Sygic GPS Navigation (MY & SG) for iPad

Sygic is a professional turn-by-turn GPS Navigation app. Now is available at iTunes app store with new reduced price @ USD12.99 (was USD49.99 last month). What a steal!

So, I have decided to give it a try on my iPad2. BTW, this is my fourth GPS system after Mapking (HP iPaq PDA), Papago M7 (iPhone 2G) and Papago X5 (HTC Legend).

Sygic GPS app is loading pretty fast and automatically turn-on the iPad built in GPS module. To my surprise, the GPS locking is very fast, way faster than my previous Papago M7 & X5. The GUI and resolution are pretty neat on the large HD LCD screen. Nice, I don't see any pixelation and I hate pixelation. The user interface is kind of straight forward. If you have prior experience on GPS device, this is no brainer. Overall, it is value for money.

Here is my summary on Sygic;

(+)

- Relative easy to use.

- Cheaper than Papago HD (USD29.99).

- Nice GUI.

- HD resolution, perfect for iPad.

- Fast GPS locking.

- Fast routing & rerouting.

- Map turning on Navigation mode is almost instant vs Papago ~2s.

- Voice Navigation is clear and sharp. Better than Papago M7 & X5.

(-)

- The map details and POI are less superior than Malfreemap used by Papago & Mapking. Malfreemap rules....

- No junction view vs Papago M7 & X5.

- No details available when touch on POI icons. Very surprise to see this feature omitted. I hope Sygic will enable this feature in future software update.

- 3D map is only for big cities like KL & Singapore.

HTC Legend

Got this smartphone for wifey some time ago. This phone is solidly built, actually quite resemblance to my old Iphone 2g. You may not aware, the body of the HTC Legend is cut from a single piece of brushed aluminium. What a piece of engineering work. The phone also looks gorgeous. Nevertheless, I still love my Iphone, he he.

http://www.htc.com/www/product/legend/overview.html


Figure 1 - HTC Legend (front view)


Figure 2 - Iphone 2g


Figure 3 - HTC Legend (back view)


Figure 4 - Iphone 2g

Recently I installed Papago GPS Navigation software on both Iphone and HTC Legend. Papago M7 (Apple iOS) and Papago X5 (Google Android OS) to be exact. Both user interfaces (UI) are quite identical and easy to use. My wife loves it.


Figure 5 - Iphone 2g (left) and HTC Legend


Figure 6 - HTC Legend with Papago X5

GPS for Iphone 2g

Well, this is my iPhone 2g. I have been using for the last 2.5yrs and still never get bored yet. I believe this is how Apple succeed. Compare to today's iPhone 4g, nothing to ouu, ahh.... no retina display, no 3G, no GPS and so on. Yet, this old gorgeous still beats other phones in term aesthetic and usability. Just look at the solid 1-piece Al back casing.





Recently, I found a way to make my iPhone 2g to function as standalone GPS. How?
Roqy Bluetooth is the answer. This application software will enable my Holux Bluetooth GPS receiver (more info here) to communicate with my iPhone.


I am using Papago M7 Pro GPS navigation software (can be purchased via iTunes Store for US19.90) with Malfreemap (Singapore and Malaysia maps). Somehow every software designed for iPhone is so simple to use, no complicated menu.







I have been using Mapking 2007 (WM version) for few years now. I found Papago got few advantages over Mapking 2007;
a) Supports Junction View
b) Special tool to provide great estimation to make turn (i.e. those green dots on the last photo)
c) 3D landmarks
d) Very fast routing/rerouting calculation
e) Better GUI
f) Better graphic
g) Relatively easy to use

New Gadget

Guess what is this? What can this small wonder do?



This is a wireless GPS receiver from Holux, a Taiwanese company. GPSlim236B is powered by SiRF Star III chipset. This gadget is capable to parallel track up to 20 satellites and transmits the data to any Bluetooth enabled devices like PDA, notebook and etc. Extremely compact size at 41 x 63 x 17mm.




For my case, I paired up with my trusted iPAQ rx3715. Guess what, now I turned my ordinary PDA into GPS device, cool. So, I no longer worry to drive around KL streets anymore.

For more info about GPS, click here. Very informative website.