VZ Navigator and Droid!!
JerryRecords
Newbie

Google Maps is a joke. Anyone here owned the LG Dare or any LG device with VZ Navigator? I like how the app works better than goofle maps by far. Google maps is not accurate at all. It's missing a lot of features, and its driving me nuts. This is what verizon advertised, the turn by turn directions, and the voice search feature. It still sucks. So im paying $30 more for a data plan, an "amazing" google maps app who needs to use actual gps instead of those unreliable cell phone towers to help you find out where you're at. Anyone here feels the same way?

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Re: VZ Navigator and Droid!!
supitsmike
Specialist - Level 2

Jerry, my boy.

 

Google Navigation is still in beta.

I'll give you some time to think about what that means before the wave of "Oh snap" hits you.

 

 

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Re: VZ Navigator and Droid!!
TheBowers
Newbie

I used the Google Nav and compared it to a Garmin GPS. The nav on my droid pin pointed where I was at just the same as the Garmin. To me that is right on and is using GPS now isn't it? On top of that I can see different views of where I am going and a direction list. The Garmin has none of this. The only thing that I wish Google Nav. had was miles/time to destination and your speed right on the traffic view. If it had that it would be better then any stand a lone GPS device.

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Re: VZ Navigator and Droid!!
AFguy
Contributor - Level 2

That is a good idea, "TheBowers".  Perhaps we will see that added when Google Nav reaches its production status.  I too would like to see that.  For a GPS that is still in beta it runs pretty darn good and we may still get some extra's added.  :smileyhappy:

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Re: VZ Navigator and Droid!!
PPC_Dude
Contributor - Level 2

 


JerryRecords wrote:

Google Maps is a joke. Anyone here owned the LG Dare or any LG device with VZ Navigator? I like how the app works better than goofle maps by far. Google maps is not accurate at all. It's missing a lot of features, and its driving me nuts. This is what verizon advertised, the turn by turn directions, and the voice search feature. It still sucks. So im paying $30 more for a data plan, an "amazing" google maps app who needs to use actual gps instead of those unreliable cell phone towers to help you find out where you're at. Anyone here feels the same way?


 

First of all, the $30/month for the data plan covers a little bit more than just Google Maps and Navigation.  Secondly, Google Maps absolutely uses the GPS receiver in the phone and, from my experience, is very accurate in determining your location.  It calculates routes faster and easier (ie. voice search, yes it works) than the on-board Nav system in my car that I paid an extra $2,000 for and does indeed give you turn by turn directions.

 

You do have to turn on "Use GPS Satellites" on the phone before Google Maps will use it.  Otherwise it will default to cell tower location.  However, even if GPS is turned off, if you then select "Navigate to" the phone will prompt you to turn GPS on so that it can pinpoint your location and calculate the directions.

 

I have never used VZ Navigator so I cannot dispute your claim that it is superior to Google Maps, but I have seen a few posts from people that didn't think it was worth the $10/month

 

BTW: I just got an update to G-Maps today. I don't remember exactly what was added / changed, but it did give a list of 3 or 4 things.

 

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Re: VZ Navigator and Droid!!
willanaya
Contributor - Level 3

JerryRecords wrote:

Google Maps is a joke. Anyone here owned the LG Dare or any LG device with VZ Navigator? I like how the app works better than goofle maps by far. Google maps is not accurate at all. It's missing a lot of features, and its driving me nuts. This is what verizon advertised, the turn by turn directions, and the voice search feature. It still sucks. So im paying $30 more for a data plan, an "amazing" google maps app who needs to use actual gps instead of those unreliable cell phone towers to help you find out where you're at. Anyone here feels the same way?


 

before i had the droid, i had the env3. excellent phone, top notch.  i used the VZ Navigator because my job requires me to go to a variety of businesses and it was very helpful.  however, the google map is by far more accurate.  with the VZ, it listed my house 4 doors down (my garmin, 8 to 9 doors down).  Google maps pinpoints not only where i live but almost to the exact point of where i am standing in my house.  i even moved around and watched the blue dot move with me, awesome.

 

but like Stupitsmike noted, this is still a beta app. who knows what they have in store next week, next month, etc....

 

plus i really like the actual picture of the place i am looking for.

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Re: VZ Navigator and Droid!!
JerryRecords
Newbie

in the beginning, when i first installed the app i did see the notes on it, it said, beta, a few days later, it didnt show it anymore when i updated it. that made me think it was the final version or something. but still, i left a good navigator IMO for something that works way less than good right now. I've tested this the first day i got it too, since i was hyped about it also. Then i realized it wasnt sending me to the proper locations, and it was taking me the long way, and sometimes around it. I'm always looking up addresses, and places with it, so i hope google adds all those key features that a navigator needs.

I could give you a list of the all the things i miss from VZ Navigator but i know it'll be pointless to post them here. ah, what the [edit], we need real time navigation with different filters ie. shortest, simpler or faster routes, no highways or tolls, etc. A 'follow me' map that's showing the streets ahead of you on a overhead view, and it actually follows you. We need a favorites page where we could save recents searches or have our own contacts and the ease to choose them as our next destination.By the cell towers i meant, i once looked up my location and i was way off from the place the app showed. what is that?

 

i guess, you're right about you're getting a lot more than google maps, cause you have a whole market full of fun stuff compared to other phones.

 

I'm just saying, they need to update it quick or i probably switch to my Dare before i reach the 30 days, or maybe purchase a stand-alone gps- yea right!

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Re: VZ Navigator and Droid!!
fezzik
Contributor - Level 3

Hmm everything you are complaining about missing from VZ Navigator is what I have in Google Maps and the only thing I am missing from VZ Navigator is the way it recognized my position as a block away from where I actually was and how it told me I was at my location either a quarter mile before I got there or after I had already passed it.  With Google maps it actually recognizes which side of my duplex I am parked at.  With VZ Navigator it had me at a duplex on the next street up.  Don't get me wrong I got a lot of use out of VZ Navigator but I also had my issues with it.  Once when looking for a tattoo parlor it took me to a house same with a book store.  The tattoo place I ended up going too shows up to get directions to it only when looking it up specifically by name.  G Maps gives me a list and actually the way I found it that time was getting on the web on my feature phone and doing a google search for tattoo parlors in the area which was slow and frustrating as it was an older phone.  With the DROID not only can I bring up google and search for a place then click on the phone number or get directions I can search google maps, browse the area, pull up any one of my local search apps (most of which are more up to date than VZ Navigator which I realize they are updating and allowing people to submit problems but still) and tell it to navigate or jump to maps and choose how I want to be told how to get there.  It is pretty cool.  So there are some problems.  I went to a restaurant that was about a block off in directions cause the address was wrong on the web.  That could be an issue but it didn't exist in VZ Navigator so I wasn't any worse off.  Aside from having local search by category built in I can't think what Google maps is missing that VZ Navigator has. I would change the creepy lady's voice to something more natural but no love lost there. 

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Re: VZ Navigator and Droid!!
jsh1120
Newbie

Anyone know if it's possible to turn on the speaker for the instructions in VZ Navigator? The only problem I've found is having to hold the phone next to my ear to hear the instructions. 

 

Otherwise, the limited testing I've done does everything I want it to do. And the photo of my house with my car sitting in front was a bit disconcerting but reassuring when I arrived home. 

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Re: VZ Navigator and Droid!!
Softa_larry
Newbie

I agree.  Google maps left me in a dangerous location this morning. VZ navigator is easier, more accurate, looks at traffic patterns and is SAFER.  It at least directs you to the designated location, not 10 blocks away with no exit. This is a  scary deal killer.

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