I-Phone 3GS ++ Navigating Software

stephendean · #1 23rd August 2009, 08:06 AM

I have recently acquired a new I-Phone. The first Apple product I have owned. One of the reasons that I got this phone was the idea of putting on software that would use the gps functionality. The phone is a pretty neat piece of kit. Great display. The built accelerometers help with game play and some of the gps functions.
The first gps software I installed was Motion-X GPS. This is a gps tracking software app. You can basicly record your tracks as you go and add waypoints and photos as you go. Once you have saved a track you can share it by Twitter, Facebook and/or email. You can open the tracks in Google maps. It also shares it as a gpx and kmz format. GPX stands for GPS Exchange Format and is used to transfer GPS data between many GPS devices and applications. I will later on put up some tracks if you want. Just let me know.
The next one that I have installed is Geocaching which works with the Geocaching website. This does require access to a 3G phone service to get data, but you can save caches that you would be interested in finding. You would does this were you would have a good phone signal or wifi connection. Then you can go where there is no phone signal and still find these caches. This is a really neat application.
The last one that I have installed is Sygig Mobile Maps 2009, now this is a turn by turn navigation software ,much like Tom-Tom or Navman. It is a pretty reasonable package and so far I have had no real problems with it. It does show the usual stuff when navigating, one nice touch is the speed alerts. You can have a 3d view or a 2d view. It does allow you to rehearse the route and it does give several travel options such as fastest, quickest, shortest route. Of course TomTom have just released a I-Phone app. But most of them use the same map info and just package in different ways. On the whole I am happy with this package as it gets me to where I want. Then I can use the other 2 packages for the fun stuff.

Bumper · #2 12th September 2009, 05:58 AM

Hi Stephendean, and all ORS friends,

I've been out of touch with ORS for a while due to circumstances...

I just bought an iPhone too and installed Mobile Maps yesterday. Yup, it seems pretty damn fine so far and locks on to satellites a LOT quicker than my HP. Do you (or one of our GPS Wunderkind) have any idea how it may be possible to get topo maps on to the iPhone? I know they have them for the UK and US, but it will probably be up to users to do something for OZ.

I'm astounded at the technology in this phone, it does so many amazing things, and even makes phone calls

benwarn · #3 15th September 2009, 01:55 AM

google maps will give u a sat image

just_bj · #4 17th September 2009, 04:43 PM

hi Kerri

good to see you're back

Brian

Bumper · #5 29th September 2009, 03:43 AM

Thanks Brian! Been drifting in and out a bit recently. Seems I'm never home long enough to catch up with the forums now, and every time there's a trip... I'm working! It'd be great to catch up with you both sometime eh?

ForesterGump · #6 19th February 2011, 09:42 AM

I know I am bringing up an old thread here, but I was wondering if anybody has experimented any more with the iPhone and GPS, particulary with offroading GPS. I have noticed there are some pretty expensive Apps out there now - and I must admit I really dont think i would want to purchase one just yet, but just wondering about other guys experiences???

stephendean · #7 20th February 2011, 06:34 AM

I have not tried any of the off-road apps, actually did not realise there were any. I am using Mobile Maps - which is rather average now. I have heard the Tom Tom software is pretty good. I also use MotionX GPS, this is pretty cool. You can record tracks and waypoints. You then can return to where you started when you get lost.I use it in the car. The problem with the iPhone's is the GPS antenna and the related electronics do drain the battery. So I would not recommend for long hiking trips, but for car with it plugged into a charger it is a goer. I am hoping the Windows phone 7 software/phone will have a GPS app. The phone feels and operates really well. I am looking to changing over to a Windows phone as soon as my iPhone contract runs out.

ForesterGump · #8 20th February 2011, 10:47 PM

I actually tried the MotionX GPS yesterday on a trip. As you said stephendean, it does drain the battery pretty quick - which I wasnt concerned with as i did have a charger that plugs into the cigerette lighter....but as soon as it starts charging I lost GPS coverage!
It seemed not bad, but I wasnt overly impressed.

stephendean · #9 22nd February 2011, 06:24 AM

Mine happierly retains GPS coverage while charging and I also like the ability to upload tracks to Google Maps.

ForesterGump · #10 22nd February 2011, 06:53 AM

My charger is one of those ones that plugs into the cigerette lighter, then also acts as an fm transmitter to allow you to play your ipod music through the car stereo - I think that that had something to do with it!!