Mapfactor announced version 9 of their PC Navigator software today and I’ve got some testing notes, images and videos for you below. Main improvements include up-to-date maps form TeleAtlas from February 2009, simplified and improved User Interface (searching dialogue, map tools), improved TMC (traffic information in Europe), improved ‘Find nearest.’

I’ve been using PC Navigator 7 [review] for the last few years and it has worked really well on UMPCs from 4.8” up to 10” . Version 9 works just as well, if not faster and smoother than previous versions. Map coverage appears to be extensive (I didn’t test all the country maps!) and the UI and search facilities are definitely improved. Most of all, I find the value for money to be excellent. Full European maps including partial coverage of some new eastern European countries and a touch-friendly application for under 120 Euros. The same price for US and Canada.

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Mapfactor’s Navigator is a well-priced, touchscreen friendly EU and U.S. PC-based turn-by-turn navigation system that I tested last year and gave the thumbs up. At 120 Euros its very well priced and it works very well on UMPCs.

Version 8.1 is now out and has these new features over the V7 that I tested.

• Maps from July 2008 – Including map of Bulgaria and Malta. 100% coverage for Hungary,
  Poland and Slovakia. Very good improvement of maps of Turkey, Latvia and Russia.
• New remote (TCP/IP) commands for communication between driver and dispatcher.
• You can send text messages, new routing points, receive the actual position of the car, track
  a car and many others.
• Improved searching dialogue
• Change the color of the map and application
• Traffic lane assistant.
• Motorway signs – clear signs which show you the directions of travel
• Real 3D icons of important buildings.

Well worth a closer look if you’re looking for a PC-based solution for your carpc.  Details at Mapfactor.

For nearly a year, I’ve been looking for a good PC-based routing and live navigation solution that will work with UMPCs. I bought Autoroute 2007 but the touch enhancements were not good enough that it could be used on the go. Then, back in Dec 2006 I tested out CoPilot 10 but again the features just weren’t good enough for UMPCs. Meanwhile in the U.S. iGuidance 4.0 was getting good reviews and at the same time it was being discontinued at V9 in Europe. Oh frustration!

Then, out of the blue, Mapfactor contacted me to see if I wanted to test PC Navigator 7. Of course I agreed and they sent over the latest version which sat on my shelf while I focused on the Solar UMPC project. Only recently was I able to get it installed on the Everun UMPC and start testing it out. And what a breath of fresh air. A simple-to-operate, finger friendly live navigation solution at last! [read on...]

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