NavTech map Ireland just as Navman switch to TeleAtlas!

kevmac YTY

Just found this and after hearing how weak the ICN 630 TeleAtlas maps are compared to the Navtech's, I'm now fuming!

From the Irish Times December 3 2003
Putting us on the map
Andrew Hamilton

Mapping Ireland digitally is going to take until the end of 2005 and
according to the company undertaking the task, Navigation Technologies, it is one of the most challenging land areas they have ever experienced.

Navigation Technologies is about to open a new base in Newry, Co Down. From here, teams of field researchers will have the task of expanding the
existing Irish mapping for both the Republic and Northern Ireland and
thereafter to maintaining and updating the Irish database.

Andrew Little, the company's European marketing director, says their data is not just a map. "It offers precise geometry and extraordinary detail about the environment as seen through the eyes of the driver. Each road segment features up to 150 attributes, things like street names, turn restrictions and speed limits, enabling the most precise information."

The Republic part of the island is challenging because there are over 50,000
defined localities for a total population of four million. This compares
with Britain where the Royal Mail defines only 25,000 localities for 54
million people.

The problem is, apparently, that most of the road network was in place
before the famine and mass emigration, meaning more length of road per head than almost anywhere in the EU.

Navigation Technologies cite Co Leitrim, where the roads are based on an
original population of over 155,000. With its dramatically reduced
population today of just over 25,000, there are only 12 inhabitants on every kilometre of road being mapped in the county.

Andrew Little says most of the car manufacturers and importers would like Ireland to be "on the map" in their cars. But he concedes that the high taxation motoring regime here, could make their system an optional extra.
How much extra? He expects from just under €1,000 to €3,000 at the most expensive level.

Navigation Technologies was founded in 1985 in Silicon Valley, California
and their Navtech maps span 40 countries in four continents.

AlfieB · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 7:14 pm Post subject: Navtech's Plans to Map Ireland

Hello Kev

I've just read your comment regarding Navtech and their plans to map Ireland. I think the saying is "Sod's Law" or at least one of them Laws. The problem with all of these things is were Navman aware of Navtech's plans and would it have even made any difference. I suppose the other thing is even if they had stuck with Navtech how long would it have been after the end of 2005 before we could have expected an upgrade Question

It's a bit like buying a new PC today and finding out tomorrow there is a much improved one out for less money. If we had only known!!!, but in saying that I know how you feel.

At present I'm running the new V2 software and my son in law is sticking with V1 although he received his upgrade yesterday. He drives for a living and uses his everyday. I think he is now going to wait a while until we see how things are going to work out.

Regards

AlfieB

skearon · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 2:18 am Post subject:

As a matter of interest what program have people found to have
the best cover of Ireland (both Republic and Northern)?

To date SmartTrip which came with my 3000 Sleeve provides the
best in terms the country's roads, however no go for cities plus lacks
the nice directions and display for SmartST 1

I've found TomTom useless for Ireland, also tried Mapopolis and Destinator 3, however all these programs seem to have the same
maps as SmartST :-(

Dave · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 5:30 am Post subject:

CoPilot Live 5 currently has the very latest NAVTEQ maps and these do show extensive coverage of Ireland now, it's still not complete, there's more work to be done but it's greatly enhanced over the previous map data and to what TeleAtlas is currently providing.

skearon · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 2:32 pm Post subject:

Dave

Thank you for your prompt reply

If you still have the software can I ask if you can check to see if
the following two towns are included (Rathdrum and Wicklow) as no
other package I have seen (except the original SmartTrip) included
them.

Thank you

kartracer · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 5:39 pm Post subject:

I imagine Dave is still at the meet, but I can help you out. Both of the towns appear on the map in CoPilot 5. Wicklow on the R750 and Rathdrum at the junction of the R755 and R752. Very small places with very few side roads marked.
_________________
Kam

skearon · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 5:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks for checking, as I live near Rathdrum it is nice to finally
find a program showing the place exists :-)

If it actually has my small village of Ballinaclash (so small there
is only one pub!) I will be really impressed

kartracer · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 6:26 pm Post subject:

No, it doesn't know Ballinaclash. Autoroute has a location for Ballinaclash but doesn't show any roads going there!
_________________
Kam

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