Best GPS Device in India

[Gurrala74]

It is my Samsung galaxy tab 2 P3100, in which I downloaded maps of entire karnataka region, GPRS is only used at the time of search once you fixed destination it wont consume data.

I soon Gonna buy samsung Grand which supports multi window so your navigation stay on top always

@sethu and Appu, Sethu is looking for low cost tablet and Im sure that no other tab except Galaxy TAB2 comes with voice call option which is not cheap, so no worries even if navigator pushed to back ground which continues to guide through its voice.


Flexibility here is you can download sygin+map my india for 1000/- from google play.

With Google Maps searching any destination is very easy compared to offline maps.

Since you are using quite some time, can you tell me what is the disadvantage with offline maps like Nokia drive on Lumia as we can use these without paying any extra money once they are downloaded

 

[MrRanger]

Since you are using quite some time, can you tell me what is the disadvantage with offline maps like Nokia drive on Lumia as we can use these without paying any extra money once they are downloaded

I never said offline maps are bad but as per as I know you have to pay for map downloading fee(correct me if im wrong), One big advantage of Google maps is you no need to update maps manually, every time you get fresh snapshot of maps directly from satellite.
Most importantly Google search engine is very good compared to offline maps infact searching of destination in Gmaps is quite intelligent and suggest you many number of possibilities.

 

[Gurrala74]

I never said offline maps are bad but as per as I know you have to pay for map downloading fee(correct me if im wrong), One big advantage of Google maps is you no need to update maps manually, every time you get fresh snapshot of maps directly from satellite.
Most importantly Google search engine is very good compared to offline maps infact searching of destination in Gmaps is quite intelligent and suggest you many number of possibilities.

Hmm, I really do not know much about this feature, hence I wanted to learn from you. So your explanation really put me in a fix now whether to go for Windows phone or Android phone

 

[MrRanger]

Hmm, I really do not know much about this feature, hence I wanted to learn from you. So your explanation really put me in a fix now whether to go for Windows phone or Android phone

Nokia maps are really good but in android you have more flexibility I mean you can use both online offline maps and there are so many good map application you can download and use.

Options:
1; Standard Google Maps=> still you can make this app available for offline too, google let you save around 6 tiles of maps which can cover entire AP state of yours, data connection is only needed at the time of search, once you selected destination map will work without data.

2; 3rd party Applications=> you have TOM TOM available through sygin and also you can download sygin+mapmyindia for just 1k rupees on the same device. like wise you have many apps even you can share your location with your friends so your friends finds you easily.

3; same Tab or Phone can be used as infotainment system of your car by connecting your tab/phone audio jack to AUX port of your music system, now your tab serves as full HD display+GPS+MUSIC SYSTEM+MOVIE SCREEN

4; Using GPS a application called mojostreet guides you to nearest places of your interest example pubs bars, shopping, hotels ect likewise I have freedom to use it in the way I wanted

 

[Indian]

Offline maps: You basically have to install an application and the maps package. Sygic Navigation(what i use), it uses the maps from map my India. I have been using it for 2 years now. And its excellent. Yes the problem with offline maps are they are not always uptodate(comparing to google maps). But sygic now does integrate to google location search. So basically you are searching for location on google and navigating on offline maps. Goodies from both worlds. Offline maps are completely free once purchased. Generally offline maps functions very fast as everything is ready nothing to download. But there is a initial cost Sygic for india would cost about 1400rs in android market.

Online maps: Depends on internet(preferably 3g) to work. Yes now you can also save the maps to your device so that offline navigation can be done. The UI for the google maps are not sophisticated as that of Sygic or any offline mapping software. But online maps are almost uptodate with info. I use google maps for in situations where I can not find a location on my Sygic.

If i am planning a trip I usually do a research on the google maps first and then locate my point of interest. Then get the GPS coordinates from google maps, enter it to my Sygic as a location and save it. Once saved while in travel I don't depend on Google maps.

