What's the best GPS software for Vario II (8525?)

[Gman007]

I'm in America using a euro-purchased Vario II on T-Mobile's network. Been upgraded to Black 3.0 but thinking of re-flashing it to something better. Also want to try using GPS with this unit, though I know I need an antenna.

So, what GPS software is best for my situation, and would any particular ROM be best suited? Thanks.

[surrept]

Well there are a few out there. I've used 3 of them. Telenav, iNav, and TomTom6. Of the 3 tomtom is my fav by far.

I thought telenav was the best as far as voice translation goes because it says the street names aloud and does so pretty well and on time. But thats where it ends. Telenav almost never found my GPS receiver and it was the one they recommended. It updates maps as you drive via the web which is a bad idea for GPS. Hit a dead spot and you lose where to turn and get lost easily. I can't tell you how many times i wanted to throw my phone out of the window while driving with that crappy piece of software. Especially paying 10 bucks a month to have it not work.

iNav works much like tomtom but I found the voice to be rather lame and the interface poorly designed.

So on to tomtom6. Works like a charm everytime without a hitch. Simple easy and intuitive interface. Never has any issues finding my bluetooth receiver. Never. Color choice for maps for night/day driving along with other features like weather updates, traffic updates, camera locations. Map of the US and Canada takes up about 1gig. Leaves me with another gig for storage however if I moved up to a 6gig I'd still have 5 left. Couple complaints I've heard with tomtom is map load time. I didn't find this to be an issue whatsoever considering my dealings with telenav. I'd rather wait all of 30 seconds for a map to load if I know its not gunna screw up at all once its loaded. Plus you can plan trips ahead of time so load time becomes a moot point.

Thats about it. I think if you do some research you will agree with me but I know some people who post on here prefer iNav over tomtom. Hell some even like telenav. =)

[Gman007]

I actually almost went for Telnav - I was wondering how that "update as you go" would work. Seems like the preloaded maps are more reliable. Now it's more understandable why T-Mobile doesn't offer it directly. I have tons of space left on my 2gig card so Tomtom might be the way to go.

I noticed you didn't mention Delorme Street Atlas 2008 or any of its previous editions. I was about to try that one but thought some research was in order.

Was it a pain in the ass to get the Tomtom working? Though I like my 8525, I'm always frustrated at what this unit is capable of and what I'm actually able to make it do.

[tubededentifrice]

Have a try to iGo ( http://www.i-go.com/en/ ), I found it far better than Tomtom (auto zoom in/out, auto 3D => 2D, ...)

[Gman007]

iGO is for Europe only, though, right? And it looks like some of the products have been discontinued.

[ghost13]

if u live in the us tomtom dnt even think twice about it

[asfoor]

iGO is for Europe only, though, right? And it looks like some of the products have been discontinued.


Not true... I use iGo 2006 in California. It is fast and map access is automatic and fast. Delay is the least compared with tomtom. Color options are more vivid and has day/night option auto-switch.

that brings us to another issue.... for the 8525 model you need a gps adapter. 8525 does not have a built in one. In my opinion, thats better, since all the devices that have built-in GPS receivers are weak and signal reception is minimized. In 8525 and while driving you can place the gps adapter anywhere you get the strongest signal. I use Holux 1200. I had a Nokia GPS adapter.. a piece of sh*T. The Holux is by far the best I used. You can get one on ebay real cheap.

As soon as Goggle-Nav gets its act together, the GPS they will produce will be the best. They are working on some kinks with MS DirectX-3D interphase. You can wait for it or enjoy iGo Nav right now.

[chamelion]

one more vote for tomtom here. i don't know where i'd be without it, literally.

[surrept]

Not sure how you are using iGo in cali and where you managed to get your maps from. Their website offers nothing on the US not to mention it is advertised as "door to door navigation across europe". You sure you are even using iGo? lol

edit: Well I found some info about the US version. apparently its out in beta possibly final by now. From what I have read though the maps are not as good with iGO compared to tt6. I also read that some people don't trust iGO when it comes to navigating onto on/off ramps for the highways. Just cause a program looks cooler doesn't make it better especially when it comes to proper navigation.

I tried google navigator. There is a cooked rom somewhere that actually allows it to run even though it has a dx issue that prevents it from running on most roms. If the final version is anything like the version I tried. It will be worthless. Slowest application for GPS I've used yet. Sometimes a ton of graphical features are just a bad idea for a device with only 64megs of ram and poop graphics.

[asfoor]

Not sure how you are using iGo in cali and where you managed to get your maps from. Their website offers nothing on the US not to mention it is advertised as "door to door navigation across europe". You sure you are even using iGo? lol

edit: Well I found some info about the US version. apparently its out in beta possibly final by now. From what I have read though the maps are not as good with iGO compared to tt6. I also read that some people don't trust iGO when it comes to navigating onto on/off ramps for the highways. Just cause a program looks cooler doesn't make it better especially when it comes to proper navigation.

I tried google navigator. There is a cooked rom somewhere that actually allows it to run even though it has a dx issue that prevents it from running on most roms. If the final version is anything like the version I tried. It will be worthless. Slowest application for GPS I've used yet. Sometimes a ton of graphical features are just a bad idea for a device with only 64megs of ram and poop graphics.

I have been using iGO for the last two months. I have downloaded US maps, 8 of them alltogether. I also have maps for Europe and the Mid-East. I have no problem with it, as I did with TomTom, which in lots of incidents lost the GPS signal, doing the same rout as I do with IGO. It is now a matter of personal preferance.

[Gman007]

I have been using iGO for the last two months. I have downloaded US maps, 8 of them alltogether. I also have maps for Europe and the Mid-East. I have no problem with it, as I did with TomTom, which in lots of incidents lost the GPS signal, doing the same rout as I do with IGO. It is now a matter of personal preferance.

Do you have a torrent for that? All I get is spam and trojans.

[surrept]

No warez here guy. Asking for stuff like that will flip people out.