Database Info

may I ask for some guidance?

so if you have been following my previous shortcomings with gps on my touch pro, i have returned igo8, after the tech person at the store tried as many ways as he could to get it to work, and finally came to the conclusion that there was no way for it to work.
I would like to somehow have maps on my phone, since i am in a new city and need direction. I dont have a data plan, as i am on pay as you go for the moment. from what i gather, i can download the maps to an sd card, and be able to see them on my phone, but im not sure what i have to download.
My question is, where can i download european or even world maps, to view on my touch pro, and if possible use gps with this application.
i understand that with a data plan i can use google maps, but what are my options at this point?
thanks again, and i promise as soon as this issue is resolved ill stop posting these , what may be to you, remedial questions.
hope to hear.

where i'm at tomtom is the thing really
but otherwise you can look at this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=420418&highlight=gps+maps

Google Maps is freeware. It not only connects to GPS satelites for accurate travel info. But even better, when traveling through the middle of no where, your system's cell phone signal (usually GPRS at this point) keeps you in the "general area". I am very satisfied with Google Maps, and since I have Garmins in all of my vehicles, I can say it is rather accurate.
Makes it perfect for when I travel for business!!!

Igo8 works perfectly on the TP but it has to be on one of the most recent updates of the software.
Have you tried searching this forum for threads dealing with Igo8? You should find most of the answers you need.
Alternatively, TT7 works fine, provided that you have made the registry changes to prevent GPS lag.

Best GPS Map Performance?

I know that there are currently a lot of gripes about the GPS hardware on the Raph. Granted that's the case and given also differences in regional performace and accuracy of mapping applications (live, google, tomtom, etc):
What is your favorite Mapping app to run on the Raph?
Bonus: If you're on ATT have you tried the Navigator service? I'm wondering if it provides any improvements, which I suppose would, to some, be worth the cost?
Personally I am getting pretty comfortable with Live on my WIZARD (*sniff*) but can't wait to have actual onboard GPS.
Thanks all!
BK

The mapping software you've listed cannot be compared. Live search and google are good places to find businesses and services as well as see movie listings gas prices and even street views now. TT, garmin, IGO are there to give you specific instructions how to get to addresses or coordinates eliminating the need for internet service by having pre loaded maps.

Not to mention exact location. Really hated Google Maps telling me where I'm around...and finding Pois "around where I'm somewhat located" on such a small screen is cumbersome. Igo8 (Mio/Ocn) is hands down the best one-(once you get past its lag)
1. 3d terrain
2. 3d buildings
3. TTS
4. Sys.txt customization is a beautiful thing.
5. Huge Poi database
6. Several skins inform you where a poi is based on GPS location (and tells you in which direction)
7. Direct dial a POI from Igo8 w/o having to exit program.
Start w/ igo8, can't go wrong...

telegraph0000 said:
Not to mention exact location. Really hated Google Maps telling me where I'm around...and finding Pois "around where I'm somewhat located" on such a small screen is cumbersome. Igo8 (Mio/Ocn) is hands down the best one-(once you get past its lag)
1. 3d terrain
2. 3d buildings
3. TTS
4. Sys.txt customization is a beautiful thing.
5. Huge Poi database
6. Several skins inform you where a poi is based on GPS location (and tells you in which direction)
7. Direct dial a POI from Igo8 w/o having to exit program.
Start w/ igo8, can't go wrong...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know of a way to get iGo to give you routes like Garmin?
If I try to route the 5 hour trip to my parent's house, Garmin will give me a logical route with the shortest time. iGo will give me a route that it says will take an hour longer and take me out of the way.
Oddly enough, iGo's route is the same that Google Maps shows, even though the Garmin one is supposed to be the fastest time.
And I've tried both the Fastest route and Shortest route.
I love iGo, but I'm not 100% sure about its routing.

