What's the "best" Android sat nav app with local maps?

Mike1983 · 6 Jan 2012 at 19:46

Hi all

Title says it all really. I'm on the lookout for an Android app (for my new Galaxy Nexus) that uses maps stored locally on the phone so as to minimise data usage on the move.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks

arknor · 6 Jan 2012 at 19:50

navfree is the only one i know , but the map packacks are large something like 400mb so make sure you downdload them over wifi

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.navfree.android.OSM.ALL

theres a lot of comments like "Cannot enter address offline. What's the point of having offline map database when you can't use it offline???" but i have been able to search for an address with no data connection so maybe they are doing it wrong or didnt download the map pack + postcode pack

derfderfley · 6 Jan 2012 at 20:02

Been using copilot since it's android launch, and it's fine. UK & Ireland version is around £20.

Masterdog · 6 Jan 2012 at 21:41

Another vote for copilot here. Use it all the time, excellent app.

Hades · 7 Jan 2012 at 00:01

I installed copilot for a long journey over the Christmas period and really quite like it. I'm used to Tom Tom but I was equally happy with copilot. I put my thoughts into a bit of a review in the Samsung Note thread:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=20880430&postcount=712

1pudding1 · 7 Jan 2012 at 09:26

Another Co-Pilot user here for 3-4 years, cant go wrong.

e36Adz · 7 Jan 2012 at 10:59

Been using CoPilot for a few months now, works great.

FartInferno · 7 Jan 2012 at 11:31

Another copilot user here, been using it for a few years and quite happy with it. Can be tempermental if you switch roms a lot. Just remember to deactivate licence if you do.
20% off at moment too : https://market.android.com/details?id=com.alk.copilot.eumarket.premiumeumaj
Had it a play with Sygic demo too and looks to be quite good.

uvarvu · 7 Jan 2012 at 12:34

Why not cache the maps with the built in app? I did before flying to Cyprus and it worked nicely.

Mike1983 · 7 Jan 2012 at 14:01

uvarvu said:
Why not cache the maps with the built in app? I did before flying to Cyprus and it worked nicely.

How do you do this as I didnt see an option? Just start exploring a map of where you intend to be?? How long is it cached for roughly?

Tried NavFree today which seems usable but has distracting adverts and looks a bit basic. Copilot is looking the favourite at the moment after seeing your comments and browsing the web.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Richdog · 7 Jan 2012 at 14:18

I use Sygic and CoPilot, both are awesome.

uvarvu · 7 Jan 2012 at 15:10

Mike1983 said:
How do you do this as I didnt see an option? Just start exploring a map of where you intend to be?? How long is it cached for roughly?

Tried NavFree today which seems usable but has distracting adverts and looks a bit basic. Copilot is looking the favourite at the moment after seeing your comments and browsing the web.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Maps -> Settings -> Labs -> Turn on pre cache map area as well as any other bells and whistles you like the look of.
Once that's enabled hold down in the middle of where you want to cache and then select pre cache map area. You can do it more than once as well to build up a grid

Semple · 7 Jan 2012 at 17:56

You can only cache small areas of the map anyway. Not like caching the whole of the. UK.

unwashed potato! · 7 Jan 2012 at 18:05

Semple said:
You can only cache small areas of the map anyway. Not like caching the whole of the. UK.

you get a 10 mile radius, which is ok for driving locally. you'll still need the internet unfortunately for directions but this is minimal data usage

uvarvu · 7 Jan 2012 at 18:55

And like I said you can join up squares to make grids of a much larger area.

da_mic_1530 · 7 Jan 2012 at 20:18

just as a heads up, copilot doesn't work with CM mod 7, so I use N drive. Both similar and store the maps locally

Bigsy · 7 Jan 2012 at 21:48

Having used every single one of them I think its quite close between Sygic and Navigon, Navigon probably has the edge... I'm really starting to like Waze, it's getting better with more people joining but no local maps unfortunately.

SexyGreyFox · 15 Mar 2012 at 20:46

Just a heads up but I've just noticed that Sygic is now free (unless it's a free demo).

Bigsy · 15 Mar 2012 at 21:30

It's probably the demo, it's always been free for a week then you need to buy the licence.

Frozennova · 15 Mar 2012 at 23:00

I prefer navigon personally, seems to just be that little better than copilot.

The only thing I miss moving from Nokia and symbian is the maps. I never had one complain I 2 years of using it.