I placed this question on the nexus portion, only because I have a nexus and it might effect the answer (even though the question is more general)...so here it goes
With the new option to download maps (or part of them), do you need to use your dataplan to use navigation? Am I correct in thinking GPS is separate from your data plan? I mean, I dont pay for my garmin. It just picks up a signal and uses maps already installed.
The thing about android is that the maps ARENT installed. But wasnt there a new option to pre-download certain parts of a map in JellyBean?
Yes, you need data for navigation. You can use Wi-Fi and cache the needed maps before you travel, then no need for the network data
You can download the maps before leaving the house, and you can start navigation route guidance before you leave and it'll be downloaded, but if you change the destination or go off the path and need recalculating, it won't work. It doesn't have all of the maps and turn-by-turn data downloaded, just the map tiles/vectors for the area you cached. If you need true offline maps and navigation you'll have to consider one of the paid apps that let you download everything ahead of time.
So to answer your question plainly: you can cache large portions of maps (several square miles in size), but you can't download huge areas or navigation information.
Also remember that without an active data connection, GPS takes a damn long time to lock on.
Related
Is there a way to cache google maps of say London on my P3300, so that when I'm outside away from my wifi connection (I have no data connection) I can turn on google maps and use my GPS to navigate the streets of London.
It would be so great if you could download maps for google maps, turning it into a competitor for TomTom.
If you're reading this and didn't know, now google maps let's you use your GPS device (built in for us using Artemis) to locate yourself on the google map. Before it could only use cell phone tower info to provide an estimate of where you are. So now it really can be used for accurate navigation directions, if I can cache the maps on my phone.
Anyone know a work around?
There is software for this. Google Navigator. Did you see it?
Take a look here: http://www.pdafun.net/features.htm
In feautures they say:
Map is transferred via network and save permanently until you want to delete it.
Is this what you 're looking for?
But it 's not free.
YES, perfect, thanks. I'll give it a try.
Hi there,
I would like to use google navigation on my desire in a different country.
I'm not entirely sure how GPS and navigation works really, can I:
Set the route before my journey, then put the phone on airplane mode so I don't 'roam' and the GPS will still function and guide me?
Or does navigation require data and therefore I have to pay the ridiculous data roaming rates to get directions?
Advice would be greatly appreciated
thanks
In order to use google maps you need constant data connection. If you turn on airplane mode mas won't work. If you don't want to pay for roaming data transfer you should search for other navigation map that stores maps on the device. Free ones are AndNav2, TrekBuddy and maybe some more.
I think is wrong, sort of. When you get a route it is cached, you don't need a constant data connection.
thanks, I'll try the cache thing with other maps as backup
i'm off on hols tomorrow (cuba) and want to log a few trecks with gps. mobile data will be off and airplane mode on.
in that scenario will gps count as data usage? i assume not but want to be sure
i plan on using mytracks or jogtracker to track my course. it'll only store gps data afaik but will be overlayed on google maps once i've uploaded it after coming home, or if i find wifi over there.
That won't work, It has to download the maps themselves from Google Maps and the GPS uses the web to assist it.
I used OpenGPS abroad (which works in very similar way) with Mobile Network disabled and was only collecting GPS data.
The app tracked my positions, drew the line but and Google Maps were not loaded.
So yes, it should work - as long as you keep Mobile Network disabled you will not be charged for pure GPS data usage.
And you can download the Google Maps layer once you come home.
ferus said:
I used OpenGPS abroad (which works in very similar way) with Mobile Network disabled and was only collecting GPS data.
The app tracked my positions, drew the line but and Google Maps were not loaded.
So yes, it should work - as long as you keep Mobile Network disabled you will not be charged for pure GPS data usage.
And you can download the Google Maps layer once you come home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ignoreme - completely misread that...
thanks guys.
ferus, sounds like jogtracker/my tracks that doesn't it? i guess they all just show you pretty much the same info anyways
off to a fair few places and want to be able to look at maps when i got home and see where i trekked across.
hope this works
GPS abroad
I turn off roaming data while abroad as very expensive but I do use GPS and Mapdroyd for location based apps. Mapdroyd stores maps on SD card. Some countries have better detail than others. Works on aircraft as well.
