Database Develop

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

GPS mapping...

I would like to use the GPS on my phone to map my position on a static map or a jpeg. I don't want to use the web at all, I want to store my maps in static images and pull up the appropriate map and be able to find my position on that map
Does anyone know if this is possible and how it would be done?
Thanks.
TW,

BeeLineGPS
I realize you want to be able to import maps, something you cannot do with BeeLineGPS (http://www.visualgps.net/BeeLineGPS/BeeLineGPS), but I'd still strongly recommend the program. It does not do anything over the Internet but it does do just about everything one could do with GPS data. As far as getting some kind of reference of where things are on a blank map, you can import waypoints or mark them on your phone and you can export the movement you've tracked into KML (Google Earth).
From their website: "BeeLineGPS is a high performance Pocket PC cache navigation and management software tool. Import GPX files and manage thousands of waypoints with the advanced Waypoint Manger. View, manage and hunt geocaches with ease and confidence while having fun, a perfect paperless solution. BeeLineGPS also includes active waypoint technology where a waypoint can trigger a warning window for speed traps, safety cameras or play a sound byte while on a guided tour. Other features include waypoint averaging, altitude profiling and a comprehensive trip computer. BeeLineGPS is the ultimate GPS tool for your geocaching and outdoor needs. BeeLineGPS waypoint database can support thousands of waypoints with over 120 icons to depict specific locations."
It's 30 day shareware that eventually turns into nagware but you may find it's worth the $30. Here's the cab: http://www.visualgps.net/BeeLineGPS/BeeLineGPSInstall.CAB

I have not used this at all, haven't even installed it yet, but you might want to look at MyMotion

Very interesting, thanks guys.
I think MyMotion is the closest I've seen yet. I don't really care about tracking where I've been - does anyone know of any open source similar to MyMotion?
TW,

http://www.mgmaps.com/
with
http://www.mapcacher.com/
and
http://debin.net/gMapMaker/

Any thoughts on installing to my tilt? I'm not having much luck...
TW,

i'm newbie on gps stuff so i would like a software that i can track my phone for an example... in every 30minutes the phone autorun gps send the coords to some place on internet or something and then turn off gps again... this on background and i can track on my pc at home or something... this is usefull in a robbery... can this be done? thx in advance ;P

tiger.woods said:
Very interesting, thanks guys.
I think MyMotion is the closest I've seen yet. I don't really care about tracking where I've been - does anyone know of any open source similar to MyMotion?
TW,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you should take a look at GPStuner. It does a lot of things
- Maps can be downloaded from the phone, or from a computer and stored on memory card. (i currently have 50 JPG covering 200 sq km)
- It records your track, gives information about your current speed, altitude, average speed...
- You set up points aywhere on the map and it will lead you to them, or search nearby points. I use it for things that do not come on Tomtom, like bus stops, libraries or free WiFi hotspots
- You can save your track and open it on Google Earth
Another similar software is tracky, but I like GPSTuner more

chinomoreno, it's not polite to hi-jack a thread... start another with your question.

You can also use LEM's TrackMe, using it off-line it will store your data on your device until you decide to upload it (by example when connected with Wifi or ActiveSync). It also stores .kml files you can use in Google Earth.

We've kind of moved off topic to tracking software as opposed to being able to find a point on a static map or image... is it really that difficult to do???
TW,

Desktop app exportable to kaiser
I use Memorymap on my desktop and it can be fully exported to pda. Incorporates standard maps and arial photographic images which you can flip between:
http://www.memory-map.com/

tiger.woods said:
We've kind of moved off topic to tracking software as opposed to being able to find a point on a static map or image... is it really that difficult to do???
TW,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PathAway, but it's way more than what you're asking for. You can create a map, calibrate it, then upload it. You can do large maps, small maps, etc.. And you can pull in topo or sat maps in on the fly over the data connection too if you don't happen to have a map already made.

