Sygic/McGuider GPS available now!

Looking forward to your review.

A few point I've found out:

1. You CAN view the route on the map and zoom whereever you like - just select "View Map" with an active route, click functions and select "Show entire route" (names might be slightly off as I'm using a Danish localized version).

2. I would say they are correct when they advertize "custom POI's" as you CAN add your own, but what it doesn't support (without some work) is POI import.

3. I actually like the 0..9 zooming method, as it's very fast to go from low to high zoom, compared to zooming through all levels, however I agree that it's inconsistent that they use a different method when in drive mode. Also the +/- buttons on the screen should not be there (or at least swapped to fit with the joystick behaviour).

As for zooming in when pressing the joystick down, I actually find it logical, as pressing down brings me "closer to the ground" - at least that's an easy way to remember it 😃

However I find it a bit concerning that when googling "McGuider" 50-60% or more of the pages you get are for pirated versions - I hope it won't go the way of TomTom because of this.

Actually I'm currently using such a "demo" version, but I've just ordered the geniune one to support them.

1. Yep, found that.

2. From a review point of view, it doesn't. As I said, its too much to expect someone to go and look at forums on how to do it, and then download a hard to find program for the conversion process.

They do not actually advertise custom POI (from what I have seen), just POI management. While it *can* have custom POI, it certainly does not support them.

However if they were to advertise that it can, Id disagree if they dont provide any sort of instructions.

You have to draw a line somewhere as with the right amount of hacking, you can add POI to any satnav program. Its what you think is reasonable, what people forget on forums like this is that not everyone is technical. I feel having to go through all the steps I did is bad enough, but without any sort of instruction makes it unreasonable to say it supports custom POIs.

Imagine if I said on my review that it supports custom POIs. Someone then buys it and thinks, 'How the hell do I do that then?'.

I will actually give instructions on how to do it, but until they do something, my view is that they do not support it.

3. Fair enough, its just in contrast to all the other satnavs I have used. Makes it feel clunky too. For a program with the framerate of Sygic, a +/- method would work much better.

I share your concern with the amount of pirate versions out there, I just looked for a way of putting in custom POI and found endless threads on getting dodgy copies to work.

Still, Im hoping thats all the old versions, which were as buggy as hell.

From what I have seen it actually does piss over TomTom 6 and theres enough their for me to place an order. My main concern though is updates. There is nothing technical on the site regarding updates, new versions etc.

I will be placing an order with expansys next week along with a slightly increased memory card and new battery.

2GB is nothing but you cant argue for �40. The software would appear to generate a product code based on a device number and then ask for an activation code ( ala Tom Tom ) but there is no product code ( its just the device code ). Its a little unstable in places and I have yet to test it properly before making an informed decision ( i.e will it run with music player in the background how does it handle incoming calls etc ) but it looks pretty straight forward.

Its relativly new in the GPS market so theres a lot of unknowns about the file system but it seems the interface, sounds can all be modified ( just need to work out a way of packing and unpacking the sound files like we had to with tom tom originally )

All in all I say this could well be the beast 😊

bartmanekul wrote:Appears POI are not meant to be added, or at least not easily:

1 Convert the OV2 file into UPI file individually rather then selecting them all in one go.

2 After converting, put only the UPI files into the root of the map folder.

3 Read the instructions with the attachment for changing icons and sound. Put the bmp files (speed camera image) into SNGIC/ICONS and any sound files into SNGIC/SOUNDS.

That from a dodgy forum.

EDIT: tried that, and it doesnt show up in the list. Anyone able to work it out?

If you create a new poi category from within the application and view with notepad you will see the format is totally different. The support is there its just we cant correctly convert them yet.

After using it a lot since I had it, I'll be going back to garmin. Theres lots thats nice about it, but its still like a beta in places.

For starters, the postcode entry is messed up. Went to eat out last night, I thought Id try it on the way there. When i tried to input the postcode, it didnt even recognise the first 2 letters, which is basically Wiltshire! How on earth can you have 7 digit postcodes but not have a whole postcode district?

