Author Topic: New GPS Application (Read 28623 times)

Couch · « **on:** February 01, 2012, 10:15:35 PM »

I've recently downloaded a GPS application off iTunes called MetroView................it's an Australian made application and I have to say, "I'm bloody impressed". The spoken instructions are in an Australian accent and are clear and distinct, giving full street names, and best of all, the application only costs $14.99

. I had read numerous ravourable reviews on the application so I figured for $14.99 why not give it a go. So far I can't fault it. The spoken directions are given well in advance and as mentioned previously are clear and precise. For instance "in 800 metres turn right in to George Street then turn right into Edward Street" etc. Like all iPhone GPS applications, it's very draining on the battery so you'll definately need to have it powered up to the bike battery. I recently fitted a Powerlet connection from my battery to my tank bag so I can keep my iPhone continually powered up.

So far it's all

Brock · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2012, 10:39:11 PM »

Sounds interesting, but as I dont own an I anything I have no use for it....

Shiney · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2012, 11:44:09 PM »

Does it use data on the phone or does it download the maps to memory before you leave home?
If it uses data as your travelling does it use much?

Malcolm6112 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2012, 11:50:59 PM »

I use this in the car and motorbike. Impressed

saaz · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2012, 07:21:24 AM »

I do Beta testing for metroview, and they are always willing to listen to any comments about how things could be better. The product has improved a lot over the last few years.

http://old.navig8r.com.au/m35/navig8r_club/

Couch · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2012, 09:21:24 AM »

The maps are all inbuilt into the application.............you can pick up any information on the product from the iTunes Store (applications)

Quote from: Shiney on February 01, 2012, 11:44:09 PM

Does it use data on the phone or does it download the maps to memory before you leave home?
If it uses data as your travelling does it use much?

Couch · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2012, 09:45:45 AM »

I have a 32GB Apple iPod that I've had for a couple of years now with hundreds of songs stored on it, and an 8GB 3gs iPhone also with a couple of hundred songs stored on it, plus other applications, including Metro View, which incidently is also stored on my iPod. I find them both excellent pieces of equipment. Having been born in an age before TVs were even thought of in Australia, of crystal sets, staticy sounding radios, and 33' LPs, I find this equipment mind boggling! The quality of sound reproduction is outstanding, particularly when using stereo
earphones. Also with the iPod docks available these days which not only play the songs in stereo but also charge the battery at the same time you can have the music and songs that you like, playing all day, every day, at very little cost.

I love this equipment Brock!

Quote from: Brock on February 01, 2012, 10:39:11 PM

Sounds interesting, but as I dont own an I anything I have no use for it....

alans1100 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2012, 05:47:40 PM »

I just use the Mio Moov GPS for both car and bike but I'm inclined to get the Strike GPS when funds permit.

For the few times I need music I have my good old Nokia loaded up with about 6 hours of music.

terrydj · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2012, 09:45:51 PM »

I just have one of those Garmin Zumo GPS things with free lifetime updates. I think the whole deal is specifically made to give you directions, and not just an APP

Couch · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2012, 10:23:35 PM »

Hey Terry..............Garmin Zumo's definately the way to go but big difference in price. I do hope to have one some time in the future.

Quote from: terrydj on February 02, 2012, 09:45:51 PM

I just have one of those Garmin Zumo GPS things with free lifetime updates. I think the whole deal is specifically made to give you directions, and not just an APP

terrydj · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2012, 05:58:27 AM »

The only reason I said what I did was because I have played with those phone apps and if you have em on a touch screen your battery life sucks. Truth is for me your better off paying bugger all for a GPS from Cash converters or ALDI. If its not waterproof just take it off when its raining or put it in a plastic bag.
The ones from ALDI , have Bluetooth, bike mounts , head set and are waterproof for I think $120.00 and a years warrenty

Streak · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2012, 07:13:54 AM »

I would not mind giving one of the aldi ones a go, I don't really see long term using my phone as a gps, it does the job at the moment.

terrydj · « **Reply #12 on:** February 03, 2012, 07:43:18 AM »

I've had heaps of things on my bikes in the past as some would know. Took me a long time to figure out that the stuff that works is the stuff you need

Couch · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2012, 08:20:57 AM »

I don't see it as long term either Streak, but when I upgrade it will be to a Garmin. I have a Navman that I've had for about 8 years and use it in the cage whenever required. If it was bluetooth then I'd use it for the bike, but it's not. The iPhone will do the job for now and being powered by the bike battery it doesn't really matter how much juice it chews up.
We don't have Aldi on the Apple Isle so I can't even have a look at their product, but I've always believed, you only get what you pay for, and for me, I'd be saving up to get something a little better.

Quote from: Streak on February 03, 2012, 07:13:54 AM

I would not mind giving one of the aldi ones a go, I don't really see long term using my phone as a gps, it does the job at the moment.

Shiney · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2012, 08:47:04 AM »

Quote from: Couch on February 02, 2012, 09:21:24 AM

The maps are all inbuilt into the application.............you can pick up any information on the product from the iTunes Store (applications)

Quote from: Shiney on February 01, 2012, 11:44:09 PM
Does it use data on the phone or does it download the maps to memory before you leave home?
If it uses data as your travelling does it use much?

