Both MSM & MFM supports Garmin map. But MSM is the official (read: contract) map provider for Garmin in Malaysia (& if I'm not mistaken Singapore as well). While MFM provide free map, MSM map needs to be unlock.

Are you living in US? If that's the case then it could be network/server problem

US GSP has now been updated. Major improvement is the ability to store offline map.

Still, I prefer preloaded map for MY version. the hassle of downloading map everytime you go to that place damping the fluidity of a GPS app. not to mention data charges. Afterall, MY map should be very much packed in POI courtesy of MSM. just imagine how long will it takes to download

This post has been edited by mmmbop: Jan 12 2011, 02:02 PM

Read the description before you buy any app. The current app is intended for US & Canada only. Why do you think we keeps on talking about future Garmin SP for Malaysia?

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Added on January 14, 2011, 8:32 amNot to diss your preference of choice, but if you know what is MSM, MFM & mapper's community, you'll value PPG more than others

This post has been edited by mmmbop: Jan 14 2011, 08:32 AM

To newbies, please read the previous pages before you throw in any question. While we are not going to be hostile towards any question posed, a repetitive one might make us otherwise. Do some homework and we can contribute more into this thread.

Btw the M8 looks like a half-baked upgrade. Basically Maction doesn't have to jiggle with map update, they can simply download it from the never-ending-effort of MFMappers site. But still, they haven't do anything on the lagginess, font issue and what not. The icon still not RDed, still M7 icon, still less than friendly search function and then they thrown in their useless recording function so they can make a cosmetic change to the name.

It's just a function from another app they are selling as Papago Driving Recorder. You can check it out in iTunes. The recording instruction font is in chinese and the recording icon when turned on will even wrap the Papago word. This is indeed by far the worst and lousiest update for PPG ever!

If you already have M7, what is the necessity to buy? M8 is just a natural update to M7

Good to know that you're willing to buy the genuine nav app unlike some forumers who keep on yelling why their crack apps not working. I meant, if you bought rotten apple, don't blame others why it doesn't taste as good as the ori one.

My advice, wait for Garmin to see what they have to offer. While I'm skeptical they are going to bring preloaded map, let see what do they have for Malaysian version.

As for TomTom, it doesn't even cut into my wishlist unless it cost 0.99. It's the map that of utmost important at least to me.

This post has been edited by mmmbop: Jan 27 2011, 04:24 PM

Don't put to much high hopes on it then. stick to the ground. the current review on US iTunes doesn't looks promising.

P/s: my wife uses 5800. and I know exactly the performance of GMXT. but on narrow screen of 5800 + resistive, it does looks suck.

This post has been edited by mmmbop: Jan 27 2011, 05:12 PM

So many variations of explanation and confusion over here.

Ok so here's the idea. GPS 101.

iPhone uses hybrid positioning system that means GPS + aGPS. All of these are dictated by Location Services tab in the setting. Off this function and the ability to locate your position is gone.

1. GPS

GPS is the main method of positioning. The GPS receiver in the phone use the GPS satellites to relay all data and hence the location based on input from several satellites (terms as locked satellite), usually minimum of 3 satellites. The more satellites locked, the more accurate the position.

It's very accurate but it works great only at open space. The GPS signal is very poor indoors or in area with high towers or dense building populations. And it's also very slow especially if:

a) You have the cold start - meaning first time using the GPS unit.
b) You haven't use the GPS for a long time. (The GPS receiver in the phone only remember the last satellite position it was locked, so when the satellites move, it needs to search again)
c) You start the GPS at location A and close it. Then you start again the GPS at location B which is very far from location A. For the same reason in b), the GPS receiver needs to redo the search.

You can switch off all data services, 3G and even in flight mode, because it doesn't even needs any one of them. This method does not require a single cent.


2. aGPS

aGPS works great indoors but not very accurate. And it's very fast. That's why it's called aGPS, "a" here refers to "Assisted". GPS & aGPS work in harmony to complement each other weaknesses.

Problem is, there are so many types of aGPS. Some of them will incur data charges and some will not.

Some types of aGPS includes but not limited to:

a) Tower triangulation
b) Wifi-positioning
c) Network supplied GPS data

AFAIK, iPhone uses a) & b). In the case, iPhone can't detect a) it will uses b) and vice versa.

Tower triangulation doesn't requires data charges as well as Wifi-positioning. That's why your location can be detected even you have switch off both cellular data, 3G and data roaming.

However, type c) which download GPS orbital data requires data charges. But honestly, I do not know whether iPhone uses this method or not. This type obviously requires cellular data to be switch on.

So the question do aGPS incurs data charges? YES & NO. How do I know this? My Omnia uses method c) and everytime aGPS is used, my credit will be deducted.

Does aGPS for iPhone, incur data charges? I think it doesn't. most probably, because it uses GPS back up by a) & b).

Does this answer all doubts?

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Added on February 23, 2011, 12:03 pmRegarding the best navigation app for iPhone for the time being, my personal favorite is still PPG despite it's recent dissapointing update.

