Database Develop

GPS Buddy Tracking

Hi guys, I just took the plunge and put in an order for a Tilt today; unfortunately the shipping address got botched up so it didn't get shipped out yet. I'm coming from a PalmOS background (Treo 650, Kyocera 7135, several non-phones before...).
Does anybody have a suggestion for an app for tracking a couple users and sharing their location with each other?
I see gpsgate has this functionality, but it doesn't appear to have any mechanism for displaying other users. I'd like to pull up a map and see where another user is, and vice versa. I've compiled a list of what I've found and my thoughts (keeping in mind I haven't used them yet), but wanted to get some real user opinions.
GpsGate - Upload only, no way to see other users from the app?
Reperion - Website seems a little sketchy, but the functionality sounds about right. Not real time?
NavXS - Another sketchy website, but the software looks okay.
Mologogo - Java app only, might work though.
GPS Tuner - Nice looking software, but it doesn't have the functionality I'm looking for. It has a buddy function, but there is no "Google Maps" sort of mode. This looks great for outdoor navigation, though.
chtiGPS This looks to be a bit like GPS Tuner, and again doesn't really meet the requirements.

there is a prog called "WIMP" WhereIsMyPhone. You send a text message code to a tilt or Kaiser and it will quietly return a google link with their exact location. Mainly used to silently ping your lost phone and get it's location, but the buddy angle could be handled with it. http://www.wimp-software.co.uk

Mologogo seems to be your best bet, but I tried the WM version on the Kaiser and I got a nasty message error upon launch. (UPDATE - only the first time). Still it proceeded and find the GPS module OK. Problem is that it's not reading the first digits properly 48,8141 becomes ,08141 - probably a regional setting, I'll

Best GPS Software for Kaiser?

Hey Folks -
I'm looking for the killer turn-by-turn software (with US Maps) - that I can digitally buy and install to my MicroSD. I've done a number of searches online looking for a product I can order and download (yes, I have the fever - IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION IS NECESSARY) and get working with.
POI's are very important to me as is speed and stability...
Can anyone chime in with their preference? Please also supply a URL where I can purchase your favorite application...
Thanks!
StacT

uh tomtom?

there's a million threads like this, just use a search.. u'll get ur answers instantly and won't have to wait.
Having said that, I tried Destinator, TomTom, Garmin XT, TeleNav and I still stayed with iGo, which I love above all others.
Some have cool features like traffic and all that.. some are just pain in the ass (destinator).. so if you can - try it all before u buy.

Of course - I know about the players (MIO, TOMTOM, etc...) but can't find a digital distributor for just the software to install on my kaiser (like pocketgear or handango)... do you have a link?

http://www.navngo.com/pages/global/eng/where_ro_buy
scroll down to USA
wow.. they're actually really close to me, like 15-20 miles from me..
Anyway.. they have excellent US maps, at least I'm very happy with CA map - very detailed, over 2 million POIs.

Thanks for all the thoughts so far, but neither of them fits the bill -
1] The software must have North American/USA maps... iGo doesn't
2] The software must be downloadable...
Thanks!

Google maps. real-time and cheap!

liquidsilver said:
Google maps. real-time and cheap!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh, cheap? It's free and sucks since you're download as you drive so a lot of the time maps just time-out. Mio Maps is one of the best, and TomTom is probably the best as far as being user friendly and simple, but, TomTom is pretty slow compared to Mio.

How about iGuidance v.4?
I've been using it for a few months. It has text-to-speech. The only problem is, you might i need GPSgate as some of the WM6.1 here doesn't refresh the screen often enough.
I've used TomTom too, it was nice but doesn't have text-to-speech.

I've used TomTom and it was pretty good, user friendly... only thing I didn't like about it was the routing and as the screen is touched it'll take you to the menu.
I've switched to Garmin and found that the one which suits me well so far --- more detail on maps, nothing popping up while touching the map on the screen, and looks a lot simpler. Its navigation software is not as "realtime" as TomTom, but is probably the most simplest to setup, install, and use

stact said:
2] The software must be downloadable...
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Click to collapse
I don't know of one of the majors that is. With bandwidth costs they rarely fancy giving you GBs of map to download. Just buy one on a disc.

does anyone know of a good free one which allows you to put your own maps eg a photo of an os map or jpeg in for calibrating for camping hiking walking about woods ect.

