I have a pretty good sense of direction, but I still rely on Maps on my iPhone for driving directions. This is fine when I’m in the passenger seat, but not exactly the safest option when I’m behind the wheel. Most GPS apps that offer voice navigation run a pretty penny, so the decision to download one doesn’t come cheaply. That’s why I was excited when Garmin released StreetPilot onDemand for iPhone and iPad (non-universal). This GPS app is fully featured with a tiny price tag — 99 cents.
The app is set up just like a Garmin nüvi, with options for saving your home location, to searching for locations, to browsing nearby suggestions. Since Garmin StreetPilot onDemand uses your data connection, the experience you have with its accuracy will depend on the quality of your service. I had a good experience on my tests with the app, but to know how the app will fare in your area, you’ll have to spend that dollar. Continually running the GPS will also drain your battery faster, so having a car charger handy is recommended.
Although drivers will get the most use out of the voice turn-by-turn navigation, StreetPilot is also pedestrian-friendly, offering public transit and walking routes along with nearby bus stops and train stations.
For a buck you get 30 days of nav with traffic. After that, the app will still offer some functionality, or you can subscribe for $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year. A non-subscription-based version of the app is available for $59.99, so you’ll have to determine what cost fits your budget and time spent in the car. At the very least, the 99-cent, 30-day trial will let you know if Garmin StreetPilot onDemand will suit your needs.
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