Also, if you have an incorrect postcode, it doesnt tell you its wrong, it just dumps you back to the navigation screen.

This, plus quite a few other things i have noticed gives it the feel of being unfinished.

The postcode was SN16 9ET, but it seems it wont accept anything starting with SN.

Ive also found its missing some postcodes that should definatly be there, so Im wondering if my file is corrupt, or if they got the list from a wierd source. Or, possibly that theres a flaw in the app.

I know in a few areas its the best out of the lot, but if I dont trust it, I dont use it.

Personally I'm quite happy with the ways to get custom POIs. You can:

[LIST=1]
[*]type in the address
[*]locate on a map
[*]select from 'history'
[*]type in the exact coordinates of different formats like Google Earth, Garmin
[*]convert TT Pois using the Ov2Upi Translator 2.3. Run prog, browse to orig POI, done. Easier than Garmin 😊
[/LIST]
Don't worry about the pirating stuff on google. Until a few days ago, that was the only way to get McGuider, so of course that's what ppl talked about. Now the more serious talks about usage (like in this thread), comparisons and reviews can begin.

Considering the time of year with summer vacation coming up and the final death of S60 TomTom, I think they hit the market at just about the right time. If they fix bugs and provide updates at a reasonable rate, this could be a major player on the GPS market.

Ah, your really on about Favourites there. Or My Locations, or whatever other satnavs call them.

When people talk about adding custom POI, generally they mean adding large lists from websites. Most commonly, speedcam alerts.

As for step 5 (which is as I see it, POI), I have done that, but I still feel that its far too troublesome unless Sygic include some instructions and perhaps host a UPI converter on their website.

For the likes of you and I whom haunt forums, its easy. But for Joe bloggs that just buys the software, its non existant.

Or even better, bundle it with the memory cards. I dont see any reason why not.

I share the sentiment that if they improve it it could easily become the best. But since they refuse to answer emails, I cant put any faith in the fact they will listen to what people want.

The list included goes for both POI's and Favorites. You even have a choice, which I find rather nice.

I don't understand why it should be more difficult to run the ovi2upi than the much more complicated POI Loader from Garmin?

I agree that it's Sygic's job to provide a convertor. We shouldn't have to rely on some third party software. And that has got to be the biggest fear for this prg, the lack of support. Ignoring our emails could be an ugly hint of what's to come. If they don't make it easy to use and keep it up to date, McGuider will be dead before it really takes off.

On another note, there's a proggie called Sygic Colors. Wouldn't it be fun if someone was clever enough to replicate the colorscheme of TT using this app? 😊

http://www.cybersuricate.com/Default.aspx

Hi bartmanekul,

Actually, yes, I am from Sygic. Regarding your mails. Your mails have been lost in huge quantum of mails we receive every day.

Could you please resend these mails again, or put the questions here. I will try to answer.

Ok, I have a few.

When I tried to input a postcode starting with SN, SN is not recognised. WHich is basically a whole county.

Could this be checked? Its very hard to think that your missing a whole countys worth of postcodes, so Im thinking it maybe a glitch. If not, is there anyway I can update the postcodes?

In relation to the postcode issue, when one is not found (or valid, presumably), it does not give any message, it simply jumps back to the navigation screen. A message like 'postcode no found' would be very welcome.

Having imported some custom POI, after a search of them you can only see a small part of the name. Perhaps a scrolling method?

bartmanekul wrote:Ok, I have a few.

When I tried to input a postcode starting with SN, SN is not recognised. WHich is basically a whole county.

Could this be checked? Its very hard to think that your missing a whole countys worth of postcodes, so Im thinking it maybe a glitch. If not, is there anyway I can update the postcodes?

Can you let me know the exact post code you're looking for ?

I've just fired Sygic up and entered SN on the Zip Codes screen and it's found alot of SN postcodes starts SN101AB...

Hmmm, obviously something wrong with my version then.

