iGo, Mapopolis, and TomTom navigation software compared

by Donald Melanson posted Jun 13th 2006 at 3:26PM

No doubt the top priority of anyone looking for a piece of navigation software for their Windows Mobile device is whether it'll get them from point A to point B without leading them astray; or worse still , leaving them stranded, having to rely on maps or -- gasp -- directions from strangers. Well, it looks like all three products tested by Brighthand from (iGo, Mapopolis, and TomTom) will manage to get you where you're going without much difficulty, but they did find some fairly significant differences between the trio. Perhaps the most striking is that iGo and TomTom use 3D maps, while Mapopolis goes at it in 2D -- whether that's cool with you comes down to personal preference, but the folks at Brighthand definitely dug the 3D ones more, finding them easier to follow. Where TomTom falls short is in the interface department, which basically looks like an early PalmPilot app. Still, that didn't stop them from giving the overall edge to TomTom, citing its reliability, accuracy, and useful extras like weather and traffic data. iGo is currently in beta but should be released in Europe shortly, while Mapopolis and TomTom are both available now for $100 and $150 respectively.

Filed under: Software, Windows Mobile

Tags: gps, igo, mapopolis, navigation, tomtom, windows mobile, WindowsMobile

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Neutral

bgdc @ Jun 14th 2006 7:56PM

I used tomtom on my palm tx for a trip to europe. I drove 1400 miles using the system. I would suggest anyone planning on driving around Europe should get TomTom. The interface is simple, clean and easy: directions were mostly spot on (within feet): system's drive around roadblock option was a lifesaver when I would encounter the frequent WPA-style road projects that litter the socialist world of europe.

In the US the TomTom software/maps work great too. It's a solid little system and for the price - as long as you have a PDA - it's a sensational tool for someone who travels often.

Neutral

Blackfish 95 @ Jun 15th 2006 1:42PM

I use both TomTom 5.1 and Mapop 4.7? on my iPAQ h2200 in Canada and N.E. USA. I generally prefer TomTom for the ease of use while driving. I have it mounted to my windshield with a RAM Mount. TomTom has BIG buttons and the info on screen is easy to read at a glance.
What Mapop does better is POI. I like driving along with Mapop in an unknown area and clicking on a park or body of water. Mapop names them, and gives info like Phone numbers etc.
If I had to choose just one, it'd be TomTom. In fact I think I'd even suggest people look at the dedicated hardware. While my nav system is on a PocketPC with no phone function, it's fine. I just think if I had a smartphone, I'd miss the bigger screen, and not be happy having to flip screens around to use the phone functionality.

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