Review: Sygic Mobile Maps for iPhone

Sygic Mobile maps has not quite had the same ticker tape parade as some of its competitors but it still provided all the essential ingredients for solid A-to-B navigation when we tested the latest 7.71.4 version on our iPhone3GS.

As with most applications downloaded from the App Store the installation process was relatively plain sailing, but for some reason Sygic Mobile Maps requires double the storage space when it first syncs over, so if you’re running on the low side this is something to consider.

The software gives good first impressions as it boots up quickly and a tap of the map screen yielded a colourful interface with large icons that were easy to press. Mind you there was a strong Windows Mobile look and feel to proceedings as Sygic have not embraced the iPhone’s multi-touch control system to great effect, so you won’t be able to swipe between pages or zoom in to the map by pinching/double tapping the screen.

We would also have liked to have seen a larger keyboard for typing as the one supplied is a little on the small side and we noticed that after each key press there seemed to be a touch of corruption (graphically) around the edges which wasn’t a good look – yet functional none the less.

The good news is that the accelerometer worked for landscape orientation and you’ll find support for your phone’s contacts which was handy, but we did find that it was a little fussy in this department as you have to ensure that each contacts address field is fully populated otherwise it won’t navigate using the postcode alone.

Despite these niggles the application was still enjoyable to use and we found the core features on offer to be more than adequate. You can, for example, take advantage of the handy route itinerary planner/simulator, drive to interim destinations and navigate using variety of methods from entering gps-co-ordinates directly to full postcodes or POI.

The only gripe with the post codes was that we couldn’t refine our search further with a street or house number, plus the default POI were a touch out-of-date. In some ways the ability to add our own custom POI offered sufficient compensation, we would have liked the option to add our own phone number to the above but at least we could set customisable alarms to go off on route, with a little icon appearing on the map of our choosing.

During driving the map view provided a comfortable enough viewing experience with easy to read street names, a handy road speed warning symbol and the automatic zoom was helpful in ensuring that we could always see what roads/roundabout were heading our way, though we did find that some of the directional aides at the base, as well as the POI icons and motorway lane guidance icons/signposts were smaller than we would have liked.

In terms of routing performance initial route calculations were quick, GPS acquisition likewise and more importantly it could maintain our position pretty accurately, only route efficiency was not quite up to the same standard.

As for safety camera alerts there were a few cameras on route that were missing so updates at some point would be needed, but on the whole the ones it did find were accurately detected with a large visual warning sign appearing on screen showing us the correct countdown yardage.

Voice directions were also satisfactory, if a little basic, however on a few roundabouts we found its commands a little confusing as it told us to go straight over a roundabout and then take the third exit (for example).

On a positive note we could happily listen to our iPod music in the background with directions fading out the latter beautifully and on the US version there seems to be text-to-speech voice directions, so hopefully this will appear on the UK version shortly to boost its appeal.

Personally we felt that whilst Sygic Mobile maps was a good product it has yet to offer proper integration with the iPhone’s core system and as a result felt more like a Windows Mobile port. Still there was just about enough quality/features onboard to warrant consideration, so long as it stays at its current attractive price point.

Price (as reviewed): £29.95
Map coverage: UK & Ireland
Web: iTunes

Verdict: 7/10

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