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ttrus
73 Posts |
 Posted - 07 sept. 2006 : 22:06:29
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I think thats most people's consensus. It's funny how a year ago the mapopolis forum was so upbeat. people were stoked with everything and mapopolis was the pioneer in the industry that was reproving itself over and over again. Now, when Lamar posts something its almost always a reply to one of us flaming the software or the company. My how a year or so can change a company's image.
On a similar note, I certainly hope that Mapopolis doesnt pull a microsoft when it comes to the NF version (meaning they are releasing something before its ready so as to not slip away from dwindling market share). Here's praying that the upcoming release (if there really is one) wont be a step backwards like ND.
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Originally posted by GCSlim
I, for one, won't be purchasing any more maps that have screwed up water/land boundaries. As Mapopolis folk often point out, the maps we have are pretty up-to-date compared with most other applications. I live in a pretty high-growth area and yet I see no need for updated data at this point. Perhaps I'm just lucky.
Updated water/land is the ONLY thing that will get me to buy the NF maps. I do like Mapopolis a lot, but if the water/land issue isn't fixed in NF at least for my area, I'll just continue to use NE until the out-of-date data DOES bug me, then I'll find another program.
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Tony Trus
Dell Axim x50v & Palm 700w
Globalsat BT-338
x50v - ppc2003 version 2
700w - wm2005 palm firmware version 1.10
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todd3835
540 Posts |
Posted - 08 sept. 2006 : 04:22:55
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My lack of satisfaction isn't even the map data per say. My problem is that simple to fix items haven't been addressed in the palm version. Now if there was work being done on the maps, then I understand that. But when I don't see any maps, or even minor things being done, it makes me wonder if i'm being abandoned as a customer.
Now last I checked, there was 1 palm dev with the company. He does the Palm dev, and map generation (us/euro, palm/ppc). There was also SEPERATE dev*s* for the PPC version. So what I'm looking at is, 1 guy that has to make the maps for both sets of devices, AND updates to the palm version. Of which I've seen minor bug fixes for devices coming out. The NavCard was a great idea. It put TomTom and other minor players out in the wind, especially since Mapopolis's CS is top notch. But I'm starting to wonder how much a tradeoff of having superior CS that I pretty much never need, or a product that is more feature rich, doesn't have water issues, but has ****ty CS. Only reason I haven't jumped ship yet is lack of a trial to check it out!
Now, on the other hand, the PPC versions are rolling like thunder. Lamar told me in a email that Palm had talked about releasing 6 *new* treo devices for 2006. I just got an email the other day for a 3rd one (which is just a new version of the 700w, the 700wz, which is for Sprint as opposed to Verizon). So I'm seeing 2 out of 3 releases this year are PPC compared to PalmOS. Yeah, I admit this doesn't look too promising. The fact of the matter is, there's still a large userbase of PalmOS users out there. There's no reason to abandon us, especially if in a business point of view, there's ATLEAST 2 companys out there that recently put out new versions of maps, for PALMOS, that have ALOT more options availible to the users.
So my question is this. Why is it that Mapopolis seems to think that palm users should be abandoned, when 2 other companies just released updated software/maps for palm users?
-Todd |
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Visor Deluxe -> m505 -> m515 -> T|T -> T|3 -> T5 -> Lifedrive -> Axim x51v
2GB SD Card
GlobalSat BT-308 GPS |
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DriveBySignal
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - 08 sept. 2006 : 17:43:40
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I still think Mapopolis is very useable and one of the best GPS navigation softwares available. For seasoned users like many of us, minor annoyances are not a problem (unlike Mapopolis which discusses these openly, most other softwares are not so forthcoming - for example iGuidance v3 still has major routing issues according to the discussion). Pretty UI and 3d would not sway me from Mapopolis for example. However, if it has those + strong routing engine + frequent map updates, then I am not sure. I was driving in San Diego this spring and land-water issue did not bother me at all. I for one would continue to use Mapopolis unless the newer map updates are not happening in a timely fashion. I was driving in the Raleigh area of NC and realized I was off-road most of the time due to the newer roads. Columbus, Ohio is another high growth area that will suffer without newer maps. I'm sure there are countless others.
