GPS Maps for India

Hi Guys just came across this article while searching for GPS. MapmyIndia seems to be entering 3G Tablet space by launching a 3g tablet. If the rumors are true it would be excellent as they have the most accurate maps. There's a lot you can do if they combine the funtionality with a tablet pc apart from GPS Navigation. Hers the article link

While exploring my MMI Lx130 navigator with v6.1 maps today, I found out that in the Settings>Language>Indian English option too in addition to English US.  The previous version 6.0 did not have that Indian English option.  I observed that while English US had two voice options, viz., male and female, the Indian English has Sangeeta only; no male voice option.

Dear friends, I would like to know why people would want to buy the GPS devices seperately when it is now available default in smartphones. I used the map provided in my nokia 5800 xpress music while going on a trip to Chidambaram as well as munnar. I found it to be accurate only . What is difference then?

Well, the difference is one of connectivity - if the smartphone has a built-in GPS radio and can communicate with GPS satellites without the use of a data (i.e. internet) connection then definitely a separate GPS device is not needed.

However, it is more common for smartphones to have just the map/route software without a GPS radio. For these devices an internet connection is required to get location info in order for the software to work. This may be cumbersome because there will be places where internet connectivity is poor or non-existant. In such a case a dedicated GPS device is what is needed.

Thanks Rohit for that explanation. I would like to clarify that, my phone supports the GPS function without the internet connection also. Actually, all the smart phones can do that. May be it takes some time to establish the connection initially. But after that it is ok. Now I have some questions?

Will shelling out the extra money on dedicated navigators worth it?

If I am a regular traveller, should I go for the device since I am also planning to travel to north in my car.

Your advice is needed.

My experiences with Ovi maps (5800) were satisfactory. It covered most of the roads in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu where I used while driving. It was perfect in New Delhi showing each lane.

@Saravanan : You can browse the map to see the details of the places you are planning to visit. I think most of the major town and tourist locations are covered by Nokia.

Yes Feroz, So you say it is not a necessity to put money in a dedicated GPS device. That's a valuable feedback.

Yes Feroz, So you say it is not a necessity to put money in a dedicated GPS device. That's a valuable feedback.

True. We need GPS only for visiting places for the first time. Even A-GPS (assisted GPS) are VFM compared to subscribed maps.

In some rare occassions GPS maps cannot be helpful. Once I was guided by the navigator to go straight in a junction. Only after entering the road that I realized that it was oneway--being confident and proud on the gadget I skipped the sign board. I hope paid maps must have periodical traffic updates to avoid such embarassing situations.

Yes, you are very true. This has happened to me many times. So I activate the voice navigation in the device and take extra care to see the signboards. The device truly helps. But also, one needs to have some common sense to make a good navigator.