iPhone + GPS = Google Maps

But Forrester and other research firms are optimistic those numbers will rise rapidly in the near future. Frost & Sullivan, a consulting firm, estimates that the number of subscribers to phone-based navigation systems will grow from about 4.5 million last year to 28 million by the end of 2013.

I’ve been relying on my phone for most of my navigation needs since I got it last year. I’ve been using the Google Maps application preinstalled on the iPhone. Although it doesn’t do turn-by-turn navigation, it will plot a course that you can follow.

The new iPhone programs go well beyond Google Maps to offer true turn-by-turn navigation. There are now at least four different developers with such programs in the iTunes App Store, many of whom offer multiple programs, each with a map of a different area of the country or world. And more such programs are on the way.

The two that I’ve played with are Gokivo and AT&T Navigator. Both programs work adequately. The course maps are generally easy to follow. And on the AT&T Navigator, at least, the voice prompts were generally clear.

One benefit of such programs over many stand-alone GPS devices is that they can tap into your phone’s data connection. The Navigator, for instance, can get real-time traffic information and use that to plot or adjust suggested routes. Both programs allow you to search for nearby restaurants, gas stations and other establishments, and then give you directions.

Gokivo has some nice features that Navigator lacks. You can play music from your iPod library directly from the program. And it will let you pull in addresses from your list of contacts.

But neither program is ideal. Unlike my TomTom, both programs display their maps in portrait, not landscape mode, which means you get a narrow view of your course. And they both tend to refresh their maps slowly. As a result, the on-screen motion can be halting, which means you may be farther down the road than the application thinks you are.

Iphone GPS

What’s more, the programs cost $10 a month each on top of your normal data fees. There’s an additional $1 charge to download the Gokivo application, though you can download AT&T Navigator for free. That can get pricey over the course of the year, especially since you can buy a low-end GPS device these days for less than $100.

And you’d better make sure you have a car charger when you’re using these applications. Because they keep the screen on constantly and frequently ping the data network to refresh their maps, they can run down your battery very quickly.

Those aren’t minor quibbles. I’m not convinced that I’ll stick with either Gokivo or AT&T Navigator for the long haul. But the programs will get better and, if they don’t, I can try others.

Regardless, I’m probably not going back to my TomTom. If only for the convenience factor, having GPS navigation on my phone is a better experience.

Zoo-Free Driving Areas

The most important aspect of a tour to South Africa or Southern Africa is the planning and it is therefore pretty handy to have someone like us on your team, that has the experience, expertise and knowledge of the region.

Attention: If you would like to go on a Self Drive Tour, you may do some preparation first. Such things you may have to prepare besides you have already owned a good car such as SUV or MPV, they are commodities, drugs, clothes, vehicle accessories and don’t forget the Car GPS Navigation!

Now let me introduce several GPS systems to you:

1. Navigon 7200T

The Navigon 7200T offers an attractive design and plenty of features, including voice address entry, 3D landmark renderings, text-to-speech functionality, and integrated Bluetooth. The user interface and maps still aren’t as clean as a Garmin or a TomTom, but performance has improved and address entry by voice can be quite accurate with some training

Navigon 7200T

2. Magellan Maestro 4370

Despite a couple of minor performance issues, the Magellan Maestro 4370 offers convenience through its new OneTouch interface, providing you with quick one-click access to your preferred destinations. The GPS also delivers with features and accurate directions.

Magellan Maestro 4370

3. TomTom ONE 125-GPS receiver

The TomTom One 125 isn’t the newest or flashiest portable navigation device on the market, but that’s OK. Not everyone needs the latest or greatest. What the One 125 offers is a solid, entry-level GPS for first-time buyers or for those looking for the most basic navigation functions.

TomTom ONE 125 - GPS receiver