Thanks mate

I'll have a closer look on iTunes

Carsten · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2012, 11:42:32 AM »

I like the Garmin Zumo 550 and with as decent SD card and decent earphones, the music is also very good.

Couch · « **Reply #16 on:** February 04, 2012, 11:50:10 AM »

Hey Carsten...........I believe the Zumo 660 plays back in stereo, where the 550 playback is in mono.......is that correct??

Quote from: Carsten on February 04, 2012, 11:42:32 AM

I like the Garmin Zumo 550 and with as decent SD card and decent earphones, the music is also very good.

IanB · « **Reply #17 on:** February 04, 2012, 02:26:30 PM »

Friend bought an Aldi unit three yrs ago and still going goodly.
Don't ya need to take yaour gloves off to fiddle with all these apple products since they have touch screen.
Get a nokia ph, has gps with free maps and voice. 8gb memory card for music. Only need one gadget wired through the starcom.
Although I am going ahead with the radio install.
Don't get to watch tele and no radios at work, so will catch up with news and other events on the ABC while trundling along soon.

Couch · « **Reply #18 on:** February 04, 2012, 02:36:50 PM »

Don't have a problem taking the gloves off to use the iPhone screen as I would never want to fiddle with it while underway. As far as which GPS unit to buy, I guess it all comes down to how much you can afford to spend and how often you expect to be using a GPS.

Quote from: beatup on February 04, 2012, 02:26:30 PM

Friend bought an Aldi unit three yrs ago and still going goodly.
Don't ya need to take yaour gloves off to fiddle with all these apple products since they have touch screen.
Get a nokia ph, has gps with free maps and voice. 8gb memory card for music. Only need one gadget wired through the starcom.
Although I am going ahead with the radio install.
Don't get to watch tele and no radios at work, so will catch up with news and other events on the ABC while trundling along soon.

Brock · « **Reply #19 on:** February 04, 2012, 02:46:40 PM »

We bike riders dont need no steenky GPS thingy. The destination doesnt matter, so long as you can still ride..

Whizz · « **Reply #20 on:** February 04, 2012, 04:21:44 PM »

Hey Brock,
I'm really quite surprised that you, as an Avionics Tech, aren't completely hooked on new technology. I've started life as an Avionics Tech (Airborne Radar), then graduated to a degree (then a Masters) in Electronics but stayed working on aircraft, now as a Design Engineer. I first laid my hands on an aircraft at the tender age of 17 and have been hopelessly hooked ever since, but equally hooked on electronical wizardry, so I too have an iPod, and iPhone and an iPad, apart from a few computers etc. I must admit that the idea of GPS as an app on my phone, hooked into an earpiece so that I can't get lost really does appeal to me, so I must go give it a whirl!. I have a GPS app on my iPhone called "Australia" which distinguishes itself because of it's price...IT'S FREE! but I haven't tried the earpiece trick yet, that's next I think! Anyone know of a good iPhone holder for the STead?

Cheers
Whizz

terrydj · « **Reply #21 on:** February 04, 2012, 04:35:04 PM »

Probably the best Phone holder I've seen that works is a bit of that Velcro with the sticky stuff on the back stuck to the tank and the same stuff stuck on the back of the phone. Or put it in the top of the Tank Bag. Seen a few Phone holders on Ram Mounts, but for me the Velcro does the job.

Brock · « **Reply #22 on:** February 04, 2012, 04:44:06 PM »

Oh I love gadgets but have never been interested in Istuff, not since Itunes dumped all my music once (it decided to move all music to the itunes directory so when I deleted itunes the music went to) I wont have anything to do with itunes now or anything that needs it to work. Might get a Galaxy tab but I likes linux cos its free.

I now smite myself for thread drift..

alans1100 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 04, 2012, 05:39:28 PM »

We tried using GPS on a Nokia E71 a few years back and had to pay Nokia so much a month to use the maps. (that may have changed now). Other than that we had GPS coverage via the network operator (vodafone, telstra etc), They call it Assisted GPS meaning (if your phone is capable) that if you go outside the network coverage area your GPS don't work. The maps are downloaded as you go and there's usually a data pakage available for this (but that was three years ago, might be totally different now).

These days I use google maps on the pc and use this http://www.whereis.com/index.htm to look for fuel stops etc, get the address and enter it into the GPS.

Also with google maps I can add the route details, select 3D and do a flyover of the route. (have do something in my spare time....lol)

Whizz · « **Reply #24 on:** February 05, 2012, 10:00:55 AM »

Brock,
I wholeheartedly agree that iTunes is the worst piece of software ever written by anyone, anywhere, at any time, however there are a few decent replacements for it out there now, and I think the hardware is quite reasonable. I also agree about the Galaxy Tab...thinking of getting one of them myself! I personally don't like the attitude of Apple, they definitely think they are Big Brother!.

OK, you can now feel free to smite me

for even more thread-drift.

Cheers
Whizz

News:

Author Topic: New GPS Application (Read 28623 times)

terrydj

terrydj

terrydj

terrydj