Pros & Cons
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- Live traffic data with flow information (selected markets).
- 3D moving maps.
- Toll-free number for dictating your address entries.
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- 3D features work on limited number of phones.
- Requires cellular data connection to work.
TeleNav GPS Navigator (with Telenav Traffic) Specs
| Type: | Mobile Phone |
| Type: | Personal |
It's no secret that the cellular companies use their cell phones as platforms for delivering subscription-based services in an effort to crank up your monthly bill. Many wireless providers now offer competent GPS solutions that are comparable to stand-alone hardware devices—but with a catch: For example,
Like VZ Navigator, TeleNav GPS Navigator is based on client server architecture. The cell phone is essentially a terminal that's used to display maps and announce turns. The Navteq-based mapping data and points-of-interest (POI) data resides on TeleNav's servers, and it is the servers that perform the route calculations, taking the processing load off your handset and enabling TeleNav to have a huge POI database and up-to-date mapping data. This is a different setup from a dedicated GPS navigation device, which stores all of the mapping data and calculates routes locally. Keep in mind, though, that because dedicated GPS devices don't need a data connection, they will work in areas where there isn't cellular data coverage. Cell-phone GPS navigation depends fully on the data network, so it won't run in areas without cellular data coverage—a big disadvantage if you're lost in the sticks.
TeleNav 5.0, the version I reviewed, has a number of features that clearly differentiate it from its competitors. First, on selected phones, you can get 3D moving maps. Of course, 3D maps take more processing power to display, so if 3D maps are important to you, and you don't have a phone with enough horsepower, you're due for an upgrade soon. The service can be installed on a wide range of cell phones, across all the major wireless providers. Typically, the cost runs about ten bucks a month, plus any related data service charges. Check Telenav's site for full price listings. The software, too, is compatible with a wide array of cell phones, from standard Java-based feature phones all the way up to full-blown Windows Mobile, Palm, and BlackBerry smartphones. One major drawback, however, is that if your phone lacks a built-in GPS chip you'll also have to spring for a Bluetooth GPS Receiver module, which costs $100 extra.
For my tests, I used a Motorola RAZR (with integrated GPS) on Sprint's cellular network. Sprint was the first to roll out the newest, latest TeleNav features on its network. Currently AT&T and T-Mobile are also on board.
If you've ever tried to enter an address on an ordinary cell phone, you know how awkward the process can be. To circumvent this issue, TeleNav offers the option of calling a toll-free number and dictating addresses. A voice recognition system echoes back what it thinks you said. Once you've confirmed each piece of an address, TeleNav stores the address entry and sends it to your phone. You can dictate multiple addresses on a single call, so you can populate your list of destinations quickly.
TeleNav's "killer feature" however, introduced in January and currently available only on Sprint, is live traffic reports. Currently, traffic incident data is available in 50 markets, and flow data—how slowly the traffic is moving because of a traffic incident—is available in just 31 markets. TeleNav has integrated live traffic into its software in a unique way. In addition to the traditional "shortest" and "fastest" route profiles, TeleNav has an "Optimized for traffic" routing option. This feature takes into account traffic incident and flow data to calculate the best possible route. During navigation, TeleNav periodically rechecks traffic, and if there's a new incident presents you with the option of rerouting by pressing the "0" key. Traffic and flow data can be shown on the map view, color-coded to show severity, or you can view traffic data for individual route segments. The detailed information shows you delay time, travel time for the segment, and slowest speed. (Be sure to check the slideshow to take a closer look at the traffic features).—
User Interface
I found TeleNav's menu intuitive and easy to operate. The application made good use of the left and right soft keys as well as the four-way navigation key and the OK button. The main menu has four entries: Drive to, Directory, Maps and Traffic, and Tools/Extras. "Drive to" options include My Favorites, Recent Places, Address, Intersection, City, Businesses, and Airports.
"Directory" is what TeleNav calls its list of POIs. You can spell a name, review recent searches, select one of the 16 categories, or select all categories. Within each category, there are two main headings: Community and Businesses. Under each of those, many subcategories let you target your search. You can even find highly granulated sublistings such as tattoo/piercing parlors and barber shops. TeleNav claims to have ten million POIs in its directory. There were a few interesting directory categories, including one that I've never seen on any other GPS: Wi-Fi hot spots. (A limitation is that although many hot spots are listed, the directory doesn't indicate whether or not they are free.) You can also search for gas by current price, a pretty handy feature.
You use the Tools/Extras menu to set preferences, record your current location for future reference, or view the built-in compass. There aren't a lot of preferences to set. You select your routing preferences from a list that includes shortest, fastest, traffic optimized, Prefer Streets, Prefer Highways, and pedestrian. For moving maps, you are able to choose 2D, or 3D (if your phone supports it), or just turn icons. On the Motorola RAZR I used, if you close the flip phone, the turn arrow icon appears on the front LCD screen.—
On the Road
You're going to want a mounting bracket if you use your cell phone very often for navigation. The mounting bracket for my Motorola phone has a long, flexible "gooseneck" and an easy-to-use "squeeze"-type clamp. To mount the phone, you just put it in the bracket and squeeze the two sides together until they trap the phone. Unfortunately, the long gooseneck transmits too much vibration to the phone, making it difficult to see the screen.
I tested TeleNav on a number of routes, both driven and simulated, to see how well it worked. I'll admit that I really liked the traffic function. To be able to preview bottlenecks along your route is a nice feature, but to see just how slow the traffic is and how much of a delay you're likely to experience is priceless. For my test routes around New Jersey and into Manhattan, the traffic-optimized routes worked well. Route recalculation times after a missed turn were similar to those of a dedicated GPS device.
My one disappointment with my driving experience was not related to TeleNav, but rather to the phone I was using. The RAZR seemed to have a comparatively insensitive GPS receiver, compared with dedicated devices I've tested. During one of my test sessions, I couldn't generate a route because the phone reported "weak GPS signal." I then fired up a
On selected networks, for selected models of phones, TeleNav has more features than its competitors. Expect additional features to become available on more networks and on an expanding list of phones. The live traffic feature is $3.99 per month. If you live in a market that's covered, it could well be the best four bucks you'll spend. TeleNav's features, including text-to-speech conversion (English or Spanish), ease of use, 3D moving maps, and, of course, live traffic info make TeleNav GPS Navigator an attractive, affordable alternative to a midrange dedicated GPS.
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Final Thoughts
TeleNav GPS Navigator (with Telenav Traffic)
TeleNav GPS Navigator, depending on your phone and carrier, has features that trump Verizon's VZ Navigator. It's an affordable, viable alternative to a dedicated midrange GPS device with a similar feature set.