Orange maps versus other sat nav plus billing

MuddledOfMiddlesex

Hi there
I'm looking at getting a Desire HD and weighing up the different networks. I went into the Orange shop and the guy in there wasn't at all helpful but I definitely want a sat nav function both for walking and in the car... I have limited experience of sat navs beyond the basic TomTom and haven't used it one on a phone.

Is there any benefit to Orange Maps versus Google and any others? I would also be using it a little bit abroad but I am guessing you can download maps on wifi or before you go to keep data costs down?

Would really appreciate it if someone could explain this? I know Orange Maps are either bundled or cost £5 a month which seems a lot of one-off paid for apps (or free ones) can do the job as well? Otherwise t-mobile seem to have decent deals and I can probably do without Orange Wednesdays?

Sorry, also wanted to ask on billing - one of the many things that drives me mad about Voda is their billing is so messy and late. Anyone comment on T-Mob's - I had Orange before and they seemed fairly easy to understand.

Cheers, my dears.

Rusty!

Google's navigation is free and bloody good, does require data though. On the plus side if you were to calculate the route at home it will cache the data it needs from your wifi

Snakeeyes21

co-pilot without a doubt, maps are stored on your sd card and it doesnt require any data to use, yes it costs a few quid but not having to rely on having a data connection for it to work more than makes up for the initial cost..

my view on google navigation is what use is a satnav if you take a wrong turning and end up somewhere where theres no signal so you cant find your route again..... poor planning on googles part.

Also means you can use it whilst out walking etc where the chances are if your a fair way out you wont have any signal again...

arielcohen

Yeahp I recommend copilot, its a great to be able to use the sat nav without worrying about data usage and if you have signal and how fast it is.

Also with the desire hd you wont have any internet while on a phonecall (for those that might shout i meant speaker phone or as a passenger) meaning that its possible to loose your satnav at those times.

You might be able to cache your route from home, but what about when you want to zoom in and out around the map, get copilot with the desire hd you wont regret it.

spannerzone

If abroad, avoid using data at all costs!

Buying CoPilot may well save you a fortune compared to potential data charges incurred abroad roaming.

Biglad_3

The free Google satnav is really good, although it uses data it actually doesn't use a lot when calculating or updating if you have a data plan. If you are going to use it a LOT then I would pay for co-pilot.