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gpspassion
83562 Posts |
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gpspassion
83562 Posts |
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mitchellgibbs
USA
14 Posts |
 Posted - 10 nov. 2009 : 12:44:02
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I've gotten my Droid with Android 2.0 and Google Navigation.
I haven't made heavy use of it yet but it is a pretty effective first go. It seems to be missing some key features we look for (e.g. multi-stop routing) and brings a few new things to the game (e.g. use of street view). The voice guidance is a bit annoying - it isn't as configurable as some GPSs and it talks a bit more than it should. The voice is passable, not nearly as nice as my Garmin. It hasn't yet tried to kill me by guiding me the wrong way down streets like it has most of the reviewers.
The killer usage, so far, for me is the voice recognition. It is simply stunning. The accuracy is unnerving. It has mis-interpreted a few words, but it gets 99%+ right. I also love the search speed and ability to use context searches (e.g. Navigate to the museum with the pirate exhibit - which is <or was until recently> the Field Museum here in Chicago).
The car dock is a slight disappointment. Physically, it is okay. And I like the fact that it senses when it is in the dock and changes its behaviour. However, it would be nice if it integrated the charger so I could run the wire in my car more easily. Seems like a silly design choice seeing as they did so in the desk dock. Hopefully others will come up with something a little better. (I also wouldn't mind some sort of integration for the audio line).
I'm not ready to ditch my Garmin, but this truly is a game changer. Once Google improves the actual routing engine, it will be tough to see the other folks keeping up.
Mitch |
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gpspassion
83562 Posts |
Posted - 11 nov. 2009 : 15:33:51
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Good to hear it adds some new effective features, the vocal Google like search is certainly interesting. How is the traffic data and handling ? What data speeds do you get in your area ? With 3G here the standard Google maps app on my iPhone can barely keep up.
Also of interest, a "non gps oriented" review of the "Droid" here. |
Discounts and Assistance/Réductions et Assistance (Club GpsPasSion) / Où commencer? |
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robl
Australia
21 Posts |
Posted - 13 nov. 2009 : 01:45:49
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Are the google based devices dependent on mobile data services being available ? In the case of Australia where I live there is no mobile data coverage available in most of the country.
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mitchellgibbs
USA
14 Posts |
Posted - 16 nov. 2009 : 13:28:20
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Robl - Yes, data services is required for the Google Navigation to function. Here in Chicago, I get solid connections pretty much everywhere. It is my understanding that the phone caches the route so that navigation won't stop if you lose your data connection - at least until the route is complete. However, you can't start a new route if you don't have data.
I took both my Droid and my Garmin 1690 out for a drive into downtown Chicago last week. They both came up with different routes, but both were equally valid. The biggest difference between the two was the traffic data. Traffic was particularly heavy and my trip which would, without traffic, take about 25 minutes was closer to 1.25 hours. Google Navigation was about 15 minutes optimistic, but otherwise did a nice job. The Garmin was living in a dream world and insisted, the entire way, that there was an 8-10 minute delay. To add insult to injury, at one point when I was flying along at 3 miles per hour, it asked if I wanted to switch to pedestrian mode. Cheeky!
I was pleasantly surprised at the Droid's ability to keep the GPS signal - especially once I got into downtown. The Garmin does a better job than most systems that I've had and the Droid pretty much matched.
I'm planning to use both GPSs again this coming weekend for a 10 hour round-trip drive which should give some better information.
Mitch |
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gpspassion
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Google Maps Navigation - Threat to GPS industry ?
