Kind of a two-fold question. Is Navteq data still the best for USA?, and if so: Is iGuidance still the only laptop navigation software that uses it?

I currently use iGuidance v4 (although at the moment it's broken on my laptop due to their stupid activation mess).

I have used MS Streets and Trips, Delorme Street Atlas Usa, and iGuidance. It's been a few years since I looked at MS S&T, but at the time, it was garbage, even though they were using Navteq data. Delorme's interface is good, but their map data is an absolute joke. Where I live, in Bend, Oregon we have a parkway that was built about 12 years ago, and Delorme still doesn't know about it.

Navteq data is used in iGuidance, Streets&Trips and Garmin's Mobile PC.

If you are interested in checking out the latest data available from Navteq to see if it covers key areas of interest to you, you have two options.

You can download the trial version of Streets&Trips. It's fully functional. It just dies at the end of the expiry period if you don't purchase and activate it.

Or you can use the map browser on Garmin's site to look at their City Navigator North America product, which is the same Navteq data that is contained in their Mobile PC laptop navigation product. Just click on the map coverage image on the linked page and it will bring up the map browser.

Streets&Trips still contains the 2009 Navteq data. Garmin's City Navigator is now available with 2010 data in it, although I don't know if they've got that version in their map browser yet.

I have the 2010.1 version available to view, so if there is a particular spot you would like me to check for you, just provide the necessary detail and I can get you a screen shot.

By the way, I love iGuidance's activation method. I think it's the best one out there and one that the other manufacturers should shoot for. I love being able to have it installed on multiple computers and just using their activation utility and the internet to move the activation between my desktop and my netbook. Perhaps they've improved it since your older version.

...ken...

Streets & Trips, Mobile PC and iGuidance all use Navteq data as do many other navigation programs designed for North America. Delorme uses their own map data and it can be problematic in certain areas.

iGuidance is an excellent touch screen friendly product however, I think Garmin Mobile PC is more versatile. S&T has improved their navigation interface a lot recently and a 90 day free trial is downloadable.

Terry

I have SA 2009 and SA 2008 and they both show the Bend Parkway. Are they not correct or are you using an older version?

A quick look at MapSource 2010 does show the Parkway (97) goes the entire length of the city and what is labelled 97 in SA has become 97-BR. I guess this is the issue you are concerned about. S&T 2009 has that correct as well.

Terry

Attached Images

Bend.jpg (195.5 KB)

Thanks for the replies

@tcassidy: Yeah, the Delorme map rendition of things is wrong. I hadn't realized that they are calling 3rd street (aka Business 97) the Parkway.

One thing I liked about iGuidance was that you got a program for laptop and one for PPC (I know they've modified that now so that it's extra to get both).

I don't suppose the Garmin software is also available for PPC?

Any other thoughts on how the Garmin software compares to iGuidance?

I think SA has 97 still shown as the main route and the Parkway to the east. From comparing it to Navteq products, I would say that 97 has become 97 Business Route and the Parkway is more easterly. This is based on a look at S&T 2004 as all my MapSource products back to CN 4.01 show it correctly.

Garmin used to have a separate product called XT that was for PPCs. It is very similar to Mobile PC and the Nuvi series and was the replacement for Garmin Que. I think it was only available as a hardware combination with the BT GPS 10x.

Take a look at the reviews of each of the products as my input is biased toward Garmin. Mobile PC is missing an on-screen keyboard for users of touch screen, no keyboard devices whereas iGuidance has an excellent one. Mobile PC does allow pen input however. I like the ease of adding and storing favourites in Mobile PC. My favourite feature of Mobile PC is its excellent interaction with MapSource. However this is only an advantage if you already have similar maps for both.

Terry

@tcassidy: I saw in your photo album you have an iPaq 210. I have the same PDA. Currently I'm running IG v4 on it. Your caption says it's running "Mobile 10". I thought Mobile 10 was a laptop/PC product.

That was before it was called Mobile XT or I was confused because it included the GPS 10x! There was a product that included the latest map which you used with Garmin nRoute and it used the GPS 10x which may have been the same but I forget. I see from the product photo that it IS using nRoute.

Terry

Mobile 10 includes Mobile XT for the PPC and nRoute for the laptop. I doubt the product is available anymore as Garmin has discontinued nRoute and the newest NT maps use a different format.

Terry

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XT.jpg (169.1 KB)

Mobile XT is still available. I have it running on my Palm T|X and you can get it for various smartphones.

The Palm version will only work with the GPS10x. I think some of the manufacturer-specific versions will work with the internal GPS of some smartphones and others need the 10x to work.

...ken...

My comment was about Garmin Mobile 10 which includes nRoute for laptops (as well as XT for PPC/ Palm). Although I see it is still available, it surprises me as the latest NT maps will not work with nRoute in the format distributed by Garmin. Also, Garmin does not support nRoute.

Terry

Yes, that is surprising that Mobile 10 is still available with an unsupported component.

...ken...

I have been reading the comments about Google/TeleAtlas & this thread. I notice iGuidance has been mentioned as possibly better than Navteq?

I went to iGuidance site and noticed 2009 Laptop & UMPC is available for $99.

I use Streets & Trips 2009, Garmin CNNT2010 & Google Earth (occasional), on my laptop. I'm always looking for something better in mapping.

Does anyone have an opinion as to whether iGuidance would give me something different/better than what I currently use ? Do you think it would be worthwhile to spend the $99 or is what I have as good as I'm going to get. Would appreciate any opinion.

Thanks,
Mike Flannigan

iGuidance uses the same Navteq data as S&T and Garmin. I see from their latest ad, they are offering lane assist (as provided by Navteq) now.

Google Earth uses TeleAtlas data.

Terry

Terry:
Thanks for your info.
Regards,
Mike Flannigan

Hey Mike,

What are you really looking for?

A) Better map data -- eg. more accurate and more complete?

Or:

B) More/better/different planning and navigation features?

...ken...

Ken:
Something that has more information ie; street addresses, poi's, businesses such as restaurants etc.
To folllow your question, "Better map data -- eg. more accurate and more complete".
Thanks,
Mike Flannigan

All up-to-date Navteq powered navigation products have approximately the same address and POI databases. The differences are in screen layout, waypoint setting, routing and other features and ease-of-use functionality.

The most recently updated maps would be your Nuvi with CNNA NT 2010.2.

Terry

Terry:

Thanks ! I kind of thought that, but I'm glad to hear your opinion. I guess I have the best I can get.
Regards,
Mike Flannigan

Mike,

You can't do much about address data. That's the domain of the map data supplier. But there's lots you can do about POIs. There are some good sites that have loads of POI files for a variety of things, from Flying Js to every Starbucks on the continent and some things you've probably never even thought of. Most devices and laptop programs have some means of importing and using them. If you're interested, there are a few threads around here somewhere that talk about them. Some are generic POI sites that cover everything and the kitchen sink suppliers. Others are more focused to the sorts of POIs that over-the-road truckers or RV owners are interested in.

...ken...

Ken:
I'll find the threads.
Thanks for your help. I do appreciate it.
Mike Flannigan