| Versions |
  |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
gpspassion
84981 Posts |
 Posted - 20 avr. 2003 : 11:50:54
|
I'm waiting for the French maps to become available to publish a review with Paul's help but here's a preview of what I think sets Intellinav OEMs (Socket's MyNavigator, Deluo's Routis, iNav's iGuidance) aside from the competition (I used an early version of Intellinav in the US before moving back to France)
Links:
Intellinav - http://www.intellinav.com
iGuidance - http://www.inavcorp.com/products.htm
MyNavigator - http://www.socketcom.com
Routis - http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DE&Product_Code=RSSA&Category_Code=GS
"Plus" features
1. Dynamic ETA - uses a mix of actual speed and speed by road class (still needs some work)
2. Vocal instructions give road number
3. Almanach and auto day/night mode
4. Tappable live instruction list
5. True heading up mode refreshed every second *
6. Uses actual Freeway Exit names
7. Tappable navigation info *
8. Color coding of roads by class
9. Well thought-out UI
10. Comes with PC version (iGuidance)
"Room for improvement:"
1. Map cutting (like CoPilot) for very long distance routing
2. POI database to be refined (more categories, more data like Starbucks, etc...)
3. Fix "Cloverleaf" routing when there a freeway has several closeby entrances
4. Map doesn't (yet) show land features (water is a must)
5. Mapping of hardware buttons (Route to Fav, Suspend. Nav, North/Head up) - thanks REM
Tips:
1. Folder Renaming for long trips (click for details). Currently the PC interface builds a large map with all the States you select. Loading too many will cause RAM errors because "highway maps" are not loaded dynamically. To work around this, create several maps of 100/150mb max, export them to a folder on your HD and rename them to "maps_ca", "maps_fl", etc...Then when you want to load them on your PocketPC, rename the one you need to "maps".
2. Interstate Routing. This can be used in conjunction with tip #1. To save on storage space (it won't help with the RAM though), don't select intermediate States for a long trip, i.e to go from CA to CO, just select CA and CO. Of course you'll lose detailed maps outside these States.
3. GPS Settings. "This reminds me of a tip that was passed on to me for Netropa: "if possible, set the baud rate as high as your GPS supports. Are needed the GGA, GSV, GSA, and RMC messages, so you can turn off any others which are on, and it doesn't hurt to reduce to the frequency of GSA/GSV to 2 sec; by doing the above, it lets the GPS output faster, and gives more CPU bandwidth to do the processing, thus reducing lag"
Feel free to pitch in!
* Navman's SmarST Pro offers these too to some extent.
__________________________
www.gpspassion.com
It's all about sharing the info
GpsPasSion Club - http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/smileys.asp
email: info@gpspassion.com |
|
|
Ads
|
|
|
rem
USA
193 Posts |
Posted - 22 avr. 2003 : 07:14:30
|
"Room for Improvement"
Programmable Hard Keys, I like "Suspend Nav" and "Route to Fav" Keys.
I must say though that I like this prog better every time I use it. It really is good. |
 |
|
|
gpspassion
84981 Posts |
|
|
ToolGuy
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 23 avr. 2003 : 18:34:53
|
Just received the iGuidance version from iNav and I must say that this does appear to be the best PocketPC GPS program to date. The user interface is very well designed and becomes second nature in a matter of minutes. The "Plus" features and the "Room for Improvement" items listed above are right on the money. All in all, I think this is the most "usable" GPS program currently available.
A few comments on the "Room for Improvement" items:
1. Map management should probably be first on the list for the next release. While it is certainly easy enough to pick states on the PC loader program, it is not as flexible as I would like. Ideally, I want to be able to load all or most of the US on a 1 GB microdrive or CF card and then select the appropriate states/areas as necessary. Destinator does this a little better (and it is also easy) in that they allow you to load as many of their "regions" as will fit on your device, and then switch as needed. But the biggest annoyance with Destinator is the inability to route from one map region to another. Mapopolis is by far the most flexible, allowing individual selection of county data, but it is also the most tedious. However, I would willingly put up with the extra work in exchange for the flexibililty.
All three of these programs use NavTech data, so there is obviously some flexibility in implementation. I just hope that Netropa is able to devote some more time to map management in the next release, since they appear to have nailed the UI issues in the initial release.
2. I also agree that the POI database could be larger. Destinator seems to have done a good job and has quite a few useful catagories - Interstate "Rest Area" seem to come in handy  . Perhaps different catagories could be selected before "download" to save space.
3. Map details (water, etc.) would also be nice - also perhaps selectable before map download.
4. User assignable hardware buttons are also a great convenience, although not quite as important for this particular program since the "screen" buttons are large and "finger-friendly" as well as comprehensive.
Other suggestions:
Better Performance - Mapopolis definitely spoils you, especially when "panning" the map. Original route calculation is surprisingly slow, but acceptable (barely) because subsequent recalcs are very fast. But overall performanse could be a little more "zippy". Sometimes it seems to be several seconds from the time you press a button until the action occurs. When this happens, often there is no indication that anything is happening - not even the infamous multi-colored Windows clockface/hourglass busy indicator. Disclaimer: I've only had time to test this on a couple of XScale processor units, and apparently some programs are actually slower on XScale if not "converted".
