Best Android Sat Nav App

RumRat

crw49 wrote: »

I've used NavFree and it works fine. Now I use Mapfactor Navigator - it uses the same opensource maps but the layout is less "clunky". You have choices of 'fastest', 'shortest' etc. but check the routes it offers you can be sent through the centre of town (shortest) when the ring-road is better. You also have the choice of buying TomTom maps (but why pay?) My Garmin sat-nav is now redundant. If you are just walking, not "navigating", MapsWithMe is good - it shows footpaths and seems to have more 'points of interest' for finding a pub (or caf!!)

If I remember rightly NavFree has advertising which spoils the experience, which is why I never got on with it. Mapfactor Navigator doesn't have anything to disrupt the experience. I agree definitely the better of the two. It's never steered me wrong in the 18 months or so I've been using it.

darude

I very almost bought myself a dedicated TomTom device for £100 from Halfords. I read around and I hated the fact that you need to look for a device with 'lifetime maps' just to save yourself from ongoing costs, besides, we all want up-to-date maps on our satnav.

I been using Google Maps or Waze for years, which is always updated, but unfortunately if 3G signal is not available, on Google Maps and Waze re-route fails, as routing is done on Google/Waze servers. This can be extremely stressful. On Waze, maps don't load at all without 3G, I had to drive around like a headless chicken at one point to find 3G just to get back on track. If 3G coverage is available everywhere, I would give Waze 10/10.

So I started looking into Copilot, Sygic and TomTom for Android, where offline routing and offline maps are available.

I gave Copilot a try - it's £16 for UK maps, the map quality seems to be really clear and good. But I find the UI laggy on my Nexus 4. I also find on Copilot re-route often tells me to turn around instead of being smart enough to actually find a better route based on the direction I'm heading. The UI is not great compared to Waze. I give this 7/10.

I tried Sygic, haven't heard of it a month ago but apparently the most downloaded offline satnav. Anyway, compared to Copilot I was very impressed, the navigation screen is customisable and UI is smooth. The re-route works very well. I have noticed a few flaws, where the voice navigation was a tad too early, e.g. voice says 2nd left, but was infact 3rd left. On roundabouts where there's a small entrance to retail park, voice says 2nd exit, but was in fact 3rd. The map itself is correct though. On the plus side, I found this voucher code on my Facebook REF5712KSGXQL5041 which brings UK maps down to £13.49. Having used this app this week, I enjoy using it. I read that Sygic uses TomTom maps, I rate this 9/10.

I wanted to try TomTom on my Android but found it was too expensive to consider - £40 for UK maps. I also read good reviews with Navigon (by Garmin), but again £35 seemed too much compared to the two cheaper alternatives I tried above.

Personally, I am impressed with Sygic. Unfortunately you have to subscribe annually for traffic updates, I think that's the case for all Android satnavs, and of course, traffic updates require 3G.

RumRat

If you download MapFactor Navigator on your android it gives you two choices. You can use the free navigation, which, IMO, is excellent or you can purchase TomTom maps at any time from within the app for £14.99.

bob_a_builder

I'm not suggesting its the best - but its new(ish) and another option

called HERE from Nokia

can operate either on-line or off line mode

RumRat

bob_a_builder wrote: »

I'm not suggesting its the best - but its new(ish) and another option

called HERE from Nokia

can operate either on-line or off line mode

Since this thread started I've changed to a Windows phone, which, obviously, uses the Here Maps and Here Drive for navigation. I must admit it's brilliant. Not had a problem with it anywhere.
No data usage either as all maps are downloaded for offline use.

VanPsych

I used to happily use m8 on my Blackberry and then nearly 2 years ago with my iphone, better than the google maps because it advises when fixed speed cameras are coming up and warns you if you are speeding with a ping. It was like having a friend beside me giving directions. I only had a very few problems with it, generally it worked fine, but stopped working on 12th April 2015 and now I can't find it anywhere. CoPilot is useless, and I've already found I don't like Google Maps on my iphone. In fact when I just had my Blackberry and my Daughter and her husband used their iphones, my app gave us the best directions.

Grrrr what has happened to my lovely sat nav app?

shammyjack

VanPsych wrote: »

I used to happily use m8 on my Blackberry and then nearly 2 years ago with my iphone, better than the google maps because it advises when fixed speed cameras are coming up and warns you if you are speeding with a ping. It was like having a friend beside me giving directions. I only had a very few problems with it, generally it worked fine, but stopped working on 12th April 2015 and now I can't find it anywhere. CoPilot is useless, and I've already found I don't like Google Maps on my iphone. In fact when I just had my Blackberry and my Daughter and her husband used their iphones, my app gave us the best directions.

Grrrr what has happened to my lovely sat nav app?

They started charging a monthly fee, haemorrhaged users and Google Play pulled it .

GabbaGabbaHey

bob_a_builder wrote: »

I'm not suggesting its the best - but its new(ish) and another option

called HERE from Nokia

can operate either on-line or off line mode

I've been trying HERE recently, and I do like it. There are a few things I'd like to improve, though:

- There is no lane assistance.
- The "roundabout" symbol is the same, no matter what direction your exit is. It just has a number (for the exit) in it. The problem is that on some roundabouts, the 3rd (say) exit is a right turn, whereas on others it's straight ahead or even left.
- The voices are not especially loud (I've tried both the normal and the hi-fi ones).
- You cannot import third party POIs (so I can't use all the POIs that I've collected over the years, or the PocketGPSworld speed camera database).

Overall 7/10, with room for improvement. But now that Nokia have put HERE up for sale, I wonder whether there will be any further development on it?

Orson_Carte

Not one of the posts mentions what I consider to be the daddy of free Android navigation software OSMAND. After trying most of the others and giving up in frustration this is the only one that does it for me. It is free if you restrict yourself to 10 map downloads or you pay approx £3 and can download as many as your device can hold. Upgrades are continual and all free so you pay nothing after the initial outlay. I currently have all UK and France regions on mine. The Maps are split into regions so you only need to download the ones you need. If you go somewhere else simply clear out the current maps and upload the new regions. This is great if you have limited storage space. ALL for free after the inital payment. The user interface is a little clumsy but once you work out how to use it, IT WORKS. The accuracy is excellent...better that my expensive Navigon. Satellite acquisition when first switched on can be a little slow but once it has got the fix it stays fixed. We are currently using it in France and it is spot on. I wouldn't be without it now.

Fargo

Used Navmii in Florida earlier this year and it worked fine. You can download each state (before yu go!) so it does not take up too much space.