Quote:
Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR Hope the answers to following questions will add more value to the thread:-
1. We have phones with GPS built in. So what are those GPS receivers for? (there is a bluetooth GPS receiver for sale in the classifieds section); but that thing does not have any screed. ???????
2. Looks like we need software to view the maps, even for GPS enabled phones. At least for some phones.
3. Looks like maps are available only at a price. Are all maps compatible with all software? What are the compatibility issues between the phone / software / maps?
4. What other devices are available. Means something like a dedicated GPS receiver with a screen?
Has anybody tried this :- http :// www. openstreetmap. org/ (remove the white spaces - added them to prevent link parsing). Looks like that if we are not satisfied, we can actually feed in information to improve the site - I cannot parse much of the info there. |
1) Phones with GPS built-in can act as standalone GPS devices. Buy a set of maps, load them on the phone and you're set to go. For a Nokia device, the Maps software is preloaded (Nokia Maps). Buy the map for the area you want and you're set. But practically, I don't think you get Nokia Maps for all of India yet.
You can buy aftermarket GPS software & load it on your GPS phone. Then buy the maps for the areas you want (usually from the same provider) and load them on the software. I use mapmyindia's iNavLoaded (bundle of SW & maps) on my Nokia E90. This setup keeps the maps in the memory (offline), so I can still navigate without GPRS (not all places have enough connectivity). For a short while (5 days) I used mapmyindia's iNavConnect (which was quite fine). Here, just the SW is on your phone. The Maps are dynamically downloaded through GPRS as and when the need arises, tile by tile. For this, cellular connectivty, GPRS/EDGE facility, and an unlimited GPRS package are a must.
GPS phones can also use Google Maps. Quite nice, except that you can't plan routes (I think) and you don't get turn-by-turn voice prompts. Also the maps aren't very detailed. Google Maps is free.
A
separate GPS receiver is useful in the case of compatible phone
without built-in GPS. A friend uses a Nokia E61i (that does not have built-in GPS) with a Holux GPS receiver (paired to the phone via Bluetooth). The Receiver provides the GPS info, while the rest of the stuff (including the display) is on the phone. If your phone has GPS built-in, you don;t need a separate GPS receiver. Generally a separate GPS receiver has better reception and locks on to the satellites quicker (wayyyyy quicker).
2). I think most of the answer to the 2nd point is in my answer to point 1. In the case of a Nokia Phone, "Nokia Maps" SW comes with the phone. You'll need to buy and download area specific maps separately. Some providers work on a subscription basis (Nokia does too, as far as I know). For example Mapmyindia used to charge 1100/- for 6 months.
About the SW, if you want to use a 3rd party provider's (a provider other than Nokia) you wil need separate SW. In most cases, the SW is literaly free (costs next to nothing), and you'll need to pay for the maps.
3) Yep, Maps need to be bought separately (if you plan to use offline maps, i.e. maps loaded in the phone memory). If you use a GPRS-based GPS setup, you buy a
subscription (for a period of time), and not the maps per se. I don't think maps from one provider are compatible with the SW of another provider.
4) There are quite a few devices available. Mapmyindia & SatNav India seem to be the best known providers in India.
I'm not too familiar with the external GPS setup -- I'm just using the GPS in my E90 for kicks. I rarely drive outside the city, so for me the GPS is mostly just for fun
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But I guess there might come a time when I need to find my way through an unfamiliar place, and maybe then the GPS will help me.
I'm sure I've just touched the surface with my answers here -- I don't have much experience with GPS (well, almost zero experience), so I hope we'll get better info here
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