Even as the rise of
free navigation apps gives most paid competitors
pause (if not
killing them outright), Navigon has managed to stay well ahead of the pack with a robust,
oft-updated smartphone solution, despite charging over $80 for the privilege. But now, even that last bit can change. For $30, Navigon's MyRegion gives you its premium MobileNavigator software at around one-third the price, with the simple caveat that you only get maps for one-third of the US (East, West or Central) to go with it. Should you drive out of your designated zone, Navigon will generously allow you to buy another chunk a la carte for $15; and all of Navigon's
other add-ons, including the new MyRoutes feature (customized route recommendations and alternate routes) are similarly available. It's not quite as delectable as gratis, but we have to admit a certain admiration for Navigon turning software investment into impulse buy. Oh, and speaking of impulsive: Navigon's offering MyRegion for the
low, low price of $25 through April 12th.
posted March 17th 2010 8:39AM
This is a cut down from $100?
@cashclientel
"despite charging over $80 for the privilege"
From the post.
It sucks that I still dont trust them though...
I really wish TomTom or Garmin would do this as well...
I also noticed that navigon is charging some kind of amt for live traffic in addition to the region maps? .. how much? ..and why isn't this free?? I can switch to Maps and get the traffic off there for free so I dont see what I would be paying for.
@ire
I've tried my navigon app (iPhone version) against my friend's standalone TomTom on a few trips and both of us felt the navigon was a better solution. In one case the tomtom wanted to take us the long way around while navigon took the better route. Obviously this isn't a scientific test but if you're worried about navigon being inaccurate or having bad routing I wouldn't worry.
Navigon just keeps making it sweeter! Been using them for quite some time, and I can't recommend it enough.
@AKJ Too bad they still don't have an itinerary, it's still very hard to find out where it is trying to take me to.
Gotta love the tappan zee.. saves you a ton of time avoiding the city traffic on the way to the shore, bro!!!!!!!!!
@yuppiescum stay home don't come down the shore we have enough Benny's here already
@yuppiescum Really! Have u tried the TZ around rush hour! its not much better than the GW?
I've tried Navigon's latest mobile maps software on my Android phone and thought it was very average, sure the mapping detail is decent and everything but the navigation aspect is far from it.
By comparison even the basic Google maps navigation is more prceise in route details on pre-navigation checking.
I use Sygic Mobile Maps 9 via the phone, it is just superb and I feel it is better than TomTom and Garmin standalone Satnavs I have owned and used in the past. The voice commands are also more human in pitch, timing and accuracy unlike the robotic Google Navigation/TomTom/Navigon versions.
GPS lock happens fast on all the Nav apps I have tried, probably down to the receiver on my HTC Magic being able to lock quickly, only takes 10 seconds if even that most of the time.
I'd highly recommend Sygic Mobile Maps 9 for anyone with an iPhone, Android or Maemo (Nokia) device, WinMo coming soon IIRC.
Navigon app sucks but their consumer support is worst !
@niclet
well, gotta take the bad with the... bad.
Is it me or are the MyRoutes and 3D Terrain still not available?
@pcdsim Not just you. Gotta wonder what engadget is smokin'. On Feb 9 they reported, " Navigon is releasing yet another significant update for its continually improving MobileNavigator iPhone GPS app". Then on Mar 13th they posted in a TomTom blurb "Every couple of weeks, it seems that MobileNavigator is getting yet another fantastic update". Then today they refer to the "oft updated software solution. The app in the APP Store is dated Dec 17 2009. They are either smoking something, getting advance copies we aren't seeing, or are getting tossed a few bucks by Navigon.
Don't get me wrong, I like the app, but no updates in a quarter, is hardly stellar.
I really like Navigon's software but their product support sucks and their android and windows mobile versions of this software are light years behind the iphones.
Anyone buying Navigation software or paying Verizon $15 a month is a sucker.
Sprint has theirs included in their unlimited data plan.
LOL! I know that exit split and that background image is waaay off! Sayin...
Well considering that the East portion is very limited I would have to get the central one as well. But that is still a lot cheaper than $80 as the central upgrade is $13.
I'm Still going to stick with Motion X GPS Drive for now. Can't beat $2.99 with a very good local search!
Always cracks me up seeing that picture cause I grew up in Westchester .. haha 914!
Tappan Zee needs to be replaced though. For serious.
No fault of Navigon, but I still get a bit chapped that Apple (or At&t??) won't allow the free Google navigation on the iPhone. It's one factor that will have me considering the alternatives when the time comes.
Of the paid apps, I agree that Motion X is the best deal. You can even buy a month of service for $3 when you need it for a trip.
@pachi72 They must have updated since you've used it. The view is not just top down. You also get the 30 (or so) degree view. Not as good as some others, but decent for the price.
Glad I got CoPilot for $19.99 during their promo. All US and still cheaper.
Divide the country by North, Central and South and I'm in.
Makes sense to me. The west is dead anyway, and you sure don't need a navigator to take I-70 through the heartland.
The low price means that Navigon isn't making any money. They have to pay map royalties to Navteq. It's probably a marketing tool to try and compete with TomTom in overall gross navigator sales in iTunes. Remember that the price will go up