Android GPS - no simcard.

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rayonline

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#116840 11-May-2013 17:45

I am going to Japan soon, but they don't allow visitors simcards ie - voice and data. They do have data only sims but it's super expensive at about $50 for my 1GB which I am there only for a week.

With google maps, if I get to a hotspot like at the accomodation, and cache the area. When I don't have a simcard outside, can I see my position and can I pick up my saved locations? Obviously I cannot do routing ..

Thanks.

johnr

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#815857 11-May-2013 18:07

I was in Japan about 7 months ago and yes what a nightmare trying to get a SIM for any type of use :(

Fantastic place would go back in a flash

sbiddle

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#815859 11-May-2013 18:12

If you're a Vodafone customer you could just use data roaming for the week, it'll be cheaper than buying a SIM there.

rayonline

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#815862 11-May-2013 18:13

The plans don't make sense either. They have what they call iPhone simcards that can use internet for like capped at $15NZ per day all you can use data, no voice. Which is expensive. Question is would a non iPhone work with it b/c they have normal 3G simcards that is voice only. Or actually they call them sim rental. The latter 3G is voice only. So credit card only, return sim and settle the bill then etc.

Three is B Mobile data only sims but still $50 for that 2 week or 1GB, whichever comes early.

Comes to think about it, maybe could I just flog sims LOL.

In terms of the cost differences. Eg - Wifi service. Japanese people pay maybe 380Yen for a months use. Visitors pay up to 2,000Yen for a weeks use.

rayonline

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#815864 11-May-2013 18:17

sbiddle: If you're a Vodafone customer you could just use data roaming for the week, it'll be cheaper than buying a SIM there.

How much data do you think a week of Google Maps routing would be?
I know VF charges $10/MB while roaming.

Edit - I see VF have discounted packs for post paid customers. I'm on prepay :(

Beddhist

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#815907 11-May-2013 19:38

You could use the OSMand app, which allows you to download OSM maps and use them offline, no data connection required.

http://beddha.free.fr

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#815908 11-May-2013 19:40

oh dear ... why is that???

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sbiddle

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#815932 11-May-2013 20:17

rayonline:
sbiddle: If you're a Vodafone customer you could just use data roaming for the week, it'll be cheaper than buying a SIM there.

How much data do you think a week of Google Maps routing would be?
I know VF charges $10/MB while roaming.

Edit - I see VF have discounted packs for post paid customers. I'm on prepay :(

$30 for 100MB valid for 1 month in multiple countries or $50 for 200MB valid for 1 month in multiple countries.

rayonline

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#815945 11-May-2013 20:24

How much data does Google Maps consume? Let's say a day on travel. Routing etc.

rayonline

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#816297 12-May-2013 17:55

FYI guys I found this, uses OSM maps. The free one is just that. The pro one has routing and database of stuff. Both you can download country maps etc ..

http://www.mapswithme.com/en/home

Well apparently, with JP - google maps is not even cache'able. After a bit of digging with the beta version it was indeed available but due to "licensing rights" google had to drop it off so you can only use JP maps when you have an active connection. When you select the area it will say "selected area cannot be saved". Maybe that is why Nokia, Navteq, Tomtom, Garmin, Navman all do not support JP maps.

Will just visit JP without a simcard, use this GPS offline and use internet at the accom.
The low down is that non residents are not allowed to buy prepaid sims. We have to rent them which is basically $13 a day for 1MB or unlimited use of data + $2 a day for the simcard rental. It could be, if our phones don't have the JP stamp on it like NZ's Telepermit at least that's how it is worded we might not be allowed to get away not renting a phone, but if we choose to I guess we can put the sim into our own phones. The iPhone rental is like $3 per day rental half price down promotion or $1 for a dumb phone.