Which is the BEST Navigation App?

**gary1949** · 11-20-2011, 10:22 AM

I've been an iPhone 4S owner for one week, having come over from android using a Galaxy S. I've been using AT&T Navigator at $9.99/mo, which must be the most expensive of all premium navigation apps.

I sure would appreciate comments from users of Navigon, Tom Tom, Telenav and other top line navigation apps telling me why they made the choice they did. Cost is not a major factor. I'm looking for the best performance and best user experience.

Thanks Much.

**kch50428** · 11-20-2011, 10:25 AM

One of several discussions in the Apps Forum on this very subject...

**noaim** · 11-20-2011, 12:32 PM

I like Tom Tom because all maps are stored on the device so if you lose data connection you can still navigate.

**jrdfox** · 11-20-2011, 01:14 PM

I love the new revised navigon! Paid 29.99 for US and Canada!

**SnapThrow** · 11-20-2011, 01:51 PM

I've used both Tom Tom and Navigon and they are both excellent. Navigon just had a significant UI upgrade and it is on sale, but now they are charging (I think optionally) $20 four times a year for map updates... which IMO sounds ridiculously expensive.

**noaim** · 11-20-2011, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by SnapThrow

I've used both Tom Tom and Navigon and they are both excellent. Navigon just had a significant UI upgrade and it is on sale, but now they are charging (I think optionally) $20 four times a year for map updates... which IMO sounds ridiculously expensive.

thats another reason I like TOM TOM there updates have been free so far!

**dwayne.williams** · 11-20-2011, 01:54 PM

I use Telenav. It was $9.99 per year. Works pretty good too.

Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk

**Alli** · 11-20-2011, 04:07 PM

I've moved this thread to the Apps forum. As kch50428 suggested above, if you search this forum, you'll find several other threads asking and answering the same question.

**takeshi** · 11-20-2011, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by gary1949

I sure would appreciate comments from users of Navigon, Tom Tom, Telenav and other top line navigation apps telling me why they made the choice they did. Cost is not a major factor. I'm looking for the best performance and best user experience.

You really should clarify what's important to you in nav apps to get relevant responses from people. What are your requirements? What are your must haves? What doesn't matter to you?

Originally Posted by noaim

I like Tom Tom because all maps are stored on the device so if you lose data connection you can still navigate.

TomTom's not the only option for locally stored map data. OP should clarify if locally stored maps are a must have or not.

Originally Posted by SnapThrow

Navigon just had a significant UI upgrade and it is on sale, but now they are charging (I think optionally) $20 four times a year for map updates... which IMO sounds ridiculously expensive.

It's not $20/quarter. It's $20 and updates are available quarterly. It looks to be a one-time payment but that's not totally clear to me.

Originally Posted by Alli

I've moved this thread to the Apps forum. As kch50428 suggested above, if you search this forum, you'll find several other threads asking and answering the same question.

+1. Very common topic.

**juliama** · 11-20-2011, 09:01 PM

Until Nov 11,4S came in store of China,which are saled exclusively in Hong Kong.

**kch50428** · 11-20-2011, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by briareus

It's not $20/quarter. It's $20 and updates are available quarterly. It looks to be a one-time payment but that's not totally clear to me.

Navigon's new FreshMap feature, available as an in-app purchase is a one-time purchase for quarterly updates for at least two years - at least that's what they're saying on their Facebook page as of last Friday.

**gizbug** · 11-21-2011, 07:50 AM

Best FREE == Waze (use it daily)
Best PAID == Navigon

**Irish Rose** · 11-21-2011, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by SnapThrow

I've used both Tom Tom and Navigon and they are both excellent. Navigon just had a significant UI upgrade and it is on sale, but now they are charging (I think optionally) $20 four times a year for map updates... which IMO sounds ridiculously expensive.

I don't know where you are getting this from. I just updated Navigon on my iPhone. I wasn't charged one cent for the Maps that I updated. There was no mention of a fee to update these maps either.

Sent from my iPhone 4 using Tapatalk.

**Irish Rose** · 11-21-2011, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by noaim

thats another reason I like TOM TOM there updates have been free so far!

Navigon has always given me free updates as well, including all of the maps that I just updated. I don't know why others are saying that there is a fee. If there really is, I haven't been charged.

Sent from my iPhone 4 using Tapatalk.

**kch50428** · 11-21-2011, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Irish Rose

Navigon has always given me free updates as well, including all of the maps that I just updated. I don't know why others are saying that there is a fee. If there really is, I haven't been charged.

With this current update, Navigon is changing their business model - separating the app from the map, so one can be updated without impacting the other. And they are offering an option to subscribe to their FreshMaps service, which will provide quarterly updates for at least two years for a one time in app purchase. Current users will get the app & new maps with this update at no additional charge - just make sure you have wifi available to use the new map manager function to update maps.