Better manuals. Two tremendously useful tips from this forum  which do not appear to be in the manual are the trick of renaming the "Maps" directory and the fact that you don't necessarily have to load all intervening states between your start and destination. Apparently, the equivalent of Mapopolis "Major Roads" are automatically loaded when the map is generated.
But overall, an outstanding product, particularly since it seems to be an initial release. Probably the best general usage product out there today. Very easy to use, suitable for a non-technical user, yet very powerful.
|
|
|
|
gpspassion
84981 Posts |
|
|
Agfadoc
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 12 mai 2003 : 01:43:23
|
Thanks for the info people.
How much info can you fit into a 150 meg file? What does a whole state file size out to be?
Anyone care to comment on the desktop version for a laptop?? any screen shots?
Thanks in advance! |
|
|
|
Agfadoc
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 12 mai 2003 : 01:47:05
|
Also can you access the entire nation via the desktop (laptop) version? I really like the idea of using via PPC and Laptop.
If it works that way! |
|
|
|
ToolGuy
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 12 mai 2003 : 05:52:19
|
The desktop version offered by iNav is essentially identical to the Pocket PC version - apparently an exact port. All screens and menus are exactly the same, so you only have to learn one program. The price for iGuidance (with both PocketPC and PC versions) seems to be only $20 more than other versions with only support for the Pocket PC. Not a bad deal, but be aware that many or most of the other PC based alternatives have significantly more functionality, but of course they also cost more.
So, it depends on what your needs are. If you need occasional lightweight access to map data on a laptop, then the iNav product is probably worth the $20 difference. If your needs are more extensive, you will probably be much happier with a full desktop version - DeLorme makes my current favorites. You can do a lot more such as printing maps, better route planning, etc.
However, the Pocket PC version of iGuidance (or Routis, etc.) is outstanding for MOBILE use. The additional features available on PC versions are generally useless or impractical when you are actually in a vehicle anyway. I find that I still occasionally "look up" something with my laptop, but the Pocket PC version of iGuidance meets my needs almost all of the time, and is a LOT more convenient to use in a car.
One area where laptop programs (including the PC version of iGuidance) are still superior is long distance trips. Because of the limited memory (and worse memory management) available on Pocket PC's, it is usually only possible to load data from a few states at a time. Some of the other Pocket PC programs (especially TravRoute CoPilot) handle the data a little better, but IMHO, don't do other functions nearly as well. FYI, iGuidance on the PC will actually load 48 states of data at once.
But for now, I find that using the trick of folder renaming mentioned above is more than adequate for my needs considering the other outstanding features of this family of programs. |
|
|
|
rancho1
354 Posts |
Posted - 13 mai 2003 : 04:23:43
|
quote:
Originally posted by ToolGuy
The desktop version offered by iNav is essentially identical to the Pocket PC version - apparently an exact port. All screens and menus are exactly the same, so you only have to learn one program. The price for iGuidance (with both PocketPC and PC versions) seems to be only $20 more than other versions with only support for the Pocket PC. Not a bad deal, but be aware that many or most of the other PC based alternatives have significantly more functionality, but of course they also cost more.
So, it depends on what your needs are. If you need occasional lightweight access to map data on a laptop, then the iNav product is probably worth the $20 difference. If your needs are more extensive, you will probably be much happier with a full desktop version - DeLorme makes my current favorites. You can do a lot more such as printing maps, better route planning, etc.
However, the Pocket PC version of iGuidance (or Routis, etc.) is outstanding for MOBILE use. The additional features available on PC versions are generally useless or impractical when you are actually in a vehicle anyway. I find that I still occasionally "look up" something with my laptop, but the Pocket PC version of iGuidance meets my needs almost all of the time, and is a LOT more convenient to use in a car.
One area where laptop programs (including the PC version of iGuidance) are still superior is long distance trips. Because of the limited memory (and worse memory management) available on Pocket PC's, it is usually only possible to load data from a few states at a time. Some of the other Pocket PC programs (especially TravRoute CoPilot) handle the data a little better, but IMHO, don't do other functions nearly as well. FYI, iGuidance on the PC will actually load 48 states of data at once.
But for now, I find that using the trick of folder renaming mentioned above is more than adequate for my needs considering the other outstanding features of this family of programs.
While few people will actually drive through all 48 states and "need" 48 states loaded at once, it would certainly be convenient for those who fly frequently because it would save them the hassle of having to manually reload cities for every trip. Everything would already be loaded and available.
I would love to see another program other than CoPilot accomplish the feat. For me, if Routis or TomRom Navigator 2 can load and door to door route the entire states of CA and Nevada at the same time without running into RAM limits and errors, it will good enough for me for now. Mapopolis will be inadequate for even just those two states due to the population limits set in the software.
