I think besides gaming apps, the first thing I was really hoping to get for my iPhone was a cool turn by turn navigation app. I was sad that they just never seemed to be coming. Google Maps helped a little bit, but I wanted something much more than that.
Finally I started to see a few come out, including some of the big names. But I was a little hesitant because of the cost. I’m not cheap when it comes to buying things, but I didn’t know if they were going to work the way I wanted them to and if I didn’t like them there would be nothing for me to do but be sad. Then along came CoPilot Live North America from ALK Technologies. Here was an app at a third of the price of the others so I thought I’d take a chance.
I love the cool factor of turn by turn navigation. It’s fun to watch your little virtual self going down a virtual map (I guess it’s a real map in a virtual world, but I digress) and it gets better when a voice can tell you when to turn, and which way. Sort of makes you feel like you’re in the future.
I have spent the last ten days driving around with CoPilot and I have to say that there is a lot I like about this app. I’ll come right out and tell you that I can’t see that I’d really want a lot more than what this app already offers me. Sure I’ve seen some that tell you where the cheapest gas is, but unless it’s 30 cents cheaper I’m not that worried about it. And I’ve seen some that tell you about traffic, but I live in Utah because I don’t want a lot of traffic.
What I’m saying is that it has the things I need. This worked nicely on a trip I took to Las Vegas (boring business stuff) and used it while driving to look up different stops at every city I passed. I pulled off at a few of them just to see how the maps worked and then when I was in Vegas and needed to find a few places. On all of these CoPilot worked perfectly.
The UI for the app is very easy to use – from finding addresses to locating various destinations (restaurants, hospitals, gas stations, etc.). And the maps that lead you to those locations look great. I like the fact that the app comes with both day and night versions of the maps. This made things easier to read depending on the time of day.
And the great futuristic feeling of having a voice telling you when to turn? It’s there, in either a man’s or woman’s voice. Though it was funny when I forgot that I had put in a destination and forgot about it until about 100 miles down the road I was reminded that I’d be turning off the interstate in 2 miles. Almost made me jump right out of the car.
I will also be honest and say that it seems like the maps could use some updating, but I have spoken with the company and that is on the way. Also on the way are some of the other features that seem to make this a lighter navigation app. Not sure if these will all be free or not. The app does have some areas that look like they are going to be highlighted in updates, but I’ve also seen that the “Traffic” one will be a “premium” upgrade and that usually means money.
But as mentioned above, I’m happy with what I’ve got. And if you’re looking for a simple turn by turn navigation app for your phone I have to say that for the price you can’t go wrong with CoPilot. It easily does all the things I need, and once the map gets updated I expect things to be even better.
One thing I would add to the app is a tutorial on how to use it. There’s a demo but it only shows a little car going around a map. It would have been nice to see a little video of someone using the app instead of the map demo.
Just like games for a dollar have shown that you don’t have to pay top dollar to get something really good, CoPilot Live North America has shown that you don’t have to shell out over a hundred dollars just to get a nice navigation app. I also have to hand it to Mary and Bobby at ALK for taking the time to give me some more info on the app. I always love knowing that there are people who stand behind their product.
Positives: Great Value For The Price, Finding Most Destinations Is Easy, Turn By Turn Works Great, Voices Are Good
Negatives: Could Use A Tutorial, It’s 1.12 GB (But I Guess It Has To Be)
I FOUND A GOOD VIDEO DEMOING THE APPLICATION IN USE. THIS IS THE UK VERSION BUT IT GIVES YOU AN EXAMPLE OF IT RUNNING LIVE.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice to see some more app reviews here.
As for turn by turn navigation apps, I hope that now more are released the price of TomTom and the likes will go down a bit, this one seems like a very good alternative.
I actually used this yesterday when I was downtown in the “walking” mode. Sure Salt Lake City isn’t that big and I already know my way around, but I thought I’d give it a try. It was cool to have it with me while I was walking and suddenly hear… Turn Left…
I only mentioned it lightly in the review but this is good for more than just the car. It’s a really nice app to have if you do any traveling at all.
I do a lot of walking so it’s good to hear it caters to all of us. Sounds like it could be fun to use it while running then, that is if you want to explore new routes.
Hey Bob, thanks for the review. I’m wondering, can you also use it horizontally (in landscape mode) or is it made exclusively for landscape mode?
Works on both… and works pretty well…
Bob
I just can’t believe how cheap this app is. I’ve even heard some people saying it’s much better than Navigon’s. I’m dying to get this one and I think it would be awesome to have a contest for a Co-Pilot promo code.
It’s these apps that make me wish I had an iPhone, and not just a Touch…
You can still play in your house
So I can get directions from upstairs to the basement?
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For the record I have been using it as well, and I for one would not pay $99.99 for a GPS app on the iPhone I have used a few of these and this is by far the cheapest and offers everything 99% of users would need.
They are going to offer new updates and more LIVE features like traffic and detour information as well.
This is the best overall priced/featured GPS out right now.
And just to clarify… I do believe that some of the new features will be at an extra cost. The items like “Live Traffic” is listed as a premium and that usually means more money.
But that is what I like about this app. You can pay for the extra stuff if you want it, or just leave it off and save yourself some money if you don’t. And Traffic is never really a big worry to me. I can just switch on my radio to get some of that info if needed.
its good to see a functional navigation app for a bit cheaper than $100!
Anyways, i dont find the faults that big a deal because if you arent going to shell out top dollar, i dont think you can expect everything. It seems like a great and cheap alternative to the more expensive nav apps.
As I mentioned in the review… it certainly had everything I was looking for…
And I hate the word “cheap”. It seems to denote that it’s of less quality. I found this app to have a lot of qaulity.