[kirantp]

Friends,

As promised, here is my evaluation and initial review of MapMyIndia (MMI) navigation system.

Background: For those who are new to this thread, here is a brief background of the roadmap that lead to this review.

I recently got CASKA HU installed in my ANHC from the Honda Dealer. This CASKA HU comes with MapMyIndia Navigation and this thread talks about the evaluation and review of only the MMI.

Evaluation: Soon after getting the HU installed last Friday, I made a sudden plan to evaluate the MMI by making a trip on Sunday to KRS Dam (Mysore District).

Layman Route - Bangalore -> Mysore Road -> KRS Dam -> Bangalore

Keyed in the location of destination and the GPS was quick enough to identify the same. It has 3 options depending on the setting (Fastest, Shortest, Optimal).

I chose the Optimal route and the MMI gave me the one below:

Onward Route: Outer Ring Road -> BTM -> Banshankari -> SH17 (Mysore Road) -> Srirangapatna ->SH88 -> KRS

Started at 7:30 AM Sunday Morning and was enthralled to see the name of each and every shop (minor, major) on the map right from the lane of my house till the destination.

We were not surprised about the traffic as we knew that the Mysore road would be more busy than other Sundays due to the long weekend and we were prepared for that. We halted for Breakfast at Kaadu Mane aroung 8:45AM that was fully packed and started again at 9:20AM. After reaching Srirangapatna, we took the Right turn as suggested by MMI and hit SH88. The road was patchy but easily drivable at 60-70. We had to slow down at couple of stretches (approx 10ft each) that were really bad but not worst.

We reached the destination at 11:30AM. This was the 1st time for my kids to KRS and they were having a great time enjoying the fountains on a pleasant cloudy and not so hot day.

Unfortunately, they have banned entry to the top of the dam due to the recent Mumbai blasts and that was the only put off for all of us. Nevertheless one could not help it and so we put this at the back of our mind and continued to enjoy our time and make the most of what we get to see.

We spent 2hrs strolling in the Brindavan Gardens and taking pics before we headed back at 1:30PM

I had saved the details of my home under favourites as "Home". All I had to do was select "Take me Home" on the MMI and there came our return route.

Return Route: KRS ->SH88->Srirangapatna->SH17(Mysore Road)->NICE Road->Kanakapura RD->Silk Board->Sarjapur RD-> Outer Ring RD->Home

I thought that the MMI would give me the reverse directions but was surprised to see NICE road in its route. I am still wondering why it did not give me NICE road during our onward journey. It may be because of the traffic pileup during sunday evening it avoided the Banshankari -> BTM -> SilkBoard route that it gave in the morning (Optimal Route setting). Boy I was really glad that it certainly did give me the optimal route.

We stopped for lunch at "Hotel Heritage Shelters" on SH88. The ambience and food was really good. We had Butter Nan/Kulcha/Roti, Paneer Butter Masala, Butter Milk, Mushroom Pepper Dry and it was indeed yummy. We started again at 2:45PM and reached home at 6:05PM.

Remarks:

The MMI is damn good with upto date information (version 6.1) and it is quick, reliable and accurate. It shows us each and every Galli (lane) along with its name.

The GPS signal was very strong with all the indicators showing green through out the trip even though it was cloudy.

Summary:

MMI Version - 6.1
Signal - Strong
Accuracy - 100% (100% is for this route. I still want to do more routes before really giving an outright cent percent)
User Friendlyness Rating (1-10) - 9
Overall Rating (1-10) - 9

Appreciate your comments and feedback

Please have a look at some of the pics of MMI along with Pics of KRS and the hotel where we stopped over for lunch

MMI Initial Screen


MMI Version



Showing Current Location:



Route Summary:


Route while on the move:



Route Features and Options 01:



Route Features and Options 02:



Route Maneuvers Screen:


KRS 01



KRS 02


KRS 03


KRS 04



Heritage Shelters

[mayankjha1806]

Excellent, exactly something that i was looking for.

I did look at this unit sometime back but was looking for a review like this. Few questions that i was pondering over earlier were un-answered by the dealer. I am sure you would be able to help me with this.

1. Does the unit store the maps in its storage. If you go to areas which has no signal availability would this continue to work.
2. The initial cost includes the map, but do they charge for any subsequent updates to the map or they come free for some duration (like free for 1 year).
3. Continuing from point 1, if it looses connection how would it detect what the current location (I am guessing then we would have to key it in)?

PS: Also i believe there is a downloadable version (Available for i guess 2K) for Android and iPhone. Did you inquire about them and if yes any feedback.

