There's a map for that: GPS or smartphone?

As mobile phones become more powerful and GPS information easier to get, it's getting to the point where we have to wonder if buying a standalone personal navigation device makes sense anymore.

Garmin is making both smartphones and dedicated GPS devices now.

(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)

Personal nav devices were the hot gift item for the holidays just two years ago, but things have changed pretty drastically in the last year. Prices on GPS devices are dropping and while they're very reasonable, almost any smartphone sold today comes with some sort of GPS or mapping feature. So which is a better choice? Separate GPS device or smartphone with mapping software?

What's best for you will depend, like anything, on your personal needs and preferences. Some things to think about:

Mapping software on phones will soon be standard
Right now, 90 percent of handsets will have GPS features included, according to the NPD Group. That's a jump of 69 percent from a year ago. So in another year, it's likely to hit 100 percent.

Other market research firms, like iSuppli, are predicting that by 2014, there will be virtually no more market for standalone devices for GPS. While that's debatable, you might easily assume by looking at GPS device makers' recent product decisions, they're not even all that confident in the standalone device market anymore.

TeleNav, TomTom, and Navigon, companies traditionally associated with standalone devices, have decided to make their software available on smartphones. It was a big deal earlier this year when TomTom announced it would be offering its maps and voice-guided directions as an app for the iPhone. It was a big change for drivers because it added audible prompts--the iPhone otherwise is only able to provide text-based instructions through Google Maps. In addition, TomTom said it would make a car kit for the iPhone, which includes a vehicle mount and car charger. Other companies like Garmin, which makes standalone GPS devices, didn't just offer their software to smartphone makers, they decided to be a smartphone maker too.

Service providers are hedging their bets as well. Not only are they offering GPS devices that are networked (like AT&T's Garmin Nuvi 1690), they're pushing smartphones that operate on their networks with lots of mapping functionality. Glenn Lurie, president of AT&T's Emerging Devices division, disagrees that the dedicated GPS market will disappear. "It's about giving customers a choice. There's a market for both," he said.

Google Maps Navigation is free and will be available on Android 2.0 smartphones.

(Credit: Google)

Calculate the overall cost
Personal navigation devices are cheaper than ever. Right now, they retail for an average of $176, according to data from The NPD Group. While that's just an average (there are much cheaper and much more expensive models), it's also about the average price you'd pay for a smartphone with a two-year service contract. But remember all the associated costs: How much you'd pay monthly with that two- year contract for the phone, as well as any extras for a car-mounting kit (TomTom's iPhone app plus car kit is $220, for example), and for a mapping application or separate subscription service.

Google has recently added a new twist to this scenario, however. With its Android 2.0 mobile phone software, now running on the just-released Motorola Droid, Google is adding an application called Google Maps Navigation. With GPS-equipped phones, it can give turn-by-turn directions, and has voice recognition, and Google Street View. But more importantly: it's free. While it's not even close to being on every phone, Android is building momentum and will certainly will change the value proposition of smartphones as GPS devices going forward.

Decide how important it is to you to have a single device
If you'd rather not fuss with multiple gadgets in your purse or backpack, it's an easy choice: just get a phone that can give you directions. If it doesn't, there are plenty of reasons to get a GPS device.

Smartphones' screens are generally smaller to make them pocket-sized. As a trade-off, their screens don't make them ideal for in-car use as GPS devices. Also, phones with a GPS radio embedded in them will have their battery life affected. GPS devices that stay inside a car, usually have a car charger to alleviate the problem.

Of course, not everyone has a phone or even wants a phone that has mapping functionality. Or, you might be smack in the middle of a contract right now and want a GPS device sooner than a year or two. And what if you want to have a separate device that you can take hiking, or use separately while you're talking on the phone? There are arguments to be made on both sides, it just depends on what matters most to you.

[kelmon]

I'm not 100% convinced of the correct answer today but it is guaranteed that the long-term answer to this question is "smartphone". Convergence of devices means that the smartphone is replacing a lot of devices and standalone GPS devices will be another example.

