Garmins just became more obselete: new Google Maps app for iOs and Android adds key features

It's interesting, but do I really want to give Google even more information about my life to exploit or sell to the highest bidder?

I agree. For example, in Houston, the city is building an outer loop around the entire city (the third loop), known as Grand Parkway or SH 99, to (hopefully) alleviate some congestion and make trips around the city quicker for folks in the 'burbs. Portions of it have been completed (such as the portion heading north from I-10 in Katy, and the entire section from I-10 in Katy to Sugar Land), and Google maps picked up the completed sections very quickly -- in a matter of weeks. I highly doubt the next release of the Garmin map set will include any of the completed sections.

Maybe someday cell phone will be as capable and customizable as a Garmin - but they're not there yet. Agree with others cell phone are for talking and Garmins are for navigating.

Garmin Nuvitune 7190
(Original link)
http://www.garmin.com.tw/products/ontheroad/navtune7190/
(Google Translated)
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&pr...

How to Use GPS without Data Plan on Android:

http://androidfan.hubpages.com/hub/gps-without-data-plan#

I still prefer my Garmin's over a smart phone for navigation, much like when I want to take real good photo's I will use a camera, not the smart phone.

The smart phones can fill in the gaps, and be ready in a flash for unexpected stuff, but I like dedicated stuff for specific tasks when I know I'm going to need them.

To use the iPhone maps you need a usable data plan and I do not have that with my Sprint service on Long Island. I am on my employers plan, they pay the bill and want to stick with Sprint so I stay. But I have not used any 3G data since last December when I turned the 3G switch off and left it off. As such, my 765T is the best option. I do have CityMaps2Go on my iPhone that downloads the maps you select to the device so you do not need to be connected to the Internet but there is no navigation feature.

Curious to see how this develops after one year later.... Will Garmin & TomTom sales decline as Apple and Google maps improve?

I like my Garmin, but I use my phone more and more for navigation. Especially when I am on a new road that Garmin map hasnt updated to yet.

The issues will remain the same:

7. What other compelling purposes (O.T.) do you use a data phone other than navigation (thus making this debate irrelevant)?
6. Do you have either a financial or political interest in this debate?
5. Financial priorities: cell provider "data contract" or other?
4. To be stealthy, or tracked for advertising purposes (or other)?
3. Small, discrete, flip "voice only" or mega brick?
2. Is your data contract/smartphone tax deductible, federally subsidized, or employer provided/job required? Or are you paying full freight & subsidizing others?

1. And finally: why would financial statements, advertising, world wide GP manipulation, or this cyber debate effect how you move, navigate & communicate through 3 dimensional space-time?

Don't get me wrong, I love my Garmin and it goes everywhere I go but on several occasions I do use my iphone with Google Maps which does require an internet connection when I first want to go to a particular address where I have not been before

Personally, I will stick with my dedicated GPS unit - primarily because it is technology I am comfortable with. I have a smartphone and I use it for a number of different functions, including using Google Maps. But once I get in my car, I set up my GPS and put away my smartphone.

Smartphones might be getting smarter, but it still depends on the user

True you can download but if you decie to take a side trip you or need to detour you will need a data connection or the entire area downloaded.

And we have a Nuvi that runs on Android now so, it may be a lesser issue...

As a person who enjoys road trips and getting out in the country, I use both; a dedicated Garmin and smart phone for redundancy. They each have their strengths and I will use the best of both, rather than take a limited position of condemning one or the other.

That being said, in urban and suburban environments, I do not use the Garmin much. The routing from Google's latest update is superior. Lane guidance, both on-screen and with voice prompting. Plus the traffic is now built-in and works well wherever there is a cell signal. My Garmin traffic covers a tiny fraction of roads and streets compared to what Google does. I don't generally run into traffic in the boonies where cell signals might be a problem. I need it in the urban areas. Guess what, where there's traffic, there's always a good cell signal and I get much better traffic coverage from the phone.

My point is that if you blast one or the other, you're missing out and have less tools and aids available to you on the road.

I love them both. But I *am* tired of some of the myths and limited-perspective arguments that we hear.

Why do we keep hearing about 'GPS drains the phone battery?' My phone's battery lasts just as long as my Garmin's battery. Of course, when in the car, I plug them both in. Wouldn't everyone?

Data plan expense? There is not much point to owning a smart phone without a data plan. I use my phone for local navigation and geocaching, and I have the lowest data usage in the family. It just isn't a big deal.

Cross-country road trip? Garmin's in the driver seat for continuous hassle-free coverage. Garmin gets muted and the phone gets turned up when we hit the cities. Best of both worlds.

I would have to own a smart phone to be able to use it as a GPS. It would have been great when I was working, but now retired, I find an old fashion flip phone just fine. Guess I will just keep using my old Nuvi.

I agree with mmonitz who care for goggle map, nothing beat a Garmin Gps and anyone who think that any other toys out there are much bettere then a Gps..go for it and good luck

Offline maps IMO are a PITA and there's no posted speed limits yet either. I'll keep my 3490 for now.

As much as I like my Andriod, having the Garmin on hand is a nice safety blanket. No need for 3g, so I know I can always fall fack on it.