Its SN16 9ET, but obviously theres a glitch since I cant get any SN postcodes, as soon as I put in SN the first thing it recommends is SM postcodes.

Question now is, can I repair it or do I have to send it back?

Also, what happens when you put a wrong one in, does it just return to the main screen?

bartmanekul wrote:Ok, I have a few.

When I tried to input a postcode starting with SN, SN is not recognised. WHich is basically a whole county.

Could this be checked? Its very hard to think that your missing a whole countys worth of postcodes, so Im thinking it maybe a glitch. If not, is there anyway I can update the postcodes?

In relation to the postcode issue, when one is not found (or valid, presumably), it does not give any message, it simply jumps back to the navigation screen. A message like 'postcode no found' would be very welcome.

Having imported some custom POI, after a search of them you can only see a small part of the name. Perhaps a scrolling method?

POSTCODES : Yes, I have check this in my newer version, and SN16 9ET is there. But my version is the newest one. Do you search with NavigateTo->POSTCODES? YOu cant search postcodes in NavigateTo->Address.

Message 'postcode no found': yes, I agree with you, But this message need translation to other languages. I will try to push it through. 😊

bartmanekul wrote:
Also, what happens when you put a wrong one in, does it just return to the main screen?

To make more room for other stuff I have moved the Maps I don't want off the card for the moment. I wonder if that's significant.

As for invalid Post Codes, like you if I enter and wrong code and press Done it dumps me straight back to the Map page.

sonym wrote:POSTCODES : Yes, I have check this in my newer version, and SN16 9ET is there. But my version is the newest one. Do you search with NavigateTo->POSTCODES? YOu cant search postcodes in NavigateTo->Address.

Message 'postcode no found': yes, I agree with you, But this message need translation to other languages. I will try to push it through. 😊

Definatly used poscode, tried a number of times, with a few SN postcodes, but it doesnt recognise SN at all.

I have tried other postcodes (my home for example), and theres no problem, finds it fine.

Matchstick, I cant see how that would have effected it. Might try it later, but Im not hopeful.

Sonym, could you tell me how to fix this, perhaps download the postcode file from you?

sonym wrote:POSTCODES : Yes, I have check this in my newer version, and SN16 9ET is there. But my version is the newest one. Do you search with NavigateTo->POSTCODES? YOu cant search postcodes in NavigateTo->Address.

Message 'postcode no found': yes, I agree with you, But this message need translation to other languages. I will try to push it through. 😊

May I ask what version number this newer version is and whether it will be generally available soon ?

Also does it address any of the other issues we've raised earlier in the thread ?
http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/forum/showpost.php?p=376184&postcount=46
http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/forum/showpost.php?p=376194&postcount=47
http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/forum/showpost.php?p=376303&postcount=56

Finally I would like to say thank you for coming in here and representing Sygic. As I've said there are some issues with the program (especially on an E90) but if they can be addressed this is a product with lots of potential.

Yes, I second that.

This is one of the most promising satnavs we have seen so far. Continued news from you (Sygic) would go a very long way towards peoples opinions, especially mine.

Currently I am writing the review for Sygic. If there is a newer version due out, I shall wait for that.

Ok, I will look at all your problems and will comment them. But I will do it in the evening, it is work time now and have a lot of work. So I will do it from home.

Put all you have together. :icon14:

The software supports custom POI with custom sounds so im happy 😊

Anybody know it its using Assisted GPS because it seems to take quite a while to get a lock and there seems to be no option to tick both Internal and Assisted GPS ( its a mutually exclusive option )

Ok, heres all of the issues put together so far:

1. Firstly at the top of the screen in the left and right corners are "-" and "+" symbols which are obviously intended for zooming the display in an out but without a touch screen don't actually do anything.

2. When browsing the map the cursor keys move your cursor rather than zooming in and out (as you might expect) so you have to use the 0-9 keys to switch between pre-defined zoom levels. As a system it does work but it feels clunky.

