Navigation App on Android for 2022? Or buy dedicated GPS? 2 months in NZ.

Forums › GPS, maps and mapping software › Navigation App on Android for 2022? Or buy dedicated GPS? 2 months in NZ.

LittleGreyCat

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#302014 23-Oct-2022 09:30

Firstly, yes I have read some of the threads downstream.

I looked at Here We Go after good reviews on here, but the Play Store now has loads of reviews which say it has gone down hill recently.
Is anyone currently using it and happy?

[Just installed it. There doesn't seem to be anything to configure, like a "real" SatNav, such as routing preferences but it is early days. No sign of any dialogue to download maps or store them on SDHC card either. Although the World map does seem to be installed with satellite imagery.]

How much are dedicated GPS for car driving?
In the UK entry level seems to be £50-£70 ($100-$150) which isn't massive.

Last time over (2015) we brought a TomTom but I got fed up with paying the updates each year and switched to a Garmin (free lifetime updates) I had inherited.

My understanding is that Google Maps will only cache maps local to the area that you explore, so you can't just download all of NZ for use offline.

The main reason for asking is the reviews for several Apps which complain that functionality has been lost/degraded.

freitasm

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#2986470 23-Oct-2022 10:09

Here is still great. Slide from the bottom to see "Download maps" and settings.

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Batwing

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#2986712 23-Oct-2022 11:12

OSMAnd+

Navigation works well, but finding addresses is a bit more tedious.
Completely offline once you get it setup.

stick

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#2986719 23-Oct-2022 11:21

LittleGreyCat:
My understanding is that Google Maps will only cache maps local to the area that you explore, so you can't just download all of NZ for use offline.

You can download the whole of NZ but you'll just have to download it in separate parts.

freitasm

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#2986722 23-Oct-2022 11:27

Here:

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Technofreak

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#2986726 23-Oct-2022 11:45

Another vote for Here Maps.

Yes, they have updated the layout and UI. I'm not sure it's an improvement over the older version but the app itself still works as well as ever.

Still my go to navigation app.

Turn by turn voice instructions.

Offline or online options. Downloaded maps don't take up a lot of memory. Offline option allows full navigation outside of cellular coverage, and there are plenty of places away from the main highways where there isn't reliable coverage.

Online mode gives traffic information.

Works with Android Auto.

Can save favourites which means you can save destinations ahead of time.

If you don't have any maps downloaded and you have data coverage Here will download as you go (including satellite images), just like Google Maps. That's why you might be seeing the world wide map.

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#2986839 23-Oct-2022 13:02

I'm still upset about TomTom app failing & losing my Yoda & Darth Vader voices. "Left you must turn" & "Stay in formation, you are not a Jedi yet" made for an entertaining experience.

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Batwing

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#2986845 23-Oct-2022 13:11

Haven't seen sygic in a while, wonder if it's still okay

afe66

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#2987333 24-Oct-2022 14:57

2 months would have me getting a local sim card and running Google maps.

If going in back of beyond then look at tramping/ lands and survey map apps. Such as NZ topo mapz

shk292

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#2987344 24-Oct-2022 16:25

Can't beat Google maps for accurate traffic info and sensible routing when it's busy - and being able to navigate by voice.

Just buy a local SIM and use the data. Pre-cache when possible

Handle9

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#2987377 24-Oct-2022 19:16

LittleGreyCat:

My understanding is that Google Maps will only cache maps local to the area that you explore, so you can't just download all of NZ for use offline.

You can set the area you want to download and have multiple areas downloaded concurrently.

https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid

shrub

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#2987400 24-Oct-2022 20:37

Maps is great. Offline I can get entire south island in 3 sections

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LittleGreyCat

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#3131894 26-Sep-2023 04:52

Just an update as we are once more looking to visit NZ.

We hired a car from RAD car hire (previously RentaDent) and it came with a SatNav.

This was generally fine although it was a few years out of date (not surprising that a budget car hire firm doesn't update the maps).

We only had to resort to Google Maps when going South from Auckland down the very new bits of SH1 which were only just opening.

So all good, and thanks for all the good advice which it turned out we didn't need. :-)