Jack, I can probably address some of your points. I assume from your post that you must prefer paper maps. That's fine with me, as I can pick off what I need from a paper map almost instantly. I can't imagine you prefering standalone GPS units, as the potential problems mentioned are only worse. There are a number of software apps that have problems exactly as you describe. One package required that you ask for directions by using a desktop PC with an active internet connection, then told me to drive around the block to get to the house next door! It was so bad I almost died laughing.
I now use Mapopolis Navigator, which will tell me;
- how to get where I want to go
- when I am off course and how to get back
- adjust ad-hoc to variations to my route.
It should be noted that it usually has route correction done before I get to the end of the block after missing a turn (usually due to construction or accidents). That includes getting me back on the right road. A full route mapping takes less than ten seconds, reroutes take about three seconds.
In regards to your peep-hole analogy, perhaps you should use a higher resolution device? I can read the street names from a couple feet away, and the streets are easily understood from the back seat. Then again, screen quality and resolution probably play a part.
Mapopolis also deals with most of your other points:
1. Tap Menu, then Find and write the first couple letters of any address book or map landmark. Not as good as "Knowing" were it is, but you can't do that with paper. Besides, if you know where it's at already, you don't need the map OR the GPS
2. Auto-rotate. I hate doing the transformations just like you. If a GPS can't to it, then I don't bother. Strangely enough, the nav system in the new Chrysler Hemi C has non-rotate as the default setting. Go figure!
3. Mapopolis takes over the hard buttons for Zoom, Pan, Detail, and Navigate On/Off. Zoom is instant with 16 levels. If you also want to scroll around while the GPS is active, that is fine; it will let you scroll anywhere, then re-center the GPS marker when you quit playing around. I won't mention the current position scrolling off the map... does not happen with auto-scroll.
4. Can't hear voice directions? Depends on your device and software. I turn it off because it is too stinkin' loud! The kids ask me to turn it off after a while during city driving becaues it gets annoying even for those in the third row. Don't have your MP3 player running in the background and plugged into the car stereo, that's just ASKING for trouble! However, if your combo delivers weak audio, voice prompts are of little use.
5. Agree for most apps. Even Mapopolis has a few UI quirks that don't make sense.
I guess which hardware/software combo you use can make it or break it. I spend a number of days every week on the road, and will have to go to a location only known as an address, and nobody cares where I happen to be when the email or page comes in. Since I already have a PDA for mail and such, it just made sense to add that extra functionality. Being able to enter only one address and hit "Generate Route" has worked very well for me.
Roadtrip with a Dell GPS Navigation System