Have you tried out igo's and/or Garmin's suggested route? I'm sure you know how to get to your destination w/o gps--but sometimes Igo does make sense...which one do you find most logical? With regards to the time differences, how current are both of your maps? That may make a difference.
Odd story of mine, googled how to get from No. VA to Niagara falls. It set out a nice interstate route that would most be described as a half moon...Igo plotted a straight route all the way (yes...even through the boondocks) with the same time estimate. Tried one going up, the other coming down...and no differences in est. arrival time! I swore that my interstate 85mph travel would get me there faster...the Cletus way worked just as well...

Well unfortunately neither one of them do the complete interstate route since it supposedly takes 10-15 minutes longer (since you go further out of the way), but its an easier drive.
I guess both make sense, and they might be close in times, but I don't know how the ETA can be so different unless iGo adds in something that Garmin doesn't.
The only way that route should take 6+ hours is with stops for gas and stops. iGo doesn't estimate how many times you need to stop for gas does it? lol
I might try it again next time I go there (at the end of the month) and switch between the two and see what happens.
EDIT: Both apps use the latest Navteq maps (same version).

Great response! I'll try Igo8 as soon as my Raph/Fuze lands!
Sweeney Russ: As you point out the software I ask about is definitely not the same. But since my current Wizard doesn't have GPS I'm limited in what I can use with just the internet connection. Can't wait to try out a real GPS solution and it sounds like Igo will be the one to get first.
Thanks all for your replies!

Has anyone come across a free GPS program that caters to hiking/raster/ortho imagery?
I was using my Tilt for hiking tips but roads are not really necessary. Is anyone using ESRI ArcPad on their Fuze? I was using it on my Tilt (30 day trial) and created a few good road maps, but noticed the Fuze has trouble finding the GPS receiver through ArcPad and the app doesn't fit entirely on the screen as it did with my old Tilt.

telegraph0000 said:
Not to mention exact location. Really hated Google Maps telling me where I'm around...and finding Pois "around where I'm somewhat located" on such a small screen is cumbersome. Igo8 (Mio/Ocn) is hands down the best one-(once you get past its lag)
1. 3d terrain
2. 3d buildings
3. TTS
4. Sys.txt customization is a beautiful thing.
5. Huge Poi database
6. Several skins inform you where a poi is based on GPS location (and tells you in which direction)
7. Direct dial a POI from Igo8 w/o having to exit program.
Start w/ igo8, can't go wrong...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see you can only use IGO8 with a SDCARD? That kinda sucks.

Hi guys,
I just got my FUZE on Friday, and spent the last 4 days setting it up! It's almost done! What an incredible machine!!
Anyways, I've always used iGuidance to find places. It's worked for me since the first version. I just set it up, and it's working well. The infamous Raph GPS lag has not prevalent over the past few days. It seems to be as good as my TyTN with an external BT receiver.
The maps are extremely accurate, too. There is a new 2009 version that I am curious about.
In any case, I'd love to hear more quick opinions about TomTom, Route66, etc. etc.
As I said, I am quite happy with iGuidance, but am always on the lookout for better warez!

ATT Navigator
ElBorba said:
I know that there are currently a lot of gripes about the GPS hardware on the Raph. Granted that's the case and given also differences in regional performace and accuracy of mapping applications (live, google, tomtom, etc):
What is your favorite Mapping app to run on the Raph?
Bonus: If you're on ATT have you tried the Navigator service? I'm wondering if it provides any improvements, which I suppose would, to some, be worth the cost?
Personally I am getting pretty comfortable with Live on my WIZARD (*sniff*) but can't wait to have actual onboard GPS.
Thanks all!
BK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I just got my fuze, and right now there is a 30 day free trial of AT&T Navigator, everytime I have tried to "Speak" just my city and state, Snohomish, WA it tells me I want to go to utah, and finding a store like Fred Meyer just wasn't on there, on a good note when it notices you taking another route off the way, it tends to re-route within seconds, most of the time just telling you to make a U-Turn, this is my first GPS, so I have nothing to compare it to... I would suggest trying it for the 30 day free trial, but, I am not sure if I want to keep it past the 30 days...

double post

seanvree said:
I see you can only use IGO8 with a SDCARD? That kinda sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can run it off internal memory ONLY if you have enough to cover the basic program + map(s)...
Careful with the ***ez...may skate on thin ice...
Skip ATT navigator, no cell signal (dead zones), no location..

