Best Navigation app

[JohnM]

Why bother with what appears to be clunky Google Maps stuff when there are excellent seamless offline map apps?

 

[SYD]

Why bother with what appears to be clunky Google Maps stuff when there are excellent seamless offline map apps?

Yep, that was my view. G Maps probably works fine on Android (you’ve already signed your privacy life away) but 3rd party apps a plenty on other devices.

 

[Daver6]

Why bother with what appears to be clunky Google Maps stuff when there are excellent seamless offline map apps?

Except it's not clunky at all. It just works (on Android which is the vast majority of phones). Plus why have the hassle of a second app to do the same thing a single app can do

 

[RooFlyer]

Why bother with what appears to be clunky Google Maps stuff when there are excellent seamless offline map apps?

I like MAPS.ME, and also Sygic (another good offline option), but using Google maps does have the advantage of having traffic.

 

[JohnM]

Except it's not clunky at all. It just works (on Android which is the vast majority of phones). Plus why have the hassle of a second app to do the same thing a single app can do

It's sounds clunky in the sense that it seems you have to download a route (pre-prepared?) before going offline. How do you then handle a change of plans when offline for an extended period?

Google Maps is fairly useless in isolated locations. By the time you zoom in to see some detail, it's very easy to lose context of where you are in the grander scale.

The offline maps apps have everything on demand on or off-line.

Hema has the advantage of being a raster map on which your location is overlaid. But of course it's principally aimed at 4WDing-type application in the bush.

As the saying goes: a GPS tells you where you are going, not where you are.

I like MAPS.ME, and also Sygic (another good offline option), but using Google maps does have the advantage of having traffic.

But wouldn't it only have traffic when online? The OP was asking about offline maps.

 

[SYD]

I like MAPS.ME, and also Sygic (another good offline option), but using Google maps does have the advantage of having traffic.

When data is available. HERE has traffic also.

 

[Daver6]

It's obvious from your comments that you've not actually used Google Maps with offline maps.

It's sounds clunky in the sense that it seems you have to download a route (pre-prepared?) before going offline. How do you then handle a change of plans when offline for an extended period?

You just download the offline map in advance. When you're ready to navigate you enter your destination and hit go. You don't need to pre-plan routes while online.

Google Maps is fairly useless in isolated locations. By the time you zoom in to see some detail, it's very easy to lose context of where you are in the grander scale.

Sure, but that's not an offline issue. That's just the map type in use.

The offline maps apps have everything on demand on or off-line.

Do they have real time traffic when online? Do they have a business database. Ie, show me the nearest McDonalds/wine shop/etc?

 

[drron]

The only problem that I had with a week driving around Spain using data only from my e sim with my apple phone was that Google maps had a habit of directing me on to toll roads. I did have the No toll roads selected but obviously that part didn't work off line.

 

[JohnM]

It's obvious from your comments that you've not actually used Google Maps with offline maps.



You just download the offline map in advance. When you're ready to navigate you enter your destination and hit go. You don't need to pre-plan routes while online.



Sure, but that's not an offline issue. That's just the map type in use.



Do they have real time traffic when online? Do they have a business database. Ie, show me the nearest McDonalds/wine shop/etc?

I haven't used Google Maps with offline maps, that's why I'm trying to get a better understanding of it.

How do you select the offline map you want to download? eg. as a hypothetical, can I select the whole or large parts of WA or, more particularly for offline use, a large part of the remote regions?

I can see how it would be of use overseas to avoid roaming charges but less so within Australia when you are mostly likely to be in range, or only sporadically out of range unless remote.

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

I have had a "Tom Tom" with world maps for many years, and
find it excellent. Check it for updates before I go. Can briefly conect to my mobile for traffic updates.
In saying that I find nearly all rental cars in Europe come with
GPS these days. I do not ever pay extra for GPS is is just there.

 

[Brissy1]

The only problem that I had with a week driving around Spain using data only from my e sim with my apple phone was that Google maps had a habit of directing me on to toll roads. I did have the No toll roads selected but obviously that part didn't work off line.

