01.Introduction
Test results for nine iPhone GPS apps, priced from $30 to $100
The number of iPhone GPS apps for Australia offering turn-by-turn navigation has tripled since we last tested them a little over six months ago. This time round we again tested all the available apps that can turn your iPhone into the equivalent of a dedicated in-car satellite navigation unit.
Although the iPhone comes with built-in GPS capability and Google Maps to show you where you are and how to get where you’re going — this is no substitute for voice-guided turn-by-turn instructions.
As you might expect, we found greater differences in performance between the apps this time, though they all do at least a reasonable job. You can download all the apps directly to your phone, but because most contain the maps required as part of the app itself you’ll need to use Wi-Fi (wireless local area networking) – downloads over 3G phone networks are limited to 10MB. You can also download the iPhone GPS apps using iTunes on a computer then transfer them to the iPhone.
What we looked at
Performance Our tester noted accuracy of the pre-planned route, points of interest, the estimated time of arrival and accuracy of voice prompts.
Ease of use He also rated each iPhone GPS app on how easy it is to read and interact with the menu, the quality of displayed data and the supplied manuals.
iPhone GPS Apps tested
- Co-Pilot Live 8
- Destinator 9
- iGo My Way
- Mocal
- Nav4D
- Navigon Mobile Navigator
- NDrive
- Sygic Mobile Maps
- TomTom
