Could anyone recommend a free Satnav for Android?

flaneurs_lobster

There's a free TomTom app for Android - AmiGo. Not sure if it offers anything over Waze. Try them and all the other free apps and see which you prefer.

bob_a_builder

On-the-coast said:

Google maps (& Apple Maps) and phone have pretty much killed / replaced the standalone systems

the only downside is trying to use them in a spot with no phone-signal. (And data costs if that is a concern to you)

You can use Google maps offline.
You just need to download the area of interest to you  while on wi-fi or have signal, you can decide how big or small an area you choose to download. only need to do it once - of course you wont have traffic updates etc
That keeps the Sat Nav bit working in no signal zones and minimises data usage if thats important 

peter021072

It seemed to work OK tonight, but the roads weren't as clear and the details not as frequent as with the TomTom stand alone system. Perhaps I can adjust it.

daveyjp

Compared to a dedicated Garmin or Tomtom satnav (we have vehicles with both), Google maps is poor in providing clear instructions well in advance of having to make a decision.

Google maps is however very good if you want to navigate to a specific location which may not have an address, or somewhere a postcode covers a wide area.

GDB2222

I find that Google maps is poor at navigating on foot. It gets its information by tracking other users, so if a fair number of people use a route it marks that as a footpath. So, it will happily route you through a block of flats, even though a key is needed to open the door. 

RumRat

GDB2222 said:

I find that Google maps is poor at navigating on foot. It gets its information by tracking other users, so if a fair number of people use a route it marks that as a footpath. So, it will happily route you through a block of flats, even though a key is needed to open the door. 

That would be fun...😂 I've used it a lot and that's never happened to me. (not saying it doesn't happen)..I've found 'Live view' to be handy as well when in a strange city..

flaneurs_lobster

RumRat said:

GDB2222 said:

I find that Google maps is poor at navigating on foot. It gets its information by tracking other users, so if a fair number of people use a route it marks that as a footpath. So, it will happily route you through a block of flats, even though a key is needed to open the door. 

That would be fun...😂 I've used it a lot and that's never happened to me. (not saying it doesn't happen)..I've found 'Live view' to be handy as well when in a strange city..

TBF, the OP is looking for a replacement for an in-car sat-nav box, not a walking app.  ::smile

You can try something like Citymapper for, er, walking routes in major urban areas. Google is hopeless (and sometimes downright dangerous) as soon as you move away from major/minor roads onto paths and open country. Why bother mapping a place when a) can't get a Streetview camera car there and b) no businesses that want to pay Google for an ad link.

Doshwaster

Waze is also owned by Google so the underlying data is the same. It's just a matter of trying both to see which you prefer as each has advantages and disadvantages over the other.

Personally, I'm in the Google Maps camp as I prefer the interface which I find simpler and easier to use than the rather cartoonish Waze.

RumRat

flaneurs_lobster said:

RumRat said:

GDB2222 said:

I find that Google maps is poor at navigating on foot. It gets its information by tracking other users, so if a fair number of people use a route it marks that as a footpath. So, it will happily route you through a block of flats, even though a key is needed to open the door. 

That would be fun...😂 I've used it a lot and that's never happened to me. (not saying it doesn't happen)..I've found 'Live view' to be handy as well when in a strange city..

TBF, the OP is looking for a replacement for an in-car sat-nav box, not a walking app.  ::smile

You can try something like Citymapper for, er, walking routes in major urban areas. Google is hopeless (and sometimes downright dangerous) as soon as you move away from major/minor roads onto paths and open country. Why bother mapping a place when a) can't get a Streetview camera car there and b) no businesses that want to pay Google for an ad link.

Well observed...However my post was in answer to the quoted post.
If they can't get a Street view car there I doubt your car will fit.   I can only speak from experience and in years of using GM and Waze I've never been taken anywhere that's not a road. 

chrisw

peter021072 said:

It seemed to work OK tonight, but the roads weren't as clear and the details not as frequent as with the TomTom stand alone system. Perhaps I can adjust it.

I used TomTom devices for years and I agree they were better, unless it's just familiarity. However, the choice essentially boils down to TomTom app for £20 a year or the suggested free options. I tend to use Waze most of the time and now I'm used to it, I don't really miss the TomTom.