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How to access maps?
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danandjens_worldtravels
Posts: 333 Forumite


in Techie Stuff
As a complete tablet/smart phone novice I have a question...
I am going cycling across Europe in the summer and have a guidebook, I could buy paper maps of the route but I would need to buy at least 5 and thought an alternative option may be either -
1. to buy a tablet and download the route and surrounding maps
2. to get a smartphone with sat nav/positioning on and find my way via that.
3. other better option?
What I'm after is advice on the feasability of these options from a device point of view- which is easier, which is lighter, will a device hold all the maps or will I need to buy extra storage, how do I buy extra storage?
If I use a phone from an access point of view how do I access the maps on phone, do I have to buy data, do extra charges apply with a UK sim being used abroad, is it better to buy individual country based sims (I will be going through 5 countries)?
I don't expect anyone to answer all these questions, but as a complete novice to smartphones etc could someone give me some ideas about the above options and what things to investigate or think about.
Thanks
I am going cycling across Europe in the summer and have a guidebook, I could buy paper maps of the route but I would need to buy at least 5 and thought an alternative option may be either -
1. to buy a tablet and download the route and surrounding maps
2. to get a smartphone with sat nav/positioning on and find my way via that.
3. other better option?
What I'm after is advice on the feasability of these options from a device point of view- which is easier, which is lighter, will a device hold all the maps or will I need to buy extra storage, how do I buy extra storage?
If I use a phone from an access point of view how do I access the maps on phone, do I have to buy data, do extra charges apply with a UK sim being used abroad, is it better to buy individual country based sims (I will be going through 5 countries)?
I don't expect anyone to answer all these questions, but as a complete novice to smartphones etc could someone give me some ideas about the above options and what things to investigate or think about.
Thanks
0
Comments
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Any smartphone or tablet will come with worldwide maps already on it - my android phone has Google Maps, the same as you can get on your computer, so check that to see if it will do the job for you. Two potential issues: they usually work better if you are online, which might not be economically feasible with roaming charges; and they may not show enough topographic detail for you to work out routes that avoid hills.0
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Cost of data might be an issue
Most tablets will contain a GPS chip but should check
Some of the Sat Nav software will download all the maps at install time rather than rely on online data
As a car driver I have used NAVFREE is one which works that way and gives free maps for whole of Europe and beyond - maps are based on openstreetmap.org maps.
(but only used it in UK myself)
Size of map files vary of course + size of sat nav software itself
Benelux = 422MB
Germany = 830MB
but as someone already said- no contour lines !0 -
take at least one paper map as backup0
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Running all day using GPS and maps may well take too much out of the battery.
For cycle touring, I use a Garmin Dakota 20 with custom maps
The AA batteries last all day if it's not too cold, either pack a charger or use replaceable ones each day.Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.0
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