Iphone road nav questions

[Sac Arrow]

I just got this cool new accessory mount for my motorcycle and have an adaptor that will hold a small GPS or an Iphone. I don't want to get a small GPS. I have an Iphone.

1. Is there a way to set the map function so that it is "always on", similar to how Foreflight overrides default auto lock and screen dimming functions?

2. If the answer to 1) is "no", auto lock can be turned off yet but what about screen dimming?

3. Is there some free app, or at least some low cost non-subscription app that can use the existing online Google map database and provide enhanced display capability, like track-up display and auto centering? (Does the native map app have this capability? I don't think so.)

 

[EdFred]

Google Maps does that on all the android devices.

 

[Sac Arrow]

Nevermind. I figured it out.

 

[Sac Arrow]

Due to the overwhelming volume of questions, I decided I'd go ahead and post my findings, since I already brought the subject up.

Regarding the free Iphone apps, the only two logical choices are either the built in nav app, or the Mapquest Mobile app. Observations and comparisons:

1. User interface - The native app has a better, less busy and easier to read interface, and a more logical data entry sequence. The Mapquest app has odd looking symbology and has functionless borders and shapes that border on gaudy.

2. Search functionality - The native app with the Google maps database more readily finds place names and business names without the need to type in an address. The Mapquest app hits it about 80 percent of the time.

3. Route selection - both are similar, with the Mapquest app defaulting to the shortest travel time with an automatic reversion to a walking route if less than a mile.

4. Enroute navigation - The native app fails miserably here, with no auto waypoint capability. The default mode does not auto center. Auto centering in the compass mode is quirky especially in a metal vehicle or on a motorcycle. The Mapquest app on the other hand, automatically detects waypoints and automatically gives progressive instructions, both visually and verbally. The view is auto centering and track up view by default. Track up view is more accurate, probably done by movement detection vs. the internal magnetometer, as it does not appear to be affected by metallic interference. The native app is still functional without manually advancing the direction cues, one just drives the magenta line.

5. Nearby place detection - the native app does not appear to have the capability to locate other searched places simultaneously with a nav route plugged in. The Mapquest app has tabbed categories that one can select to find gas stations, restaurants and other key features along the route.

The bottom line is that the Mapquest app meets all my specified requirements, without the need to normally provide manual inputs during a nav run, which can be difficult if not impossible while wearing thick leather motorcycle gloves. One annoying quirk is that it is one of those apps that does override the hardware silent switch, so if you want it to STFU, you have to manually turn off audio cues. That said, the audio cues are accurate and timely and could be fed back to the rider via either Bluetooth or earbud headphones.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

I do that too, sometimes later a person will want to search the archives for a topic...or sometimes I forget what I did!

 

[Sac Arrow]

Hah!! I was playing with the Mapquest Iphone app today in the cage, on known routes just for familiarization.

"Take the next exit on to West street." A female Darth Vader voice prompted.

WTF? There is no West street here! There is a Tenth street exit. The prompt to exit was accurate but the exit name or street reference was not. I zoomed in on my map slightly and realized it intended to take me to the parallel "W" (as in the letter W) street. How amusing!

Other that that, it was quite accurate and performed automatic recalcs if you deviated from it's expected route.

Second test of the day - on the way back I streamed Pandora. Too $hort, in the middle of a uncensored song that denegrated women, was temporarily muted as Ms. Vader gave the directive to turn right. It came out in a quite interesting sequence.... "Turn Right..." "Beeootch!"

 

[masloki]

"Take the next exit on to West street." A female Darth Vader voice prompted.

WTF? There is no West street here! There is a Tenth street exit. The prompt to exit was accurate but the exit name or street reference was not. I zoomed in on my map slightly and realized it intended to take me to the parallel "W" (as in the letter W) street. How amusing!

Would you mind PMing the specific route and turn instruction to me? I have some friends that work on this stuff on the map side, not mapquest. Would be interesting to see where the problem lies.

Otherwise, Mapquest is the only app I know of that is free and will alert you as you approach the turn. But, half the time I have to search for the address in Google to paste that into MQ.

 

[Sac Arrow]

PM sent.

 

[Sac Arrow]

Update:

There is now a Google Maps application for Iphone! Yay! It works hella better than the original OEM Google map app too. Searching and navigation is flawless.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Update:

There is now a Google Maps application for Iphone! Yay! It works hella better than the original OEM Google map app too. Searching and navigation is flawless.

Yay, the Mapocalypse is over! But I've been pretty unimpressed so far. It actually looks to me VERY much like Apple's maps app. I don't like it yet.

 

[Sac Arrow]

Yay, the Mapocalypse is over! But I've been pretty unimpressed so far. It actually looks to me VERY much like Apple's maps app. I don't like it yet.

It's ten times better than the original native Google map app in terms of being able to search for a place and get directions to it. Only disadvantage I can see is getting Siri to work with it for those so equipped. Map database is the same.

 

[Matthew]

I just noticed that you can tilt the Google Maps. I don't know if you could do it before, but I know you can now.

Just use two fingers to slide up and down the screen. Rather than dragging the image around the screen, it will tilt.

 

[ScottM]

I was just in Barcelona and the iPhone map app was way better than Google maps.

Google maps had things on the wrong side of the road while iMaps put them where they were supposed to be. I wonder if TomTom, who is the data base provider for the iMaps takes more time to make sure European databases are correct since they are basically the Garmin of Europe.