Free satnav software

gmv100

Nokia have just announced that they will no longer be charging for access to their navigation software on Nokia phones. This used to be charged at about £50 per year, so is quite a nice freebie. The maps are worldwide, although some countries have better coverage than others. Europe is pretty well covered.

Sorry, I can't post links, but if you go to the Nokia home page (the .com one) you will see a link to the maps page (Google: nokia maps). It is only available for 10 phones at the moment, the rest are still paid-for products but more phones should switch over to the free version over the next few weeks.

If your phone isn't supported, you might want to try another free product called Nav4all (Google: nav4all). Unlike the Nokia maps this has been available for free for a long time, however it doesn't download the map data in advance so it does need a connection to the internet to work. It works well for turn-by-turn directions though, and doesn't transmit much data (it should only cost a few pence, or tens of pence when used abroad) unless you switch it into map mode.

Both pieces of software require a phone with GPS built-in, or an external Bluetooth GPS receiver (cost about £20).

derbylady

http://www.nokia.com/

KDH_2

Just purchased a Nokia 5230 (~£100 Argos , Woolworths.co.uk)

Sat Nav/Maps app works fantastically well , as good as any Tom Tom - all for "free"

http://europe.nokia.com/find-products/devices/nokia-5230
http://maps.nokia.com/explore-services/ovi-maps

baptiste

It's not free though is it? You still have to pay for voice navigation, downloading the maps has always been free hasn't it? I can't see any change, apart from the marketing, and the fact that they have put Nav4all out of business.

gmv100

I think that is the change - they have now made voice navigation free, but it is not rolled out to all phones yet. All the newest phones are supported, but I don't know when the older phones will be supported.
It is a shame about Nav4all and a bit unsporting of Nokia to close them down, but I can understand why they have. Hopefully Google will fill the void by rolling out their free voice navigation to more phones.

cazbie16

Hi I have downloaded this for my Nokia 5800 and it works a treat.

However, I had to download the Maps software to my phone first as it has been updated. Then I downloaded the Nokia Map Loader to my PC, which I opened and chose which continent I live in and which voices I required. I connected my phone via USB and then waited for nearly 4 HOURS for it to complete!!

You can use this without downloading all maps and voices first but tried that and I got to my destination before it finished working out route! Also costly on download time if you haven't got internet included in phone deal. (Doesn't need to connect so much if preloaded to phone). Comparing it to my hubbies TomTom its pretty good although he has the option of choosing loads of voices and different points of interest to download from TomTom site. (Like finding McDonalds or Tescos whilst away from home).

I tested it on a short journey and it is good, but will plug it into charger next time as battery level went down quite quickly. Don't think I'll use it day to day but for longer journeys it will be useful.

misterk_2

For those interested in free satnav for your mobile now that nav4all may not be around for much longer check out the following thread and add any others that you know off:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1015643&highlight=