GPS Software for s60v3 comparison?

good summary. I was going to give smartcomgps a shot but not if it's like that. This is more of a novelty to me, really, I've never been one to have trouble with directions. I've driven from Texas to NYC and East Coast of Florida with nothing more than a glance at GoogleMaps before leaving. I just couldn't pass up a gps unit for under $100, it's more of a toy for me.

That being said, if I could get Nav4all to work, I'd like to pace it against Wayfinder and see how I fare. Wayfinder's expensive, but I have a nice 3-month trial to work with.

I do like in Nav4all that I could pick the voice. Big fan of that.

The problem I'm having is keeping the connection to the gps or from the gps to the satellites, i can't figure out which. I'm in an 06 GMC Sierra. I've got the phone in a cradle attached to the dash, and the gps unit floating around on the dashboard. I haven't decided where I want to mount it, yet. It seems to do better all the way up on the dash, but I'd like to mount it on the windshield, up by the rear view mirror. Thoughts?

Those using a gps unit, what unit are you using? Am i the only one using a Nokia one? I can't imagine at that distance it'd be a bluetooth problem, but I don't know for sure.
 
you got it for under 100$? How much? If you can still return it, .... do, because I dont think Nokia's GPS unit is using the SiRF III technology.

It's like the next best thing since sliced bread for the GPS world

You should really check out the Holux 236 on ebay, you can get it for under 80$ with shipping. I got it, and it works flawlessly.

I have to admit, when I started using it for the first time, I had a lot of connection issues, but then I got used to what I should do.

Keep the device paired and authorized in my bluetooth manager. Give the GPS receiver a few seconds to connect and locate itself. Start the navigation software (nav4all, mgmaps, etc) and specify internal GPS. If its a java application, like all of them aside of Wayfinder, it will ask you if you would allow the application to access locationing information.

If your navigation software says there is no GPS connection or satellite connection, turn off and back on the receiver.

I can use the bluetooth easily more than 10m without objects in the way, but in my car, I just put the receiver in my sunglasses compartment on the cealing


You'll find the arrows and directions are very useful when it comes to navigating inside crowded cities with tons of one-ways.
 
i paid $75 for it. not bad, it's on Amazon at over $200, normal price at CompUSA was $149. Can't find too many specs on it, but it does say it's "NMEA 0183 v. 3.01" Whatever that means. Can't find a good comparison site.
 
They've got pretty good prices on GPS gear.

They no longer have the receiver that I have, but it's very similar to the AVL (BT-15) unit they have listed. May just be the same HW, just in a 'different' case. My BT unit has the SiRF II chipset, but surprisingly performs better than my other wired BT receiver that has the III chipset.
 
Has anyone found something as simple as the old MapviewGPS (the free S60v2 version before they went to SmartcomGPS) or GPSDisplay? Basically a small native applet that displays your current info, a screen with digital compass, and a screen showing the satellites?

If you've ever seen BlueSkyGPS, this is what I mean. They have no S60v3 version out yet though. :-/ (http://www.blueskygps.com/using.htm for pics)
 
Like any new application, there is a learning curve. Unfortunately, driving and figuring out a GPS app at the same time could be trouble. I would go for a drive on some back streets and see how it works then.

If possible, add addresses to your favorites list in Wayfinder first. It is then very easy to set a destination. Start the app, select Map and it should find your location. Then go to the menu, find your Favorite, then options-set "Navigate-To" and you are off. Register with MyWafinder and there are a bunch of hints and instructions to make the app more useful.

I just looked at the Wayfinder Site and $99 gets you "Lifetime navigation for your choice of geographical region or continent". Not a bad deal.

I agree that Nav4All is "menu intensive". I do like the fact that it is not resticted to a region. I will try it out in Europe next month.

The Nokia LD-1W may not be the latest SIRF chipset, but I have to say that it has performed very well for me. I consistently get a fix in under a minute in multiple locations in the US. I also like the fact that it uses a replaceable Nokia battery and also uses a Nokia charger. I also like the rubberized housing that sits snugly on the dash of a car.
 
My question is, if the GoogleMapsMobile API is public/open source, how hard would it be for someone to add a few GPS menu selections? It's just a java app, so it's no different than MGMaps, only GMM runs SO much smoother. I don't need anything fancy.
 
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