Keeping track of travels from Kaiser for others to see

Folks,
I'm currently vacationing in Hawaii (Aloha!) and would like to find an easy to use tool that will allow my family and friends to track me. I'd like to be able to use my Tilt's GPS to track where I've been, upload pictures at locations I've been, and maybe add a bit of commentary for the folks back home.
I've tried wordpress blogging from Opera, but it is really, really cumbersome to upload pictures because the upload utility doesn't display thumbnails--only file names.
Is there another utility that you'd recommend?
Rutilate

Two simple steps...
Step 1: Use the GPS photo option in the phone to take a pic.
Step2: upload the pic to http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/ and see where you have been in google earth or google maps...
Sometimes the GPS photo takes forever to get a lock by itself so i use GPSTest to get a GPS lock and then switch to the camera.
You can also try Ozi Explorer , this app allows you to show your GPS position in real time on the map (Its called moving map mode, and the map can be a PNG image).
Have fun on your vacation!

Or you can use this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=340667

kilrah said:
Or you can use this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=340667
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Just make sure you use its "Turn Off Screen" mode if possible, otherwise Windows Mobile eventually goes to a deeper sleep and it stops tracking. Not a problem when it's plugged into the charger typically, and when I'm traveling on the road I always just keep the phone plugged in.

You can also use Navizon look in my signature

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.

Igo (MyWay) 8 vs TomTom Mobile Navigator - why Igo Wins

First and foremost. This may be just my imagination, but I'm starting to think that part of the GPS issues that everybody experiences with the Raphael (Fuze) might be due to TomTom's DLLs...
I've used TomTom extensively on my past 3 phones - an 8525, a Kaiser, and now my Fuze. I just got Igo MyWay 8 - and have to say that overall, I'm much happier with Igo (and I loved TomTom in spite of it's shortcomings with this phone).
Satellite lock and speed
- Igo gets a satellite lock *MUCH* faster than TomTom ever could. I assumed that this wouldn't change, assuming it was a hardware anomaly - but it appears the DLLs used to communicate from software to OEM device vary from app-to-app. Igo wins this one hands down - I get locks inside my house inside of 20 seconds COLD and within 3-5 seconds "hot" or outside. No, I'm not on acid. That fast.
Ease of use
- TomTom *is* more customizable. But many of the customizations you can make are... well... useless. TomTom has the edge here, but not by much.
Features
- Igo has Text-to-Speech (TTS) - something that apparently TomTom has no intention of supporting. I've heard rumors that the current version of TT does support TTS, but I have the current version and could find nothing on it. In the directions, the saying of street names is VERY helpful. Igo matches TT feature-by-feature, the only thing I missed in Igo was the browse map of TomTom (you can browse in Igo - it's just not as intuitive). Also, Igo has actual 3D mapping of both topography and major cities. Way cool - know where the next big hill is, navigate based on building shape, etc.
Igo wins hands-down.
Cost
- Both have the pay-for-map business model, though Igo's at least for the moment are significantly cheaper. Igo wins again.
POIs
- TomTom seemed to have a bit more POI's loaded stock, but the difference was negligible. Even.
All in all, I'll keep TomTom on my phone, but purely for reference if needed. Since I installed Igo, I've not used TomTom even once.

I have to agree with you on all points. I used to be a big believer in Tomtom, but after trying iGo 8 i will not be going back!

I've read a bunch of good stuff about Igo... the thing that sucks is that apps like footprints are usually tomtom compatible and nothing else.

I guess it all depends where you are... I've researched igo a bit and I dont think the maps released for north america as up to date as TOMTOMS... I could be wrong though. If they are... do they have 3d landmarks like they do in Europe? By like they do in Europe I mean as many...

Contacts?
Can you navigate to your contacts addresses with Igo?
I used Igo before and the reason I switched back to TomTom was simply because I use it for business.
So navigating to my contact addresses is a must.
Does your version of Igo support contact addresses?

p50kombi said:
Can you navigate to your contacts addresses with Igo?
I used Igo before and the reason I switched back to TomTom was simply because I use it for business.
So navigating to my contact addresses is a must.
Does your version of Igo support contact addresses?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. I don't see any contact adress implementation in iGO8. Seems like a very difficult feature though... You never know if you wrote all street names correctly

I've used both IGO and TomTom and I disagree with the results here.
1. TomTom makes usage of special tools such as traffic, downloading extra extra POI with ease, and also editing your map with ease
2. TomTom has MANY more POI then IGO, my entire town had like 10 POI on IGO, on TomTom it has more than 100
3. I feel the TomTom is easier to manage in terms of locking on a GPS, setting it up (depending on where you configured it) and other methods.
TomTom wins