Of course for new-comers, there are many other UI and useability issues that will be a big deterrant against Mapopolis (I discussed this in the "Future of Mapopolis" forum). What is needed is a long term vision taking into account the newer realities. Hope it happens. |
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todd3835
540 Posts |
Posted - 09 sept. 2006 : 15:18:09
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Don't get me wrong, I'd love to stay with mapopolis, but as a PalmOS user, unless things change, I just can't stay. As for maps, TomTom released thier Navigator 6. I don't know for sure that the maps are newer, but I can't imagine they aren't. But more importantly, there's more features, and customization of maps. I had checked it out in the past, and there was the option of generating what areas you wanted to install to the device, and how much data (POI's or no POI's, etc). Join that with the more advanced features, and the proof that they still update the core engine of the program, and It's making me into a believer. They command a HUGE amount of the PND (Personal Navigation Device) in Europe, and they are increasingly taking more of the US market, and your talking about one hell of a rival. For the PPC, if I had one, Mapopolis is still a contender. The features are mostly the same, but Mapopolis has more frequent engine updates, better support, and maps get released about once a year or so, which TomTom does also. So then it comes down to, do you care about the support, or do you care more about such things as 3d nav, and other things TomTom has, that Mapopolis doesn't. But for palm users, it's getting more and more of a clear cut decision. It's features vs. support in that arena.....
-Todd |
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Visor Deluxe -> m505 -> m515 -> T|T -> T|3 -> T5 -> Lifedrive -> Axim x51v
2GB SD Card
GlobalSat BT-308 GPS |
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Lucien
60 Posts |
Posted - 16 sept. 2006 : 04:10:40
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I just had a chance today to try TomTom6 on an X51V with US maps.
And I have to say I'm not impressed at all. The cards are horribly outdated. I live in WA and it didn't show a 3 year old main street in my neighboorhood. The 'old' mapopolis maps do show them.
There are also many POI's missing (didn't see any grocery stores and streets around them in my neighborhood)).
Also the 3d view doesn't show much detail (I didn't see a way to configure them), and the screen refresh is lower.
On the plus side the interface is better. You have nice big buttons everywhere to enter an address. That should certainly be easy to fix in Mapopolis... That you can't enter a city name directly in mapopolis still sucks big time.
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Edited by - Lucien on 16 sept. 2006 04:11:12 |
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sfhub
156 Posts |
Posted - 16 sept. 2006 : 05:01:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucien
That you can't enter a city name directly in mapopolis still sucks big time.
You mean any arbitrary city on the continent or just for the maps you have loaded? I usually just use the popup list of cities to narrow the street search if necessary and it works fine, but only for maps I have loaded, which happen to be the same set for 95% of my driving.
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todd3835
540 Posts |
Posted - 16 sept. 2006 : 05:38:01
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I wish I could borrow your tomtom maps lol. Anyways, I found out later that TomTom doesn't use Navteq, they use TeleAtlas, which imho is far inferior. I had found maps put out by someone else though (and software of course). Forget who offhand, but maybe I'll see if they have a demo/trial.....
As for 3d, I've been using mapopolis without it since I'm using the NavCard. So I wouldn't miss it. I'm mostly looking for a more feature rich application to be honest. And I don't want to buy a WM device to get it..... |
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Visor Deluxe -> m505 -> m515 -> T|T -> T|3 -> T5 -> Lifedrive -> Axim x51v
2GB SD Card
GlobalSat BT-308 GPS |
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chris123
United Kingdom
32 Posts |
Posted - 16 sept. 2006 : 09:46:39
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quote:
Originally posted by sfhub
quote:
Originally posted by Lucien
That you can't enter a city name directly in mapopolis still sucks big time.
You mean any arbitrary city on the continent or just for the maps you have loaded? I usually just use the popup list of cities to narrow the street search if necessary and it works fine, but only for maps I have loaded, which happen to be the same set for 95% of my driving.
I think Lucien means that for maps he has open he wants a text field so he can type the city name in with 'type ahead', as per street names, rather than having to scroll through the popup list. It's something I posted on my wishlist ages ago, and TBH I can't see why it doesn't do it when the other address entry fields do.
Chris |
Mio 168
Mapopolis 4.71.03
Memory Map Discoverer |
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sfhub
156 Posts |
Posted - 16 sept. 2006 : 19:27:02
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quote:
Originally posted by chris123
I think Lucien means that for maps he has open he wants a text field so he can type the city name in with 'type ahead', as per street names, rather than having to scroll through the popup list. It's something I posted on my wishlist ages ago, and TBH I can't see why it doesn't do it when the other address entry fields do.
I understand the functionality you are describing but I think it is a matter of preference. In my experience the popup is very easy to use and it scrolls very fast so I don't have any problems with it. If it were to improve, I would rather the city popup list be filtered to just the matched cities for the address entered, than forcing me to type the city.
I only care about entering the city if there is more than one street match, and if there is, usually it less than 3 cities, in which case the popup is just as easy to use.
For example if I try to search for atlantic, and it displays the >1 symbol, the popup list should just contain cities A, D, F, which atlantic can be found in.
