smartphone vs garmin for example

2e0sja · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 24, 2013 Posts: 2

ok hi all, new to here, hope to find this site useful as u all do.
thinking of buying a gps eg garmin or whatever, but i have a smart phone so is there any diff perhaps some of u experienced guys can help me on this.
hope to here soon
ajs

AliOnHols · Pocket GPS Verifier Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 1940

I would say that it all depends upon what you are going to use your SatNav for. If you envisage lots of long distance driving to unknown places I would say that a dedicated SatNav is worth it's weight in gold. However, if you are mainly going to be driving locally with just the occasional trip further afield I would consider that an app for your smartphone is a good starting point.
You can always buy a SatNav later if you find the app limiting.

EDIT - QED. posted this with my smartphone. It worked, spelling was awful. Editing was a nightmare. A PC would have been easier all round.
_________________
Garmin Nuvi 2599
Android with CamerAlert, OsmAnd+, Waze & TT Europe.
TomTom GO 730, GO 930, GO 940 & Rider2.
SatMap Active 10 & 20.

AliOnHols · Pocket GPS Verifier Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 1940

I would day that it silk depends upon what you are going to use your SatNav for. If you envisage lots of long distance driving to unknown places I would say that a dedicated# is worth it's weight in gold. However, if you are mainly going to be driving mainly locally with just the occasional trip further afield I would consider an app for your smartphone is you starting point.
You can always buy a SatNav later of you find the app limiting.
_________________
Garmin Nuvi 2599
Android with CamerAlert, OsmAnd+, Waze & TT Europe.
TomTom GO 730, GO 930, GO 940 & Rider2.
SatMap Active 10 & 20.

M8TJT · Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 4:52 pm Post subject:

Seems like it posts twice as well Ali Shocked

2e0sja · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 24, 2013 Posts: 2

sorry i didnt be do a explain properly, i meant i love gadgets and may do a bit of geocache or two,,,so also is a dedicated gps much better than an app on a smartphone , i have downloaded gps essentials to phone,which seems quite good, i also use aprs as i am a ham radio user,but use the 3g network for that
cheers ajs

tonygamble · Regular Visitor Joined: Jan 23, 2007 Posts: 186

I've done a lot of research as I have a Garmin Nuvi and also an Android phone and an Android tablet.

I've ended up with Navigon and Sygic on the Androids and I currently prefer Navigon.

However - the big make or break in my view is how visible the Android screen is in daylight.

In my car the tablet was fine as long as my wife was not in the passenger seat and causing a reflection. A matte screen cover solved this problem.

But I really struggle seeing Navigon on my Samsung S4 phone even with a matte covering.

Garmin is more like e-ink (think Kindle as opposed to iPad). You can see it in bright light. I spent some time looking for e-ink Android devices with built in GPS and found nothing.

So, Navigon and Sygic will get you where you want to go fine on an Android device. Just as well as a dedicated Garmin will do. But whether you can actually see the screen depends entirely on where you intend to use it.

Pocketgps · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 1:14 pm Post subject:

Hello and welcome to the PGPSW forum,

Personally I think a dedicated Sat-Nav is far better than an app.

I must admit that I only have Sygic on my smartphone and a tablet, but it's a nightmare when they update which is quite often, have to download the map and sometimes a new app version which seems to take ages Shocked

Loading poi's is far easier to a dedicated Sat-Nav as well Laughing

MaFt · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 3:30 pm Post subject:

tonygamble · Regular Visitor Joined: Jan 23, 2007 Posts: 186

"but it's a nightmare when they update which is quite often, have to download the map"

Nightmare ?

I'm going to Italy on Wednesday. Yesterday afternoon I put the Italian maps for both Navigon and Sygic on my tablet. It probably took about five minutes a time with an average speed wifi. Not a nightmare scenario in my home.

With regard to the apps my Androids are set to do that in the background when they become available.

Tony

M8TJT · Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:18 pm Post subject:

avarob89 · Spammer Joined: Mar 11, 2016 Posts: 4

Google maps on my Iphone has been more reliable than the Garmin sat nav I used to have.

sussamb · Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2016 7:16 pm Post subject:

I still prefer my Garmin ... horses for courses etc

My phone also has a camera that's fine for the occasional use, but I prefer my camera when doing anything serious Wink

_________________
Where there's a will ... there's a way.

Kremmen · Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2016 7:46 pm Post subject:

I tried my old HTC One m7 with CamerAlert but it used to heat up so much due to the constant GPS I stopped using it. Can't have done it much good as it sometimes was almost too hot to hold after only half an hours use. Other than that it was perfectly OK.

My Garmin 2599 has been faultless.
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Viofo A119 V3

tonygamble · Regular Visitor Joined: Jan 23, 2007 Posts: 186

I am still happy with Navigon on a Samsung 7.7

I have made the map bigger on the Samsung by rooting it and using Xposed to increase the map and instructions.

I'm considering trying the Samsung S2 8 inch tablet as it may be faster. Just a matter of finding one at the right price on eBay.

Tony

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