3. Also there's no way to zoom in and out when viewing the junctions of a planner route. Rather than zooming in and out or switching between the junctions the left and right buttons do nothing at all and this is another place where the Windows Mobile origins are obvious. To move through the junctions you press the OK/Select button to go one junction forward and the left command button to go back.

4. There's also an issue with the junctions display if you prefer 2D maps since the default scaling is such that you can't see the actual junction and there's no way to zoom out.

5. Route planning can sometimes take *ages*.

6. Sygic needs to *support* custom POI. This could very easily be done with instructions on the website/memory card and a CSV/OV2 converter to UPI, again on the website or memory card.

7. The speed limits badly need looking at. About a quarter of the time they were wrong. So bad in fact they are better turned off. I am unsure about non UK limits.

8. E90 internal display needs to be tweaked.

9. The postcode issue. Its missing a whole county. Since someone else has it, whom bought it from the same place, its safe to assume its either a glitch, or a corrupt file. I would appriciate advice on weather it can be fixed or if I need to send it back.

10. If you insert an incorrect postcode (or address, etc), instead of throwing you out to the main screen, it needs to display a message.

Most of that is niggly stuff, but if people see Sygic fixing it then I daresay sales will rise.

You forgot about the 'turn SLIGHTLY left/right' issue. It's a severe pain in the butt and makes people laugh. Quite embarrasing, when you are showing off your new favorite GPS toy 😊

It seems to happen whenever a turn is 'slightly' less than 90 degrees. But when you are stopped at a red light and can either go left, right and/or straight forward, we don't need this added confusion.

A Danish friend also noticed an issue where a 40 mile trip on a ferry, which actually takes 70 minutes, is calculated at 10+ hours! 😊 Let me know if you need details on that.

As I have promised, I am here with answers.

1. Firstly at the top of the screen in the left and right corners are "-" and "+" symbols which are obviously intended for zooming the display in an out but without a touch screen don't actually do anything.

Yes, we know, but this is multiplatform engine, and it runs on several devices. With or without touchscreen. And some mobile phones have touchscreen even they have keyboard. So we cant remove it. And we dont have list of all devices on market so we cant create settings file for this.

2. When browsing the map the cursor keys move your cursor rather than zooming in and out (as you might expect) so you have to use the 0-9 keys to switch between pre-defined zoom levels. As a system it does work but it feels clunky.
We tried many options. One of them was * and #. We found out that this solution is not working on all mobiles, because of multitab switching function associated with * or #.

3. Also there's no way to zoom in and out when viewing the junctions of a planner route. Rather than zooming in and out or switching between the junctions the left and right buttons do nothing at all and this is another place where the Windows Mobile origins are obvious. To move through the junctions you press the OK/Select button to go one junction forward and the left command button to go back.
I have fixed this juts for you today. 😊 You can zoom in/out with arrow keys

4. There's also an issue with the junctions display if you prefer 2D maps since the default scaling is such that you can't see the actual junction and there's no way to zoom out.
I have fixed this juts for you today. 😊 yes, it was bug.

5. Route planning can sometimes take *ages*.
We are still trying improve route computing. This process will never stop.

6. Sygic needs to *support* custom POI. This could very easily be done with instructions on the website/memory card and a CSV/OV2 converter to UPI, again on the website or memory card.
Yes, I talked about this with my colleague, and he will put this information on sygic website.

7. The speed limits badly need looking at. About a quarter of the time they were wrong. So bad in fact they are better turned off. I am unsure about non UK limits.
Actually, this is map date related. We show only what we have from map. This information is not on every road. Unfortunately.

8. E90 internal display needs to be tweaked.
Can you be more specific?

9. The postcode issue. Its missing a whole county. Since someone else has it, whom bought it from the same place, its safe to assume its either a glitch, or a corrupt file. I would appriciate advice on weather it can be fixed or if I need to send it back.
I have tried it by myself. And yes, I found that on some mobile phones this is problem because of multitab. You cant seach with numeric keyboard. You see the right string in editbox, but filtration is not done. The touchscreen devices havent problem with this, some mobile phones also. Thats why it is not working for you. Good news for you -> we have found this problem already and have fixed it.

