On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 12:27 PM, Christoph Eckert <ce@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Hi, > >> (exactly zero of >> the available mapping applications are anywhere nearly as >> user-friendly or stable as my Garmin GPS), > > I agree that a dedicated mapping device has its advantages, but also it's > limitations. My Garmin just retired, as I'm now using the N810. I'm on tour > via bike most times, so using maps of openstreetmap is a plus. I even derive > shelters from osm data and display it on top of the map in Maemo Mapper. > Additionally, there's osm2go so I can edit data "on-site". > > I admit that it is a tradeoff, and for average users a Garmin might be a > better choice than a N810. For me as an osm addict and hacker, the N810 is > the perfect companion. > > Cheers, > > ce > If Maemo Mapper would use the *vector* OSM data and do routing on the device (and were a bit more stable, although it's much better than all the other alternatives in that respect), it would absolutely be *the* killer app for the tablets. As is, though, with no offline routing (I actually can't get the routing to work at all) and having to download bitmaps for every zoom level you need, it's far less than ideal for vacationing or on-the-spot navigating and far less efficient with storage space. It also isn't capable of a 3D view, which is more than just a gimmick - it lets you see much more of the route ahead for an equivalent zoom level. The built-in Maps app is much better for on-the-spot navigating, even without enabling the routing. It's very stable, efficient and user-friendly, bearing in mind that it's crippleware and the map data is pretty old. I'm using RoadMap far more than Maemo Mapper these days, but it's pretty unstable and all too often fails epically and repeatedly to download specific areas. I don't know if it's a server problem or the map downloader's fault, but there are several major gaps in areas where I *really* need the map to be filled in. As for Wayfinder's Map app (the one that comes pre-installed on the tablets), I will never understand marketing strategy such as theirs: why on earth would *anyone* pay half again the price of a standalone GPS (that is rock stable, usually multifunction and comes with all the maps preinstalled - and will never start asking for more money just to use the device) to unlock a time-limited "subscription" for navigation in an app that everyone can see beforehand has seriously flawed map data and almost no options. All of the other mapping apps for the tablets are *far* more geocaching- and import/export friendly (and have many more options for map data) than Wayfinder's. If they want subscriptions for map updates, fine, but I for one have zero interest in spending that much cash for an app that I *know* is either going to stop working or require another large cash outlay down the line. Working with OSM is another subject entirely, and can be done without any of the navigation-oriented apps. Saving tracks doesn't require maps, much less navigation, and you don't need any installed apps at all to download, upload and edit OSM data. Granted, dedicated apps theoretically can be more efficient, although I have yet to get any of the desktop apps to work as advertised. So far, they're all incredibly inefficient, counter-intuitive, and excruciatingly slow to use. JOSM is a nightmare. Potlatch works well but has some limitations. I haven't had a chance to try OSM2Go yet, although I have installed it. Mark _______________________________________________ maemo-users mailing list maemo-users@xxxxxxxxx https://lists.maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-users
