Best Free Sat Nav for Android

athtrasna

Recently got a Galaxy S and never thought I'd say I miss my Nokia 5800 but just discovered what I miss, Ovi Maps. Didn't realise that the Google maps app needs a data package. I have one so it's ok while I'm in Ireland but we travel a fair bit and Ovi Maps saved us a fortune on sat nav hire.

Would prefer not to have to pay for an app but need decent maps for Ireland, the UK and the US. Is there one that I can use offline and just rely on the GPS like Ovi Maps does?

Cormic

I downloaded MapDroyd last night. It stores the maps to your SD card. I have not had a chance to try it out yet though.

Best bit.... It's free

theteal

Cormic wrote: »

I downloaded MapDroyd last night. It stores the maps to your SD card. I have not had a chance to try it out yet though.

Best bit.... It's free

+1, MapDroyd does the job nicely enough, not perfect by any means but it's free!

athtrasna

I downloaded that and got the maps..but I can't see a navigation option?

Idleater

athtrasna wrote: »

I downloaded that and got the maps..but I can't see a navigation option?

navdroyd by the same people add navigation. Costs money though.

athtrasna

So there's no free Satellite Navigation app? That seems crazy...Ovi Maps really was the best thing about my old phone. Good thing my OH still has a Nokia with it I guess

PogMoThoin

athtrasna wrote: »

So there's no free Satellite Navigation app?

There is, Google Navigation, You just have to cache the map on wifi before you leave the house

heebusjeebus

Give Locus (Free) a shot.

Gryzor

PogMoThoin wrote: »

There is, Google Navigation, You just have to cache the map on wifi before you leave the house

Heard about this before, but never looked into it....do you just setup the route, and it'll download the portions of the map for the route before you leave??

god's toy

PogMoThoin wrote: »

There is, Google Navigation, You just have to cache the map on wifi before you leave the house

Did just that from my Hotel room on Wifi a few days ago (I was in Dallas, Texas) cached about 50MB map info just zooming around the map. Only prob was the GPS could not get a lock at all and in the end I had to connect to a cell tower to get A-GPS help, (once connected and location worked out I disconnected) it worked from then on but the bill for that one time connection was about 5.65 euro when when I got back home.

Not complaining at all as worked out fine. Phone was the SGS so I had a feeling the GPS lock may be problematic.

PogMoThoin

Yeah, all it takes is a detour to mess that plan

I use copilot myself, have the full european maps installed

Rowley Birkin QC

If your on billpay on 3 you can use Google Navigation basically for free. All you can eat data ftw.

athtrasna

It's primarily for the US that I want it so would be roaming, data plans don't matter when roaming cos it's SO expensive.

Paparazzo

Yeah, the ovi maps on my old basic Nokia was great.

Sandwlch

Bit shocked (and maybe lucky) to have happened upon this thread.
Was about to go Android, probably Samsung Galaxy Ace, after years as a loyal Nokia user.

OVI maps is my most used tool on my phone after calls. Assumed the Google maps thing was equivalent, but it seems it is either a pay per use or requires other software or workarounds if I read correctly. Is this correct?

Looking at the Google maps site for mobiles doesnt make it clear.Can anyone please give a quick summary of this issue?

Dont want to pay high data charges. Am I better sticking with Nokia for another round (was thinking C7 anyway but decided I should probably migrate to the OS wars winner even though I have long liked Symbian).

Ta.

scudzilla

PogMoThoin wrote: »

There is, Google Navigation, You just have to cache the map on wifi before you leave the house

Stupid question but how do i cache the map?? Do i have to change any settings?

I'm on Desire HD

iwo

Sandwlch wrote: »

Bit shocked (and maybe lucky) to have happened upon this thread.
Was about to go Android, probably Samsung Galaxy Ace, after years as a loyal Nokia user.

OVI maps is my most used tool on my phone after calls. Assumed the Google maps thing was equivalent, but it seems it is either a pay per use or requires other software or workarounds if I read correctly. Is this correct?

Looking at the Google maps site for mobiles doesnt make it clear.Can anyone please give a quick summary of this issue?

Dont want to pay high data charges. Am I better sticking with Nokia for another round (was thinking C7 anyway but decided I should probably migrate to the OS wars winner even though I have long liked Symbian).

Ta.

If you buy a smartone u need to have fair data allowance minimum 1gb/month, Google maps will use some of it - very little. You will be delighted moving from symbian...get iPhone or Android phone and your life will never be the same no, but seriously symbian is just old and user unfriendly system...

6ix

Sandwlch wrote: »

Bit shocked (and maybe lucky) to have happened upon this thread.
Was about to go Android, probably Samsung Galaxy Ace, after years as a loyal Nokia user.

OVI maps is my most used tool on my phone after calls. Assumed the Google maps thing was equivalent, but it seems it is either a pay per use or requires other software or workarounds if I read correctly. Is this correct?

Looking at the Google maps site for mobiles doesnt make it clear.Can anyone please give a quick summary of this issue?

Dont want to pay high data charges. Am I better sticking with Nokia for another round (was thinking C7 anyway but decided I should probably migrate to the OS wars winner even though I have long liked Symbian).

Ta.

