Using Google Maps on my phone overseas instead of Satnav device????

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kiwifidget

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#307168 25-Sep-2023 21:11

I own a Garmin satnav that I use in my car in NZ.

I'm unsure if it can be used in UK where I am heading next week.

If I use my Samsung phone as a satnav (google maps I presume) will I be incurring data charges overseas?

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#3131770 25-Sep-2023 21:14

You can do it offline, download the map area first and it'll work. Give it a go here before you leave, obviously you'll be missing the live traffic data.

https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?

kiwifidget

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#3131775 25-Sep-2023 21:25

@rscole86 thanks, that is good to know.

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coffeebaron

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#3131780 25-Sep-2023 21:59

There are a few alternatives that do offline maps e.g.
Sygic
Here WeGo

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kiwifidget

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#3131830 25-Sep-2023 22:14

Thanks @coffeebaron, nice to have options.

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jayemm

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#3131834 25-Sep-2023 22:21

As an alternative you could probably download the UK maps for your Garmin device (at a cost)

kiwifidget

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#3131835 25-Sep-2023 22:25

jayemm:

As an alternative you could probably download the UK maps for your Garmin device (at a cost)

It's a bit aged, but does still get free NZ map updates.

Wouldn't be surprised if it cant do UK, but even if it could you're right, probably spendy.

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#3131836 25-Sep-2023 22:51

One thing to keep in mind when using Google Maps with offline maps, it only provides driving turn by turn directions. It won’t provide you with walking directions/guidance. Found out the hard way on my last overseas trip.

Suffice just panning around the map but walking directions would have been much more convenient.

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#3131888 25-Sep-2023 23:20

Google maps is ok. A local Sim for cheap data is easy to get. If you don't have dual SIM yes it is a pain swapping sims all the time. I did that and it was ok. Local sim during the day NZ sim at night for messages. 13 hours difference no one is awake in NZ anyway : ). You need a solid keep place for your NZ sim.

That said, Google maps has very limited lane guidance. A dedicated unit like TomTom with lane guidance option is 100x better in an unfamiliar environment. More so if you don't have a good passenger navigator watching and interpreting the google maps direction on the typically smaller phone screen at critical points.

Google maps sometimes I miss the correct lane for an exit or a turn even at home. On a long trip wasted time adds up. Dedicated units can pay for themselves.

Just remembered TomTom have a smartphone app in the app stores now. I haven't used it, it's not cheap. If it's good it's good. Maybe someone else can comment.

gzt

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#3131889 25-Sep-2023 23:32

I borrowed an older unit for a trip one time didn't buy a map update and it was sometimes scary with random roundabouts and motorway reroutes appearing in my actual reality. I followed my nose and came out alright. I do not recommend the experience. I seem to remember google maps not being fully up to date in some odd cases too.

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#3131893 26-Sep-2023 02:55

coffeebaron: There are a few alternatives that do offline maps e.g.
Sygic
Here WeGo

We have used satnav extensively overseas - Europe and N America. In recent years we have used iPhone with Google Maps both offline and with local-SIM data. The offline version works well.

Prior to this for years we used offline Here WeGo maps and it’s excellent. It’s the current version of what used to be called Nokia Maps. You can download whole countries or, if you want to save storage space, just the area (or in your case the UK counties) you’re going to be in.

If you want an alternative to GM that works more like a dedicated satnav unit, I can recommend it. If the car you’re driving has Android Auto, the HWG app is fully compatible with that.

Depending on how long you’re going to be there etc, you may want to use online GM with data from a local SIM. In recent years I’ve gone to Vodafone UK and set up a prepaid arrangement. Earlier this year I got 7GB for £10/month and used it for three months. I’ve found VFUK great to deal with on something simple like this - but I’d recommend going into a store rather than trying to do it online.

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kiwifidget

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#3131912 26-Sep-2023 07:27

gzt: More so if you don't have a good passenger navigator watching and interpreting the google maps direction on the typically smaller phone screen at critical points.

Err yeah, that would be me. If I give Himself wrong directions it's not going to end well 😀

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#3135370 27-Sep-2023 09:01

I've used my phone on several trips using Navigate which has downloadable maps. It's been great (except when I left it in pedestrian mode while driving and vice versa).

If you're hiring a car, you could be offered satnav as an extra. In the US, the charge was US$10/day. Personally, even if it was free I'd rather use the software I'm familiar with than their unknown one.

Incidentally, Navigate came with a user-contributed (I assume) database of POI which was garbage. The couple of times we tried it we just wasted our time (e.g. gold mine categorised as "tourist attraction" was a working gold mine, but absolutely nothing to see, and locked gates).

kiwifidget

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#3135406 27-Sep-2023 10:37

Himself has chucked his 2c in and he wants the UK map loaded onto the satnav.

Clearly doesnt trust me as a navigator! 😃

There is a Europe map for my Garmin DriveAssist 50LMT, so I have paid for that (ouch) and installed it to the satnav using Garmin Express.

But I am struggling with how to switch from the NZ map to the UK map.

Does it do it automatically when it picks up a GPS signal up over, coz I cant see a way to do it manually.

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#3135610 27-Sep-2023 19:10

I'd never be without live traffic info in the UK, so for me it's GM on Android auto every time. Easy enough to pick up a local SIM, and even to take a second phone just for this purpose if your main phone isn't dual SIM

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#3135624 27-Sep-2023 20:09

firefuze: One thing to keep in mind when using Google Maps with offline maps, it only provides driving turn by turn directions. It won’t provide you with walking directions/guidance. Found out the hard way on my last overseas trip.

Suffice just panning around the map but walking directions would have been much more convenient.

I did this a few days ago and walking worked fine for me having downloaded the local area in the app (Google Maps, iOS) on hotel wifi before heading out, so YMMV.

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