NAVfree on Smartphone - use abroad

gerryfitz

In today's email from Martin, there are 50 tips for overseas travel.

One of these tips is to download Navfree onto a smartphone that has GPS.

I have used that for a while now in the UK and it has been fine.

I recently downloaded the Navfree for Florida as I am off there shortly.

Just as a precaution I rang my provider (Orange) to check it was OK to use. They said not to use it unless I wanted a big bill as it uses a lot of data and it costs £8 per Mb.

I couldn't get my head round that as I didn't think the GPS system used (mobile phone) data if the maps were already downloaded.

I rang Orange back to speak to another person and they said the same thing.

Is it me? or are they right, if they are, be aware you may end up with a bill you were not expecting.

malkie76

I think Orange are incorrect, but sticking to their default opinion that maps = roaming. That isn't the case with NAVfree, CityMaps2Go or the TomTom app etc.

Just make sure your phone is set to block roaming and you'll be fine.

I've certainlyed used CityMaps2Go without cost when abroad - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/city-maps-2go/id327783342?mt=8

gerryfitz

I did try to explain to Orange that I had all the maps downloaded. That I would only be switching on the GPS System and not the Data System, but both assistants insisted that I would be charged for using data !!

I have my phone set to block data roaming.

I am not too technically minded and I don't want to get caught with a massive bill.

Thanks for your help.

bigdic

Confirmed, as Malkie said it will not use any data. We used it in the states and it was brilliant.

Top tip, if there are places you want to go when on holiday then use the google search function when you get free wifi and save them to favourites in the app.

Doshwaster

That's right. Using GPS alone doesn't use data, only downloading the maps does but if you do this in advance then you'll have no roaming charges.

mcfisco

gerryfitz wrote: »

I did try to explain to Orange that I had all the maps downloaded. That I would only be switching on the GPS System and not the Data System, but both assistants insisted that I would be charged for using data !!

I have my phone set to block data roaming.

I am not too technically minded and I don't want to get caught with a massive bill.

Thanks for your help.

It'll work fine with data roaming switched off, the Orange people really have no idea at all unless your question is specifically on their list, they'll simply read you the reply for the one they think best matches your query.
It's an unfortunate fact that you're more likely to get a correct relevant answer by Googling it than you are by ringing pretty much any consumer helpdesk these days - I never bother with them