Does anyone know if GPS apps such as Navigon, TomTom, or any others use 3G/internet?

Specifically, Navigon.

I'm interested in purchasing it after seeing it on my brother's iphone but am afraid that it might use internet to provide information. I'm on the 200MB/month deal

So does it use just satellites/no internet or combo?

this would be on my 3Gs phone...which I'm not even sure if it comes with a GPS chip in it.

Not being an iPhone (or any smart phone) user, I wouldn't know. I usually just look out the window to see where I am.

the ten second review: tomtom does not use the internet except for the initial download. Pretty sure none of them use the internet extensively. When they are running the have at least 12 satellites to chat with.

Except for being completely different then the 7 GPSRs (my one fetish) I used before I kind of like the Tom tom now.

Look here for some user input...
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/1382795.html

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/09/iphone-navigation-shootout/

Some other interesting info...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=11933302&#11933302

Have you checked out Navigon? I was quite impressed with the interface and all.

I do have a standalone TomTom and I do like it, but I don't like keeping it stored in my car. So an iPhone app would be nice to have.

Thanks for the links.

I emailed Navigon to see what they say about data usage.

Your phone doesn't have a true GPS chip in it. It uses cell tower triangulation for GPS positioning. I just got back from a trip with my iPhone 4 and was surprised at how little cell data it used when running my GPS stuff. I didn't use any of the apps you've listed, however. We used Run Keeper and Maps. Seems like we used only a couple of MB of cell data per use. On our iPad, we're on the 250MB/Month plan We used 200 MB over 2 weeks doing light internet browsing each day, mail checking and liberal GPS work while driving and backpacking. It has a true GPS unit but requires an internet connection to download maps for the programs I use (the ones above and one called GPS Drive HD). GPS Drive worked very well but I have nothing to compare it to.

The 3Gs doesn't have a true GPS? Darn..ok.

Wow, you used 200MB over 2 weeks? I used 96MB in one month, but then again I am in a lot of wifi areas.

That's not true. Only the first iPhone used triangulation only. The tom tom car phone also carries a gps chip but that only speeds up aquistion.

Triangulation off of towers will only get you within a city block. A real GPSR chip will get you to nine feet. 920 feet relatively quickly.

My GPS without the TOM Tom adapter will spot me usually within ten feet.