GPS navigation software

It's been a while since we had an argument ...opps I mean discussion about vehicle navigation.
I have used Garmin Mobile PC for a really long time. I like it, but it is a hassle to get running since it is discontinued. I still can update to current maps.

I require offline maps so don't bother telling me about Google or Bing.

I am ready to explore other options again. I am going to try the built in mapping on Win10.
I was also reading about Copilot and Mapfactor.

What have you used?

 

I have pretty much used Garmin handheld for atv/trails with their 24K mapping and a Garmin dash mount in my truck.

I wanted to set up something bigger/better if I could. Hence - the 31 Toughbook W/Garmin Mobile PC GPS software would be Ideal I happen to have a Few laptops around here... ;-) Just locating a copy of the software/mapping COA is a hurdle, I keep looking for one to come up on Ebay.

Having used the Mobile PC software. Do you have the one with the USB GPS dongle or just the software? I had read that it is only the 'Software Only' package that has the COA to use the software with a 3rd party GPS (Like an internal CF31 GPS)

 

I have the software only package and it will connect to the internal GPS module on a Toughbook.

The COA is not the problem with Garmin Mobile PC. I have a licensed copy. It is a hassle even with the COA.
The issue is that it needs to phone home to be activated. And those activation servers have been shut down for years.

I will never understand Garmin's reasoning to give up on Mobile PC. Or the reasoning to shut down those servers. They just gave up on that segment completely.

 

I have an almost new 19Mk4 on the way with gps ,so I am also interested.

 

Good timing ....a friend asked about Linux and GPS today....so let's go:
1. What platform?
2. What Operating System? (OS)
3. What are you doing with it.

I'll start:
1. CF-29/30/31/19
2. Linux almost all the way. USAPhotomaps/topo/ via .wine. Luckily I saved the map tiles for my area before MSmaps shut down.
3. Road mapping/fire locations and that sort of thing.

Come one, come all.

Finally can anyone recommend a usable turn by turn navigator that runs on both M$ and Linux?(.wine O.K.)

 

CF 19mk6 and probably a CF 31 mk3 in the future
Windows OS-- Win 7 or 10
Driving and hoping to not get lost and frustrated.
Lost causes a road rage reaction. Doesn't end well. Ain't brain damage fun?

Been using Garmin on Win 7.
Checked out free verion of Mapfactor last year. It uses Open street maps
It's not bad, but I am used to the shine and polish of the Garmin software. It is usable, but not polished.

Jeff, check out Mapfactor Navigator Free. Wiki says it will run on Wine.

 

mapfactor works fine on wine. I've briefly used it in a weird openbsd->qemu->lubuntu->wine setup.
see http://www.toughbooktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2991 "Laptop tweaks :: GPS as Navigator" for details

kode-niner recommened navit in the same thread,
but I couldn't figure out how to compile navit on obsd

 

Street Navigation? Just start driving... You then discover your Points of Interest as you stop and ask for directions!

 

like i sad in another thread/topic ...
"they will happily tell you where to go" .

 

My first time ever using a built-in automotive GPS was yesterday. (In a Lincoln)

"She" told me to turn left at a right turn and threw in a random "do a safe u-turn" just for giggles.

I made it home anyway.

 

The voice sound very similar to your long term room mate?

 

I have used Sygic for several years on Android platforms, it also has a windows version that I'm using on my CF-19 MK3 running windows 10. You can download maps for your locale or the entire world. The pro version without Ads is 20.00.

 

things you think you read ...
"The pro version without Aids is 20.00"
why yes , i'll take the $20.00 clean version , thank you .


looks like another program to try out .

 

FYI Sygic uses Tom Tom maps

 

Another question:

What do you, the reader, require in a gps program?

Me: topographic maps (offline)with settings for inches/feet/miles rather than metrics. Gps coordinates in degrees/minutes.

 

PC Navigator 17 runs on .wine. Now to sort the information re:downloading "free" maps.

 

Win10 maps are installed. Have not tried offline yet.
Got sidetracked with Acronis

 

I also have used Win 10 maps, don't care for the fact that my location wont stay centered while driving...

 

That seems kind of pointless for navigation software!

 

What exactly do you mean? Screenshots if possible.
I am confused enough to ask.

 

Normally when driving your position icon stays centered on the screen and the map moves relative to your position icon. In my case the position icon moves and unless i manually recenter the icon it goes off the screen. It may be entirely possible that there is a setting to correct this that I have not found.

 

Interesting.
I have not ran maps yet as I got sidetracked backing everything up. Now that I have the backup solved, I can try things out without fear of a re install

This may help. If I read it correctly, switch to traffic view or try turn by turn navigation

Settings
You can adjust the units of distance measurement(metric, imperial or the US), set preferred commuting mode ( driving or walking), download offline maps, control your search history, set the background for turn-by-turn navigation and set your location privacy in the Settings section of Maps app.

View, Control and Share Maps
The right side overlayed control panel helps you change the appearance of maps and view points. You can tilt up, tilt down the map according to your needs. There is also an option to change the maps views. The available map views are aerial view ( satellite view), road view and traffic view. You can rotate the map clockwise and anticlockwise to get a better angle, by default the north side of the map will be up. Use the zoom controls to maximize or minimize the map view.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...10-maps-app-review+&cd=25&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Win 10 maps info I found.

Can you still download road maps for offline use and navigation?
Absolutely. The maps (mainly from HERE/Navteq at this time) are as they've always been in terms of division and availability. Just specify the country you want and they download to the local storage of your choice. And you can navigate completely offline, unlike Google Maps on Android, where you have to be online to actually calculate a route.

 

Shawn... Not to thread hijack but can you please post a link or create a list of the tweaks you do to Win10.. Specifically privacy and performance tweaks. I have several laptops where I can upgrade to W10 and would like to try it with a W7 desktop look on it. (And you can list that too while we're at it!)

You can start a new thread if you like... Probably should.

 

I like

 

Thanks

 

This is an old thread but I was wondering if you guys found something good for navigation?

 

Get a wife maybe. She will give directions.

 

Lol. Your wife knows everything too?

 

I don't know about Garmin products as my Mercedes has a Garmin Nav Radio and it gets lost on a regular basis. I still use Delorme Street Atlas on my Toughbook, it works quite well but the maps sometimes aren't well updated..

My wife has a coffee cup imprinted with "I don't need Google, my husband knows everything".....