[kirantp]

Originally Posted by mayankjha1806

Excellent, exactly something that i was looking for.

I did look at this unit sometime back but was looking for a review like this. Few questions that i was pondering over earlier were un-answered by the dealer. I am sure you would be able to help me with this.

1. Does the unit store the maps in its storage. If you go to areas which has no signal availability would this continue to work.
2. The initial cost includes the map, but do they charge for any subsequent updates to the map or they come free for some duration (like free for 1 year).
3. Continuing from point 1, if it looses connection how would it detect what the current location (I am guessing then we would have to key it in)?

PS: Also i believe there is a downloadable version (Available for i guess 2K) for Android and iPhone. Did you inquire about them and if yes any feedback.

Thanks mate.

#1. The whole s/w is on SD memory card. I am yet to try the 2nd half of your Q.
#2. My Honda Dealer said that I can download the latest maps from the MMI website and store them on the SD card. However, he did not mention about the validity of subscription. I will check with him when I take my ANHC to 3rd Free service which is due next week.
#3 Yet to try this.

[mdsaab]

Thanks Kirantp for this much awaited review.
The display looks very clear and crisp.
btw what is the screen size?
I have been using a MMI PND for the last couple of years and am extremely pleased with it. It sure is damn accurate and has never let me down so far.

Originally Posted by mayankjha1806

Excellent, exactly something that i was looking for.

I did look at this unit sometime back but was looking for a review like this. Few questions that i was pondering over earlier were un-answered by the dealer. I am sure you would be able to help me with this.

1. Does the unit store the maps in its storage. If you go to areas which has no signal availability would this continue to work.
As mentioned it stores it on a SD card which is slotted into the GPS SD card slot. usually GPS works all over the globe. It's mainly due to map limitations that you run out of navigation assistance.
2. The initial cost includes the map, but do they charge for any subsequent updates to the map or they come free for some duration (like free for 1 year).
I think it comes with one map only, which you can use for lifetime.
It's your choice whether you want yo update or not.
for the PND it costs Rs.990/- for a single map upgrade. I am thinking the same can be used for the Caska. Most folks update their maps only every alternate upgrade.
3. Continuing from point 1, if it looses connection how would it detect what the current location (I am guessing then we would have to key it in)?
If it losses satellite lock. your position would stay stationary on the map. Once the satellites lock again, your position will be updated and your current location will appear. Also navigation will step in and pick up from where it left off.

PS: Also i believe there is a downloadable version (Available for i guess 2K) for Android and iPhone. Did you inquire about them and if yes any feedback.

Yes there is an android version which you can download. It costs 2K.
But i heard the maps are not updatable for the android version as yet.
You can also try it free for 1 week from the market.
Hope this helps.
Good Luck!

[download2live]

Good to see technology refining itself fast. But I am one of those who plays safe. Will wait a few more years to let it settle down well before plonking the cash down. Want maximum bang for my buck. I am not even on 3G also.

[kirantp]

Originally Posted by mdsaab

Thanks Kirantp for this much awaited review.
The display looks very clear and crisp.
btw what is the screen size?
I have been using a MMI PND for the last couple of years and am extremely pleased with it. It sure is damn accurate and has never let me down so far.


Yes there is an android version which you can download. It costs 2K.
But i heard the maps are not updatable for the android version as yet.
You can also try it free for 1 week from the market.
Hope this helps.
Good Luck!

Thanks mdsaab. The size of screen is 8 inches specific to all ANHC models.

Glad to hear from you on the accuracy part. Now I can relax and trust MMI though I have to rely on what I see in front of me while driving as we never know which gali or lane becomes a one way over night in India . But, it is definitely worth a buy and am sure that it will not let us down anywhere in India.

[mdsaab]

Originally Posted by kirantp

Thanks mdsaab. The size of screen is 8 inches specific to all ANHC models.

Glad to hear from you on the accuracy part. Now I can relax and trust MMI though I have to rely on what I see in front of me while driving as we never know which gali or lane becomes a one way over night in India . But, it is definitely worth a buy and am sure that it will not let us down anywhere in India.

Oh yes one more very important thing i forgot to mention. Though the directions are correct. Always make it a point to keep an eye out for where you are travellling, looking at the road signs as we use to in the olden days. Else we get so used to the navigator that we forget how to navigate using our own senses.
And yes sometimes the navigator likes to take the scenic route. so when you know the route and feel your route is shorter, use your route.
but ofcourse when it's a new place and we do not know the roads at all, you would have not depend on the navigator fully.
But still keep an eye on the road signs for cross reference as well as for your own knowledge of the road and surroundings.