While I have never use TomTom, I have bought Sygic Mobile Maps 3D for SG&MY during the short $9.99 sale. Graphic is great, but room for improvement is abundance. Less hard on battery, and not as warm as PPG per se. No UI lag, a little bit of lagging during routing unlike PPG but as usual map database is nowhere near to PPG's MFM. Accuracy is absymal at some location as it gives my location on the adjacent taman street. POI details can't be taken right from the map, instead must go through the long menu list. But a quick glance on Sygic forum shows that many improvements are coming.

To those wondering the difference between Mobile Maps 3D MY&SG & Mobile Maps SEA, the SEA version obviously have larger map database for all other SEA countries but it's not 3D at city's location and no city guide. Thank God I've chosen the MM3D MY&SG because even though both will be upgraded to Aura, the SEA version has 3D and City guide as optional IAP which will cost 10 Euro each!

Btw, while Maction still hasn't improve on the UI lag etc of M8, I found out something interesting:



AR is coming to M8!

Those that can read Chinese perhaps can enlighten us what's the status of the program.

In case some of you can't figure out what is AR, it's Augmented Reality, which overlay application input on top of real-time video. That means, instead of the usual generated map, AR will project the route right in front of you! This technology has been used with some other GPS nav, it's nothing new. Plus other app looks more solid in terms of their AR routing. The bad news are:

1. You can't put the phone on your lap for example, it must be on the holder as the video needs to be on all the time. (This explains why they include video recording feature in M8!)

2. Sucking battery juice like monster, as this means video needs to be switch on all the way!

This post has been edited by mmmbop: Feb 23 2011, 12:12 PM

Which type of iPhone? what iOS version? JB or not?

I'm on M6 on 3GS last time & M8 on iP4 now, never had any crash before

We'll never know how many user encounter the same issue face by you. But I have to reiterate that I have never had any crash on iP4.

Thanks for confirming guys. Which exactly why I'm perplexed when anyone said PPG failed them. Could it be unit specific?

That's a nice feature. Other nav app requires to toggle the toll-free settings prior to the routing.

Problem is, sometimes we want to avoid some but not all of the tolls, since toll-free option usually will lead us to jam pack road instead. Unless there is a traffic service for the nav apps, all current apps are still not that smart enough.

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Added on March 8, 2011, 11:49 amPPG hands down.

Though, surprisingly Sygic gave more accurate location than PPG when I searched for one of the road in Shah Alam. Unfortunately, that's the only occasion when Sygic trumped PPG.

This post has been edited by mmmbop: Mar 8 2011, 11:49 AM

The recording function is useless. There is no real uses for such thing. It drains battery faster and it gobble up all memory available. Even 64GB iPhone will find a hard time later. Unless you wish to claim insurance and set a staged accident, then this feature is for you.

I can only see one benefit though, it makes way for the AR feature in the future

Finally, they realize they had made a mistake with their previous server-based ST. Now the map is preinstalled, I'm waiting impatiently for a Malaysian version to arrive.

As others have pointed out, a GPS navigation with preinstalled map should do no harm to your data. Make sure you maintain the SIM card, as tower triangulation will help locate your location faster especially when you are at a new place.

Yup, it will be a great alternative if MFM powered GPS app fail us. I've been following Apple's development on the new map for quite sometime, including their acquisition of several mapping companies.

What exactly is the improvement of M9 over the M8? I welcome any improvement especially those regarding UI lagginess and bugfixes on the UI itself. If anyone was hoping for AR-based improvement, we have to be realistic on this. Has there been any Maction van doing their AR recording on our turf lately? I haven't heard of such thing yet

Text-to-Speech. This function allows PPG to SPEAK the street name rather than saying only LEFT or RIGHT, as long as MFM map provide the necessary data.

I haven't got the chance to update to the latest. Anyone can report of the effectiveness of this feature? I guess we might have to change the language to Malay otherwise it might sounds funny in English for Malaysian street name

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Added on August 25, 2011, 1:36 pmYou buy all that? including sygic? rich..

This post has been edited by mmmbop: Aug 25 2011, 01:36 PM

Sygic works fine on mine. Except you can't expect it to beat MFM-PPG tag team on their own home turf.

btw, weak GPS signal rarely got nothing to do with the app. because most of the apps created has been optimised for the chipset. That means the problem is either the location (eg in a house) or using cracked app

just wondering whether you have use other dedicated satnav app..Google maps looks good because it's satellite mapping along with hybrid images. BUT:

1. The street names are usually not exactly tally or correct in the first place
2. Lack of POI and rarely updated map. sometimes no viewable map at a particular location at all
3. Routing? ah..sometimes it can't start the navigation from the current location, instead it starts the navigation from nearby location! Amazing!
4. In iPhone, Google maps viewed as 2D which is not exactly the best view for navigation. I meant, come on we are not birds ok
5. Junction view, AR mode, nearby POI, lane assist, tunnel simulation and the list goes on..All of these functions are not for fancy only, it really helps in navigation, something that really lacking in Google maps

Garmin StreetPilot has already been released for quite sometimes in US with preloaded map. The question now is when similar app for Malaysia will come?

Could be. But when C3 technologies has been fully implemented in the next iOS update, google maps can say goodbye

Waze is similar like trapster, only good to identify traffic jam or police presence. but the maps is suck, not reliable at all