[robiche]

The issue I see with using smartphones exclusively is that the providers seem to insist on an always-connected method of delivering maps. I would gladly pay $75 or so to be able to load all the US/Canada maps into my Blackberry's 16-GB memory card, and use the network for map updates. I use the in-phone navigators, and have run into situations that I couldn't navigate because there was no signal. And often, this is when I absolutely need navigation, because I'm in the middle of nowhere and am lost.

[tektaktyks]

oh yea,tomtom for iphone works as well as the tomtom one xls,i tested both driving from ny to tampa,i have the 3g without any extra mount/antenna from tomtom,just a mount for the iphone from ebay for $3.the price for the app ($100) is a bit high but i think it should go down

[dbutters]

The only issues with relying on a smartphone for your navigation are processing power and dependence upon a data connection. A standalone GPS has the maps preloaded to the device, while a smartphone has to have mobile broadband access to load maps. With the storage capacity of smartphones increasing, and processors getting smaller and faster, these will not be issues for long, but as things stand now, a standalone GPS is going to be much more dependable. The ultimately dependable navigation is the ability to read a map, of course.

[faceless128]

Wrong. For years, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and Symbian all have several (over a dozen for WinMo) standalone GPS Apps, including Garmin Mobile XT, TomTom, iGo, TeleNav, Route66 & Destinator, among others. iPhone so far has TomTom, and you can bet all the other players are lining up to produce iPhone (and Android) GPS apps with maps too.

Smartphones have been on par with standalone devices for years, people just didn't notice until TomTom came to iPhone and Google made their big move on Android.

[kelmon]

I can't speak for other platforms but almost all the major GPS applications for the iPhone have the maps residing on your device. As far as I am aware, only the AT&T Navigator application currently does but the offerings from the likes of TomTom, Navigon and CoPilot will take around 1GB or more space on your phone, depending upon the scope of your maps. I am in total agreement, however, that this needs to be the case and it is for this reason that the recent Google Navigator announcement didn't excite me as much as a lot of other people.

[iamkimble]

I've been using GPS for years now on my phone. A data connection has never been required. I think you might be using one of those very stunted "smartphones" called an iphone that only just got offline maps.

The only downside of a phone GPS is that they don't tend to have as large antennas as dedicated GPS so in built up areas (highrises etc) you may lose signal a bit.

[tektaktyks]

iphone doesnt need data connection for gps,not tomtom,g maps yes.

[robiche]

I'm not sure what version of AT&T navigator you're using, but it absolutely requires a data connection. It caches a portion of the maps along your route so that it can navigate if you run into signal dead zones, but just try and create a route if you don't have signal at the start. I recently went camping in Maine and mapped up to the location without a problem -- Navigator cached enough of the maps locally for my route there. About 5 miles from the destination, I was without signal for the entire rest of the time, and was able to finish the route. However, I was completely unable to generate any new routes without driving back to the last point that had mobile signal.

[dbutters]

The only issues with relying on a smartphone for your navigation are processing power and dependence upon a data connection. A standalone GPS has the maps preloaded to the device, while a smartphone has to have mobile broadband access to load maps. With the storage capacity of smartphones increasing, and processors getting smaller and faster, these will not be issues for long, but as things stand now, a standalone GPS is going to be much more dependable. The ultimately dependable navigation is the ability to read a map, of course.

[CraigC2000]

For the record, the TomTom and Navigon Apps for for the iphone both are complete maps that require absolutely no data connection, as all of the data is stored in the phone.

The TomTom app on my iphone works exactly the same as my standalone TomTom navigator. The only real issue is price. For $99, it would be a better value to buy a standalone navigator than to buy an app, but you are paying for the convenience of having a full featured navigator in your pocket at all times withou the need to carry anything else.

[CylonCheese]

I don't want my Droid attached to the windshield. The map function is nice if I'm not in my own car or traveling with someone else, but.... I prefer the TomTom dedicated GPS for my car. It's there and ready all the time and I can still make calls on my phone.