[clevermax]

Thanks. your review makes me want to buy one, even though I have navigation working in my phone!

[mayankjha1806]

Thanks a lot @kirantp and @mdsaab. The answers were very helpful. Post the round of thanks i have few more questions (Sorry).

1. You mentioned you bought a CASKA HU, is it different from the monitor that comes by default with the MMI unit that i saw at the dealer.
2. Can the display unit do multiple things like Connect to reverse camera, Can be connected to the DVD player to play videos etc?
3. How much was the total cost of the unit.

I looked at the site and saw a Garmin display among others. Not sure of Caska?

Thanks

[kirantp]

Originally Posted by mayankjha1806

Thanks a lot @kirantp and @mdsaab. The answers were very helpful. Post the round of thanks i have few more questions (Sorry).

1. You mentioned you bought a CASKA HU, is it different from the monitor that comes by default with the MMI unit that i saw at the dealer.
2. Can the display unit do multiple things like Connect to reverse camera, Can be connected to the DVD player to play videos etc?
3. How much was the total cost of the unit.

I looked at the site and saw a Garmin display among others. Not sure of Caska?

Thanks

1. CASKA is all in one Entertainment system including integration with navigation. As mdsaab mentioned, all you need to do is insert the MMI SD card into the slot and you are on with navigation.

2. Apart from navigation, you have DVD that plays almost anything, USB, Iphone/IPOD or AUX,Radio, Bluetooth. If you need the reverse camera with sensor you will have to shell out 7K more to integrate this feature into CASKA.

3. Total cost of base unit - 47K (includes all functions mentioned in point#1 and #2)
Reverse Camera Feature - Additional 7K
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System - Another 7K I guess (but I feel thats not required)

The link http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...l-love-34.html has a detailed report on the CASKA HU posted by Charthom that would help you knowing CASKA much better.

[Newpunter]

I have been using MMI on a chinese PND for more than a year now. I use MMI maps with Sygic , which has a better interface than the one that comes with MMI devices.

I have used MMI in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh. I have found that MMI maps are very good for Karnataka and most of the cities in India . But the coverage for rural Andhra Pradesh is very bad and misses some of the major roads in the state. But when it comes to Karnataka, the maps are pretty accurate for even far off areas. I relied almost completely on MMI for my Belure-Halebidu-Chikmagalur trip last year. Also, when I visited Hyderabad last month, if not for MMI, I would have been completely lost as I don't know many routes in Hyderabad. But thanks to MMI, I didn't have to ask anyone for directions even once.

[aks_karthik]

I have used my MMI LX130 very often in all my journey especially in Bangalore and Vijayawada.
It's very accurate and re-Route in less than half a minute which is very handy for me in unknown region.
I am enjoying using it as real speedometer in known routes.

[crackparag]

Thanks Kirantp.

This review couldn't have come at a better time for me. I was planning to buy one since I got the demo on 13th August. Was quite impressed with the demo. Will call up this guy and get the VX-140 straightaway now.

Cheers!

[kirantp]

Originally Posted by crackparag

Thanks Kirantp.

This review couldn't have come at a better time for me. I was planning to buy one since I got the demo on 13th August. Was quite impressed with the demo. Will call up this guy and get the VX-140 straightaway now.

Cheers!

You are welcome mate. Am happy that it has helped in enabling you to go for one. Do let all of us know about your evaluation and review as well.

Happy hunting :-)

[mdsaab]

Originally Posted by mayankjha1806

Thanks a lot @kirantp and @mdsaab. The answers were very helpful. Post the round of thanks i have few more questions (Sorry).

1. You mentioned you bought a CASKA HU, is it different from the monitor that comes by default with the MMI unit that i saw at the dealer.
2. Can the display unit do multiple things like Connect to reverse camera, Can be connected to the DVD player to play videos etc?
3. How much was the total cost of the unit.

I looked at the site and saw a Garmin display among others. Not sure of Caska?

Thanks

If all you want is a navigation device.
Then a PND will do. A decent one will set you back by 10K. Like the MMI VX 140S.
If you want something more than that. Like a DVD player etc. Then a Caska is a good choice. But make sure it is integrated with MMI maps as they are the best in India at the moment.
Or you can buy a Sony, JVC, Pioneer touch screen and add a MMI navi box to enable navigation they cost 20K.
PND has an advantage as you can use it in your other vehicles too. Or use it while walking or travelling without your car.