[gopinathann]

Originally Posted by shyamhegde

Is there any self learning/fuzzy (new routes) option on MMI ? I remember seeing such option on a mapking software (some older edition, do not remember exactly).

The MMI gives the basic stuff and they are accurate. The mapking which came with my HTC mobile had good features but loading itself required more than 13MB which failed most of the time, also the route is not accurate.

[mdsaab]

Originally Posted by sriturl

Apologies first. This question may have been asked many times, but this thread being so long, I might have missed a few things. I tried to read through, but just couldnt understand many things.

Here are a few questions from my side.

1. I am planning to buy a GPS tracking device, and one of the options is to buy it from US, through a friend. Will that work here? I am guessing it should be fine, unless there are a few satellites, which the device is locked into, and doesn't work in India !

2. Is there a significant cost saving in doing so? Ultimately if I decide to get something from US, are there any option to buy something without maps, and just a device and get the maps in India.

thanks in advance.

Just my two bits, The price of a garmin nuvi 215 is approx $150 US maybe you can get it cheaper not sure. Then if you buy MMI maps for garmin it will cost you Rs.7000/- so you are paying around Rs.14,200/- approx for the unit and the maps. Where as MMI is selling the same unit for 14900/- with the maps. So does it not make sense to purchase it directly from them. Also not sure if the warranty is an international one. So if anything goes wrong with the MMI one you can always send it back to them cause you will be covered under their warranty.

[mdsaab]

Originally Posted by shyamhegde

Is there any self learning/fuzzy (new routes) option on MMI ? I remember seeing such option on a mapking software (some older edition, do not remember exactly).

No there is no self learning or fuzzy option in MMI. But what you can do is create a route with waypoints and save it. You can then use this route anytime you like, and you can be sure that the system will take you through those particular roads. It's useful if you know a better route to the office then the one selected by the system.

[sriturl]

Originally Posted by mdsaab

Just my two bits, The price of a garmin nuvi 215 is approx $150 US maybe you can get it cheaper not sure. Then if you buy MMI maps for garmin it will cost you Rs.7000/- so you are paying around Rs.14,200/- approx for the unit and the maps. Where as MMI is selling the same unit for 14900/- with the maps. So does it not make sense to purchase it directly from them. Also not sure if the warranty is an international one. So if anything goes wrong with the MMI one you can always send it back to them cause you will be covered under their warranty.

Thanks, but if I buy a device, can I not install google maps on it? is it not free? Looks like I made some assumptions.

[rajatsingh78]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

That is sad.

With this attitude they are virtually pushing users towards piracy. Local Cell phone repair shops will soon figure out all loopholes and would start installing this software + maps for few hundred rupees.

OTOH most of would like to pay actual price and get proper version. That is if they don't make buying this software impossible.

yes you are right here, I too had an interaction with these guys when I bought their GPS BT receiver (actually a Royaltek BT2200), the receiver is EXCELLENT, it even catches 10-11 satellite signals when I am indoor, but their service sucks, for instance I called them to ask which charger I can use while not driving (they only provided car charger with the device), the fools said that the device can be charged only via provided car charger or else I will have to search in the market myself. Thankfully I have enough grey matter so figured out that the charging pin of the provided car charger was exactly same as my Sony PSP's charger, I also had a USB charger for my Sony PSP, so I could use the same USB cable for charging via 220V home socket to USB converter.

This ignorant attitude of the Indian companies make them very very ages behind the multinationals, better customer service would have been if the customer care rep would have suggested what I found, because many customers might not be so tech savvy.

[Rocky_Balboa]

Using my HTC TD2 with MMI maps, I observed that my phone time gets reset to 05:02 when it takes more than 2-3 mins for a GPS lock. I have this issue inside my office all the time.

Anyone else faced similar issue with the receiver time being reset? I did read from the net that sometimes the receivers time will be reset, if the GPS module cannot get a satellite fix. Never heard it personally though.

[gopinathann]

Originally Posted by mdsaab

No there is no self learning or fuzzy option in MMI. But what you can do is create a route with waypoints and save it. You can then use this route anytime you like, and you can be sure that the system will take you through those particular roads. It's useful if you know a better route to the office then the one selected by the system.