I have been using GPS navigation for about 10 years now, and I think that should be a part of any traveler. I also feel that you should have this facility on your phone or device which you carry everywhere. I never used in-car navigation system as you will have to be bound to your car. Also I feel one should not go for just a dedicated navigation system as now this device just does navigation only. Rather go for a high end mobile phone and have everything in your pocket. You dont know when you need GPS! Sygic also gives you directions on 'walking mode' which will help you in city travel on foot.

So in summary you need to have both to fulfill all the needs.
I am using samsung galaxy s2 with sygic and google maps.

 

[Gurrala74]

Offline maps: You basically have to install an application and the maps package. Sygic Navigation(what i use), it uses the maps from map my India. I have been using it for 2 years now. And its excellent. Yes the problem with offline maps are they are not always uptodate(comparing to google maps). But sygic now does integrate to google location search. So basically you are searching for location on google and navigating on offline maps. Goodies from both worlds. Offline maps are completely free once purchased. Generally offline maps functions very fast as everything is ready nothing to download. But there is a initial cost Sygic for india would cost about 1400rs in android market.

Online maps: Depends on internet(preferably 3g) to work. Yes now you can also save the maps to your device so that offline navigation can be done. The UI for the google maps are not sophisticated as that of Sygic or any offline mapping software. But online maps are almost uptodate with info. I use google maps for in situations where I can not find a location on my Sygic.

If i am planning a trip I usually do a research on the google maps first and then locate my point of interest. Then get the GPS coordinates from google maps, enter it to my Sygic as a location and save it. Once saved while in travel I don't depend on Google maps.

I have been using GPS navigation for about 10 years now, and I think that should be a part of any traveler. I also feel that you should have this facility on your phone or device which you carry everywhere. I never used in-car navigation system as you will have to be bound to your car. Also I feel one should not go for just a dedicated navigation system as now this device just does navigation only. Rather go for a high end mobile phone and have everything in your pocket. You dont know when you need GPS! Sygic also gives you directions on 'walking mode' which will help you in city travel on foot.

So in summary you need to have both to fulfill all the needs.
I am using samsung galaxy s2 with sygic and google maps.

If S2 comes with free google maps I hope, then what is the need of Sygic here.

How about Nokia maps on Lumia ??

 

[Indian]

If S2 comes with free google maps I hope, then what is the need of Sygic here.

How about Nokia maps on Lumia ??

Regarding the first question, as I said earlier, the user interface for offline navigation will be huge difference. The performance in terms of response from the application will be great compared to online maps. The POI(point of interest) search ability will be great. Online maps have issue of not responding instantaneously, for e.g while at a busy intersection suddenly it might be disoriented and does not know which direction you are heading(probably because it has to keep downloading the maps as you navigate). Also your GPRS(Data) connection can break because you are getting a call, or a SMS. So for serious driving you MUST have offline maps.
Yes I use both, 90% Sygic and 10% Google for any travel.

Nokia maps, they are again offline maps. I have not used it. But I think they are also good. They have driving and walking mode. If you are planning to buy a new phone, then I suggest you give this a priority to check if the device your are planning is capable of running the gps offline mapping software. Nokia maps are free I believe.

Let me know if you have questions.

 

[Gurrala74]

Regarding the first question, as I said earlier, the user interface for offline navigation will be huge difference. The performance in terms of response from the application will be great compared to online maps. The POI(point of interest) search ability will be great. Online maps have issue of not responding instantaneously, for e.g while at a busy intersection suddenly it might be disoriented and does not know which direction you are heading(probably because it has to keep downloading the maps as you navigate). Also your GPRS(Data) connection can break because you are getting a call, or a SMS. So for serious driving you MUST have offline maps.
Yes I use both, 90% Sygic and 10% Google for any travel.

Nokia maps, they are again offline maps. I have not used it. But I think they are also good. They have driving and walking mode. If you are planning to buy a new phone, then I suggest you give this a priority to check if the device your are planning is capable of running the gps offline mapping software. Nokia maps are free I believe.

Let me know if you have questions.

