Are standalone GPS devices still relevant today?

[Vincentacy]

Everyone chill okay...

 

Standalone vs MultiFunction; which one you prefer you buy lor...

 

Would you buy a 5 megapixel camera phone or a standalone 5 megapixel camera?

 

Same applies to the GPS...

 

I tested the Nokia with my friend's N82 yesterday. In my own opinion, I would still use the standalone Garmin, simply because; rendering of map is still better on the Garmin, accuracy feels better on the Garmin, lock on satellite was faster on the Garmin with both at warm start, keying in of address is faster on the Garmin and most importantly of all, screen size (trying to figure out where I am on the Nokia due to the small screen is quite irritating; maybe Nokia would consider making one of those BIG BIG screen phone).

 

I would use the Nokia if I am walking cos it is more portable. I can use it as a camera, a phone, a pda, etc.

 

That's all I got to say :)

[Ncp91]

Nokia does make GPS handsets (N8xx series) similar in format to the Garmin Nuvi, they are WiFi capable as well (think something along the lines of iTouch).

 

A large part of what makes a GPS a success is the firmware and maps.

 

The reason Garmin is successful (at least locally) is because there are MalsingMaps. People like free things. The MalsingMaps are free, and they are reasonably good with few workarounds needed. And they are regularly updated.

 

MapKing runs a close second but is also equally if not more flexible - as long as you have a PDA running Windows Mobile(?) you can run MapKing and MalsingMaps.

 

Try buying a Shinco or something GPS, see how many map updates you will get, or maybe the map that the set came with will be the only set of map you'll ever get.

 

That's not to say Nokia is like that - in fact, Nokia will probably be rather proprietary with their software and maps that are compatible with it. If they improve their compatibility with other map formats, they'll have a winner.

 

I actually like the Nokia Nxxx series, because it adds a WiFi web browser. Saves me porting around a notebook computer.

[Ooniik]

I still love my Garmin.....

[Watwheels]

Difference is the software format it's running on.

 

I'm using MapKing 2007 hence the format it's using is those of *.m7a extensions. Renaming is what I do if I download maps from malsing which is in *.G10.

[Cyberet]

i'm loving the SLA mk version

i can now use it more often in singapore..

last time it was only used when i need to reach for the street directory

[Watwheels]

It's very detailed indeed.

 

If only last time when I just passed my driving such GPS devices are available.

[BoneStock]

hmm will the holux gps module work wif nokia phones?

 

Read somewhere that holux with MTK chipset has some compatibility prob with Nokia. Better to get the older SIRF III chipset. Anyway, both should set you back 100+

 

Holux GPSlim236 could be a good choice. Should be able to get around S$150.

 

Anyway, some info on screen size if you are looking for a Nokia with Symbian S60 OS that can be used with the GPS receivers. All S60 phones here http://www.s60.com/life/s60phones/browseDevices.do

 

Nokia N81 2.4" Nokia E65 2.2" Nokia 6120 2" Nokia 6110 2.2" Nokia N95 2.6" Nokia N82 2.4"

 

Some GPS receivers to consider, holux is on the list

[inline gps.JPG]

[BoneStock]

hmm will the holux gps module work wif nokia phones?

btw, not all nokia phones can work with GPSr. Need to get those with S60 feature.

[Apollo]

personally speaking, no. the new tech as shown in beijing is GPS with realtime infor of traffic condition tat allows you to replan your routing to optimize distance and time.

[Route88]

Look like N82 is the way to go if one wants to try AGPS for nokia phone

 

I just bot one...AGPS is very fast