| Software Author: |
Mapopolis |
| Title: |
Mapopolis Navigator |
| Cost: |
$89.95 for 1 year subscription (versions with
less features range down to $14.95) |
| Reviewed By: |
Matthew Miller |
| Storage: |
Software: 831kb download and about 300kb on your
Pocket PC. Maps vary from around 800k to over 5MB and are packaged as U.S.
counties. (A European version is under development at this time.) |
| Rating: |
 |
Mapopolis recently announced the release
of Navigator. The program is very similar to the Mapopolis Platinum GPS
solution that I previously reviewed
and I will try to only discuss the new features of the software in this review. I
suggest you read the previous review first so you get an idea of the power of the
product. The two weaknesses I mentioned in my previous review have been addressed
and are now included in the Mapopolis Navigator product. Mapopolis has also been
chosen as this year's winner of the Pocket PC Awards for Maps and Directions.
You can load Mapopolis into RAM or on a storage card. Again, I loaded the viewer
and maps onto my MMC card so I could use my CompactGPS in my CF slot. To load maps
you can double click on the map and the Mapopolis map installer program will load it
onto your device. Or you can simply copy and paste the maps onto your storage card
or main memory. You should understand that although maps are loaded onto a storage
card, they are actually moved into RAM while in use. Thus you are limited by your
available RAM. This wasn't an issue for me crossing 3 counties, but as your trip
extends you may run into a memory problem.
The one new function you will see in the Tools menu is for Navigation. The
Navigation function replaces the old Directions function which only allowed you to
set an origin and destination. The Navigation menu allows you to find and show
route, activate route guidance, and show different bottom screen status displays of
your directions and route. With this new functionality, you also get to setup the
Navigation Options. Here you can choose the fastest or shortest route, automatic
re-route, audio prompts and volume, and an ETA. There is also a new audio alert for
speed setting (at least I don't remember it in the previous version) in the GPS
Options. This was very cool and would keep beeping if you went over the speed you
designated. My wife could have used this last week when she got a speeding
ticket.
New Tools>Navigation menu
Navigation Options display
Setting up a route is similar to the Directions function in the Platinum version
where you have 5 options for selecting the origin and destination points. Setting
up the route is fast and easy. I found it much simpler and intuitive than some of
the other mapping applications I have tried. Mapopolis Navigator is also very fast
at finding an address as you start typing in the number or street. You can save the
directions as an .htm file so you can send it out to others or post online.
Choosing Show Directions will show the text version of the directions. Choosing
Show Route on Map will plot out the route in a color you designate in the
customization or red by default. Active Route Guidance should be selected as you
are traveling so you can see yourself moving on the map and hear the audible guidance.
Text directions
There are 3 different ways to show your navigation on the display. The
Navigation pane takes up about the bottom 1/2 of the screen and shows your routing
directions in large text. The route step pane (one I prefer) shows the text
directions and arrow for next turn in the bottom 1/5th of the display allowing for
the map to take up a majority of the display. The pilot data pane shows your speed,
heading, bearing, and range.
Navigation pane
Route Step pane
Pilot Data pane
If you go off route, then Mapopolis Navigator will tell you to turn around and
will automatically reroute you from your current position (if you have the option
turned on). One other nice feature will occur if you have two turns that are close
together. The first turn will be indicated in a large block and just below it you
will see the next turn. Mapopolis tries to give you about a minute warning before
your turn, but if you have two immediate turns then this will automatically
occur.
Wrong way
I tried several different routes and the navigation worked flawlessly for me. It
did try to send me on one route which I didn't want because I knew another more
familiar way, but I simply let it reroute me as I changed things around and it found
my familiar route immediately.
Another nice thought out feature is the ability to designate your hardware
buttons to 10 different functions, i.e. zoom in, out, more detail, GPS, route to
favorite, (which is used in the waypoint method by mccollin detailed below), active
guidance toggle, etc. It is easier to tap a hardware button than try to tap the
screen with your stylus while driving.
Hardware buttons
The Navigator and Platinum maps are based on Navigation Technologies' (NAVTECH)
digital transportation database. Navigation Technologies' map database is used in
nine out of ten navigation system brands sold in North America and Europe today
including systems sold by BMW, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz. The enhanced, basic, and
demo maps are based on the TIGER/Line digital map database. TIGER/Line contains
geographic featues including streets, addresses, zip codes, water features, and
more. Platinum place guides (only work with Navigator or Platinum maps) are based
on location data provided by Locality. The place guides provide many
more locations (banks, restaurants, gas stations, etc.) that you really need to make
your GPS navigation experience complete. Maps are currently only available for the
U.S., but they plan on rolling out a European version in the future.
It is important to note that currently the Navigator maps expire one year after
you purchase your subscription, but can be downloaded as many times as you want within the one year
period. In addition, representatives have stated that they will be
providing a lower cost re-subscription option for users at the end of the year and
will also be offering a non-expiring version with additional functionality at a
later date.
One of the weaknesses of the application is there is no ability to quickly add
waypoints to your route. However, a member of the Pocket PC Passion discussion
forum (mccollin) has come up with a way to
use Favorites to simulate waypoint routing until Mapopolis releases an update
with the feature.
Another weakness, that I personnally haven't experienced, is the lack of long
range planning capability. If you want to plan a cross country route then all the
counties on the route must be loaded into RAM, which is probably impossible with
today's devices. Mapopolis just added the ability to download maps by state instead of just downloading single counties and long range navigation and planning is being considered for a future upgrade.
One bug I found is that the program keeps defaulting to the navigation pane view
while I drive. I do not like this view because I personally like to see more of the
map and less of the directions. I emailed Mapopolis about this and expect a quick
answer since I have always received excellent customer service from them.
Great Help file on your Pocket PC
I haven't tested the high end, expensive mapping solutions, but have run a few of
the sub-$100 programs and have to say that I am still most pleased with the
Mapopolis line of products. The map movement and zooming is very fast and easy and
everything just works great. Setting up routes is very quick and simple, unlike
other programs which require multiple screen switching. Mapopolis remains my
default mapping/GPS solution and I look forward to future updates and
improvements.
You can purchase single county maps at the
Mapopolis store for $3.95 to $12.95. You can also purchase Mapopolis yearly
subscriptions at the store for an unlimited number of maps and downloads for $14.95
to $89.95 (one year subscription). You can download the free Mapopolis Map Viewer and a few sample maps to see what
you think of the product before purchasing.
Update: Since I don't claim to be an expert in GPS navigation and am an end user like most of our readers, you may want to check out another very nice review of Mapopolis Navigator at Gps Passion. | 
