Travellers - how you use GPS?

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rayonline

1662 posts

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#89345 31-Aug-2011 15:22

Hi, just a casual question.

Given that most phones these days have GPS incorporated. For those of you who have been overseas, how have you used GPS?

Roaming is expensive; so do you just pay, do you get a local simcard, or do you just sort to other means like a visitor's map and ask for directions? If any of you have been on a world whirl trip that would be great to hear how you use it because commonly I find myself only in one country for less than a week before I move on so many simcards can be expensive in some parts of the world.

Thanks.

Niel

3267 posts

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#514696 31-Aug-2011 20:50

Windows Mobile 6.1 running Tom Tom Navigator 7. You can buy it in only a few countries though.

You can never have enough Volvos!

kobiak

1423 posts

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#514711 31-Aug-2011 21:09

why do u need sim card? gps is free unless it's a-gps.

what u need is installed proper gps software on device and map of the country of your choice.

helping others at evgenyk.nz

rayonline

1662 posts

Uber Geek

#514728 31-Aug-2011 21:38

without a commercial app or a simcard you won't get routing, or POIs ....

there might be some maps online that is free but they are generally not that well featured.

kobiak

1423 posts

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#514746 31-Aug-2011 22:02

well most featured commercial app will cost u $30-50 with maps.

Average NZder spent more on beer a fortnight.

helping others at evgenyk.nz

rayonline

1662 posts

Uber Geek

#514753 31-Aug-2011 22:12

yeah and that is each map. if you see diff places (like me), it gets expensive.

it might be beating a dead horse but there is just 1 or 2 solutions available for offline map use. Nokia and HTC's own software.

* what's the point not being able to search for your hotel or the subway stn or that tourist attraction ...

* people expensive cellphones, I take it GPS is a pretty minor thing. maybe more the net, and multimedia usage.

allstarnz

1705 posts

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#514986 1-Sep-2011 11:59

I used Garmin Maps on my Nokia E63 last year in the USA, worked fine for me.

tigercorp

642 posts

Ultimate Geek

#515002 1-Sep-2011 12:17

I use offline maps (Co-Pilot Live) on my Android except when in NZ or Aus where I have a local sim so use Google Navigation.

Off line maps work well enough for directions while driving and finding petrol stations, but for walking I prefer Google Nav.

BrentR

1315 posts

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#515157 1-Sep-2011 16:12

I use Nokia Maps in online mode all the time. Being that the map data including POI's is preloaded on the phone data use is fairly minimal.

rayonline

1662 posts

Uber Geek

#515216 1-Sep-2011 17:40

BrentR: I use Nokia Maps in online mode all the time. Being that the map data including POI's is preloaded on the phone data use is fairly minimal.

I trust that it's not overseas with data? :D

netspanner

286 posts

Ultimate Geek

#515225 1-Sep-2011 17:46

The latest google maps for android will download 10 miles of map around a point you choose. So when you are on wifi download the maps of the area you go to and voila! Its free!

Its also really fast then as well.

Wade

2218 posts

Uber Geek

#515240 1-Sep-2011 18:11

I use Sygic which uses downloadable maps, and can be set to use no data. Well worth it IMHO, its a too class product

rayonline

1662 posts

Uber Geek

#515267 1-Sep-2011 19:02

netspanner: The latest google maps for android will download 10 miles of map around a point you choose. So when you are on wifi download the maps of the area you go to and voila! Its free!

Its also really fast then as well.

does it have routing at least text based? like can you etablish a route to get to Queens Street or go to that hotel? doesn't have POIs right?

rayonline

1662 posts

Uber Geek

#515268 1-Sep-2011 19:04

Wade: I use Sygic which uses downloadable maps, and can be set to use no data. Well worth it IMHO, its a too class product

cheers, had a look, yep one of the more affordable commercial apps.

John2010

532 posts

Ultimate Geek

#522659 18-Sep-2011 14:59

Nokia Maps which is free on many of their recent phones works fine without using data. One just downloads the maps for the countries one is visiting before departing, ensures AGPS is turned off and Maps is set to offline (as well as any other network GPS assistance or map improvement options that the phone may be capable of using turned off).

In the Nokia phones I have Maps also works without a SIM card in the phone.