Thanks for the answers friend. I am looking to buy a new mobile with GPS, but not very keen on lot of applications and looking for MS office for my business use. So I found Nokia lumia 620 is more suitable for me, so you can comment on the same. but that discussion will become OT here, hence there is a thread for Android Vs windows and also one more of my own looking to buy a phone of Rs.10000/- you can explain the answers there

Thanks in advance

 

[MrRanger]

If S2 comes with free google maps I hope, then what is the need of Sygic here.

How about Nokia maps on Lumia ??

I use Airtel 98 2G internet pack and it is more than enough for Google maps,
I travelled in almost all type of location some time you may not find mobile network in some areas(which is very rare now) in that time sygin may help but sygin location search is not efficient as google.

Google is a god in searching loctions, once google finds destination location you can select navigator type either google navigator of Sygin, both works good but if network is available in all location you are travelling then I suggest you to use google maps only, since this maps are very UPTO date even it reports closed routes and new routes, you also get traffic layer which is more helpful in city drive.


regarding Nokia maps I have no issue which very good too but as I mentioned in my previous post that the flexiblity is the issue with nokia and map specific device

Regarding the first question, as I said earlier, the user interface for offline navigation will be huge difference. The performance in terms of response from the application will be great compared to online maps. The POI(point of interest) search ability will be great. Online maps have issue of not responding instantaneously, for e.g while at a busy intersection suddenly it might be disoriented and does not know which direction you are heading(probably because it has to keep downloading the maps as you navigate). Also your GPRS(Data) connection can break because you are getting a call, or a SMS. So for serious driving you MUST have offline maps.
Yes I use both, 90% Sygic and 10% Google for any travel.

Nokia maps, they are again offline maps. I have not used it. But I think they are also good. They have driving and walking mode. If you are planning to buy a new phone, then I suggest you give this a priority to check if the device your are planning is capable of running the gps offline mapping software. Nokia maps are free I believe.

Let me know if you have questions.

whenever you have data connection available you better go for online maps, please find my snapshot of Google navigation in different layers, dont you think this UI is far better than map my india UI? I found Online maps with pre downloaded maps tiles are faster in searching destination compared to sygin offline or map my india.


Turn by turn map guide of google is very smooth compared to sygin and you can have different opinion too.

 

[Gurrala74]

Mr.Ranger

I use the same 98 2G pack on my Airtel at present. I use google maps on my mobile to find out where I am and to see the directions to destination. But it is not Android and Bada OS so it is slow and there is no voice assist also and the screen size is small in my mobile. I cannot load TAI apps and also I cannot reply on TAI. These are the problems in my present mobile and I would like to go for a better one now which has atleast 1ghz processor which is required for reasonable speed.

 

[Indian]

Thanks for the answers friend. I am looking to buy a new mobile with GPS, but not very keen on lot of applications and looking for MS office for my business use. So I found Nokia lumia 620 is more suitable for me, so you can comment on the same. but that discussion will become OT here, hence there is a thread for Android Vs windows and also one more of my own looking to buy a phone of Rs.10000/- you can explain the answers there

Thanks in advance

Your welcome Gurrala, Dont want to go OT here, will reply wrt the relevance in this thread...
When buying a new phone with intention to use for navigation(offline maps) you need to make sure the phone can handle it. Ofcourse google maps is light weight and will work on almost any device. Checked the specs of Lunina and since it has built in Nokia Offline maps, GPS and A-GPS you should not have any issues. Yes if you are heavily dependent on MS-Office then yes WM is the go.

OT: Other thread you mentioned I have seen it and its mostly against android, so did not participate.

 

[Gurrala74]

Your welcome Gurrala, Dont want to go OT here, will reply wrt the relevance in this thread...
When buying a new phone with intention to use for navigation(offline maps) you need to make sure the phone can handle it. Ofcourse google maps is light weight and will work on almost any device. Checked the specs of Lunina and since it has built in Nokia Offline maps, GPS and A-GPS you should not have any issues. Yes if you are heavily dependent on MS-Office then yes WM is the go.

OT: Other thread you mentioned I have seen it and its mostly against android, so did not participate.

