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

[louiskathy]

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??

[az99]

louiskathy wrote:

az99 wrote:

louiskathy wrote:
Several years back I bought a LIVE 1535M TOMTOM for cheap... on sale for $89.

I have the same POS unit. More than once my wife has grabbed it from me while I was throwing it out the window. The routing of that unit is HORRENDOUS. And yes it is updated.
The other day on a long trip we tried my wife's smartphone GPS app. It successfully got us around Wash DC. Always a failure with the TomTom and my Xcite built in.

I would say the stand alone GPS unit will soon be a memory like the cassette tapes.

Hey AZ99, I just thought of something. Did you know that some of the units that you and I have has a micro SD slot behind the TOMTOM logo....at the BOTTOM edge (not the top where you plug the cord). So you can pull that plastic piece off and see the slot. By installing a micro SD card you will have more room for updates. Your unit might work better for you then.

I ran across this info a year ago or so. The instructions/manual does not say anything about the micro sd card slot. Maybe some units don't have it but mine does.

Thanx but I did know that as I was forced by TomTom to install a new card as the new updates did not fit on the memory. I forgot about that fiasco. 🙂

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

I sometime use Google map instead of Co-pilot on my smartphone and find that the update activity on turns very slow using a data connection. The Co-pilot app with the maps downloaded is much quicker.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

[Paul_Clancy]

Gjac wrote:

Tvov wrote:
So about Co-Pilot... I have the free version, and it kinda stinks. I just made a trip from CT to Maine and back (dropping off daughter at college), and used Google Maps the way up --- and Co-Pilot on the way down.

Google Maps, free, is/was waaaaay better than Co-Pilot. Better screen layout, better information, controls much easier to understand, etc. Just better all around.

So is it the "paid" version of Co-Pilot that everyone loves?

. Yes. I tried the free version first and Google Maps was way better. The paid version of Copilet allows you to input the height of the RV and essentially does the same as the $400 RV specific GPS's for $6.99 or $2.99 if you got in on the Black Friday deal. I still use Google maps in conjunction with Copilot because of the satellite view of where I want to stop for the night.

This brings up a great point. NONE of these apps or devices is perfect or completely reliable on its own. I see many complaints about garmin units from those who follow the "lady" and get lost. Trip planning using several sources is key. Using the phone to call ahead and ask about access - best route etc. Is always the best plan. Then check that route on line - Google street view etc. I just did a search with google maps for hotels near me. Among valid result it showed old motels that had been torn down years ago, apartments that had never been hotels etc. Check and re check.

[Gjac]

Tvov wrote:
So about Co-Pilot... I have the free version, and it kinda stinks. I just made a trip from CT to Maine and back (dropping off daughter at college), and used Google Maps the way up --- and Co-Pilot on the way down.

Google Maps, free, is/was waaaaay better than Co-Pilot. Better screen layout, better information, controls much easier to understand, etc. Just better all around.

So is it the "paid" version of Co-Pilot that everyone loves?

. Yes. I tried the free version first and Google Maps was way better. The paid version of Copilet allows you to input the height of the RV and essentially does the same as the $400 RV specific GPS's for $6.99 or $2.99 if you got in on the Black Friday deal. I still use Google maps in conjunction with Copilot because of the satellite view of where I want to stop for the night.

[crcr]

Bumpyroad wrote:
how large a screen do those smart phones you are talking about have? I mean for a GPS I went from 4.3 inch to 5? inches, to 7 inches since the first were too small. if your smart phone has a 7 inch screen you are basically carrying around a tablet.
bumpy

Note 4 (Android OS): 5.7" screen
I have a holder in both vehicles, so when using Google Maps and GPS, I clamp it in and plug into 12V power. It does everything I need -- haven't had a dedicated GPS for many years.

[Tvov]

So about Co-Pilot... I have the free version, and it kinda stinks. I just made a trip from CT to Maine and back (dropping off daughter at college), and used Google Maps the way up --- and Co-Pilot on the way down.

Google Maps, free, is/was waaaaay better than Co-Pilot. Better screen layout, better information, controls much easier to understand, etc. Just better all around.

So is it the "paid" version of Co-Pilot that everyone loves?

[pyoung47]

1. I would have some serious issues about paying $60.00 per year to use my GPS -- even with enhanced services. I would seriously dump this. Almost any of the modern GPS devices from Garmin will offer free lifetime updates as well as travel info. Look for those with LMT in the model number.
2. I would not want to give up my dedicated GPS, even though I often use my IPHONE/Google to route me to desinations.
3. Since my hearing aids connect via bluetooth with my iphone, the directions from the phone are clearly transmitted to me.
4. Especially on major roads, we usually engage "WAZE." This app can route, display travel information, and allows travelers to communicate with one another. This will use data on your phone, but we have an unlimited data plan, so this is not an issue with us. It allows you to have real time updates on wrecks, policemen, and other issues from other travelers. It's free, by the way.