10. If you insert an incorrect postcode (or address, etc), instead of throwing you out to the main screen, it needs to display a message.
If I dont forget it, it will be in next update 😊

11. for SBC "slightly"
This is something like easy left. It occures between 45 degrees. This is not only one rule. And it is discutable. You can show us some junctions where it is obvious.

Updates:
Upate will be released in 2 weeks at latest on our or mcguider website. It is up to you if you will wait for this update, or you will do review with this version.

sbc wrote:You forgot about the 'turn SLIGHTLY left/right' issue. It's a severe pain in the butt and makes people laugh. Quite embarrasing, when you are showing off your new favorite GPS toy 😊

It seems to happen whenever a turn is 'slightly' less than 90 degrees. But when you are stopped at a red light and can either go left, right and/or straight forward, we don't need this added confusion.

A Danish friend also noticed an issue where a 40 mile trip on a ferry, which actually takes 70 minutes, is calculated at 10+ hours! 😊 Let me know if you need details on that.

Of course if you have any detail information about the trip, from where to where, will be nice.

Hi Sonym,

Great to have a representative of Sygic posting on here 😊 Thanks for all your input.

Do you have any video footage of McGuider in action ?

Due to the lack of a demo that we can run on our phones, a video of McGuider in actual use would be very beneficial in making my mind up whether to buy this or not.

Of course, if you were to send me a free copy, I'd make that video for you 😉 😉

lovesign wrote:Hi Sonym,

Great to have a representative of Sygic posting on here 😊 Thanks for all your input.

Do you have any video footage of McGuider in action ?

Due to the lack of a demo that we can run on our phones, a video of McGuider in actual use would be very beneficial in making my mind up whether to buy this or not.

Of course, if you were to send me a free copy, I'd make that video for you 😉 😉

Hi, the vids are on the net.
try this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En5Suhb1wx0

Have you seriously fixed all the things you said? Good lord, I cannot tell you how encouraging that is.

Thats seriously impressive.

A few points (please dont take this as moaning, as said Im impressed with the speed you have looked at things, its merely to try and help).

1. You could take out touch screen things - such as the two zoom icons - from the symbian version of the install.

2. Fair enough, though it works in Nokia maps, perhaps another symbian only install option?

3. Good job!

4. Nice one!

5. Nice to know.

6. if you could let us know when its up 😉

7. I realised as much, just wondered if it was easy to update it, as they seem out of date by quite a way.

8. Sorry, I'll dig it up from a previous post in a while.

9. Brilliant!

10. Brilliant, again.

11. I have not seen evidence of this yet, and I know of 2 places where I would have normally recieved it. Have you had it using Sygic/Mcguider sbc?

Another few questions for you,

Will the updates be free for us that have already bought it?

Can you let us know when they are put up, and give us a link?

And a big thankyou sonym, for answering all those questions and doing those updates so fast. If they really are added and put up in 2 weeks, that will certainly put you above all the other satnav makers.

And dont think its not worthwhile, theres been over 4000 views on this thread, and I suspect there will be many more yet.

I (and others) hope you will stick around to update us on these issues, and answer questions people have.

sonym wrote:Hi, the vids are on the net.
try this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En5Suhb1wx0

Not quite what I had in mind. I'd like to see the latest version of McGuider running on an N95.

Thanks anyway 😊

And worth noting that in the time between my last post and this one, it went from 4042, to 4084 views.

Rather hot topic this. And sbc, you have a PM.

Seeing as there are symbians with touchscreens and likely more to come maybe an option to hide + and - would be a better option. You could write a config file which is edited on install for when a known phone is detected if not best guesses and the ability to edit these from a menu.

Unplugged wrote:Seeing as there are symbians with touchscreens and likely more to come maybe an option to hide + and - would be a better option. You could write a config file which is edited on install for when a known phone is detected if not best guesses and the ability to edit these from a menu.

Good idea!