The follwoing is from my earlier posting.
I have a Garmin 200W running Malsing maps, a Navman F120 running Navman UK/Europe map and an HTC HD running Garmin Mobile/Malsing Maps, Mapking/Malsing maps and Google Maps. My misus has a HTC Diamond running Mapking then Garmin mobile. I had an HTC Cruise again running both Garmin Mobile and Mapking. My son has a Nokia N95 with GPS.
I think the first issue to be dealth with is whether a dedicated Sat Nav unit or a multi-purpose device like a Phone/PDA with a built-in GPS.
My view is that if you drive whilst searching for an unfimiliar location, use a Sat Nav. It is purpose built, it reacts faster, more accurate in positioning, and the controls are made simpler. Your navigation will not be disturbed by an incoming call like a phone. The screen is larger - I need this (old man eyes).
I find that the Phone/PDA screens are generally too small, the verbal instructions have to go thru the phone speaker which is usually too weak and I find them all too slow i.e. the instruction only comes out when you have already reached the turn. I use my PDA GPS when I am a little familiar with the area and only need the detailed location search. Sorry but the N95 is the worst of all three devices and my son gave up with it and always takes my Garmin Sat Nav instead. The nav functions are interrupted when there's an in-coming call. Using the Sat Nav function on a PDA/Mobile phone is a sure way of draining your battery real quick. It is even faster than activating the wireless network function.
I have always believed that you dont buy a swiss army knife to cut vegetables. The convergence device without compromises is still not here.
The second issue to consider is the software. I removed Mapking from my PDA because it is too complicated to use. I find the simplicity of Garmin the best. Garmin voice instructions are very good and I recommend it for driving. The Navman interface is very similar to the Garmin.
I'm a regular world traveller, if I just wanted to find location or I'm on foot in a part of the world where I dont have a map, I use google maps. It is great. But I will not use use it whilst driving and I do not recommend it. Google maps will only guarantee accuracy within 50m.
The third issue is maps. Maps sold by the GPS maker are just too expensive. Some have more details than others and some are updated more often than others. For me the free malsing map for Malaysia is excellent until they locked it and I just dont bother contributing just to get the unlock keys.
Any of my old friend who are going on a driving holiday in UK/Europe are welcome to "rent" my Navman.
Cheers