Also, how would you make calls or use your phone for something else while also using it for driving directions? Too many functions in one device is not necessarily better. I will still want a couple of gadgets dedicated to their specialty function.

[faceless128]

It's not really complicated, though i admit i have only done on Windows Mobile and Blackberry, not Android. You can just use voice dialing, or dial manually, which i wouldn't advise due to the safety issues involved.

[kelmon]

While I can understand the point being made, I tend to think that you shouldn't be doing anything with your phone while driving, including making/receiving calls.

[Iphtashu Fitz]

@kelmon - I've had occasion to call 911 from my car to report accidents I've seen, etc. I've relied on my dedicated GPS to provide me the location to give to the 911 operator. Trying to properly juggle the controls of a smartphone to call 911 while still displaying the location so I can relay that to the 911 operator would have made those calls significantly more difficult and stressful. I've disconnected calls on my iPhone while trying to launch another app in order to retrieve information I needed for the call. Having that happen during a 911 call would really suck.

[dream_fly]

Yea put your GPS in the car and let the breakin happens...The cell phone on the other hand is easier to remember to take with you becuase if you forget, your empty pocket will tell you.

[Stormspace]

Personally as long as smartphones require a data plan to use the GPS in them a standalone device with no subscription will be the way I go with it.

[kelmon]

Generally, you don't need a data plan to use the GPS functions of a smartphone but it has to be said that a smartphone is relatively useless without a data plan unless you plan to rely on WiFi connections or don't mind an expensive Pay As You Go option, assuming one is available on your carrier. As has already been noted, many GPS applications put all the maps and data that they need on your device so a data connection is not necessary unless you plan to make use of real-time data services, like traffic information.

[ohsiya]

You don't need data plan on some phones to use GPS. I have Nokia 5800 MusicXpress running GarminXT with T-Mobile prepaid. The only downside is it takes longer time to lock on position with aGPS turned off. This is a great solution for me because I don't need GPS to show me the way home.

[morlamweb2]

When I last looked at GPS navigation options for my personal cell, the only option from my carrier was VZ Navigator, which had (or still has, I don't know) a monthly subscription fee. I don't want to pay a monthly fee just for the sat nav service when I can buy standalone device, pay that cost once, and amoritize it over the life of the unit (5+ years and still going). A phone with pre-loaded maps, GPS software, a GPS+WAAS radio, and no monthly would certainly get my attention. Long-term, I think GPS devices and smartphones are headed for a convergence, just like palm pilots and phones did years ago to create the smartphone.

[Stormspace]

@kelmon
I have absolutely no problem limiting data use to a wifi connection. I rarely need data when I'm away from Wifi and when i do need it, it's not worth 30.00 per month.

[rdwalton]

I like how all these articles seem to like to reference the iPhone when they talk about smartphones and features. Even though the iPhone was not even close to being the first with turn by turn directions. Blackberrys and other smartphones already had that feature availalbe via TeleNav from AT&T or Sprint. It even took a while before cut&paste and MMS was available on the iPhone.

[Ebraheem]

"Right now, 90 percent of handsets will have GPS features included"

I believe that "will" accidentally got there. Also, it should be "smartphones", not "handsets". GPS is nowhere as popular in non-smart phones.

[RyguyMN]

Standalone GPS devices will be around for a while yet for these reasons:

1. Screen size of nav units are bigger than smartphones. If you can't read the screen, what purpose is it serving you when you're in tight corners?

2. Nav units don't need any kind of data subscription plan. Just power the unit on and wait a few moments for satellite acquisition.

3. Would you rather have an expensive smartphone fall from the windshield suction or a durable GPS unit?

4. Dedicated GPS provides more features than a smartphone GPS app would. Smartphone apps provide basic features for the most part. This may change over time.

5. GPS nav hardware is superior to what's inside phones right now. This may change over time.

[dream_fly]

1. Turn by Turn voice is more important than screen size while driving.
2. Read some messages above, many comes with the map...sorry IPhone don't have external storage but many others do.
3. Current Smartphones cost about the same or less and some are even free.
4. Actually either one is a a little painful without the corresponding PC software.
5. Actually with aGPS, the signal lock is in seconds, even inside a building. Without aGPS, I agree with you.

