REVIEW: G-Map East/West (TBT GPS App.)

[Tunnelrunner]

Hi, all,

I don't usually post reviews (in fact, I never have before) but I feel so strongly about this particular one app. that I just had to (FYI: I couldn't find it in the search archives, so I don't think it's ever been reviewed before). Also, I apologize for not including any screen-shots (I'm posting this from my iPhone). This is a review of the first *approved* turn by turn GPS app. for the iPhone: G-Map U.S. East/West.

G-Map costs $20.00 in the App. Store and it takes 40 minutes to an hour (!) to install on your iPhone (and it can only be done via wifi). Also, when you sync to iTunes to back up your apps, it will take approx. 4-8 hours to back up G-Map FOR THE FIRST TIME. Every sync thereafter will take the normal time to do.

In the beginning, I did find the controls/inputting routes to be confusing and difficult (a major complaint from other users) especially given that there's no instruction manual included (although I've heard that G-Maps website does give step by step instructions). But once I figured it out, it was easy. Your best options are to the "Where To? (entering an address by city, first then street, street #)" option or the "Route" option (where you enter a starting point and destination). Once you've plotted your route, just hit "Go!"

The UI is of course, superior to Google Maps, in that it actually resembles a stand-alone GPS (ala Garmin, Tom Tom, etc.). I should clarify that you can view the route in either top-down view (like Google Maps) or the pseudo 3-D view (ala Garmin and Tom Tom). There's another view option but I only use the pseudo 3-D view so I don't remember it offhand. In this view, the bottom of the screen tells you the road you're on, the top of the screen tells you the next road in the route. Also, the top right of the screen gives you the distance to the next turn point/street as well as a REAL-TIME turn by turn arrow-like a real GPS unit (!). If you go off-route, it will recalculate.

The most obvious, glaring omission is the lack of voice directions. Whether that's due to Apple's App. Store restrictions, I'm not sure, but it IS a shame since this app. is basically a turn by turn GPS, just without the voice. Some users have suggested using a beeping sound that beeps louder and faster when the next turn comes up and/or making the screen flash. Clever work-arounds, IMO.

PROS:

+Price: At $20, it's a steal, IMHO. Especially considering there's no monthly fee and that it's only going to get better with updates.

+Though it's not polished, this is the closest thing to a "true" GPS the iPhone has ever come (legally, that is). The UI is far more functional than Google Maps in that it actually resembles a true GPS.

+Potential: as stated above, with updates, this thing could be THE killer app. of the App. Store.

+Fairly simple to use...once you figure it out.

+Unlike Google Maps, you can preview an entire route offline! Nice.

CONS:

-No voice commands. Hopefully, the next update will allow beeping alerts (if Apple is indeed preventing voice commands for whatever bizarre reason).

-The red dot locator can OCCASSIONALLY lose your location if you make a sudden turn. The screen gets turned upside down and backward as it tries to recalculate your position. It's almost like it gets "confused" or "disoriented" when you make sudden turns. It happens once in a blue moon and only lasts a few seconds but it can be annoying. This should be fixed with updates.

-Accuracy. I am concerned because based on observation, the route that G-Map chooses is often NOT the quickest or smartest way to do it. It will sometimes take you WAYYY out of your way to get to a destination...you'll get there but it might take a bit longer than you expected. While G-Map has the better, more functional UI, Google Maps is still more reliable and more acccurate. If I go on an unfamiliar trip, I always double check Google Maps as a back-up since I don't have complete confidence in G-Maps...yet. I understand that G-Maps uses the Navteq database which is kind of surprising since Navteq supplies maps to Garmin and Magellan, to name a few. I guess you really do get what you pay for, as Bad Ash says. At any rate, I'd like to see the maps/route choices updated and made more accurate. (for anyone familiar with Oak Lawn, IL, G-Maps called 95th Street the "Ulysses S. Grant Memorial Highway/Rt. 12" -- WTF? Update your datbase, Navteq!)

