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Sat Nav on Desire

I agree, the navigation with googlemaps is very good, I realise that its let down by the fact that if you go off course, it has to use data to download more map info, and therefore needs you to have a mobile signal, but in my experience it works well, i hardly ever deviate from the recommended course and when i have, ive always had a signal anyway, so no problem. For a free peice of software its amazing value.
 
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Might need to get a decent cradle for it to sit in though


I recently got this: FoneM8 - HTC Desire PREMIUM Dedicated Windscreen Mount: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

They have the same one on mobilefun but it is more expensive and they said they were unable to match the price. Works perfectly; great fit (but you cant have the phone in a case at the same time).

In response to being careful of data usage on long journeys, I did 300 miles the other day 7.56 MB. Not bad considering my 500 MB limit works out at about 15 MB per day. That was with me deviating from the set route once.
 
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Fellas - when talking about data usage am I right in thinking that if you set your route when connected to wifi and then make your journey (and don't deviate) then you don't use any data? Or have I got that all wrong?! :eek:

Also, how are you adding a destination to navigate to? As far as I can see I can only add if I have either a contact's address stored on the phone or I click on a point on the map?
 
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Fellas - when talking about data usage am I right in thinking that if you set your route when connected to wifi and then make your journey (and don't deviate) then you don't use any data? Or have I got that all wrong?! :eek:

Also, how are you adding a destination to navigate to? As far as I can see I can only add if I have either a contact's address stored on the phone or I click on a point on the map?

Wozza open up maps then directions and put in your destination.
Also I am pretty sure that as the phone is in contact with the sat nav throughout the journey it will incur data usage.
 
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Menu before directions sorry.

Cheers Billy - had seen that but didn't realise it let you navigate to a postcode but it obviously does! I guess what's missing is that you then can't add a house number like on a satnav device.

Still - I shouldn't complain, my satnav doesn't read out the road names like the Desire does (even if it is in that robotic slightly slurred voice)!
 
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Are you able to change the voice at all? Afterall, the whole Android ethic is that it is meant to be fully customizable system isn't it :D

I think the problem is that the voice on Google navigation is essentially "reading" the driving instructions. In comparson, SatNavs such as Tomtom record certain phrases so can use real voices. Thats why Google nav is able to say names of individual streets.

I presume that means u are stuck with computerised synthetic voices. Can anyone prove me wrong - it would be great if more natural computerised voices could be used.
 
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I think the problem is that the voice on Google navigation is essentially "reading" the driving instructions. In comparson, SatNavs such as Tomtom record certain phrases so can use real voices. Thats why Google nav is able to say names of individual streets.

I presume that means u are stuck with computerised synthetic voices. Can anyone prove me wrong - it would be great if more natural computerised voices could be used.
That's right. Personally I don't mind the voice. I'll never look back to my old satnav after using Google navigation as it's so much easier when signs and road names are read out.
 
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I have a TOMTOM live which I still use for preference mainly due to the HD traffic (that I have to pay for of course). It has a permanent GPRS connection and built in Google search so it also can also do the whole search for the nearest B&Q thing which was a revelation when I first got it, but I still have to agree. For free Google Maps Navigation is awesome and makes more basic PNDs obsolete.
Just make sure you get a charger that the phone recognises as an AC charger not a USB one or the battery will go flat even when on charge while navigating. HTC CC C200 is excellent and inexpensive.
 
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I haven't used the sat nav properly to plan a journey yet, but I'm a little unsure about the options on my phone.

I have a Desire on an Orange Panther contract, which includes Orange maps and Orange Sat Nav. The phone itself comes with Google Maps and Navigation.

The Orange map is slightly different to Google Maps, so I assume they are different systems.

I suppose the big difference will be the data use. The Panther talk plan includes Sat Nav, so I'm assuming that I can use the service without using my 500mb monthly daya allowance, but using the Google service would use my data allowance instead.

Can anyone confirm if this is the case?
 
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I haven't used the sat nav properly to plan a journey yet, but I'm a little unsure about the options on my phone.

I have a Desire on an Orange Panther contract, which includes Orange maps and Orange Sat Nav. The phone itself comes with Google Maps and Navigation.

The Orange map is slightly different to Google Maps, so I assume they are different systems.

I suppose the big difference will be the data use. The Panther talk plan includes Sat Nav, so I'm assuming that I can use the service without using my 500mb monthly daya allowance, but using the Google service would use my data allowance instead.

Can anyone confirm if this is the case?

Yes this is true. When I was with Orange i got the app with no data charges, its free on all panther plans. If you want traffic\speed cams it costs and extra
 
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I use orange maps and it's ok but I have noticed of late that it spends more time "down" than functioning.
I also find it a little slow. When going round roundabouts, I often take the wrong exit as I glance at the screen as I am going round, see what I think is the route to take exit the roundabout to find that I have come off early due to an un expected lag.
I could always go round the island slower lol :D
 
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