Whaaaaat!?!? ATT Navigator uses the cell signal for location!?!? That has to be a joke, right? Amazing that I didn't realize that! Fatguybp, you're right up the street from me! I'm representing Everett. Yes, Washinton's spleen...

ElBorba said:
Whaaaaat!?!? ATT Navigator uses the cell signal for location!?!? That has to be a joke, right? Amazing that I didn't realize that! Fatguybp, you're right up the street from me! I'm representing Everett. Yes, Washinton's spleen...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No ,,, the maps are downloaded through the cell towers...you don't have static maps.... It does use the gps...

I use tomtom mobile, great piece of software lots of POIs and options, maps are stored on my sd card which is great I think, they dont take more then 1.3gb. Although tomtom drains my battery pretty good, I dont care since I have a car charger (you can pick one up from ebay for $3.18 or get one in walmart for $9). If you dont care much about piracy I suggest going to demonoid if you have an account and downloading the tomtom and all the directions on how to set it up are included in the torrent.

I use Google Maps what am I missing?

thehyecircus said:
I use Google Maps what am I missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Turn by turn guidance with tts and a working gps far from cell towers. Also lot more options to plan a trip including simulation.

Well I have 3G service, what programs are good to get? The first one on the page mentioned sounds great, but it also sounds slow and crappy.

For these GPS software with pre-loaded maps, you don't need data connection. I use iGO 8, also tried Garmin Mobile XT. They both work well but iGO has TTS and much better visual. Tomtom comes pre-loaded in some and the software is available for free (I saw some links in this forum), so just buy a map for your country/region and you are good to go.

Better GPS Navigation Software

Hello xda-developers
I was wonder why there isn't a better GPS navigation software for Windows Mobile cellphones (more preferably a newer one like the HTC Touch Pro)?
There is Google Maps which is fantastic but it has two shortcomings:
1. Doesn't have any sort of voice guidance
2. Doesn't reroute when you get off your path.
I've also found Google Navigator but after installing the trial version I found it to be very buggy and hasn't been updated for a few months now. Also costs $60! For that cost I can just go ahead an buy a dedicated GPS for about $40 more.
So I ask: Is there anything better in the works? Possibly an open(!) source project? Or a better presented and cheaper solution?

the best navigation software aren't free.. but there are workarounds obviously
try tomtom, or igo i love them

or try nav4all... free until 2010 and turn by turn voice direction

Hm Navi4all didn't seem to want to get any GPS sats, also seemed slow.
Nav N Go (IGo?) seems to be a european only product?
Tomtom looks like it might be worth its salt though

IGo is not European only...there is a North America version.... I love IGo after being turned on to it by a friend of mine (who also helped me with my first flash ---- props to Kareem9NBA).... text to voice, easy interface.
Before that, I used INav which I loved.....

I personally love tomtom. and its free if you know where to find it.

I'd go for Igo. I am from Europe and it has really good data even in eastern european countries, but TomTom is really good too. I think you should compare these two and just use the one that's faster/better for you.
Remember, we have PHONES that have GPS and you can't expect them to work like a GPS-only device. It's the same with the camera - no camera-phone performs as well as a standard digital camera (not even mentioning SLRs) and no GPS enabled phone will ever work as well as a GPS-only device. Correct me if I'm wrong.

...
I dunno....Garmin Mobile XT works pretty damn well on my fuze. My friend has a dedicated garmin and mine can do more than his can cause our phones have internet access.

And with the update to Garmin from their website, the POI database is just about never out of date - it includes a Google Search function to look up points of interest.

navigon ( http://www.navigon.com/site/de/de/products/navigation_software/windowsmobile_pda )
is excelent like tomtom - you have the possibility to check before you buy it (30 days)

+1 for Igo8 (from the company Nav N Go). European company, but when you use NavTeq's USA maps, works perfect.
Advantages are real TTS (Text to Speech) (i.e., speaks actual street names), 3D buildings in major cities, ability to add POI databases, logos show onscreen for POIs, etc.
A dedicated GPS does work a bit better. But how often do you have that in your pocket when you need it on the spur of the moment???

