Several years back I bought a LIVE 1535M TOMTOM for cheap... on sale for $89. It could connect wirelessly to a cell phone and play the incoming call over it's speaker. The reason it was so cheap was that it was a model that would only connect to an ATT cell phone.I never used it for that. I simply used it as a GPS device with the traffic updates every 2 minutes and live services to check for gas stations, price of gas etc.Connecting it to my computer to download "life time" maps and updates was slow and frustrating most of the time.Last week I jumped into the Smart Phone world. Upgraded my old non-internet flip phone to a LG G3 (Sprint) network phone. I've just begun to learn about apps.There is a Google map app that shows me where I am and gives me turn for turn instructions... Next month my TOMTOM Live service comes up for renewal. Is it worth the $60 to renew for another year of "Live Services". Do I even need a GPS navigation device anymore now that I have a smart phone?? IS there a better app that works on an android smart phone that does more than Google Maps??

I still use a dedicated GPS for my personal vehicles. I only use my smartphone GPS as a backup. Or when traveling and renting a vehicle.

I use a Garmin 50 (walmart) daily for work and if it quit I'd rush to the nearest WM to get another one. I could do it on my phone, but it's just not the same as the real GPS. Also, there's a huge difference in a $150 GPS and a cheaper one too.

We have Samsung Smartphones and one thing I've noticed when using the GPS (Google maps), is there is a dely. Often times we are past the intersection when it finally shows exactly where to turn. It's great for straight driving, but once in a town or city, the lag time is very frustrating. And if we are in an unknown new location for us (especially a larger city we are not familiar with), our Iphones are really just too slow. Our TomTom is right dead on, always ahead of time just right. We use TomTom because of this, but also, the GSP mapping on your Iphone or Smartphone will also eat into your data plan ... more than you realize. I suggest using both.

Gps on smartphone doesn't use data if you are using an app like co pilot or here maps. The maps are a one time download on wifi and updates quarterly. This allows gps use when you are out of cellular coverage areas.

IMHO I like having the GPS on the dash 'ON' ALL the time while I am driving which shows my vehicle on it where I am at in real time.Correct me if I am wrong or there is an 'app for that' but I have not seen an interactive map program for a smart phone.Leaving a smart phone on the entire time you are driving would be data use/cost prohibitive. And then you have to figure out how to mount it so you can see it, switch to get calls etc.Don't know what a "live" gps service is that you mentioned. Unless you mean paying for live traffic reports?I bought a TomTom in 2006 still using it and I don't pay for anything on it. It's also speech to text. So I just tell it where I want to go. So I don't have to pull over to type in to change designations etc.

Now that I have a smart phone..do I even need a GPS device?

1492
Moderator
Nov 20, 2015
I still use a dedicated GPS for my personal vehicles. I only use my smartphone GPS as a backup. Or when traveling and renting a vehicle.
Gulfcoast
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
I use a Garmin 50 (walmart) daily for work and if it quit I'd rush to the nearest WM to get another one. I could do it on my phone, but it's just not the same as the real GPS. Also, there's a huge difference in a $150 GPS and a cheaper one too.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
We have Samsung Smartphones and one thing I've noticed when using the GPS (Google maps), is there is a dely. Often times we are past the intersection when it finally shows exactly where to turn. It's great for straight driving, but once in a town or city, the lag time is very frustrating. And if we are in an unknown new location for us (especially a larger city we are not familiar with), our Iphones are really just too slow. Our TomTom is right dead on, always ahead of time just right. We use TomTom because of this, but also, the GSP mapping on your Iphone or Smartphone will also eat into your data plan ... more than you realize. I suggest using both.
Paul_Clancy
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
Gps on smartphone doesn't use data if you are using an app like co pilot or here maps. The maps are a one time download on wifi and updates quarterly. This allows gps use when you are out of cellular coverage areas.
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
IMHO I like having the GPS on the dash 'ON' ALL the time while I am driving which shows my vehicle on it where I am at in real time.

Correct me if I am wrong or there is an 'app for that' but I have not seen an interactive map program for a smart phone.

Leaving a smart phone on the entire time you are driving would be data use/cost prohibitive. And then you have to figure out how to mount it so you can see it, switch to get calls etc.

Don't know what a "live" gps service is that you mentioned. Unless you mean paying for live traffic reports?

I bought a TomTom in 2006 still using it and I don't pay for anything on it. It's also speech to text. So I just tell it where I want to go. So I don't have to pull over to type in to change designations etc.
Grandpere
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
There is no good app on a smart phone that will replace a dedicated GPS. Personally I would not be using TomTom either, Garmin Nuvi is one of the most accurate and has lifetime free map updates. Take the $60 add $90 to it and get a Garmin and you will be much better off in the long run. As 1492 said, the cell phone app is a backup and as all have said, it is far from accurate, mine has led me down the wrong path many a time so I do not trust it.
gbopp
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
Some people can't go to the bathroom without their smart phone.
I still prefer paper maps and a dedicated GPS. I think it works better.

And, the camera in the phone is convenient but, I use a dedicated camera if I plan on taking pictures.

It's just a personal choice.
msgtord
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
Traveling in Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico you will find several areas with no cell coverage. I have a Garmin, Co Pilot on my cell and an Atlas.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
$60 for live services? paid for my Garmin once, free updates for life?
bumpy
Lantley
Nomad
Nov 20, 2015
Smartphones can be use as a GPS however there are are few issues to be concerned with.
Use an app like Co Pilot that does not require cell service to work.
Phone screens are small compared to my 7" GPS.
Beware you just might get a phone call at the same moment the GPS is telling you to turn!

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Now that I have a smart phone..do I even need a GPS device?

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