What format does MMI uses for tracking? Is it possible to convert a GPX file to MMI format ?

[trrk]

Hi,

Originally Posted by mdsaab

But what you can do is create a route with waypoints and save it. You can then use this route anytime you like, and you can be sure that the system will take you through those particular roads.

Could you give a little details as how to do this? I somehow have not managed to do this.

My navigator is in action: Leading me home!

Since I have two cars, I have not fixed this permanently and it works quite happily in this location. Even after a couple of weeks of non use, it locked to GPS 30kms from the last place it was used in less than a minute.

Originally Posted by Rocky_Balboa

Using my HTC TD2 with MMI maps, I observed that my phone time gets reset to 05:02 when it takes more than 2-3 mins for a GPS lock. I have this issue inside my office all the time.

With an external GPS receiver, my HTC P3400i has never reset the time so far even when it does not get a lock (like when I try from inside the house).

Originally Posted by gopinathann

What format does MMI uses for tracking? Is it possible to convert a GPX file to MMI format ?

The saved routes show a txt extension. This is one of them:

COUNTRY="India" CITY="Pune" AREA="Maharashtra" STREET="Shivaji Rd (Satara Rd-NH 4)" TYPE="0" PT="73.858058 18.460957" IDPT="55072560 14010041"
COUNTRY="India" CITY="Pune" AREA="Maharashtra" STREET="Kalyani Nagar" POI="Sean" TYPE="0" PT="73.903584 18.547841" IDPT="55106506 14078358"

Loading it with the software loads the route in the map.

[mdsaab]

Originally Posted by trrk

Hi,

Could you give a little details as how to do this? I somehow have not managed to do this.

First select your start point, for example your home. Then select the destination, lets say your office. Now preview the route by clicking on route overview. Now say that the system has selected a route that you are not satisfied with as you know a better one. So again go to menu-find location--find street address-"now type in the street which you want to route through" now after selecting that street, choose the option add a via point. Now the system will recalculate a new route which should pass this street and then head towards your destination. This way you might have to create a few via points to get the exact route you want. Once you are satisfied with this route save it so you can use it again next time. have tried it once or twice and it works ok. Give it a try and let me know if it works for you.

Also you can shuffle or delete any via point you want to. Just click on route and then go to Via points list, and do the needful.

[mdsaab]

Originally Posted by sriturl

Thanks, but if I buy a device, can I not install google maps on it? is it not free? Looks like I made some assumptions.

Generally Google maps are used with a mobile phone. not sure if you can use it with a PND. Maybe you can. But google maps requires a gprs connection, which will result in data costs. I am using a unlimited data plan on my mobile for browsing, mail and google maps, it costs me Rs.900/- a month.

Plus there is no routing on google maps. So it will not give you turn by turn directions with voice guidance. Thats why i went in for a PND. sort of like a one time investment. only charges will be to upgrade maps. Which is quite reasonable, i am told about Rs.400, and that too the choice of upgrading the maps is up to you. so if you don't want to, you can stick with your old maps.

[phamilyman]

I have heard that Satguide now has Garmin maps for 2183 bucks. You can use that with existing devices as well!!

[NetfreakBombay]

That is a cool price. Shooting a query to sales.

So finally we have affordable and legal maps for Garmin in India Software that satguide sells (Destinator) is pathetic in comparison to Garmin. That is at least on Nokia phones.

[trrk]

Hi,

Originally Posted by mdsaab

So again go to menu-find location--find street address-"now type in the street which you want to route through" now after selecting that street, choose the option add a via point. Give it a try and let me know if it works for you.

Thanks. I tried it and it worked. But being a small town streets etc may or are not marked properly. I think I will gradually add more and more junctions and places so that I can make routes of mine for use.

Thanks once again.

[tsk1979]

Google maps have nothing to do with PND/mobile etc., If the software you are running supports google maps, then you are fine. For example I use google maps or OSM maps with oziexplorer.

[mdsaab]

Hey guys got an e-mail from Satguide. They have a new offer going on for friendship day and raksha bandhan. They are selling the Voxtel 3.5" PND for Rs.7000/- and the Mio P360 PDA for Rs.17,500/- which were earlier for Rs.13,299/- and Rs.19,490/- respectively. And if you can use garmin maps on these now. will be quite a good deal.