPhone falls short in this area for me.

However, if I manage to find myself in a situation without my Garmin, at least I can fall back to my iPhone and its built in maps feature. That better than nothing!

I am one of former Garmin users whi now preffers android's Google Navigation

simply, I left our older Garmin 275T to wife, so she always has it in her car and I bought myself a windshield mount for my android phone (older T-Mobile G2).

Had a chance to use both navigation devices during a long 700 mile road trip and noticed that estimated arrival time was always correct on my android GPS while on Garmin it was always off (not compensated for the traffic jams on route).
also my android routed me around (or even kinda through) traffic around Norfolk, VA in peak hours while Garmin would have gotten me stuck for hours. gotta love Google maps live traffic (part of Navigation)

however, I agree with 2 (actually 3 for me) issues when using android's navigation:

a) loudness sometimes is too low volume especially if you like driving with windows rolled down or stereo on (Garmin's volume level is way higher)

b) sometimes the phone screen in direct sunlight is hard to see, not a real problem for me, but I see where you coming from

c) while using navigation on phone I can't listen to Pandora radio streaming from my phone! besides picking up a call (using bluetooth ear piece) hides the navigation screen and only audio instructions to the ear stay on (while talking).
for sole reason C) I still prefer having a dedicated Garmin during longer trips (mounted on driver side of windshield) while having my phone mounted on center mount for playing music from Internet (Pandora streaming) or easy access to car's OBD2 live monitoring via bluetooth (I do that sometimes too, I keep OBD2 interface sitting in socket at all times).

other than that Android's Google Navigation is AWESOME and I love it.

another BIG HUGE plus is "lifetime free" map and traffic updates from Google you get along with it

here's a pic while I was driving through Chesapeake Bay Tunnel-Bridge with my android navigation turned on and phone sitting on windshield mount:
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1798/p1010091d.jpg

GPSr always works unless in a tunnel. Droid phone looses signal in various rural locations. What good is the GPS app on the phone when stupid providers require working phone service for it to work?

I have an Android phone. I use Google navigation on it occasionally. I find it good, accurate, and it's much better at estimating traffic than a Garmin. However, it's only as good as the data connection. So, the carrier choice can be important depending on the area you are planning to use it. I remember trying to use my phone as a GPS once in the Poconos. While there was a signal for voice, the data connection was non-existent or too slow, so there were long stretches where maps were not available. In addition, if you phone is CDMA 3G (Verizon, Sprint, etc) than an incoming phone call will disable your data connection. If you stay on the phone for a while the unit may run out of the per-downloaded maps and you'll be left in the dark.
IMO, a smartphone today makes a pretty good GPS but it's not yet a substitute for a stand alone GPS unit.

@mangust: There are GPS smartphone apps that do not require a constant data connection. But smartphones do have their issues, notably the possibility that the DC power supply cannot keep up with the current draw to keep the GPS chip going. Honestly, GPS software for smartphones has made great strides in usability and Garmin is in fact feeling the pinch. Notice how compared to the 2010-2011 lineups, all models have lifetime maps, lane assist and junction view? I do not know which, if any, smartphone GPS apps have lane assist or junction view-type offerings, but the fact Garmin has made these three things standard features on all their 2012 units is their way of competing with the smartphones.

Regardless of whether smartphones eventually eclipse dedicated GPS receivers in units sold or not, there will always be a place for a dedicated GPSr.

I don't get your point. and actually for me it's the opposite.
my dedicated Garmin GPS looses "sight" of satellites in every tunnel (pretty obvious as "sight" is needed), moreover it sometimes can loose satellites even in a bad cloudy weather and always inside any buildings.

now, my android's GPS has reception pretty much always and that includes some underwater tunnels were cellular signal is broadcasted and most of all inside buildings.

I traveled from NYC down to South Carolina with my droid's GPS and it never lost reception.

in fact, there are droid apps (free! e.g. Points Inside) that offer map/GPS guidance inside airports and huge malls. can your dedicated GPS do that? no, because it won't have a "sight of satellite" under metal roof, period. surprised?

I can see only one type of places where dedicated GPS wins over smartphone GPS - namely open areas in the sticks without any kind of cell signal coverage. then yeah, smartphone GPS will be useless as it won't be able to connect to Google servers to get the maps downloaded, while a dedicated GPS will have a clear sight of satellites and will be able to pinpoint your location on maps already written to its memory.

IMO the demise of the portable PND for navigating streets and roads will not come at the hands of the "smart"phones but from another multi-function GPSr built in the vehicle, eventually the built in GPSr will be included in every vehicle just like a radio is today.