**Irish Rose** · 11-21-2011, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by kch50428

With this current update, Navigon is changing their business model - separating the app from the map, so one can be updated without impacting the other. And they are offering an option to subscribe to their FreshMaps service, which will provide quarterly updates for at least two years for a one time in app purchase. Current users will get the app & new maps with this update at no additional charge - just make sure you have wifi available to use the new map manager function to update maps.

Seems a little confusing to me. Are the maps supposed to be separate from the Navigon app? Because they appear to be integrated from what I can see. These are the maps that I downloaded without a charge so far.

Sent from my iPhone 4 using Tapatalk.

**kch50428** · 11-21-2011, 10:38 AM

By 'separated' it means that the app can be updated without having to download maps and you can download and update maps while leaving the app alone. Your situation is working as designed.

**gdbjr** · 11-21-2011, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by gizbug

Best FREE == Waze (use it daily)
Best PAID == Navigon

I have never had good luck with Waze. On longer trips it always seems to want me to go 60-80 miles longer then is needed. On short trips I have had it want me to make a right at a intersection, then an immediate left and another right to put me back on the road I was just on.

**iArnie** · 11-21-2011, 06:49 PM

I used to think the Navigon MobileNavigator app for iPhone was best, but no more.

With their latest update, Navigon has shot itself in the foot. Why? For the following reasons:

1) When I bought the app in 2008, they promised free map upgrades for life. Now, they are charging a minimum of $14.95 for future map updates. To renege on a previous promise in inexcusable, even if Navigon was bought out by Garmin.

2) In requiring a fee for future map updates, Navigon/Garmin has failed to tell people what they are paying for. The page in the app where you purchase the map updates just states that quarterly updates will be available for $14.95. Is this payment $14.95 per quarter, or $14.95 per year, of a one-time forever payment of $14.95? They don't say. And they don't answer emails, Facebook posts or Tweets. Which brings me to...

3) Navigon/Garmin has the absolute WORST customer service of all time. It is worse than AOL's customer service at its lowest point. If there was an award for worst customer service ever given by a company, Navigon/Garmin would win it. This is sad because the app is worthwhile, but I can't recommend it in light of the current failure of the update and lack of customer service.

If Navigon/Garmin reads this post, they still have a chance to rectify their errors by giving a brief period of time for previous MobileNavigator users to get free map updates, and for explaining what the fees paid are purchasing. Communicate with your previously-loyal customers, Navigon/Garmin. It is the answer to a multitude of your sins!

**nxd10** · 11-21-2011, 06:58 PM

I just moved over to iphone and used mapquest to make four long trips. I was also using Google maps.

Driving last Friday - when all students everywhere were driving home for Thanksgiving - neither program worked at all because their networks were overwhelmed.

Do any of these paid problems have that problem? I've never had it on Verizon Navigator on the ocassions I've used it, but also don't think I've tried on holiday weekends.

**nxd10** · 11-21-2011, 07:05 PM

Another question about Navigon: I had this odd problem with Mapquest where speech would not output to my stereo when it was plugged in.

To be specific: My phone is connected via bluetooth to the stereo. This works fine for calls. My headset output to stereo works fine for music. Mapquest voice doesn't output to headphone output and was muted when it was in. It only works via phone speakers (weird).

Is this true for Navigon or Tomtom?

**mcmillan27** · 11-21-2011, 08:20 PM

GPS Navigation 2 by Skobbler. $.99 and it works great. I bought the offline map for $4.99 I think it was.

**DVDBob** · 11-21-2011, 08:26 PM

I've used several but have always come back to TomTom for it's accuracy and ease of use. My only complaint is that the "back" button is so small when in landscape and is hard to tap with my big fingers while driving.

Lately I've been trying Waze and while I'm impressed by the screens and graphics, the routing hasn't been that great. For longer trips, it picks the same route I would pick about 75% of the time. (TomTom 95%) For shorter trips, however, Waze has made me go in complete circles almost everytime. I do like the notices, warning and social aspect of it, but I'm in a new city and need to have accuracy over anything else.

**blyths** · 11-21-2011, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by SnapThrow

I've used both Tom Tom and Navigon and they are both excellent. Navigon just had a significant UI upgrade and it is on sale, but now they are charging (I think optionally) $20 four times a year for map updates... which IMO sounds ridiculously expensive.

Nope. $20 once to get quarterly updates for life.

**blyths** · 11-21-2011, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by nxd10

Another question about Navigon: I had this odd problem with Mapquest where speech would not output to my stereo when it was plugged in.

To be specific: My phone is connected via bluetooth to the stereo. This works fine for calls. My headset output to stereo works fine for music. Mapquest voice doesn't output to headphone output and was muted when it was in. It only works via phone speakers (weird).

Is this true for Navigon or Tomtom?

Navigon would allow music to play through the Bluetooth connection.