[sourlake]

Maybe this is no longer true, but don't phones use the towers rather than GPS satellites? I hike and kayak in many places where there are no towers. I'll stick with my trusty stand-alone.

[george_liquor]

Most smartphones use satellites and cell towers to calculate your position. If the smartphone relies on a data connection to retrieve maps, you won't get a map in an area with no service, but you can at least still get your longitude & latitude.

[hary536]

No, not all phones require cell phone connection, if they have an integrated GPS chip built-in.
for ex: Like other user above, i also have Nokia 5800. It has aGPS+ integrated GPS. I don't have data plan.
I can download Nokia's Ovi maps free for several countries. If i want to search for any POI, i can do that for free.
For turn by turn navigation i need to buy Nokia's annual or lifetime navigation license.
I also have Garmin Mobile XT installed in my 5800(which i was able to get in a good deal), it works well and i don't need any cell connection.

[toosday]

Simple: Right now, I don't want to pay $70-100 per month for a cell phone plan - especially one where I'm stuck in a two-year contract.

Also, hiking in Kings Canyon and depending on cell phone towers to help me out doesn't sound like the best idea. (As I found out the hard way while trying to use a smartphone's GPS to find my way to a wedding in Tennessee's mountains last year.)

[fondy]

I recently checked out some reviews that iLounge did on the new GPS apps for the iPhone (the high-dollar ones like Tom Tom with included maps). Their overall verdict was none of them were as nice as a dedicated unit, plus the high price of the apps and accessories made them even less appealing. What's the saying, "jack of all trades and master of none"?

[wirelesscaller]

Just like how many car stereos have docking capabilities with ipods and iphones we're going to see the same for the gps services where the turn by turn is done over the car speakers, maps may be mirrored over to a larger display within the car, and maybe even an external or boosting antennae on the car as well. I see more of a symbiotic relations with the car stereo and phone, or simply the car having it built in, it's a great security feature (car theft or emergencies).

[ccworld181]

All i got to say is that what is the point of a GPS which costs arround $200AUD (sorry for not priceing in US Dollars but i live in Aus so yeah) why dont you just youse a device that you have as a GPS itis easier but the only downside is that you have to pay constently but it is not a big deal

[Jack_Tripper]

I have been using Sprint Navigation (telenav) regular phones and smart phones for years. I currently have a Palm Pre, and the Navigation is quite simply tremendous. I use it literally across the country. Yes, if you want navigation for canoe trips etc., you may need another device, but for normal everyday driving, there is no need to purchase anything else. I don't pay any extra with my $69.99 everything plan.

[g6tbj]

better as times goes by

[amigabill]

I'd love to have a single device for phone, GPS, etc. But so long as GPS comes with a hefty monthly fee from my cellphone carrier for the mapping data or whatever it is they claim is in return for that hefty monthly fee, I'll say screw them and use a single-payment device from Garmin. At my carrier's $10/month fee for GPS, on a two year contract, that's $240 during the contract period. You can buy a Garmin for half that. The cell phone guys are going to have to stop being so greedy if they want to compete.

Oh, and I also want my phone to run for more than a few hours before having to recharge it. Dedicated GPS gizmos don't have to transmit, so there's a longer battery usage there...

So, of what benefit do I see in only having one thing in my pocket instead of two? For the moment, not much.

[UralBas]

I have been using Google Navigation on the G1 for over a year. Its an awesome product. All the others just dont measure up. I currently use a G1 to send this text. Check my blogs, Listen to Music (Stream), Watch Movies (Stream) as a phone, as a spectrum analyzer. I have ported a Flash app, so it can do so much more than an Iphone that I gave mine away to my nephew so he could listen to songs and play games, The Iphone is great for that. for business and real use, Any Android is better than an Iphone... Have used both extensively.