Looking for GPS app for android

Forums › Android › Looking for GPS app for android - SGS2

chiggah

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#92510 31-Oct-2011 17:07

What gps app should I be looking at for my sgs2?

I am open to pay or free options.

Or should I invest in a proper GPS unit ?

regius

39 posts

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#539647 31-Oct-2011 17:41

I can confidently recommend SYGIC which has up-to-date downloaded regional maps (not free) and consequently runs off-line. The app is updated frequently.
I have just completed 3000 miles driving in UK using SYGIC on a Motorola Defy phone. Worked as well or better than our dedicated GPS unit.
You really need some sort of holder such as a window sucker to maintain a good GPS signal and driver view. I used a power connection to the car supply for long drives as the power drain is quite high with screen and GPS on constantly.

We are all one body, whoever hurts another, wounds himself

Wade

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#539659 31-Oct-2011 18:03

+1 for Sygic

It is no Tomtom replacement the maps are nowhere near as current, it fails to tell you the name of the road you are on but in latest guise integrates Google web search, out in the country the maps show the topographical mapping which looks cool

I find though that more and more I use the Google navigator app, yes it uses data but doesn't seem overly data hungry, the street view overlay is a nice touch too

The decision really is do you want to pay for data or not, I'm on vf's 3gb/mth so care very little about the data use

gregmcc

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#539661 31-Oct-2011 18:05

It depends exactly on what you want to use it for, for driving navigation it's ok, plently of free apps that will help, but if you want resonable accurcy (such as geocaching, etc) , a dedicated hand help GPS is way better, the cell phone GPS do work, but not as good as an actual GPS.

chiggah

40 posts

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#539667 31-Oct-2011 18:21

What about iGo My Way ? Someone on Xda forums suggested that app.

I just want it for navigation, lane changing, updated maps, accuracy, POI and speed cameras detection

Wade

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#539669 31-Oct-2011 18:26

Some apps better support some areas than others, i have tried most of the recent android turn by turn apps and nothing comes close to Sygic

Neither Sygic or Google nav though can plan a route as good as a tomtom. I far rather enjoy my SGS2 for user experience compared to my 3.5" resistive screened tomtom but bottom line is the latest Tomtom maps with IQ routes etc seem (to me at least) to really have some sort of quasi logic that works extremely well

If you were usign it every day say for work the precision of a tomtom would be a win, but for occasional wtf am I either of the android apps work well

toyonut

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#539671 31-Oct-2011 18:33

If you dont mind a little data use, the inbuilt google maps navigation works well and has taken us all over Auckland happily and accurately. With the ability to now cache maps, you should be able to cache your route on wifi and then drive without using data. Has basic lane guidance and turn based navigation.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

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askelon

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#539695 31-Oct-2011 20:04

I use ndrive.. Works pretty well.

Mattnzl

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#539704 31-Oct-2011 20:30

Is Navigon still free for newer Galaxy's? Have used it lots on my original Galaxy and it's been great.

TheUngeek

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#539724 31-Oct-2011 21:07

recently compared my Desire using google maps to one of those Garmin Asus phones.
Desire with google kicked arse so seriously it's not funny!

rayonline

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#540200 2-Nov-2011 09:11

I have always been curious about GPS b/c I freq travel overseas.
I have a Nokia because Ovi maps are offline but the GPS receptor can take over a minute to get a lock, a bit quicker if you are at the same place as the prev night for eg ...

Bro bought a HTC Wildlife. I've read that some people say that it's faster than a TomTom without A-GPS. From my experience after turning off WIFI and AGPS, it did take about a minute to get my position. Google Maps are pretty swell. V well featured of course as all the stuff are off the Internet so it is bound to be much more comprehensive and featured than any specialised offline GPS. With Google Maps you can cache it like a 10mile radius which covers Wellington Airport to say Wanuiomata and Porirua but not incl Pukera Bay. So you can spend a minute, get your location, and walk/drive around and see yourself on the map. You can also cache more 10 mile radius if you like. But you cannot use walk text assist or driving voice guidance or search for hotels or what not because that requires a Internet connection.

Even if you went for a commercial app (LG and others) or the free HTC Locations (available on high end HTC phones) or Ovi Maps. I think that without AGPS the location fix can be annoying. And that if you are in a moving car and then turn it on ... it may endlessly struggle to get your location until you get stuck in traffic or you stop at the gas station and give it time.

However, I have to say that with my dedicated Garmin hiking GPS, maybe that is not designed for a car, in a moving car it can struggle as well.

I found that my Navman works in a moving vehicle. If I was just outside, it is somewhat faster than a Android without using AGPS, WIFI etc .. ie. 40 sec vs maybe 60 sec. But if you employ AGPS or WIFI on the Android (HTC Wildflife by experience), the Android was faster.

rayonline

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#540339 2-Nov-2011 14:07

If you are gonna buy a commercial app, each country or region is about $60-90 right? And not using AGPS it can be slow to get your location.

Another solution is to just use Google maps for free and you get all the latest versions as they are released and more functionality and pick up local simcards overseas or use your standard NZ simcard here. Compared to the olden days a lot more affordable than a public phone and you can call/text home as well. You could just pick up a simcard on arrival at the airport. With google you can also get help with public transportation, which line to get on and a reminder when to get off .......

A traveller to NZ - pick up a 2 Degrees simcard or a VF, pay $6 or $10 per month for a data plan or just go casual. Should amount to no more than a $1 a day without "usual" surfing like just read the mobile news site and the weather.

But OTOH if you gonna use it v frequently at home as well. Maybe Something like a TomTom would be better. They can cost as low as $99 on sale.

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lchiu7

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#540389 2-Nov-2011 16:17

When I first purchased my N1 I saw a demo of CoPilot Live and thought that was a pretty cool app. That was before Google Maps navigation became available here in NZ.

Now I use Google pretty much all the time and it was great when I was in the US (using a T-Mobile SIM card) because I had no Copilot maps for the US.

While CoPilot Live is prettier it doesn't offer speaking the street names which is quite useful at times even with Google's strange pronunciation of Maori or Indian street names.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

regius

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#540410 2-Nov-2011 17:55

Refer to my post at the start of this thread.
I still maintain that Sygic is excellent and works well in a real-life situation. During our trip in the UK I tried Google Maps and Google navigation with cached areas and live data - they were nowhere nearly as effective as Sygic.
Speech turn-by-turn instructions and lane guidance on Sygic worked flawlessly and the maps were current in UK except for part of a new motorway in Glasgow. The NZ maps even cover the new Greenhithe to North Harbour motorway! Map updates are free.
There have been several software updates in the past 5 months each of which which have enhanced the app. The only thing that is not well handled is the addition of waypoints, but this is easily overcome.
A great app that does a good job if you take the time to set up your parameters properly.

We are all one body, whoever hurts another, wounds himself