Review of Navigon iPhone app. http://www.navigon.com/portal/us/produkte/navigationssoftware/mobile_navigator_iphone_us.html
The economy being what it is and having little expendable $$ for my motorcycle trinkets, I could not afford a true motorcycle friendly GPS. So since I already had an iPhone I decided to give one of the GPS company apps a go. At the time the options were limited to TomTom or Navigon. I researched Navigon http://www.navigon.com, due to not knowing anything about them, and found that they have a very good rep in Europe, they are German, but don't sell their units in the US at this time. I was familiar with TomTom and some said there mapping wasn't the best. I chose Navigon for 2 reasons. 1. Reputation and 2. cost, at the time that I purchased their app they offered 4 options for North America. They offered the CA, PR, and US for $99, but then they broke up the US into 3 parts, West, Central, and East for $39. I chose the East only option which covers AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, MA, ME, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV.
I found the app to be user friendly and having a lot of the same options of a full size regular GPS unit. You can program your home, favorites, or use contacts from the iPhone for navigation points. You can create your own routes, and save a recent route you have ridden. The app allows for the input of all 3 GPS formats. You can control the music function of the iPhone from the app itself. You can even purchase add-ons like live traffic and other features. When you select a destination the app provides 3 options for your route fastest, shortest, and an alternative route.
I use the app in my car and the voice directions are clear and easily understood, I just started using it with my Scala G4 headset and will provide an updated review in a few weeks after using it more.
Cons to the app. The most obvious is screen size, since the iPhone screen is smaller than a normal GPS. You can't upload routes through any form of software. In the beginning there was lack of documentation, but they recently uploaded one to their website. For a motorbike, there aren't a lot of mounting options. I have chosen to use an Aqua box by Ram Mounts and will provide a review of both the app and Aqua box in a few weeks. Like most apps that keep the screen lit it sucks the battery in a hurry.
I hope this helps and it anyone has further points that I did not discuss let me know and I can respond. Since I don't have a true GPS device I don't know how everyone uses their GPS and mostly use mine to go from point A to point B without much exploration, yet.
Here is a link to the PDF manual http://www.navigon.com/portal/de/kundenservice/faq.html?id=10844420&content_identifier=faq&page=1&faqTopic=iphone
Chris