Looking for better GPS software

[welmoed]

I bought the Pharos GPS for my iPaq 2215. The unit works fine but the software that comes with it (Ostia) is really awful. My husband has the Mio, which he loves, and the software on that (Maptech) is fabulous. I'd like to buy that software but can't find it for sale anywhere. Any hints on where to find just the software? Or any suggestions on another very good GPS software package for my PPC?

--Welmoed

[Pony99CA]

I bought the Pharos GPS for my iPaq 2215. The unit works fine but the software that comes with it (Ostia) is really awful. My husband has the Mio, which he loves, and the software on that (Maptech) is fabulous. I'd like to buy that software but can't find it for sale anywhere. Any hints on where to find just the software? Or any suggestions on another very good GPS software package for my PPC?
You might check my Web site (http://www.svpocketpc.com) and search for "GPS". There are quite a few programs listed there.

Here are a few that I've heard people like:

CoPilot Live (http://www.alk.com/products/consumer/index.asp) (what I use)
Destinator (http://www.destinator1.com)
Mapopolis (http://www.mapopolis.com)
TomTom (http://www.tomtom.com)

If you really like Maptech, it looks like you can buy it at their Web site (http://maptech.com/).

Steve

[GSmith]

Also check this (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27804&highlight=) thread.

[spinedoc]

I purchased the maptech software, very expensive and not worth it IMHO. The topographical maps are VERY outdated, I am talking about maps from the 1930's! Lots of streets are left out.

[welmoed]

Thanks for the great help. The package I was thinking about that is on the Mio is "Destinator". But it's too expensive on its own. I checked out the Mapopolis site and really liked it... having a demo really helped with the purchase decision!!

The Ostia maps are two years out of date at least, and although they have some updated maps on their web site, there is an ominous warning that maps for different versions cannot be mixed, and not all the maps I need are updated yet. I was impressed at how up-to-date the Mapopolis maps are.

Two more things about the Mapopolis maps that I really like: the boundaries are not arbitrary; you download maps by county. Also, the file sizes are quite small; all the maps required to get me from DC to Toronto take up only 20mB! Oh yeah, and a third thing: they show not only what type of place it is (i.e. "gas station") but also the company name ("Exxon") AND the phone number! This will come in handy to find a preferred gas station en route.

I'll be taking this on a "test trip" tomorrow and will put it through its paces. I'll let you all know how it did!

Thanks again.

--Welmoed