Depends on what works best for your phone really. Some programs will lag on one persons phone and then not lag at all on anothers....from what I've read around the forum anyway. I've tried a lot of GPS software and I can tell you that...
Garmin Mobile XT has a great UI and excellent maps. Very easy to use and works. Only problem is GPS lag (shows me about 200ft behind my actual position).
TomTom works great. I don't think the UI is anywhere nearly as nice as Garmin's or as user-friendly. But I hardly get any GPS lag using TomTom and if you can keep the maps updated then you should be just fine. This is what I use now.
I've tried IGO8 and Amigo. Amigo wouldn't find the built-in GPS on my phone but looked pretty nice. I didn't get a chance to test it out much because it wouldn't work, sadly....and I didn't feel like trying to make it work lol. IGO8 is great if you can get the right version. I think I had the EU version because I couldn't change KM/hr to M/hr and I was thoroughly annoyed by that. IGO8 did give a little lag, but not as bad as it was with Garmin. What turned me away from IGO was that damn KM/hr thing. I looked up how to fix it for a grand total of half an hour before I gave up and deleted it lol.
All that being said, I like TomTom. I would absolutely 100% delete TomTom and go with Garmin if I didn't experience the lag. It's just that annoying to me. But if you don't experience lag with Garmin I'd go with that.

another vote for igo
used tomtom on my wizard but I really like the UI on IGo on my serra, the custom skins that are available and the use of a sys.txt to set up a lot of preferences in the software. Lots of web resources out there for these things.
used EU and US mapping and found them both to be very good
you can add POI's in google earth kml format and the software converts them at start up - very handy but large numbers of POI's can course the software to have slow response times at start up

Does anyone use their GPS without a data connection ie: using stored maps? I tried to mess around with mgmaps for a few days but never got it to work.

eimerej77 said:
Does anyone use their GPS without a data connection ie: using stored maps? I tried to mess around with mgmaps for a few days but never got it to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IGO will work without data connection (flight mode on). Obviously, you need to have the program AND maps on your phone. Tomtom will not do the same. Even though it does not need any data connection, it will not establish GPS connection in flight mode. It will work if you turn data or cell radio on, even if there is no connection available (i.e. another country). Not sure about other programs.
Hope that helps.
Mike

yeah perfect. I skipped the data plan (use the nodata cab), so I just use wifi when I can and was trying to find a way to get gps on the road, storing the maps on my micro sd card. I'll look in to it!

doctajay said:
I personally love tomtom. and its free if you know where to find it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup... and yup

Where is TomTom free?
Hello,
Can anyone please let me know where I can find free TOMTOM Software/maps to download to my touchpro?
Thanks
Satish

Warez is not allowed on xda.

TomTom looks interesting however I don't think Navigator 7 has any USA maps (but their Navigator 6 does). Seems to be a product tailored more towards the European crowd

ANY way to use Google Maps offline?

I've searched a LOT and couldn't find any method. There's terracrosser, but I find it's interface unusable. MGMaps in wonderful, but sadly doesn't support Google Maps. In my area, Yahoo/WLive maps suck. No comparision with google maps.
Is there ANY software available, free or paid, which can help me browse Google maps offile, and supports GPS?
Or, is there a hack/method to use Google Maps in MGmaps?
Thanks.

what a search would have given you
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=563296&highlight=maps+offline
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=542142&highlight=maps+offline
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=537546&highlight=maps+offline
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=530898&highlight=maps+offline
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=530117&highlight=maps+offline
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=360075&highlight=maps+offline
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=513094&highlight=maps+offline
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=509561&highlight=maps+offline
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=351128&highlight=maps+offline
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=481803&highlight=maps+offline
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=469033&highlight=maps+offline
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=425720&highlight=maps+offline
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=420418&highlight=maps+offline