I have been using a combination of TomTom and Google Maps. I use Google Maps for most of my POI's since they are updated, contain phone numbers, and are just plain easier to use. The TomTom POI's aren't that fantastic I've noticed. But I will take the location I find in Google Maps and then use TomTom to navigate me there since navigation in Google Maps isn't really turn by turn and can't redirect you automatically if you miss a turn.
My only complaint with TomTom is that you need around 1GB of storage on your SD card so you need a large one (I'm holding out for those 32s!) and it looks ugly when installed on the card. Random files and folders everywhere and it has to be on the root of the card. I'm a neat freak when it comes to file layouts so it drives me crazy.

what about ms live search?
I used it a few times on my recent vacation, it worked very well. Same benefits and drawbacks as google maps, but I think I like it's interface better than google maps.

Live Search has an arguably better navigation setup that Google Maps. GM closes when it loses it's data connection so it's worthless between cities where cell coverage is weak. MS does a better job of caching the maps and will stay active, showing the route and turns even when the data connection is lost. if I could only have one of them for road trips, it would be MS Live Search.

I've had no problems using iGuidance other than on several occasions, it took about 3 minutes to open for some reason. I also use Live Search and Google for a quick find when I need it.

godfa7h3r said:
But I will take the location I find in Google Maps and then use TomTom to navigate me there since navigation in Google Maps isn't really turn by turn and can't redirect you automatically if you miss a turn.
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Click to collapse
haha i do the same exact thing,.... now if somebody could make a program where with one click u can transfer the address from google maps to tomtom, i'd pay for it

co-pilot live 7 will interface directly with MS live search if they ever release the NO CHARGE upgrade. it has been announced and was scheduled for release this month
BTW I paid $199 when Co-pilot 7 was released last year but the current price is $99 i guess the <$100 competition is getting to them.
I use and like Co-pilot live USA. I can't speak for other maps. the software comes preloaded on 2 gig SD card but you also get it on DVD. I copied the SD folders to my 6 gig SD card and all worked fine. the activation key is stored on local file sysem. but if you have to do a hard reset you can reactivate on same phone with no hassel.
for more info see www.alk.com

I have copilot as well, but at the $99 price point. The WM version is very nice. It comes with companion software for the desktop that just wont work on my vista laptop though.
Still for $150, you could buy a stand alone gps. But I thought about it and I always have this with me, so why buy another device? I didn't want to carry one.

What gps software to use for hiking / geocaching?

Hey all,
I want to use my Tilt while hiking or geocaching. While the navigation software like TomTom is cool its not what I'm looking for. Instead something that shows breadcrumb trails and waypoints would be better for me. Something like the default on the eTrex or similar? I'd prefer free but am willing to pay for the right app also.
Thanks!

Yesterday, someone asked for a GPS tracking program for skiing.
And here's what madsnm answered:
madsnm said:
Run.GPS should do what you want.
http://www.rungps.net/
/Mads
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Run.GPS is the perfect tool for sports like running, skiing and walking. It uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to record all of your training parameters like speed, distance and altitude.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe that program could be useful for you.
Edit:
You can import google earth maps, you can import/export Paths/Routes/Tracks and you can import/export waypoint!
Edit again:
It's a 14 day trial
$33.99 for a normal license and $65.43 for a pro license

GPS Tuner is fantastic for hiking. It does the trails and waypoints as you want, and is able to import and export to Google Earth format so you can see your path on your PC too. The only drawback to geocaching is that when the phone goes into standby, the GPS chip shuts off, so you need to get a program like AE Button Plus to force the phone to stay on with one button click, and turn off the screen with another button click. I tend to use a BT-338 external GPS receiver when I geocache, however, because it is much more accurate than the built-in GPS in the Tilt. (It has a Sirf III receiver chip as opposed to the Qualcomm-whatever chip in the phone.)
Falcon, eh? Colorado Springs here!!!

Run Gps
Run GPS is awesome. I use it for hiking & crosscountry skiing. It works great, even in stand by mode

I use GeoScout for geocaching - links to geocaching.com directly which is nice - pulls down caches, logs, maps, etc.

