Advice Wanted: Different Map Libraries

[Shimon]

Hi,

Newbie question ( I have a few )

What are the best Map libraries.

So far I have found Tele Atlas and Navteq. Are there any other libraries for street navigation in the USA?

If I start with one companies map, can I later buy a different map library?

Thanks

Shimon

[Andy_P]

Afraid it doesn't work like that.
The Mapping companies (and for Europe and the US there are really only those two main players) make the raw mapping data. Each satnav company then takes that data and creates a map for their own devices from it, compressing it and choosing or ignoring various aspects of it to fit in the available storagespace.

So, there's no way you can use a map from say, a Garmin on a Tom Tom, even though they might be both Navteq-based maps.

Most SatNav makers stick to one map supplier. TomTom usually use Tele Atlas, but (for business reasons) have also dabbled with Navteq for the maps for a couple of their models. Those two models can use TomTom maps sourced from both companies, while most TomToms only use TeleAtlas based maps.

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