KRAZzysoldier said:
Nope. I don't see any contact adress implementation in iGO8. Seems like a very difficult feature though... You never know if you wrote all street names correctly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not really true.
If TomTom gets confused, it shows you the options that it thinks are most likely to match the contact address and you can choose the one you think it is.
So for me, TomTom wins by a landslide.
btw, with Igo, I had much more GPS lag than with TomTom.

p50kombi said:
That's not really true.
If TomTom gets confused, it shows you the options that it thinks are most likely to match the contact address and you can choose the one you think it is.
So for me, TomTom wins by a landslide.
btw, with Igo, I had much more GPS lag than with TomTom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! I didn't know that because I never used TomTom as they don't make uptodate maps for my country. Igo has always provided the best routes as it has the most up to date maps for me... it seems that the app one might prefer more depends on the location. Afterall that's what gps navigation software's main purpose is.

The definitive answers
When I saw a new Igo8 thread, why, I immediately pitched a tent in my pants, round house kicked and double fist pumped!
Igo8, when customized the right way, is the best hands down.
I currently have R3 Igo 8.3 (Jan 7). Now, you don't want to use the most current POI files that come with it (as they are limited)-use previous versions (8.0 or 8.01) and modify the ,txt file so the program recognizes it.
[poi]
enable_pois_before_090117=1
Igo CAN navigate your contacts, the only prerequisite is that NO APARTMENT/SUITE numbers be in the contact address. Igo will tell you which addresses cannot be found by going to (when running Igo):
menu/manage/geocoding errors
There, you'll be able to see which contacts failed.
Activate phone option (so you may call a poi/contact directly from igo). Sys.txt addition:
[Phone]
Driver=TAPI
Class_name=exe_path="/windows/prog.exe
Win_name="phone"
SKIN IT!
Full screen at its best, download the Gurjon (only 8.3.x.x) skin, Excellent.
BRAND IT!
Download a branding.zip to enable icons to be seen (Texaco, Schmcdonald icons seen on screen. Nice!
Okay, tent down...
Edit: Added skin (only for R3 igo8) and sys.txt

telegraph0000 said:
...
Igo CAN navigate your contacts, the only prerequisite is that NO APARTMENT/SUITE numbers be in the contact address. Igo will tell you which addresses cannot be found by going to (when running Igo):
menu/manage/geocoding errors
There, you'll be able to see which contacts failed.
Activate phone option (so you may call a poi/contact directly from igo). Sys.txt addition:
[Phone]
Driver=TAPI
Class_name=exe_path="/windows/prog.exe
Win_name="phone"
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW! 10x, I really didn't know this feature was embedded, although I've been using iGo for 3 years now.

There are some newer TeleAtlas maps floating around for iGo 8.3. I haven't tried them yet though, but I think they're 2008.10.
TomTom uses TeleAtlas maps as well, although I don't know what the latest version is.
For me, Navteq maps are more complete in my area, but I might have to try the newest TeleAtlas ones to see if they have my subdivision yet.
Garmin Mobile XT has always been the most trustworthy for me, plus the embedded Google Local Search is the BEST thing for GPS on these phones. If you have data, you can search Google for POI's from within Garmin. This is so much better than relying on static, built-in POI's.
For example, last night I was going to Toys R Us in Rockford, IL. I knew where it was but when we got there we found out they moved. I wasn't sure where the new location was. I used the Local Search in Garmin and it had the new location.
Garmin has its quirks as well, but this feature, along with live traffic and fuel prices is the reason I stick with it. I do miss TTS and some other features of iGo, but I can also live without them.
The only thing that has kept me away from TomTom over the last few years is that the maps in my area weren't as complete.
iGo was great when I used it. I liked TTS and the terrain. Its choice of routes was questionable at time, and I've always had an issue with the ETA. For a 5-5.5 hour trip it would show about 6.5 hours and the ETA time wouldn't be accurate until I was within about 30 minutes of my destination.