For Geocaching, I recommend Beeline. http://visualgps.net/BeeLineGPS/default.htm It doesn't display maps, but it does handle lots of waypoints. Mine tilt is usually loaded with about 5000 geocaches. It also display cache information from the gpx file so caching is paperless.
I tried GPS Tuner. I like some of the features. It will download maps over the air. This is a nice feature. It doesn't handle a big waypoint database very well. After about 150 waypoints, it starts to slow down.
Neither is perfect. I don't hike without goecaching, so Beeline is my choice. If you're mainly hiking, I think GPS Tuner is very nice. I watch the release notes for both and wait for one to suit me better.

I see DeLorme's Topo 7.0 will work with a touch-screen PDA when used with their Street Atlas 2008 mapping software. Might take a lot of memory for all the map data on a card though.
Nice thing is that you can use it in rural areas as it wouldn't require an active connection to an online mapping server like TeleNav or others.

snooginsguy said:
Falcon, eh? Colorado Springs here!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You ever made it to the Tarrryall cache? I placed that one. First cache in Colorado

OziExplorer and Glopus
I Use for Geocaching "OziExplorerPPC" ( Waypoints with GSAK ) (Maps with OziExplorerPC). --> Link
It`s great to Handle.
Another one is "Glopus". --> Link

Thanks for the details guys!
Was just wondering if something like GPS Tuner/Run GPS would store single points? I like photography and I'd find it very useful to store away the GPS cordinates of where I'm taking a shot in some form....
Ta
Matt

Sadlybrokeboy said:
Thanks for the details guys!
Was just wondering if something like GPS Tuner/Run GPS would store single points? I like photography and I'd find it very useful to store away the GPS cordinates of where I'm taking a shot in some form....
Ta
Matt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just use the GPS Photo option in the camera app.
or noniGPSplot

MACkjam said:
Just use the GPS Photo option in the camera app.
or noniGPSplot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MACkjam - thanks - had forgotten about the GPS photo option!
Matt

Thanks for all the ideas. I'll be trying out most all of these. I did download beeline last nght, and it is Very eTrex like, so probably the closest to what I'm looking for. Too bad you can't do background maps on it though.

I tried my kaiser with a number of apps for some topo nav/geocaching, none of the apps seem to work very well. The biggest problem for me was battery drain. If your doing caches you can drive to you'll probably be ok, but if you have to hike an hour or 2 the kaiser doesn't cut it.
best app was beeline but I'd go with a standalone gps device.

i use gps with UK os maps for mountainbiking. i have bought a big battery off ebay (about $10), 2800mAh with replacement back (its about 2x thicker than standard). it will last about 7 hours on continuous gps and i also take the standard one for backup

Sadlybrokeboy said:
Thanks for the details guys!
Was just wondering if something like GPS Tuner/Run GPS would store single points? I like photography and I'd find it very useful to store away the GPS cordinates of where I'm taking a shot in some form....
Ta
Matt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to use the tilt to photograph, you can use KaiserTweak to enable GPS photo which basically puts your gps coordinates in the photos metadata (or something like that)

I regularly Geocache myself and have myself searched for the best navigation software to use for this pastime. I have tested just about every application so far mentioned in this thread but nothing, and I mean nothing, comes close to TrackyPro. GPSTuner was pretty good but TrackPro beats the lot of themo. It is perfect for Geocaching as you can download Geocaches from Geocaching.com direct from within the application and also display descriptions of the Geocaches within the ap too! It really is an incredably intelligently written and intuitive piece of software. Please, please try it. You will thank me I promise. And no, I'm in no way affililated with the author of this software!!
http://www.trackthisout.com/

mfrazzz said:
You ever made it to the Tarrryall cache? I placed that one. First cache in Colorado
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not yet, I'll have to check it out though!

BackCountry Navigator
I'm real fond of a program called BackCountry Navigator. Costs $30, and displays the USGS topo maps that I'm familiar with. They're downloaded from terraserver-USA, so they're as current as those kinds of maps can be, and I can have them with me so I don't need to be on the network. Given a few days of spare moments I got my whole state at 1:100000 scale, and all the national forest areas where I go at the more detailed 1:24000. I haven't tried it yet, but it's supposed to be able to get info straight from the geocaching site.
www.BackCountryNavigator.com