David
Cactus42 said:
That won't work, It has to download the maps themselves from Google Maps and the GPS uses the web to assist it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, GPS will work fine offline and My Tracks will be fine without any data connection. I've personally tried that, you just won't get an overlay but it'll record the tracks. You can see the track later with an overlay on My Tracks or on a computer.
what may happen is the google maps crying "need data connection" though. So you'd be better off installing the brut.mod anyway
got the brut mod.
anyway to download maps for a place before i actually go there? ot my sd card i mean so brut has all the maps anyway
1) I don't use a data plan on my card. Can the GPS work without a data plan on Google Maps?
2) I've seen a few offline maps apps. If I use one of those, will GPS work independent of internet/data access on my phone? (same Q as the first but about offline maps apps)
3) Is there any offline maps app providing turn-by-turn navigation? (m sure it'd be paid! )
1. No as Google Maps aren't stored on the SD card, they're downloaded as you go
2 & 3. Yes, if you have an offline navigation client it should work. E.g. CoPilot
So it uses data only to download map data, right? GPS "Positioning" or "navigation" is not charged for data/subscription?
thehrushi said:
So it uses data only to download map data, right? GPS "Positioning" or "navigation" is not charged for data/subscription?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is like you use the gps for cars, your phine receives the data from sattelites so it doesn't use the 3g or anything else "data plan".
Obviously, the use of gps sattelites is free but you need an offline map to be able to see where you are on Earth ^^.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Imho:
Navigon and iGo are currently the best navigation apps for android.
I chose iGo for better maps coverage where I live (central europe).
For offline google maps, search google or this forum for brut maps. Or something like that. I forgot the exact name, sorry. But once you try navigating with one of the above apps, you'll forget it too ;-)
Actually lots of reviews sites such as this one say that Sygic or Copilot is best application:
http://mobile.jack-frost.co.uk/android_sat_nav_apps.php
Thanks a lot for your help! I'd definitely try those apps out!
spile said:
Actually lots of reviews sites such as this one say that Sygic or Copilot is best application:
http://mobile.jack-frost.co.uk/android_sat_nav_apps.php
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried them all (but Copilot), and I still think what I have written above.
I don't understand how iGo gets a lower rating than, say, Sygic... ;o)
You can use Google map's brut mod for offline navigation.
You have to explicity enable maps caching after u install the app and then have to load map once. Next time it will be loaded from cache.
Google Turn by Turn navigation works fine but u need data connection to get directions for the first time.
check my blogpost on it.
http://levelx.me/technology/google-maps-android-worldwide-navigation/
I am thinking of purchasing a Motorola droid with a car mount/media station for cheap (probably around 100$) and i was wondering if i could use it as a gps without cell phone service?
i wouldn't see why not... gps is simply a signal just like wifi(if its free of course) it would be just like buying a tomtom i would imagine... try putting ur phone into airplane mode and testing the gps
Of course, do keep in mind that both Google Maps and Sprint Nav need a data connection at least initially to download the route information. The new GMaps is supposed to be able to work offline once it does the initial route, though you may need a connection if you veer off course.
There is at least one app that works off maps on the SD card, but I can't recall its name right now.
Visionikz03 said:
i wouldn't see why not... gps is simply a signal just like wifi(if its free of course) it would be just like buying a tomtom i would imagine... try putting ur phone into airplane mode and testing the gps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will tomorrow.
bkrodgers said:
Of course, do keep in mind that both Google Maps and Sprint Nav need a data connection at least initially to download the route information. The new GMaps is supposed to be able to work offline once it does the initial route, though you may need a connection if you veer off course.
There is at least one app that works off maps on the SD card, but I can't recall its name right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you think of it, please let me know!
CoPilot Live lets you store the maps on your SD, or so they claim. The reviews on the market aren't too great though.
http://www.alk.com/copilot/android/
There are others as well, a quick search yields:
http://www.mapdroyd.com/
http://www.ndriveweb.com/products/product/96/
http://www.sygic.com/index.php/en/how-to-buy.html
Perhaps others too. But I can't vouch for any of these. I'm fine using GMaps even with the data connection requirements. Especially now that you don't need a data connection all the time -- only when generating a new route. I'm not sure whether it can handle simple missed turns without a connection or if it doesn't cache anything outside the route. I haven't tested that yet.
I've never found a maps or navigation program that I like other than Google, and I've tried pretty much all of them. They're a hassle to get maps for. The new GMaps does cache tiles, though I haven't tested it extensively, and I don't know that it caches maps in the Navigation program (which I use all the time as well).
GPS will lock even with no cell service. But unless you find a good offline map app, you'll just have your nice little blue arrow showing you exactly where you are on a plain gray featureless map.