All of my android devices come with Google Maps. Since Google makes the android OS and it comes with that loaded I think folks can do the math.
Math has nothing to do with it. Not all GPS app solutions are equal. Google Maps Nav doesn't fit every single user's needs/wants. Whether Google created Maps and Android and whether it's preloaded or not are irrelevant. "Best" for you may mean those things but it doesn't for everyone out there.
I've already stated this but once again: Google Maps Nav is not a suitable solution if you're:
1. Frequently out of coverage (despite its caching) or
2. If you travel internationally -- unless you enjoy bleeding out international data roaming fees (now there's some math).
I already have two free GPS apps so I never felt the need to try others.
Your loss IMO. You don't know what the alternatives have to offer if you don't try them or at least read up on them. However, if you're happy with Google Maps Nav then by all means stick with it. It's actually my primary GPS nav app.
You must be disabling location services or doing something extra becuase GPS has drained the battery for my EVO, Iphone 2 &3 G, and Hero.
No. It's as I said and as explained above by dylo22. GPS only drains the battery
when actively used. As mentioned above, Android devices will notify you in the notification bar when your GPS receiver is actively being used. If there's no notification and your GPS receiver isn't in use then GPS will not drain your battery when turned on. There's an important distinction between "on" and "actively used" that you're missing. The iPhone 4 also sticks an icon at the top of the screen.
Again, as I stated above, if you have location-enabled apps that frequently use the GPS receiver and not aware of this then it may be easier to simply turn GPS off. Again, I don't have any such apps. The GPS receiver is only used when I intend to use it and that's the only time it affects my battery life. In such cases, the device is connected to a suitable charger. If you don't supply enough power then the battery will continue to drain even while connected to a charger.
Have you actually used an iPhone without cell service as a GPS on a hot spot?
Not under such specific conditions. How do you navigate while at a WiFi hotspot? Seems counterproductive.
Tom Tom lost satellite signal more than 50% of the time and greyed the screen out ie it stopped routing (over 1 gig of maps on the device).
I'm lost as to what this has to do with cell service. Cell service has nothing to go with GPS. Also, your iPhone's GPS receiver lost satellite signal, not the TomTom app. Obviously, TomTom can't route without GPS signal but there's an important distinction here that you're glossing over.
I have and I beg to differ.
We'll have to agree to disagree then. IMO you're drawing incorrect conclusions from a lack of understanding.
My TAB will stop routing without hot spot and the "GPS" will stop routing even in the middle of the trip. So it is assisted in some way.
You're confusing "GPS
app requires data" with "assisted GPS
receiver". Assisted GPS specifically means that the GPS receiver contacts assistance servers (if available) for a faster initial fix. Assisted has nothing to do with any data requirements that the GPS app may have.
I fully understand what you mean based on the context of your posts but you need to realize that "assisted" has a specific meaning when it comes to GPS and you'll have difficulty conversing with others (who can't read between the lines) on GPS topics if you insist on using the word assisted in that manner.
I am sure not all devices are created equally.
They're not. However in all devices the GPS receiver and the GPS app(s) are separate entities. You're lumping them together. Make sure you understand what the receiver requires versus what the app requires before arguing.