MACkjam said:
Just use the GPS Photo option in the camera app.
or noniGPSplot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using Run.GPS you can take pictures, record videos and audio recordings and just upload it to, for instance, the GPS-Sport.net portal - it's all geo-coded automatically
Here's some examples:
http://www.gps-sport.net/trainings/Iron-Mountain_12832
http://www.gps-sport.net/trainings/Griffin-Creek_11260
http://www.gps-sport.net/trainings/La-Rhune-Lizuniaga_11627

Free Off-Line GPS Mapping

I found another FREE app.
Nokia is giving away for FREE a GPS software that makes possible something that even Google Maps can't: off-line mapping with use of GPS. Online mapping is not a big deal because Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and others offer it too, but with smart2go you can use GPS in combination with maps even when you are not connected to the Internet!
Here's the link to the review. From there, you can go to the site......
http://msmobiles.com/news.php/7180.html

Tested this on the N95 today and it was great, installed it on my Kaiser and it works well

I think this is much better than google maps. Gps located my location very quickly. Navigation is smooth and accurate(I think navigation lasts 3 days, I think). Very Nice me think

Thank you very much. Although I have a navigation software these cards are often better for walkers. That's why I installed Google Maps. Now I don't have to stress my free data volume so far.

I just wanted to Bump this. This is software is very handy, and FREE, and I didn't want it to get lost. Guys, you really need to try it!!!

I am confused as to what to do. I downloaded the software. But how do I get the maps on the phone?

seems to work fine on my att tilt (although i haven't left the house yet ).
freddiemac1 said:
I am confused as to what to do. I downloaded the software. But how do I get the maps on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you use your Wifi connection to download maps of the area you will going to, then, your phone uses it's GPS with the maps d/l'ed.

So am I correct in saying that as you surf the map using wifi etc. it stores the data on your SD card and uses it when you need it. So lets say you live in Louisiana, you can surf the whole state while on wifi or a router etc.. and it will store the map for later use??? is this correct???

seems like it still needs a data connection?
if youre driving, how can it use wifi if you cant connect to an access point?
that must mean it cannot download the map?

1. I go to ... http://www.smart2go.com/en/download/
2. select "Via PC"
3. all i am seeing is bunch of NOKIA softwares
the question is ... which particular model should we download for HTC? I selected the E95 model and I notice the file extension is slightly different, is "File: nokia_maps_1_0_upgrade_ROM.sis" instead *.CAB
any advise? thanks in advance.

It said to download the "Generic" one, that's what I did.
I am just not clear on down loading the map data!

so is this better than TomTom????
EDIT: never mind
"...although you can't do navigation (route calculation) for FREE with this program (Nokia demands money for that), you can however use it as a FREE map with GPS support!"

I have read a little more, will try downloading the map app

bengnism said:
1. I go to ... http://www.smart2go.com/en/download/
2. select "Via PC"
3. all i am seeing is bunch of NOKIA softwares
the question is ... which particular model should we download for HTC? I selected the E95 model and I notice the file extension is slightly different, is "File: nokia_maps_1_0_upgrade_ROM.sis" instead *.CAB
any advise? thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's right there. The first option on that list is "Generic: Windows Mobile 5 Phone Edition".
And they also say: "Is your device not listed? Please choose the generic version for any unlisted devices that use Windows Mobile".

ok, I there has to be away to download a complete map instead of surfing the states to get some mapping data?????
Also were doesit store all its data?? I will look in the SD card.

Yes you can download the mapping data to your SD Card.
Use the mapping tool provided on the website.
You need to edit the qf file using notepad to say 1.3 rather than 1.1 or you cant do it.

I am downloading it now, and hopefully it is more accurate than google maps! BTW, is there any other gps software that i can use with my tilt??
Thanks.

Crap, i downloaded the generic version and i did not install on my Tilt. Any help??!!

so this is the only software that lets you use GPS without being connected to the internet?
i have the t-zone plan. it's probably too slow to use google maps gps right? or how does it work.. does it download ALL the directions at once, so that i would have to wait only 1-2 minutes max for each set of directions? or does it obtain the information right before i have ot make a turn and such?

What GPS software r u using?

Colleagues,
I am getting a Fuze for XMas and would like to know what GPS software are you all using?
Regards.

I use a free over-the-air package, amazegps.com. It does turn-by-turn voice prompting, moving 3D maps, etc. I've been very pleased with it so far.

