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+--- Thread: handheld gps options (including iPhone?) (/showthread.php?tid=57251)
handheld gps options (including iPhone?) - Caroline - 06-25-2008
Hey guys,
My husband has a visual impairment and has just moved to a new town. I was thinking about getting him a hand held GPS system. It would have to be battery operated, and speak out commands. Does anyone have experience with these? Any chance the iPhone or iPod touch will be equipped with these in the future. I'm sure the iPhone will have an option, but will this be from an additional GPS chip or will it have to be through a phone service.
Any and all options will be appreciated.
Caroline
Re: handheld gps options (including iPhone?) - Ken Sp. - 06-25-2008
Are you in need of a GPS for driving or walking?
Most stand alone GPS devices Speak directions--but are more oriented to driving.
The new iPhone will have GPS as part of the $30 monthly data plan, but the original iPhone has a weak speaker, and, so far, audio turn by turn directions are not allowed.
The TomTom 920 and 930, and a Garmin model allow spoken address input. You speak the address you want to navigate to.
FYI-I just tested the 930, and in bluetooth mode it synced with my iphone, and imported my addresses just fine.
Re: handheld gps options (including iPhone?) - BigGuynRusty - 06-25-2008
I would not pick the iPhone due to your husbands visual impairment.
I've been there, the iPhone interface is not that good for the visually impaired.
BGnR
Re: handheld gps options (including iPhone?) - RAMd®d - 06-26-2008
What BG said about the 'Phone.
Apple won't give developers access to a low level of the iPhone so there will be no third-party text-to-speech needed for audible turn-by-turn directions.
And has mentioned the 'Phone's interface for Google Maps would be a little difficult (read: not intuitive).
The "car" versions are small enough that they can be hand-held easily, and the letters and numbers are easy to read.
I *think* some GPS units for the car also have a "walking" mode, which would ignore things like One Way streets. Mio might be one of these.
The "hand-held" models I've seen use small text on an LCD and are more for marking way-points for walking and hiking.
Re: handheld gps options (including iPhone?) - qdog - 06-26-2008
My Garmin nuvi has a walking mode.