There are some cheap ultralight 12" notebooks (after rebates cost about the same as a high-end IPAQ) made by Sotec or Averatec at Best Buy that may be good enough to run iNav, iGuidance or the Delorme navigation software. I'll may look at those too. |
|
|
|
gpspassion
84981 Posts |
Posted - 13 mai 2003 : 09:10:56
|
I must admit that after trying the PC version, I'm very impressed. It's exactly the same as the PocketPC version exceptio with a TON more screen real estate (makes the screen orientation pretty amazing!)and a lot more speed, especially for route calculations, it's instantaneous. It's better than any other PC solution I've tried (Delorme, S&T, etc...) I suspect CoPilot doesn't have that nice map orientatin either ;-)
The problem is that you really can't use a laptop while driving, way too dangerous ;-) Not to mention the legibility of the screen, so I'll stick to the PocketPC for GPS Assisted Navigation. Still it's incredible value for the money.
__________________________
www.gpspassion.com
It's all about sharing the info
GpsPasSion Club - http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/smileys.asp
email: info@gpspassion.com |
|
|
|
rancho1
354 Posts |
Posted - 13 mai 2003 : 23:55:12
|
If the voice prompts are good enough, you would not need to look at the laptop once the trip was set up. Couldn't you close the laptop case, put it on the seat and just listen to the prompts as long as they were clear and loud enough?
quote:
Originally posted by gpspassion
I must admit that after trying the PC version, I'm very impressed. It's exactly the same as the PocketPC version exceptio with a TON more screen real estate (makes the screen orientation pretty amazing!)and a lot more speed, especially for route calculations, it's instantaneous. It's better than any other PC solution I've tried (Delorme, S&T, etc...) I suspect CoPilot doesn't have that nice map orientatin either ;-)
The problem is that you really can't use a laptop while driving, way too dangerous ;-) Not to mention the legibility of the screen, so I'll stick to the PocketPC for GPS Assisted Navigation. Still it's incredible value for the money.
__________________________
www.gpspassion.com
It's all about sharing the info
GpsPasSion Club - http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/smileys.asp
email: info@gpspassion.com
|
|
|
|
gpspassion
84981 Posts |
Posted - 14 mai 2003 : 00:04:47
|
You're quite right, I just like to fiddle around to see ETA, Distance to Go, map of the area, etc...While this is possible with a PocketPC without taking too many risks (note that you ARE taking risks though), it's really unsafe with a laptop!
__________________________
www.gpspassion.com
It's all about sharing the info
GpsPasSion Club - http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/smileys.asp
email: info@gpspassion.com |
|
|
|
ToolGuy
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 14 mai 2003 : 04:43:05
|
I have to agree with gpspassion on this one. A few years ago (before there were any reasonable handheld solutions) I tried several different laptop GPS setups and IMHO, they aren't nearly as practical as a good handheld setup.
For starters, unless you invest in a (usually expensive) mounting stand, where do you put the laptop where it won't be a potentially lethal projectile in the event of an accident. Sure, the handheld could fly around also, but with considerably less weight.
But more important (to me anyway) is simple useability. Voice prompts are great, but not always adequate. Even something as seemingly simple as repeating the last voice prompt is more difficult on a laptop. On the Intellinav programs, one finger touch will easily repeat the last voice prompt.
In fact, probably the best feature of the Intellinav programs is the extremely well designed user interface. The most useful functions are easily accessible with one finger touch.
Of course I agree with gpspassion that you are taking a risk when you do this, but when the program is well designed, I believe the risks are comparable to checking the speedometer or gas gauge, or perhaps adjusting the radio station. Certainly, I feel it is probably quite a bit safer than trying to read a paper map or handwritten directions.
|
|
|
|
Agfadoc
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 14 mai 2003 : 05:09:19
|
While I am a novice in the GPS world I am an expert in the laptop mobility world and I have tried many many different combinations of mounting a laptop.
When I travel via plane, I do my setup on the plane..ie door to door and detailed routing. Then once I get to the rental car, I place a suitcase in the feet area of the passenger seat, open my laptop, Display my Map (streets and trips) and figure where I am, where I'm going and which street I will take. I zoom into a decent detail and take off. Constantly watching street signs and just touching the directional arrows of the laptop.
I really only need to look at it occasionally and do get frustrated sometimes but I just bought the new Delorme GPS and am anxious to try it out. FED Ex coming tomarrow.
While driving in the company car I found many RAM Laptop mounting bases for upwards into $300 and have come up with a very cost effective alternative. 1/2 inch black pipe. Along with the base and a few tees I have made a nice alternative to what is commericially available. I had to buy the laptop table portion and the adjustable swivel, but it works and it is almost hidden. It actually looks very cool and My family can watch DVD's while on the road. Not me though!
Yeah, my laptop has some ergonomic issues but it has everything I need and it is very small.
Can't wait to get that new GPS...another toy for on the road! |
|
|
|
mirali
6 Posts |
|
|
gpspassion
84981 Posts |
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
| This page was generated in 0,78 seconds. |
 |
|
- 
del.icio.us
Intellinav (Routis/iGuidance) Analysis and Tips
Topic Locked