It's a bit of a fault of the map. If it uses some default speed limits it can even suggest a wrong route. Example. There is a road in my city, that has speed limit 80km/h, but it's set as 50km/h so it usually doesn't suggest a side trip to that road, when it's much faster (also, almost everybody drive over the limit on that road), it's the road that continues as E80 .

I run TomTom on my Fuze and I can say that I have zero issues with it. It works exactly, if not even better, as it did on my 8125 (Wizard) and my 8525 (Hermes).

Igo
Igo, Igo and Igo !
I didn't know about the phone settings but it only make it more interesting ....
One other thing : maps files are a lot smaller in Igo than in Tom Tom so you can put more maps on your sd card.
Igo is a lot more customizable than Tom Tom and poi's are not really an issue because there is so much available. By the way, if it is for poi uses Google maps and its online search.
Garmin has a great reputation but I find it less interesting.
I have tested the latest garmin, Tom Tom 7.9 and I go 8.3 and I stick to Igo but the latest AmIgo (Igo 8.4) is something difficult to swallow. They say that they have removed all the difficult parts for the user but I think they have removed too much lol

I completely agree with your Amigo comment (flying carpet? Please). It is stripped down, bare bones, a beginner gps program that grandma can easily use.
The thing I love best about Igo (Besides using it as my own 411 directory) is its seemingly endless customization. The skinning makes it worthwhile to search for thst perfect skin. There are skins that alter/add menu options (more than just Route, manage, settings, find).
I upgraded to Gurjon GJ6.2p (www.Gurjon.com)...great upgrade. I can now:
1. Run a program (calculator, calendar, contacts) directly within Igo.
2. Multi-route (fast, short, economical, easy, scenic) and see all on the screen and color coded.
3. Add 10 additional Map screen settings (3d settings, lane info, short menu, turn settings, transparency, bars and pads, waypoint & destination, and more...)
4. Bluetooth enabled.
5. See the actual direction of a poi (with an arrow pointing the direction and distance based on your current location.
Yeah..lag, what can you do with it...

The TomTom version I have supports TTS but yeah I agree that it takes a lot of time to lock. Maybe after some time I will give Igo a shot

As I said - the lag issue seems to be a hardware issue and is still present with Igo (but I still say the positional lag issue is a non-issue for me - I can live with a 1-2 second delay).
For me, the maps (topography as well as 3-d building in major cities) coupled with the TTS makes Igo *very* attractive. I didn't even know about skinning it until I read the responses above this - another big plus for me.
As far as not (to my knowledge) having traffic or weather plugins - honestly - who cares? TomTom charges what I feel is an exorbitant fee for these services and thus renders them useless features to me.
And above all, I still say the satellite locking is faster with Igo.
Mileage may vary - and everybody will have features that are more important to them (like navigate to contact) - but as for myself - I've not loaded TomTom even once since putting Igo on.
A note about POIs... TomTom was anything but complete either - to the point that I never relied on it. When it comes to adding POIs, I'd say that both are equally adept and again makes this a non-issue.
Additionally, for me personally, any service that would rely on a data connection is out the window - I travel off the beaten path and into the sticks quite frequently where data connections are often a pipe-dream. That said - even if I were to pay for (eg) weather service, online poi ability - the services would be totally unusable when I've got no data connection. Again - rendering the ability a total non issue.

Hmm
I have been trying iGo8 and came to this discussion because I think it is awful to use, and was looking for something else.
I have it on an HTC Touch HD. From the outset it made little sense, wanting to plan a route from A to B seems impossible, only from GPS to B.
Today my iGo thinks Im somewhere on the M25 where google maps knows I am home in West Sussex. I have exited Igo twice and restarted, same issue.
Thumbing a map to see where you are or to look at surrounding areas on iGo is a joke, simply awful. It uncontrollably moves waaaaay past a mere gesture, and even when you press your thumb down to stop it moving, it continues.
I really hope TomTom is better, or I will need to buy a "real" GPS for my car... but at this point iGo gets a thumbs down.
Mark.

You probably have an addition to your sys.txt that makes the map move in that manner. Don't remember what the coding is...but I too hated it and removed it to scroll ONLY when I touched the screen.
As to routing...all you need to do is touch start point, 'cursor'-->set as start point. Then touch your destination, 'cursor'-->set as destination---simple.