Well comparing my Iphone 4 vs garmin..
the iphone 4 is more accrute...
it uses google maps..
and always has the correct address. garmin does not it usually has the correct street name. the garmin does not.
I have found the garmin to be 80% accrute..
but with last upgrade might be down to 70%
I have found the best thing to do is google with iphone and put that address into the garmin...
YES the Garmin mounts on dash its easeir to see:)
voice is alot easier to see:)
I just wish the updates weren't so huge and only come out every 3 monthes.

An inconvenient truth the smartphone advocates on the site here don't want to acknowledge.

For 99% of what I want and do I'll take my HTC 4G over my Nuvi 350.

Apples and Oranges

I'll use my GPSMAP 60CSx 99.999999% of the time.

Google maps, GPS Drive Motion X, and Navigon are pretty good, just not as good as the GPSMAP 60CSx.

I'd go with GPS unit, and use droid as back up

I did a side-by-side comparison with my new Droid Razr and my Garmin Nuvi GPS this weekend on a trip to Delaware.

Summary:

First test a restaurant about 5 miles away. Droid said 8 minutes, looked at the route, seemed reasonable. Garmin said 3 minutes, looked at the route and a bit more direct. Used the Garmin and arrived in 3 1/2 minutes.

2nd Test, a B&B about 15 miles from the restaurant. Droid course put me back on I-95 (Toll) to arrive in 20 minutes (plus $4.00 Toll). Garmin kept me on a straight shot 50 MPH 4-lane road to arrive in 15 minutes. Decided to avoid the toll and arrived in approx. 15 minutes via GPS.

Not a truly comprehensive test but my guess is a smartphone doesn't have the benefit of a database of roads, speed limits and an algorithm to determine the best/direct course.

For what it's worth, my daughter and her boyfriend used their Iphone VS Droid to get out of Washington DC a month ago and switched back and forth between the two to see which was best and they both agreed the routes from each phone "worked" to some degree but neither phone got them out of the city as directly as my GPS she borrowed on their last trip to DC.

Maybe in the future the smartphone wins, but for now, my opinion based on the above is that a map program on a smartphone with no true "logic" programmed will get you "there", but falls a bit short in execution.

Either way...beats a printed map!

Ray

can you get lost when driving in tunnel?

depending on cell phone service you have, my ATT data plan gives me nothing in DC subway.

Apparently, the answer to that question is "Yes".

In a discussion on another forum some weeks ago, a couple of people from Norway said that they have tunnels that have optional turns while underground. Thinking about it, I remembered several cities here in the US and a couple of cities in Europe where I have driven in tunnels that split while underground.

With best wishes,
- Tom -

I agree that routes between the Google Navigation (talking about android GB 2.3.4 here, not iphones apps) and Garmin GPS differ, sometimes greatly.

however during my trips along the east coast I drove a few time using 2both devices side by side and I found my Garmin 275T (with traffic updates) to be lying about arrival time notoriously and what at first looked like MUCH faster route with Garmin was always ending up the same arrival time as Google Navi estimated in first place.
Sometimes Google Navi estimates longer time, but adjusts it to be shorter later while you drive, probably it tries considering reported traffic and stop lights into the equation?

also, mind that you need to compare the same settings, so if you avoid tolls on one, turn it on on the other too, otherwise comparison makes no sense.
same about highways avoidance enabled (only local roads) on one device and disabled on the other. such comparison makes no sense.

not sure how about iphones (I don't use them), but droid's maps receive a lot of updates every few weeks, surely it impacts the precision of Google Navi using those maps (not per se but through Google Maps application I think this is how it works?).

well, time will tell what wins and whatnot, both types of devices have their win situations, but I lean towards multitask smartphone over a dedicated semi-dumb GPS which is still great (and only choice pretty much) for camping in the sticks

LOL you and flaco must be dreaming.

Vehicle GPS replacing stand-alones more than smartphones? I'd like to have whatever you're smoking.

I've been using in-vehicle GPS units since 2005, and none of them would be as effective at replacing a standalone PND as a smartphone.

You can't take the vehicle GPS out of the vehicle and put it in another vehicle you're driving. The cost to update the vehicle GPS is astronomical compared to the cost of a brand new stand-alone PND, and many vehicle GPS units have user interfaces that are very restrictive or limited.

Smartphones are / have replaced most stand-alone PNDs. This is why the standalone GPS market is in decline. Anyone who denies this is not living in this world.

You and flaco are really coming up with crazy theories...

Um riggghhhhtttt.... the same reason my 32" tube TV has replaced my AM/FM radio in my car because it's more portable... LOL

Actually, Tom is right. In Washington DC, there is a section of I-395 is underground and with splits before going above ground. I should take a drive with GPS to see how it works.