-No integration with your Contacts, the Yellow Pages app., or even Google search. You have to enter all your addresses at least once (they can then be filed in a "Favorites" folder).

BOTTOM LINE:

If you read the reviews in the App. Store, people either love it or hate it - but I think if there's one thing most of the lovers/haters agree on is that this thing has tremendous upside/potential. I also think your experience/perspective has a lot to do with it. If you're used to using polished/proven GPS units like Tom Tom, then you're gonna be disappointed and think G-Maps is pretty beta right now. In a way, you're right: it's not better than Tom Tom and it's not gonna replace your Garmin unit. But if you're the typical iPhone user who doesn't own a standalone GPS and has had to rely on Google Maps, this is a $20 Godsend. As long as Apple continues to deny Tom Tom, Telenav, Sygic, etc -- G-Maps is the closest thing to a fully functioning GPS unit we iPhone users have and hopefully it will continue to improve.

EDIT: I should clarify that G-Map actually comes in 2 packages: a "West" and "East" version (the west covering the west coast of the USA and the east, the east coast).

[hotrod]

Great review. Thanks. Can you post some screenshots?

[Tunnelrunner]

Enclosed are 5 random pics. Sorry that they're kinda boring...I'm too lazy to choose a super-busy downtown shot. :-)

You can also check out the official website: G-Map_for_iPhone

And lastly, there are video demonstrations on youtube (just key in "GMap" or "G Map" and "Iphone").

It's a great day when turn by turn FINALLY has come to the iphone (I'm still pinching myself...)

[hotrod]

Thanks. I might have to get it.

[Tunnelrunner]

Like I said: if you already own a stand-alone GPS unit (like Garmin, etc.), then you won't need this.

But if you're like me and don't already own one (you've been using the iphone's Google Maps as your GPS), this is a $20.00 steal. It's also nice that it's one less thing you have to carry around. It's like a cheap, bare bones version of Tom Tom. It's got all the basic features of a GPS, except voice.

Hopefully, the more support this app. gets (as more and more people buy it), the more the developers will be able to push out cool updates. This is the largest, most expensive app. I've seen in the App. Store, but IMO, it's worth it.

[jhamilton3]

Great review.. I'm really considering this.

[ScottUrman]

If you're jailbroken try xGPS as well. The forthcoming 1.2 version will have voice turn by turn directions.

[Tunnelrunner]

This from the G-Map website: XRoad > Home

"2. Does G-Map support real time Guidance? Such as Turn-by-Turn arrow and Voice prompt?
On next updating (March 2009), we are going to provide alarm effect instead of voice prompt on the G-map.
Currently, our application doesn't support turn by turn guidance including voice prompt.
This is based on APPLE's strict strategy which prohibits any real time guidance. Once there's any positive change in APPLE strategy, we'll support this function.
Once there's any positive change in APPLE strategy, we'll apply this function technically with no fail as well as free updates for this."

Even though we didn't get voice prompting (YET...), this is still great news, IMO. Alarm effects/beeping is almost just as good. This app. just got one step closer to perfect.

If you haven't gotten G-Map yet, this might be the incentive you need. At worst, it's a fine companion to Google Maps. I mean between the 2 of them, no iphone user should EVER get lost.

Now if they could just perfect the *accuracy*/reliability of G-Maps AI...

Brent

[Tunnelrunner]

Hm...interesting...since I posted my last update to this thread, the next day (3/13/09), G-Map disappeared from the App. Store.

I checked the official G-Map website, and they said that it's been temporarily pulled to see how it can be improved and that it'll be back in the App. Store soon.

God, I hope this means another major update is coming up!

Starting to feel like the biggest GPS geek in town,
Brent

[sleeks]

I'm guessing that since 3.0 is coming, (which allows turn by turn) they are working to improve this app.

The competition is going to get fierce and gmap will need to improve if they hope to continue to get new customers.