CoPilot 8 USA Maps

[Michael_Mcr]

Anyone have any experience of these ? - am off to SF and Vegas in May and want gps mapping.

I already have CP8 installed and when i browse the map store in CoPilot Central 2.0 it offers the North America map at an upgrade price of £21.99 which seems pretty cheap to me !!

[cyclist]

Or get hold of a Nokia for their free mapping and directions?

[Michael_Mcr]

Originally Posted by cyclist

Or get hold of a Nokia for their free mapping and directions?

its a thought, but i dont really want to carry two devices around.

i do have google maps already and had thought of using that whilst away via free-wifi that is now everywhere in civilised US of A. Trouble is, i would have to use very expensive roaming data in the dead spots.

Thats why i think i will go ahead and get the CP8 maps - seems quite reasonable @£22 for detailed street-by-street mapping of the whole of North America. Have been super impressed thus far with the HD2 / CP8 combo in the car here with the big screen (no routing gags please !) and i will shove a screen mount in my suitcase to take with me in case we hire a car.

I could very easily rack up £22 (and more) in roaming charges using google maps if i wasnt carefull and kept an eye on it.

So i think the plan will be CP8 for navigation and google maps / bing using free wi-fi for finding restaurants & info.

[cyclist]

Originally Posted by Michael_Mcr

i do have google maps already and had thought of using that whilst away via free-wifi that is now everywhere in civilised US of A. Trouble is, i would have to use very expensive roaming data in the dead spots.

Also being in a land of where-I-don't-have-a-data-plan I can tell you that Google Maps is useless for navigation without a cellular connection. Even if you have carefully filled its cache with the maps it needs, it tells you there is no data connection and closes unless you open a data connection. The US network has no coverage holes in the countryside, so it just isn't suitable.

[Michael_Mcr]

Originally Posted by cyclist

Also being in a land of where-I-don't-have-a-data-plan I can tell you that Google Maps is useless for navigation without a cellular connection. Even if you have carefully filled its cache with the maps it needs, it tells you there is no data connection and closes unless you open a data connection. The US network has no coverage holes in the countryside, so it just isn't suitable.

ah-a, i didnt know that. I have only ever used it briefly, but have never then tried to use it again with the same maps.

I guess it will be ok then in hotels and airports etc where i can get a wi-fi connection so long as i shut it down properley aftwerward ?

I have seen postings on the web moaning about google maps caching, but never studied them.

[cyclist]

Originally Posted by Michael_Mcr

ah-a, i didnt know that. I have only ever used it briefly, but have never then tried to use it again with the same maps.

I guess it will be ok then in hotels and airports etc where i can get a wi-fi connection so long as i shut it down properley aftwerward ?

Yes it's fine where you have a wireless connection. One thing about Google maps is that the Exit really does exit, not send it to the background, so just close it and tell it not to share your position via Latitude, if you ever joined Latitude.
The other useful technique is to install Modaco NoData and turn off all your data connections while roaming. Then if Google maps is active and you lose wireless coverage your device won't be able to get a cellular data connection, preventing you from running up roaming costs. NoData is a good idea anyway when roaming, prevents you from unintentionally incurring data costs by forgetting where you are and going online to do something from habit.

[Michael_Mcr]

Originally Posted by cyclist

Yes it's fine where you have a wireless connection. One thing about Google maps is that the Exit really does exit, not send it to the background, so just close it and tell it not to share your position via Latitude, if you ever joined Latitude.
The other useful technique is to install Modaco NoData and turn off all your data connections while roaming. Then if Google maps is active and you lose wireless coverage your device won't be able to get a cellular data connection, preventing you from running up roaming costs. NoData is a good idea anyway when roaming, prevents you from unintentionally incurring data costs by forgetting where you are and going online to do something from habit.

Thanks for that info. Since my last post i found this bit of usefull info on HTC's website in the faq section, which seems quick and effective once its set up:

How do I disable my 3G/GPRS Data Connection?
Follow the steps below to ensure that your phone will never connect to a GPRS/3G Data Connection.
1. Go to Start > Settings > Menu > All Settings > Connections > Connections
2. Tap Add a new modem connection > then under Select a modem, select Celluar Line (GPRS) > Name the Connection "Offline" >Tap Next.
3. In the Access point name text box input "Offline" and tap Next.
4. On the next page tap Finish.
5. On the second Connections Menu, tap Manage existing connections and select "Offline" then click OK.
Re-enable the data connection if you want to connect to the internet via 3g/Edge.
1. From the home screen, slide to the Settings tab, Wireless Controls > Data Connection.
2. Select your Country and Operator
3. Tap OK.
4. On the subsequent screen, tap Yes.
The phone will automatically configure itself with the appropriate settings.
Note: When disabling the connection in this way, your phone may report errors when trying to connect to "Offline." The error is caused by the phone being unable to connect to a data source due to the settings, and is normal.

[cyclist]

OK, do it that way if you like. My steps go:
1) Open Modaco NoData
2) Toggle the data connection to off
3) Exit
Considerably simpler. The connection setup remains and can be turned back on using the same 3 step procedure.