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todd3835
540 Posts |
Posted - 16 sept. 2006 : 19:52:04
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That works great untill you want something like Main St, or Library Ave, or something like that. Any town with more than 2000 people has a Main Street. Hell, there's probably 4 or 5 in the 10 mile radius from my house, and I'm along a coast!
-Todd |
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Visor Deluxe -> m505 -> m515 -> T|T -> T|3 -> T5 -> Lifedrive -> Axim x51v
2GB SD Card
GlobalSat BT-308 GPS |
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sfhub
156 Posts |
Posted - 16 sept. 2006 : 21:47:45
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quote:
Originally posted by todd3835
That works great untill you want something like Main St, or Library Ave, or something like that. Any town with more than 2000 people has a Main Street. Hell, there's probably 4 or 5 in the 10 mile radius from my house, and I'm along a coast!
But even in the case of Main street, it will be the same as it is now, which in my opinion is not bad at all because I can scroll the list so quickly, probably just as fast as I can type.
Again, in my opinion this is a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer typing, some people prefer scrolling. I can use either method and I wouldn't object to either implementation but I have grown used to the popup and it doesn't bother me at all.
Maybe it is just the way my brain is wired, but I usually type the street name / property address #, then only worry about the city if there is more than one so the city entry is far less frequently used than the address/street name entry and thus it really is not a big deal to me either way.
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todd3835
540 Posts |
Posted - 17 sept. 2006 : 03:55:44
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Well, I looked around, and Emtac is the company that also makes software for the palm. I don't believe they make it for the PPC. Alot of the features look nice, and although it's based on 2005 Q4 Navteq data, thats more current than the current mapopolis maps. Yeah Mapopolis will have newer ones probably a day or 2 after I potentially buy Emtac's software, but for 129.99, and I get a free 1gig memory card, and the maps on dvd, it's a damn good price. Factor in the application is more feature rich, and the ability to add maps by state, not counties, and it's looking like a no-brainer.
Things that Emtac has that Mapopolis Doesn't:
Better Search of POI's/Addresses
Nav Pane doesn't take up 1/2 the screen. It's actually rather small so there's alot more real estate of that screen for actual map!
Built in calling of POI's if your using a smartphone!
Smart Search Technology. This is just like the T9 pre-dinctive text input on cell phones. For example, for the word "the" You'd hit 8,4,3 and it would find the best match. Not something I'd have thought of on my own, but damn that's a hot feature!
Anyone interested, for 129.99, www.semsons.com has the Emtac Navigator 3, and it comes with a 1 gig SD card. For those that don't need a card, they also have an "open/damaged" box special for 99.99 without the SD card.
It's starting to look REAL tempting for me. I'm awaiting an email back regarding if there's a demo/trial I can check out. Or maybe even some kind of money back gauruntee or something..... |
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Visor Deluxe -> m505 -> m515 -> T|T -> T|3 -> T5 -> Lifedrive -> Axim x51v
2GB SD Card
GlobalSat BT-308 GPS |
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Lucien
60 Posts |
Posted - 17 sept. 2006 : 04:42:14
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Yes I meant I wish it had a (auto-complete) textbox. Here in Washington we use street numbers... Also there are just way too many cities and trying to select it in a moving car is very difficult (as it's a tiny listbox font).
In Europe it's worse. Street names are not unique and the city list is not even properly sorted (since accented characters come first).
What I love about TomTom and Garmin etc. is that it shows a list of possible choices while you're typing in the characters for the city and street. I wish that would be in Mapopolis with big character buttons.
That said I'm going to Europe next month and I think I'll buy the Mapopolis European maps anyway. I haven't seen the TT European maps but if it's like the US maps I wouldn't want it.
By the way one feature that I immediately missed and never thought about, is increasing/decreasing map detail. I didn't see it in TT6 and the map looked pretty empty. |
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sfhub
156 Posts |
Posted - 17 sept. 2006 : 21:10:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucien
In Europe it's worse. Street names are not unique and the city list is not even properly sorted (since accented characters come first).
That I agree is a good reason to use text box entry over list box. It would be a real pain to use the listbox if things weren't sorted.
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Lucien
60 Posts |
Posted - 18 sept. 2006 : 01:38:19
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A listbox could work as well if it would support more than entering the first character (so S+E should select SEATTLE).
If I load the entire WA state I certainly get too many entries for the first character. So I'd need to narrow it down more.
Also it just might be me but I don't always know the exact address if I search for POI. And search is too slow for an entire state/country. E.g. try entire state California and then search for a park for instance. Will take forever unless you enter the city. |
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any news on nf maps?
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