[jpmihalk]

Paul Clancy wrote:

GoPackGo wrote:
I've been full timing now for 2 years and driven all over the country. I have a dedicated 7 inch RV GPS mounted on the dash. And I also have an Iphone.

Let me first say that I love Google Maps - none better IMHO. And I have occasionally used it's GPS features too. BUT, when I'm pulling my 35 ft fiver down I-75 in traffic and lining up to go through Atlanta, there is just no way that a small phone screen is better then a 7 inch GPS screen.

I need to periodically glance at the screen to get early warning on when my interstate merges and unmerges with other interstates and also to know whether I will be exiting on the left or right side. That is why these things are golden.

I also get lots of other info with that same glance too - current speed and speed limit, current Mile Marker location as well as distance to the next turn, destination ETA, etc. It's all right there on that nice big screen.






The smart phones we have today are really just small computers with a phone capability and that's great. But until I can set one in a cup holder and have it project a heads-up GPS view onto my windshield, I will be sticking with my full-featured, dedicated, large
screen GPS

The garmin HUD would seem to be what you need - projecting eta ,lane to be in , speed and limit , distance to turn , speed camera alerts etc on the windshield in front of you and connected for maps to (wait for it) your smart phone -running garmin mapping software. A better solution for my Rv travel than even a 7 inch garmin.

I second the Garmin HUD as I use it in my 98 Itasca Sunflyer and it keeps everything right in front of me. Probably the only drawback is that it doesn't have specific info for RV size, etc. so it can route you down some ugly roads if you are not careful. It downloads the maps to your smartphone so it doesn't take up data plan bytes unless you choose some of the optional features (traffic, etc.)

[louiskathy]

docj wrote:

louiskathy wrote:
I'm still listening to all input. Who else has chucked their GPS and gone to only using their Smart Phones for navigation?

When driving the car (as distinct from the MH) I exclusively use Google Maps. As others have noted there has been a lot of misinformation in this thread about the use of smartphone GPS.

First of all, anyone who says that it is difficult to get destination information into the phone clearly doesn't know how to use it properly. One of the great benefits of doing GPS with a phone is that all you have to do is do a Google search for your destination--a store, a museum, etc and then touch the resulting listing to begin the navigation process. No typing of address information required. The same is true when using TripAdvisor or Yelp, just touch the listing and begin navigating.

Furthermore, if you use Chrome as your browser on your computer and on your phone, the searches you make using your computer will show up on your phone so all you have to do is go to recent search history and select one of them.

As for real-time traffic updating, all smartphones with Google Maps installed and their location function working are uploading position information into Google all the time (whether you know it or not). Google ends up with far more up-to-the-minute traffic info than is available with the Navtec system that supplies most standalone GPS's. The things it can do for you when traffic is really messed up can be amazing (we've experienced it).

As for the comment that the phone is a slow GPS, all I can think is that you are running on 3G or have a very old underpowered phone. My Galaxy S4 is amazingly fast if I miss a turn and never even has to say "recalculating", it's just ready to keep navigating. Notification of upcoming turns is usually given at least twice in advance and once while at the intersection.

Getting a phone call while navigating can be an issue, but all that's necessary is to reject the call and continue the trip. With our phone being integrated with our car via Bluetooth, all that is necessary is to tap the "call end" switch and it will return to the map display.

IMO the only thing that keeps me from ditching my GPS for the MH is Google Maps' inability to input vehicle size and weight information. So I continue to use my Garmin 465T to ensure that our route is appropriate for a large vehicle.

There was some good info there... and I do use Chrome on both my desktop/tablet and now my cell phone.

We've done a little testing in the last few days and here's the results.
1. We do not like the female voice on the CoPilot. She is not loud enough and she doesn't give the names of the streets to turn on directly ahead.

2. Hubby really likes the map where he can see it... and I like the phone in my hand.

This whole thing saved us the renewal of the Live Services on the TomTom... I realized that we don't need the live services on the TomTom if I have the live services on the CoPilot...and the CoPilot is faster at picking up the traffic info.

[Paul_Clancy]

GoPackGo wrote:
I've been full timing now for 2 years and driven all over the country. I have a dedicated 7 inch RV GPS mounted on the dash. And I also have an Iphone.

Let me first say that I love Google Maps - none better IMHO. And I have occasionally used it's GPS features too. BUT, when I'm pulling my 35 ft fiver down I-75 in traffic and lining up to go through Atlanta, there is just no way that a small phone screen is better then a 7 inch GPS screen.