Basically, if you get an Android phone, and you want to make the most of it, get a data allowance. This applies not just to maps, but to most apps/services which require periodical connection to the internet (email, twitter or whatever else you might use)

Google maps downloads the maps 'on the fly' as you require them, (and it caches whatever maps it has downloaded). If you have a data allowance, then Google Maps is essentially free, as it uses very little data from your bundle.

However, like others have said, if you require navigation abroad, then you might want to look at MapDroyd or CoPilot, as these will not require a data connection to access maps, so you won't get stung for data roaming.

PogMoThoin

scudzilla wrote: »

Stupid question but how do i cache the map?? Do i have to change any settings?

I'm on Desire HD

Just set up your destination on wifi, it does it itself, latest Google maps 5 improved this feature. You have an option in the settings to turn on or off mobile caching, turning it on will use data, off won't allow it.

god's toy

Sandwlch wrote:

Am I better sticking with Nokia for another round (was thinking C7 anyway but decided I should probably migrate to the OS wars winner even though I have long liked Symbian).

I was lucky to bag me a free Nokia C7 on my trip to the USA, (Thanks to the Cali Lewis and the Geek Beat guys) I find Ovi maps very good indeed, better than Google maps IMO but I suppose that was after the whole state of Texas was downloaded to it. (lol just shows you how big that state is, Ireland was 56MB and Texas was over 300MB!) tipp is to download the map before leaveing!

The C7 is also getting Nokia's new updated mapping software and map interface in a few weeks time as well, it's called 'Anna' has a new icon look and feel.


Link has a peek of whats coming:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXIQSpxnHxI

bd250110

OP: I would definitely advise something like co-pilot. Sure it costs a few quid, but you have the piece of mind and if you want to change plans mid journey you can. If you are really stuck you will have to use data and that would cost a lot in the US, probably a lot more than Co-Pilot, in the first place. It's so much less than the cost of a dedicated Sat-Nav system, but better functionality with built-in Google searches, etc.

FYI: I have put my money where my mouth is. I have TomTom on my iOS devices. I'd never go back to a stand-alone Nav system.

G1032

PogMoThoin wrote: »

Just set up your destination on wifi, it does it itself, latest Google maps 5 improved this feature. You have an option in the settings to turn on or off mobile caching, turning it on will use data, off won't allow it.

is it possible to cache a whole country. Lets say that before I go on holiday I could cache the google map for Spain??
Don't know much about this so maybe this is an absurd question? Sorry if it is.

Sandwlch

G1032 wrote: »

is it possible to cache a whole country. Lets say that before I go on holiday I could cache the google map for Spain??
Don't know much about this so maybe this is an absurd question? Sorry if it is.

Same question.

This is the point that is so easy on my Nokia, just download to the PC, then to phone whatever country you want. Then all the info including routes and voice navigation is there without further connection. It impressed me since I first used it. Not really doubting Android is the better system overall, but being a make or break application for me, I think Nokia maps has just made it for the Nokia again. Kinda disappointed though - I just assumed google maps worked as easily. Android next time maybe.

grimm2005

I'm heading to Chicago myself in the summer and was planning to use my Desire HD/GPS for free navigation. Is the HTC Locations app any use? It's meant to have everything preloaded so no data roaming. Havn't used it properly though so I dunno how good it is

SUNGSAM

The below might be handy for anyone travelling to the USA, its not free however but not a bad price.

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/copilot-live-usa-nav-software-2-99-android/925787

x in the city

wish i saw this a bit sooner.

I took my galaxy s to edinburgh and made the mistake of using my o2 sim for navigation :eek:


after about 10 mins it said lost data connection, i was like ...$hit..!

I didnt expect google maps to rape so much data from the interweb. I had about 15euro in my credit.

Going to get a uk sim with a data add on and also that co pilot.

dont like google maps for nav, pay or no pay

Sandwlch

Did go for the Nokia in the end mainly due to this issue. And its very good to boot. I think the OS issue is a bit academic. Its about the apps you want to run rather than the OS itself, and for me, Symbian was a clear winner to do the job I need. Android may have many thousands of apps available, but I am really only interested in a few key ones : OVI maps was crucial, but also very happy to be able to continue using the very good Carmenu app with my carkit. I couldnt find anything on Android that seemed to do a similar job.

Android next time. maybe.

Bluefoam

Sandwlch wrote: »

I couldnt find anything on Android that seemed to do a similar job.

Most recent HTC phones have free on-board mapping, navigation and in car menu's.

Is co-pilot still the best GPS app (with downloaded maps) for the USA?
Going to Florida next week and dont want to pay the sat nav fee on the car rental!

GBX

Ive Mapdroyd installed and all the updates for Ireland... yet it doesnt show any road detail on any maps.
Is this a common bug?

mossie

Deleted User wrote: »

Is co-pilot still the best GPS app (with downloaded maps) for the USA?
Going to Florida next week and dont want to pay the sat nav fee on the car rental!

I purchased copilot and it's pretty good. I think you can get Route 66 free on Android now, not sure if it's for a trial period or totally free. The one problem I would have with it is that it uses teleatlas maps which are pretty poor in rural areas of Ireland but if it's free...