This thread is for help getting the old version of Mapquest navigator on your BB via desktop manager so that you can enjoy a quality GPS application without the monthly costs.

I've used this version for quite a while now and acquired it when they had a download page available for sprint devices for free as a promo. When they went to a pay service and an upgraded client on the devices they killed the OTA links to these downloads, even though the application continues to work flawlessly (at least for me it has).

There is no guarantee that this version will continue working forever, but the chances that the new and old versions use the same server are pretty good.

That being said it's a pretty easy process, download the correct version below for your device and load the application in the zip file to your BB using the desktop manager's load applications function.

On your BB make sure that under Options -> Advanced -> GPS there is a GPS device selected. If you have a BB with internal GPS it should be set to internal GPS, and if you use a bluetooth puck for GPS, that bluetooth device should be selected.

Use the 8703e version for QWERTY blackberries (320x240 screen)
Use the 7130e version for SureType blackberries (240x260 screen)
Use the 7100i version for older SureType blackberries (710x series)

If you have a SureType BB I would first try the 7130e version and if you have problems try the 7100i version. Others have noticed that there is no route list option on the 7100i version and that the icon doesn't highlight when selected, but all in all they're very similar. The 7100i version seems to be a bit larger so will take up more memory, but is probably more compatible with older BB OSes.

Here are links to the 3 different versions of the product they had available for download:

8703e Version

7130e Version

7100i Version

Lets use this thread to keep track of problems and questions relating to the old version as it will pretty much be up to a community to help each other for support on this older version.

Also, FWIW, this is the only GPS application I have on my phone now as it has always worked reliably and accurately for me. It's quite fast and has some very nice features for a free application. Personal favorite is the "night mode", it makes the backlight much easier on the eyes at night. Also a trick I have learned is to set the numlock on your BB when you're in the application, then the shortcuts next to menu options actually work. (#5 is night mode shortcut )

First, a big thanks to HaTax for providing these! It's what "community" is all about.

I've used the 7100 and 7130 versions on my VZW 8130 with my BT Freedom 2000 Keychain puck. Both versions have worked great - all features and functions are available.

The major difference I've found so far between the 7100 and 7130 versions are the two that HaTax notes above, the icon improvement and the availability of a route itinerary in the 7130 version. Other than that they appear to be very similar (possibly exactly the same).

The first time you launch the program it will ask in two dialogs to provide permission to access phone resources (both dialogs have a "don't ask me again" options) and Mapquest will register you to the Mapquest server. You are not asked to provide any name or personal information or fill in any forms...it just connects and you're good to go.

When in the app you access main screens via on-screen buttons and BB key menu options. On screens in Navigate and My Places you can get to additional related screens via right/left trackball or the BB button.

Navigation is quick and accurate, and rerouting usually works quickly on the fly when you go off-route. A couple of times when I intentionally took a different route to test this, Mapquest was a little insistent about me going back to the original route, but it did reroute and take me along my desired route when I ignored its requests for me to make a legal u-turn. You can force a reroute if you want to.

You can maintain a list of places in Mapquest, but there is no integration with the BB Address Book, unfortunately, as with VZNav.

Mapquest voice commands can not name streets, so you get "turn right," and "turn left," etc.) but it does name numerical freeways (e.g., "Take I-405 North"). The voice prompts give you plenty of early warning and are very clear.

I agree w/HaTax - the Night Mode on the navigation page is very cool and one of my favorite features...changes screen colors to black and dark blue w/white text, very easy on the eyes - you'll feel like you're piloting a stealth fighter.

I've been very pleased with Mapquest...I like it much better than the two free options I tried (Nav4All and Amaze GPS). Enjoy.

Got it

It's a pitty it doesn't work over in Europe.
I've tried it while I was in Canada last time and it's absolutely great

i tried using the 8703 file for my 7520 but the screen size didnt fit, would one of the others work or am i out of luck?

The 7100 and 7130 versions are sized for the Pearl...I would suspect they could work fine on a larger screen...might just leave some unused space. You might start w/7130 version...it's smaller and has improvements over 7100 version.

I've been using the old, free version for a while. I recently (last week) tried using it for some quick directions and got a message that my trial had expired. Bummer.

I'll certainly check back in to this thread to see whether anyone else has similar experiences, but I've just gotten used to Google Maps again. I can't see shelling out dough for stuff that's free anyway - though the voice navigation is pretty handy...

That's interesting...I've been using it about a month or so, just changed to the 7130 from 7100 version, and hope it keeps working.

How long did you use it before the message appeared?

A couple of months, at least. Not really positive when I first started accessing the servers for map info. I installed it I think back in September 07, but wasn't thrilled with it so it sat for a while. I used it regularly October - December.

Thanks...hopefully mine won't die on me after a month or two. HaTax, how long have you been using it?

So can anyone tell me how to get Mapquest to zoom to a particular portion of a mapped route? I can zoom, but then I can't move the map to the portion that I want to see zoomed.

is there a ver available for 8800/8830 ?

SoUnCool:

http://www.blackberryforums.com/gps-...print-bes.html

See post #10 from HaTax...

I am glad I found this thread. I was looking for a free, voice turn-by-turn navigation system and this works great.

It is da bomb!

well, i had uninstalled this little gem back a few days before my post about the 'trial has ended' message i got. tried relying on google maps, but man i missed the voice navigation.

so i figured i'd give it a shot and reinstall.

so far, all is well. i downloaded a few test routes today with no 'trial has ended' messages popping up.

glad to have it back.

Would one of these OLDER versions work on an 8830? If so, which?

Thanks.

Use the one for the 8703e...should work fine.

Just for clarification before I spend upwards of $100 on a BT GPS unit, I have a Curve 8320. You are saying that I can store this program on my phone and use say a Freedom 2000 Keychain GPS receiver together without any issues and using absolutely NO data?

no.. you will use lots of data.. it downloads the route and traffic information for each route you request, each time you request it.

This is a good thing.. you get current maps and don't have to deal with buying/isntalling updates every year or so.

Thank you, this is great thread

Thank you for clarifying, and while I agree with you about the dynamic maps, I live in Canada and our data rates are insanely expensive, our providers love to gouge us on it, which is why I'm looking for a solution that does not use data, which apparently does not exist!!