http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/SafetyAndRules/RoadRules/MobilePhonesandvisualdisplayunits.htm

Victorians can use navigation aids freely and use mobile phones to listen to music and as navigation devices as long as the phone isnt touched. This means you set your route, your music and start driving.. I’m sure that WA’s road rules are just as different.

I will summarise to save space – but the basic gist is secure the device in a commercially available mount – don’t touch and you should be able to keep your $226. I think you could also argue that whilst being firstly a phone is is also a navigation device and depending on its application at the time would determine which ruling it should fall under.

From Australian Road Rules – February 2009 – on BSW RTA website

299 Television receivers and visual display units in motor vehicles
(1) A driver must not drive a motor vehicle that has a television receiver or visual display unit in or on the vehicle operating while the vehicle is moving, or is stationary but not parked,

(2) this rule does not apply to the driver if
(b)(ii) is secured in a mounting afficed to the vehicle while being used
(3) for the purposes of subrule (2)(b)(ii), a visual display unit is secured in a mounting afficed to the vehicle if, and only if –
(a) the mounting is cimmercially designed and manufactured for that purpose; and
(b) the unit is secured in teh mounting, and the mounting is affixed to the vehicle, in the manner intended by the manufacturer

examples of drivers aids
3. navigational or intelligent highway and vehicle systems equipment

300 use of mobile phones
(1) driver of a vehicle must not use a mobile phone while the vehicle is moving, or is stationary but not parked unless:
(a) the phone is being used to make or receive a phone call … and the body of the phone:
(i) is secured in a mounting affixed to the vehicle while being used; or
(ii)is not secured in a mounting afficed to the vehicle and is note being held by the driver, and the use of the phone does not require the driver, at any time while using it, to press anything on the body of the phone or to otherwise manipulate any part of the body of the phone.

I think that when the speakers and GPS in the iphone improve even beyond the 3GS then they wil be a serious contender to portable GPS’s.

In the interim the team from Sygic in Bratislava and Navigon in Germany who built the awesome Porsche P`9611 unit will continue to be challenged by the device limitations. Hence Tomtom having to release a cradle. Good to use, yes, but able to improved definately. Check out the Navngo iphone app too. A mate saw a pre release at a show and loves it.

Great to hear others opinions

For me, Sygic works perfectly as a proper nav system. Whenever I need to go anywhere for work, I just put the details in, put it in the holder in my car and go. The directions even come through my car speakers using the bluetooth connection.

“Beyond all this, there is still the issue of the fact that in Australian law, you will be fined if you use a phone for navigation! $225 and 3 points. Whilst I don’t agree with it, be careful as many have been fined.”

This is only if you have it in your hand. If you have it on a holder, as I do, it doesn’t apply.

Personally I don’t think nav on a phone is the most optimal and certainly none I have seen work as quick, as easily or as fast as a nav system.

My navigon portable nav is fantastic and I would say easily one of the best on the market. The graphic rendering and quality of guidance is tops.
The self learning routes and three route options are very cool.

The app aside, the map coverage on the navigon version is far superior. I ski regularly and the coverage of the Navigon map is heaps better than the whereis where half the roads in Dinner Plain at Mt Hotham are missing. My surf spots are also on the navigon. Good job!.

I got told to drive down a set of stairs and along a footpath on Llankelly place on my old nav, not the navigon which knew you couldn’t drive there.

Beyond all this, there is still the issue of the fact that in Australian law, you will be fined if you use a phone for navigation! $225 and 3 points. Whilst I don’t agree with it, be careful as many have been fined.
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/driverdistractions/index.html
It is illegal to drive or ride a vehicle while using a hand-held mobile phone. This means that talking, sending or receiving text messages, playing games or taking photos are illegal when using a hand-held phone. It is also illegal to perform these activities when your vehicle is stopped but not parked, for example when you are waiting at traffic lights.

Comments for what they are worth have a good week