Thank you for your kind answer Indian. I am sorry if that other thread is against android, but I am not against anything Android or windows and even now I am not made up mind for only Lumia or windows, so you are open to suggest me anything on my thread http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...464-suggest-new-android-phone-around-10k.html

 

[Indian]

I use Airtel 98 2G internet pack and it is more than enough for Google maps,
I travelled in almost all type of location some time you may not find mobile network in some areas(which is very rare now) in that time sygin may help but sygin location search is not efficient as google.

Google is a god in searching loctions, once google finds destination location you can select navigator type either google navigator of Sygin, both works good but if network is available in all location you are travelling then I suggest you to use google maps only, since this maps are very UPTO date even it reports closed routes and new routes, you also get traffic layer which is more helpful in city drive.


regarding Nokia maps I have no issue which very good too but as I mentioned in my previous post that the flexiblity is the issue with nokia and map specific device



whenever you have data connection available you better go for online maps, please find my snapshot of Google navigation in different layers, dont you think this UI is far better than map my india UI? I found Online maps with pre downloaded maps tiles are faster in searching destination compared to sygin offline or map my india.


Turn by turn map guide of google is very smooth compared to sygin and you can have different opinion too.

MrRanger, agree with you on most of the stuff you said. But its again personal thing. I think all depends on what type of information you are searching. If you are always searching for locations based on address etc on the fly yes google is the go. On the other hand you prepare most of the destinations pre-planned like a holiday planning, then i prefer offline mapping.

Also I don't agree with the thing that 'everywhere 2g is available', it depends where you live and travel. If you are in the local mobile circle or not. Costs of mobile data on roaming etc. What if you travel to interior where there is not even a mobile connection? I have traveled to real interiors where there is nothing available.

On the other hand I agree on the googles search capabilites, I am a fan of google. That's what I said 10% on google and this 10% is 'very crucial' or emergency/unplanned kind of searches . Eg. in my last trip to Mysore, my daughter wanted to have lunch at KFC, unfortunately I could not find it on my Sygic, but then google found and navigated me.

 

[MrRanger]

MrRanger, agree with you on most of the stuff you said. But its again personal thing. I think all depends on what type of information you are searching. If you are always searching for locations based on address etc on the fly yes google is the go. On the other hand you prepare most of the destinations pre-planned like a holiday planning, then i prefer offline mapping.

Yes its upto personal choice I agreed, you mean you pre-plan every thing and you save or star the locations before the trip? I guess this is best option for pre planned locations.
But buddy in my last Goa trip we had no plan just Goa was our plan at that time my Xperia Neo V served better and I really found it helpful but by that time google had no offline option but still 2g data did magic for me.

I do like offline maps when there is no help of mobile data thanks to offline maps.

Also I don't agree with the thing that 'everywhere 2g is available', it depends where you live and travel. If you are in the local mobile circle or not. Costs of mobile data on roaming etc. What if you travel to interior where there is not even a mobile connection? I have traveled to real interiors where there is nothing available.

Buddy 2g data roaming is free all over india, I was using my delhi sim in my phone and I travelled in Karnataka, goa and some parts of keralla few places of tamilnadu. 2g data is roaming free.

I even said that we may expect some places where you dont find network but thanks to Google which allows me to pin point the places I want to visit also keeps track of your recent visits.

I tried sygin+map my india for some time on my tab but sygin takes lots of time to search places and some time returns NULL for our search, suggest me if there are any good ways to search on sygin.

On the other hand I agree on the googles search capabilites, I am a fan of google. That's what I said 10% on google and this 10% is 'very crucial' or emergency/unplanned kind of searches . Eg. in my last trip to Mysore, my daughter wanted to have lunch at KFC, unfortunately I could not find it on my Sygic, but then google found and navigated me.

Please try mojostreet on your android let me know if it is usefull for such search. this will let you search what ever it is near to you, infact it suggest you near by places by default.

 

[dharmesh]

I have always used my wife's Android mobile and google maps for the navigation. WHen we enter the route, the map application creates the route accessing the internet and once the route have been created, then it does not requires the internet. Only GPS is required. We have used it in the places where network was zero but still application was showing the route properly.