Of course I've done that! But if you yourself go over the links, there's *no* solution. Either Terracrosser is being recommended (which I honestly hate), or the post is older, before the time when Google disallowed MGMaps to use GMaps.

cyanide911 said:
Of course I've done that! But if you yourself go over the links, there's *no* solution. Either Terracrosser is being recommended (which I honestly hate), or the post is older, before the time when Google disallowed MGMaps to use GMaps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd double the request. I also searched LOT and tried the solutions - even downloading the maps from google using different apps... still there comes a dead end with everything (getting banned, getting just one colossal map image etc)... a WORKING solution is missing

just to make sure then you do know what I posted was 13 links to 13
threads about your question not
just 13 links to the same thread
right ?
would be surprised if non of them had any type of helpful info
of cause if it don't HAVE to be google maps then there are many standalone
gps programs with offline maps out there from tomtom, garmin,......

Of course there is a way. Here is how to do it in three easy steps:
1 - Buy 49% of Google's shares and become a partner.
2 - Copy all your maps and software to a mobile server and put that into the trunk of your car (with the appropriate power supply of course).
3 - Attach a Router to the Server. You are done! Now you have a mobile wi-fi google maps setup that you can take anywhere with you! No need of annoying offline modes and such.
I hope this helps.

Really all of the posted topics were not helpful enough. My point is to have SATELLITE imagery of entire country (Estonia) @ the maximum zoom layer only (which vary according to area sometimes). I do not even care which program runs it. Just gps spot and OFFLINE data. I would be even happy with simple thing like terracrosser. The main problem is that the PC side downloaders get banned by ip (rarely), download one BIG useless image file or just unreadable data. And the handheld device apps use just a caching approach what makes it hard to understand what you have and haven't. Even Google/Global Navigator at its high price is not able to select the entire area. I'd be happy even with TRIAL Google/Global NAvigator!

I got it guys!
Use this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=351001.
Works PERFECTLY!

cyanide911 said:
I got it guys!
Use this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=351001.
Works PERFECTLY!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried this solution but the map data were not downloaded completely. The data was incomplete. BTW... java. I know I know - it is usable but it still feels like running a virtual machine. Which actually is also happening.

Terracrosser does the thing actually but the user interface controls are catastrophically bad

Buy a map

search doesnt always find the answer, fyi

GPS Programs for TF101

hello to all
i want to know if is possible to install on this tablet programs for navigation, like IGo, Navigon, Sygic ... or if exist for this device , now i use Google Navigation but i want something else.

Yes it's possible. I have CoPilot

thx for the quick reply but i want more details pls, what version? where can i find it? and if exist another programs if u know. thx

I have tried a couple. Sygic & Copilot premium.
Loved the look of Copilot. typing addresses was a nightmare though and speed camera locations were a bit hit & miss.
Sygic was great, I swapped to copilot after having gps issues. My location couldn't be found. I even restarted my TF. I found that having 3d buildings on made it run a little behind, but only a little.
I have now gone back to Sygic after the problems with typing on copilot.
Both have great potential though.
Seg

deejayviral said:
thx for the quick reply but i want more details pls, what version? where can i find it? and if exist another programs if u know. thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can browse the Android Market to see what is available.
https://market.android.com/search?q=navigation&c=apps

Use OsmAnd: Free and offline.
It has panning, routing, Wikipedia articles (although just in their paid or in their nightly build - free - version), multiple layers (online -> Google images, Bing maps ... and offline -> Saved vector OSM data) and a great Android integration.
It isn't adapted to Android 3+ (so hasn't got the actionbar), but it scales very well. You only see that little menu button in the bottom bar.
Btw, did I mention it's FREE (as in beer and speech, both the app and the data)
The Free data is very well developed in Germany, and almost all western countries are well developed (all streets are on the map, so good enough for navigation, but maybe no housenumber search). As the data is free, you can add all missing details yourself: http://osm.org
http://osmand.net/

I use Sygic in the US and it's fantastic. Well worth whatever it costs.

Waze maybe?