WMM,
I take it you live in the US; do you know how it compares to others, whether paid or free?

I haven't done extensive comparisons; my use of GPS navigation is pretty limited, and the amazegps.com package meets my needs very well, so I haven't had much motivation to look further. I did sign up for the free trial of the TeleNav (AT&T Navigator) package and tried it a few times. As you would expect for $10/month, TeleNav is definitely flashier -- you can give the destination address using voice recognition, and it has text-to-speech to read you the names of the roads onto which you will be turning. It also has traffic advisories. If I used it a lot and were in a city with traffic jams to worry about, I'd definitely think the TeleNav features were worth it.
I've also seen rave reviews for OnCourse Navigator 8 (OCN8). Although I haven't used it myself, the screen shots and descriptions were really impressive.
Those are the only other two products I know anything about. For myself, amazegps.com gets me reliably from point A to point B without getting lost, and without my paying a cent for it, so that's more than good enough for me.

I've used Telenav and like the features. Text to speech (tells you the name of the street or exit to turn on) is great, the ability to send your phone a destination via the PC is nice as well. I've used the voice recognition feature but it's cumbersome and doesn't work well while driving (where this is needed).
I have use Copilot on the PC and love it. I would have purchased it for the ppc but it's expensive.
I am now using Garmin XT and have been for over a year. They have recently improved the OSD while navigating and knowing where to turn is a lot easier. Garmin XT does not have text to speech but does have almost every other feature of the top Garmin stand alone navigation devices. The program even has some features that are better than the Garmin PND. The app comes installed on a 2 gig micro sd card but there are ways of moving it to bigger cards. I have used this app on my ATT Tilt, HTC Advantage and now the ATT Fuze. Like the advantage I can start a music playlist then open the Garmin app and begin to navigate.
There are others I would like to try (TomTom, Navigon, IGo and Copilot) but my $$ is the bottleneck to new gadgets and toys.

how does that AmazeGPS compare to GoogleMaps?
I went on the website and it says their both free. So im guessing its the same quality as googlemaps.

Thanks for your replies.
Anyone else know of any other freeware?
Regards.

TomTom_Navigator_7.450.9028 does the trick for me!
I use it every day

Garmin Mobile XT 5.0.20w

can google maps be used like a gps device?

I have been using OCN6 for Street Navigation. I have ordered OCN8 which looks amazing. I use Memory-Map Navigator for topographic Navigation.

Alucard_11 said:
how does that AmazeGPS compare to GoogleMaps?
I went on the website and it says their both free. So im guessing its the same quality as googlemaps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are for different purposes. Google maps can use the GPS to show you where you are on a map; it can give you a route from one place to another; and it can follow you as you drive along. It is not a turn-by-turn navigator program; i.e., it doesn't give you spoken prompts like "In 500 feet, turn right" and such, and it doesn't given you a "3D" map were you appear to be flying over a map with perspective, both of which AmazeGPS does. I have and use both; Google maps is better for "where am I," and AmazeGPS is better for "take me to XYZ."

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Does GPS require/use a data package?

Telmap. Not sure if it's free still... it was earlier this week in beta, and so far... it's pretty damn good. Voice navigation, built in POIs, traffic reports, fast to get GPS signals, and more. It also showed me a better route to take which was faster than what I would have usually done.

Nav4all
Check out nav4all its pretty good its nav4all.com

legend12 said:
Thanks for all the great suggestions! Does GPS require/use a data package?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends. Programs like amazeGPS and TeleNav get all their data, except for your current coordinates, over the air and thus require a data package. Programs that you buy or install on an SD card have the maps on your phone but will still use data for things like traffic and weather information (but I believe you can configure them not to use data if you want).
AmazeGPS has an interesting mode where you need data only when you're doing the routing. That way you can construct the route using an ActiveSync or wifi (i.e., possibly free) connection, and then while you're driving, it will still give you vocal prompts but only show you arrows for your turns instead of moving maps, so it doesn't use any over-the-air data while navigating.

After vmm mentioned amAzeGPS I have done more research and I have read amAzing things about it so I will give it a try when I get my Fuze.
Thank you all.

MenosOcho said:
Garmin Mobile XT 5.0.20w
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same. Really like it.

I used Tomtom 7 Navigator Black Edition
FUZE GPS really sucks

i used Nav N Go iGO 8.