Disappointing, and surprising, google aren't up to date.
Just did a offline test now from Sydney north side to the airport and return with "avoid tolls", it knows there's a toll on the bridge southbound and free northbound.

 

[drron]

I think the problem in Spain was they were still building the northern Toll way between Bilbao and Barcelona. Some completed bits were free and some had a toll.

 

[Daver6]

I haven't used Google Maps with offline maps, that's why I'm trying to get a better understanding of it.

How do you select the offline map you want to download? eg. as a hypothetical, can I select the whole or large parts of WA or, more particularly for offline use, a large part of the remote regions?

I can see how it would be of use overseas to avoid roaming charges but less so within Australia when you are mostly likely to be in range, or only sporadically out of range unless remote.

Download areas & navigate offline - Android - Google Maps Help

You can save an area from Google Maps to your phone or tablet and use it when you're offline. Tip: You’re unable to download offline maps in some countries or reg

support.google.com

Each offline map is limited in size. So getting all of WA in one download isn't possible. However, you can easily break it down into smaller chunks like I did for my Mt Augustus road trip a few years ago.

 

[JohnM]

My Hema and ExplorOz apps have the whole of Australia permanently loaded and they leave a snail trail of my route, so I can see where I’m going and where I’ve been.

Horses for courses.

For me, with flexible plans, downloading bits of Google Maps before departure does not appeal.

 

[SYD]

So I’ve been trying out iOS MAPS.ME in the US driving SFO to SEA (with some further to go). It’s working similar to HERE but for driving, generally not as good as Apple or Google (using data).

The obvious benefit is starting new searches and navigation without the need for data. Just make sure you’ve pre-searched your routes and download the sections of maps (unlike HERE, it will just download small areas needed for where you are. If you’re doing a long road trip in one day, it may need multiple downloads).

A big plus is it has levels of details, like walking trails that the others don’t!

The big fails:
1. Doesn’t always recognise a bend in a road and says “Turn left/Right” around a bend in the road. So the headline next turn is usually bollocks.
2. Similarly, it seems to have a phobia about driving under or over freeway overpasses and prompts you to exit freeway and then immediately rejoin! What’s that about!!!

Detailed lane guidance is not as good as Apple or Google, so I’d recommend those in complex situations but MAPS.ME and HERE are generally good for long road trips with patchy data connections.

 

[justinbrett]

I did a fair bit of rural driving in the US last year and learnt quickly that I couldn't rely on data.

I used iOS google maps and downloaded offline maps for the areas I was in - it worked perfectly (including with CarPlay) including starting and re-routing journeys without data. Really functioned as if I had data, except without live traffic.

 

[jastel]

No sense of Adventure you lot...some of my best drives have been completely unintended.

That way looks nice, follow an interesting sign, oh cough I'm lost but I will keep going anyway etc...
Or worst case stop and ask for directions.
You will always get to where you want to go eventually...

You have to defer to satnav in the big cities to find an exact address, but usually I dump the car as driving in LA or New York is not fun at all to me...I'll take public transport there.

 

[RB]

No sense of Adventure you lot...some of my best drives have been completely unintended.

That way looks nice, follow an interesting sign, oh cough I'm lost but I will keep going anyway etc...
Or worst case stop and ask for directions.
You will always get to where you want to go eventually...

You have to defer to satnav in the big cities to find an exact address, but usually I dump the car as driving in LA or New York is not fun at all to me...I'll take public transport there.

Fine if you are by yourself

 

[RooFlyer]

Really functioned as if I had data, except without live traffic.

Agree, but for me live traffic is a not negotiable must have. Today in the UK I saved 45 mins over 5 hours by moving off UK motorways before hitting horrendous wet bank holiday traffic snarls.

 

[justinbrett]

Agree, but for me live traffic is a not negotiable must have. Today in the UK I saved 45 mins over 5 hours by moving off UK motorways before hitting horrendous wet bank holiday traffic snarls.

Usually if you have no reception, traffic isn’t a problem.