I need to periodically glance at the screen to get early warning on when my interstate merges and unmerges with other interstates and also to know whether I will be exiting on the left or right side. That is why these things are golden.

I also get lots of other info with that same glance too - current speed and speed limit, current Mile Marker location as well as distance to the next turn, destination ETA, etc. It's all right there on that nice big screen.






The smart phones we have today are really just small computers with a phone capability and that's great. But until I can set one in a cup holder and have it project a heads-up GPS view onto my windshield, I will be sticking with my full-featured, dedicated, large
screen GPS

The garmin HUD would seem to be what you need - projecting eta ,lane to be in , speed and limit , distance to turn , speed camera alerts etc on the windshield in front of you and connected for maps to (wait for it) your smart phone -running garmin mapping software. A better solution for my Rv travel than even a 7 inch garmin.

[deandec]

Sygic uses Tom-Tom mapping for their non broad band GPS app.

If you have more than one smartphone or computer or tablet device you have multiple gps units for the same one-time fee.

[GoPackGo]

I've been full timing now for 2 years and driven all over the country. I have a dedicated 7 inch RV GPS mounted on the dash. And I also have an Iphone.

Let me first say that I love Google Maps - none better IMHO. And I have occasionally used it's GPS features too. BUT, when I'm pulling my 35 ft fiver down I-75 in traffic and lining up to go through Atlanta, there is just no way that a small phone screen is better then a 7 inch GPS screen.

I need to periodically glance at the screen to get early warning on when my interstate merges and unmerges with other interstates and also to know whether I will be exiting on the left or right side. That is why these things are golden.

I also get lots of other info with that same glance too - current speed and speed limit, current Mile Marker location as well as distance to the next turn, destination ETA, etc. It's all right there on that nice big screen.

The smart phones we have today are really just small computers with a phone capability and that's great. But until I can set one in a cup holder and have it project a heads-up GPS view onto my windshield, I will be sticking with my full-featured, dedicated, large screen GPS.

My .02

Tim

[docj]

louiskathy wrote:
I'm still listening to all input. Who else has chucked their GPS and gone to only using their Smart Phones for navigation?

When driving the car (as distinct from the MH) I exclusively use Google Maps. As others have noted there has been a lot of misinformation in this thread about the use of smartphone GPS.

First of all, anyone who says that it is difficult to get destination information into the phone clearly doesn't know how to use it properly. One of the great benefits of doing GPS with a phone is that all you have to do is do a Google search for your destination--a store, a museum, etc and then touch the resulting listing to begin the navigation process. No typing of address information required. The same is true when using TripAdvisor or Yelp, just touch the listing and begin navigating.

Furthermore, if you use Chrome as your browser on your computer and on your phone, the searches you make using your computer will show up on your phone so all you have to do is go to recent search history and select one of them.

As for real-time traffic updating, all smartphones with Google Maps installed and their location function working are uploading position information into Google all the time (whether you know it or not). Google ends up with far more up-to-the-minute traffic info than is available with the Navtec system that supplies most standalone GPS's. The things it can do for you when traffic is really messed up can be amazing (we've experienced it).

As for the comment that the phone is a slow GPS, all I can think is that you are running on 3G or have a very old underpowered phone. My Galaxy S4 is amazingly fast if I miss a turn and never even has to say "recalculating", it's just ready to keep navigating. Notification of upcoming turns is usually given at least twice in advance and once while at the intersection.

Getting a phone call while navigating can be an issue, but all that's necessary is to reject the call and continue the trip. With our phone being integrated with our car via Bluetooth, all that is necessary is to tap the "call end" switch and it will return to the map display.

IMO the only thing that keeps me from ditching my GPS for the MH is Google Maps' inability to input vehicle size and weight information. So I continue to use my Garmin 465T to ensure that our route is appropriate for a large vehicle.

[louiskathy]

az99 wrote:

louiskathy wrote:
Several years back I bought a LIVE 1535M TOMTOM for cheap... on sale for $89.

I have the same POS unit. More than once my wife has grabbed it from me while I was throwing it out the window. The routing of that unit is HORRENDOUS. And yes it is updated.
The other day on a long trip we tried my wife's smartphone GPS app. It successfully got us around Wash DC. Always a failure with the TomTom and my Xcite built in.

I would say the stand alone GPS unit will soon be a memory like the cassette tapes.

Hey AZ99, I just thought of something. Did you know that some of the units that you and I have has a micro SD slot behind the TOMTOM logo....at the BOTTOM edge (not the top where you plug the cord). So you can pull that plastic piece off and see the slot. By installing a micro SD card you will have more room for updates. Your unit might work better for you then.

I ran across this info a year ago or so. The instructions/manual does not say anything about the micro sd card slot. Maybe some units don't have it but mine does.