Is there a cheap way to use android phone as GPS in USA?

SnowWhiterThanWhite

Hi,

Have a samsung galaxy with unlimited data with TalkMobile

I am going on a road trip next year around USA and the hire car company are quoting $200 for sat nav

Is there any way of utilising my own phone to be able to access GPS cheaper than renting Sat Nav?

Thanks

DCFC79

NOt sure on the price but get a US data sim and use that or get a mifi modem where you insert the sim card into the modem and turn the wifi on your phone and connect.

mr_fishbulb

Free SatNav Android App for the USA - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.navfree.android.OSM.USA

It downloads everything beforehand so won't use data when you're in the US. The only time you might need data is if you want to look up an address on Google. But if you have the address already then you don't need to.

I use the UK version as a satnav on my bike. Very nice

custardy

Doesnt the Galaxy have GPS?
Then you can use a sat nav program

SnowWhiterThanWhite

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

Free SatNav Android App for the USA - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.navfree.android.OSM.USA

It downloads everything beforehand so won't use data when you're in the US. The only time you might need data is if you want to look up an address on Google. But if you have the address already then you don't need to.

I use the UK version as a satnav on my bike. Very nice

Thanks, that sounds good. But, how will I know where I am without using data?

SnowWhiterThanWhite

custardy wrote: »

Doesnt the Galaxy have GPS?
Then you can use a sat nav program

Yes it does-but doesn't it use loads of data?

custardy

SnowWhiterThanWhite wrote: »

Yes it does-but doesn't it use loads of data?

No,the GPS is the same thing as a stand alone Sat Nav
its just a way for the phone to work out its location via sattelite
you then run software(which already has the map data on the phone)
so it knows where it is and has a map to reference to

of course, make sure you install and download all maps in the UK

Lum

I would go for the local SIM option. Get a pay as you go SIM for one of the US GSM networks and the data rates will then be similar to what you pay now.

As a bonus, you can then SMS the people important to you and let them know that this is your new number while you are on holiday and should they decide to call you, they will bear the full cost of the call rather than you being charged to receive the call as would happen if you went roaming with your UK SIM.

custardy

Lum wrote: »

I would go for the local SIM option. Get a pay as you go SIM for one of the US GSM networks and the data rates will then be similar to what you pay now.

As a bonus, you can then SMS the people important to you and let them know that this is your new number while you are on holiday and should they decide to call you, they will bear the full cost of the call rather than you being charged to receive the call as would happen if you went roaming with your UK SIM.

OP can still do that
The options above cost £0

mr_fishbulb

SnowWhiterThanWhite wrote: »

Thanks, that sounds good. But, how will I know where I am without using data?

It uses GPS, which is built into the phone - it is free

When using Google maps, you use data to download the map as you travel. But with the Navfree app, it downloads the whole of the US before-hand.

There are 2 things you need with a navigation app:
1 - A map which shows the roads. This is downloaded through data which you can either do as you travel (i.e. Google maps), or before-hand (i.e. Navfree).
2 - A GPS signal to tell you where abouts on the map you are. This is free. It doesn't go through the telephone company.

Sharon87

The above is correct, my brother used this when we went to France. Downloaded the maps first and used GPS (free) to see where we were on the map