GPS standalone vs Smartphone GPS
 

Ive recently bought a good used Garmin nuvi 1300 for my job .I have a few questions for those out their using their smartphones for GPS ,is it a good matchup to a GPS standalone?If you use the GPS option are you using alot of data time monthly ?An interesting point I found upon after researching ,for or against a standalone, is that some companies are requiring it for employees to have it on their company smartphones ,a tracker app can be implemented to keep a look at your location at all times,A Brave new world.

I use Waze, blows the old fashion GPS out of the water.

The smartphones are taking the marketplace with flashy devices but do they really matchup in this GPS MARKET ,Im finding they dont. If you get the GPS app already appllied to your new smartphone you still have to pay for the usage with minutes .I like the fact that no bill is waiting for me at the end of the month ,onced purchased the GPS is truely standalone from any other charges ,the only exception would be for mapping upgrades you might want to add as newer streets are built.

I have a Garmin thing and a free app on a smartphone. I use Navmii (used to be called navfree).

The Garmin on the whole is slightly better in my opinion but not really that much better that it is worth paying for it!

The Navmii app also has a walking mode which is kind of OK but because it is all done through cell phone towers you can be 15-20 meters away from your turning and it isn't clear which you are meant to take.

If you were to have a decent dedicated "really gets its GPS information from satellites" it would piss over all of these telephone based systems.

I use Waze for any driving directions I need, but have a standalone GPS that I use for backpacking/hiking.

Most smartphones have built in GPS antennas and circuits like a Garmin, so the GPS side of the function does not use data. What does use data is the downloading of maps, but most heavy data usage is when keeping the GPS function on during long drives where you likely don't need an updated view of Highway 80, etc. If you're worried about data usage on a smartphone GPS, use the GPS function 1) only when you're relatively close or 2) accessing wi-fi (stop at a Starbucks or McDonalds) and then cache the maps into memory.

I use my phone (HTC One) for GPS. Since I do field service work, I'm looking for new places all the time. Despite this, I have never had a problem using cell data and I don't have a huge data allowance on my contract.

I used to use a dedicated GPS but the Google maps on the phone is great. It even tells me the exact lane to be in to make exits and turns. Also, the verbal directions are so good that I rarely look at the screen, I just listen to it. I have bluetooth integration to the car stereo and the music pauses when it's giving a direction and then resumes.

For land based navigation I have found a good smartphone to be the best. That Garmin will work, I used to have one years ago, but...it doesn't have voice command, real time traffic, radar trap info, constant updates from Google, satellite photo based maps, and it won't help you with walking directions either. It also lacks a 3D option which is nice for cities.

Now if you have no cell signal? Of course GPS only units are still the best.

The GPS in modern Mercedes' Comand are pretty weak. A three year old Garmin can run rings around it and then there's the DVD upgrade costs.

True, but I'm spoiled by marine electronics they just blow the land based ones out of the water like the cheap basic units they are.:D

I still have a 15 year old big Garmin that I would put into a vintage car that didn't have one built in. It has some unique features, like a speedometer display, max speed, two trip odometers, graphics of what satellites it sees, and latitude and longitude. Also the speaker is LOUD.
My minivans both have built in nav systems, so I haven't used the Garmin in a long time, but it was nice in the SD.

+1 on the Waze app.

I have a 1G data limit, and as long as I conciously limit my data use, Waze doesnt cause me to blow that.
If you are concerned, IIRC the Android OS has a screen where it tracks data useage...(settings....data usage). Put waze or GOogle maps on your phone and use it once.
There is a way to cache maps ahead of time with google maps, you need to to it in 50M increments, but I've done it and it works - that'll save a bunch of data use.
Waze and google maps will update around construction zones much faster than a standalone gps. The apps can also detect traffic, and Waze even has a method where people can report 'police activity' (ie: cops hiding and trying to bust people..) These features alone make a smartphone app superior to a standalone GPS.
Side benefit - I always plug my phone into a charger when using Waze, so I arrive at my destination with the phone fully charged...

If data use is a concern - track it for a few trips - get a feel. I have an app ("Data Enabler") that allows me to turn cell data on and off easily.
another widget called "Power control" lets me turn bluetooth/GPS/screen brightness and wifi on and off easily - These allow you to regulate your data and power use much easier.

-John

For all my travel needs, I always carry my trusty Garmin with me. No reception problems, roaming charges, and easily programmable for any country in the world. Used it all of Central America, Spain, Germany, and now in the Emirates.

Well that was an expensive one - or did you pay a lot for extra maps?

Garmin - phone comparo
 

I just returned from the South Carolina flood area where I spent two weeks as an American Red Cross damage assessor. I took my Garmin and my smart phone.

Started off using the Garmin and within a few days, used the phone exclusively to find my way around the affected areas.

The phone allows voice programming, a time saver.
The phone provided more precise directions by updating position more often.
The phone assisted in finding routing around road and bridge closures (Waze). There were many as you may imagine.
Of course, I haven't received my bill yet so that may change my opinion.

All that said, I took the Garmin to Italy a couple of years ago. Bought the chip for it and all I can say is that it probably saved our marriage.