iGuidance v4 - Free Upgrade

[xmind2006]

I know I've been waiting for a map update for almost a year now and looks like next week I'll finally have it.

http://www.inavcorp.com/news.html#news19

iGuidance v4.0 Product Info
New features include:

* New Navteq map including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands
* Text to speech (TTS) (street name in voice guidance)
* Extended POI listings (6 millions)
* Pre-generated seamless map file for entire N. Ame (1.3GB)(no longer using Maploader program)
* Automatic font sizing for POI's w/ long names
* Fullscreen easy toggle for car pc/UMPC w/o keyboard
* Full version still bundled w/ pocket pc, laptop, and umpc/car pc versions software in one package!
o *Internet activation process required
o *Map file = 1.3GB (requires min. 2GB SD/CF for pocket pc version)

*Existing registered customers may start pre-order v4 online for $79 + s/h immediately via our online store. If you haven't registered your current version of iGuidance yet, you may do so via www.inavcorp.com/registration.php(before July 4, 2007) or www.inavcorp.com/myig/register.php (after July 4, 2007).

*New customers may start pre-order on June 22, 2007 via our online store or our authorized resellers.

*Customers who purchased iGuidance v3 from an authorized reseller on or after 3/15/07 may be eligible for free v4 upgrade exchange. More detailed info will be provided one week after v4 product launch so please stay tuned.

[WanderingMinstrel]

Uh... it's not free if you had Version 3 or 3.1 before 3/15.

I like the spoken street names feature. Not sure I really need all those maps on my storage card. The chances of me driving in PR, the Virgin Islands, or even anywhere in the midwest or north-central states are negligible.

[xmind2006]

Originally Posted by WanderingMinstrel

Uh... it's not free if you had Version 3 or 3.1 before 3/15.

I know, but it's free for me since I purchased after March 15 of last year.

[hotrod]

It's March 15th of this year, isn't it?

*Customers who purchased iGuidance v3 from an authorized reseller on or after 3/15/07 may be eligible for free v4 upgrade exchange. More detailed info will be provided one week after v4 product launch so please stay tuned.

I ordered mine already. I'll let you know how it goes. V3.1 is nice, but I still find myself using TomTom, because I like the appearance of the maps. They show more surrounding details, instead of just a line down the middle of my screen. I hope v4 is 'prettier.'

[xmind2006]

Well this kind of sucks. You can't just download the update (as far as I can tell), you have to pay $10 since they are shipping hard copies, and you only have until August 6th to get the upgrade! That is ridiculous to offer only a 3 week window for upgrades....

Here's iNav's "News":

Free v4 upgrade exchange offer for existing v3 customers
Offer Eligibility:

* Purchased v3 from authorized resellers between 3/15/07 - 7/6/07
* Registered v3 online via www.inavcorp.com/registration.php
* U.S. Customers: please send $10 via www.paypal.com to orders@inavcorp.com, OR, mail your check to Free v4 upgrade, iNav Corporation, PO BOX 28325, Anaheim, CA 92809-0144
* Canada Customers: please send $10 USD via www.paypal.com to orders@inavcorp.com, OR, order through our online store
* Europe/Asia Customers: please send $15 USD via www.paypal.com to orders@inavcorp.com, OR, order through our online store
* Please retain your v3 receipt/invoice as we may request it for verification purpose
* Free upgrade offer expires on August 6 2007. All requests MUST be received by us on or before this date. NO EXCEPTION.
* Since we have sold out of v4 disks and are waiting for new shipment, please allow 2-3 weeks for your order to be shipped.

[hotrod]

I ordered my copy and got it last week. So far, I can say I'm really disappointed. The user interface is still the same, the maps still look the same, now it just announces a few more roads than it did in v.3. I'm using TomTom 6 and I like it much better.

Things I like about TomTom
1. Better integration w/ OS. That is, TomTom handles sending and receiving phone calls. TomTom will automatically minimize ans restore during and after phone calls. And all the menus can be accessed with a finger. Some of Inav's menus are hard to poke at.

2. Map details. Inav's data is generally more accurate, but I like TomTom's map colors of roads, parks, property boundaries, water, etc. Also TomTom's roadways have more detail and a 3D appearance when viewing roads with bridges and over-passes. And I like TomTom's centerline dots. I easily shows you are moving down the highway, where I can't tell if the map is moving or if it is froze up with Inav's single red highway line.

3. I like that I can hit a button to hear the next instruction repeated.

Things I'd also like to see in INav;
PPC Keyboard support for hotkeys; I'd love to be able to press C to change color or F for full sceen or G for gps; etc.

The only things I like better about Inav than TomTom...and others
1. Best use of small square screens. I like Inav's small status bars. TomTom's status bars take a lot of precious space on a 240x240 screen.
2. I do like Inav's announcement of turns AND road names.
3. I like being able to cycle through the different screens; map, gps, route, etc. with a quick push of a button.