Google Maps Using Internet

Greebo · 22 Sep 2011 at 20:21

Simian said:
Don't seem to want to work on my Xperia Arc!!..

Keeps saying 'Installing' and then it crashes!!..

Going back to 'Waze' for now!..

Forget expansys site as that version is for Andriod 2.2 only. If your are running 2.3 and above then go directly to navfree's webssite and download version 1.92

Works a treat on my htc desire hd now and the 300mb of maps are stored on the phone.

Very nice map program for free and speed cameras and Europe maps out soon according to their site.

http://getsatisfaction.com/navmii/topics/android_release

Greebo · 22 Sep 2011 at 20:25

mickiecau said:
Yes very small amount

Very small amount until you are travelling across Europe and you get charged almost £5 per hour for data

Columbo · 22 Sep 2011 at 22:22

Navfree installs fine on my Optimus 2x but refuses to launch, also tried it on my knackered Desire HD and it wont even install on that.

Good job its free.

AndyCr15 · 23 Sep 2011 at 05:34

englishpremier said:
For the fact that tomtom works without data. If you stick to major roads and never go off course or into other countries then maps is fine. Google maps/navigation can't get you from Helsinki to St. Pertersburg for example.

Also lacks some statistics (at least when I used it).

I just find it a bit weak as a package overall. No doubt it will be THE navigation system in the future, but for now it's not as polished as some of the others out there.

Plus are telling me you really like the computer generated voice guidance of google navigation?

You understand it downloads your whole route once you plot it? So as long as you have a connection when you start, you're good for the whole trip.

Which stats? Time distance are there...

I don't usually even have the voice on.

As I said, the traffic is crazy accurate, I think it uses crowd sourced info.

Simian · 23 Sep 2011 at 07:01

Greebo said:
Forget expansys site as that version is for Andriod 2.2 only. If your are running 2.3 and above then go directly to navfree's webssite and download version 1.92

Works a treat on my htc desire hd now and the 300mb of maps are stored on the phone.

Very nice map program for free and speed cameras and Europe maps out soon according to their site.

http://getsatisfaction.com/navmii/topics/android_release

Cheers.. I'll give it a go!!

Larkspeed · 23 Sep 2011 at 07:32

AndyCr15 said:
Really? I think Google Navigation is pretty amazing. Swap between different options, amazingly accurate (free) traffic data, post code look up, contacts and latitude integration. I don't really see why you'd think TomTom was better?

Quite simply because Google maps is "Online" navigation so it uses your data connection. Which is probably fine for most people but the second you go into roaming mode it starts to add up very fast.

TomTom is offline navigation so does not touch your data connection so you don't get hammered on your roaming charges if you need to get somewhere.

Now I realise that for most people in the UK this is not a big distinction because it's not as easy to go into a different country, but for me and plenty of others this one fact is what kills Google Maps. We live 20 mins from the German border and frequently cross over. In about 4 hours I can be in Berlin and in about 5 hours I can be in Paris.

I would pay a fortune in data roaming charges if I used Google Maps to navigate.

Simian · 23 Sep 2011 at 07:35

Damn it!!!.. Just downloaded the App and Maps for NavFree and totally forgot I was on 3G... I'm now at 75% of my allowed 500mb/month and I've still got.. well.. a month to go!!... hope I don't use more than that 25% by the 22nd October!

on the plus side, my phone will be switched off (thus not downloading owt) for 2 weeks from the 1st October whilst I get married and go on my Honeymoon!!.. hope thats enough!!

God I'm a Butt Head!!.. :rolleyes:

Uhtred · 23 Sep 2011 at 07:42

AndyCr15 said:
Really? I think Google Navigation is pretty amazing. Swap between different options, amazingly accurate (free) traffic data, post code look up, contacts and latitude integration. I don't really see why you'd think TomTom was better?

The worst thing about it is clarity, blue route doesn't show up well on a blue motorway,plus round about arrows are unclear. If they sorted those two things it would be pretty decent. Still waiting for tom tom on android, IQ outed sounds good.

englishpremier · 23 Sep 2011 at 08:50

AndyCr15 said:
You understand it downloads your whole route once you plot it? So as long as you have a connection when you start, you're good for the whole trip.

Which stats? Time distance are there...

I don't usually even have the voice on.

As I said, the traffic is crazy accurate, I think it uses crowd sourced info.

And if you deviate from the route, you're screwed

Larkspeed · 23 Sep 2011 at 08:52

AndyCr15 said:
You understand it downloads your whole route once you plot it? So as long as you have a connection when you start, you're good for the whole trip.

Which stats? Time distance are there...

I don't usually even have the voice on.

As I said, the traffic is crazy accurate, I think it uses crowd sourced info.

not totally it doesn't

You try using it for navigation and drive into a low signal area as soon as it loses signal Google Maps throws an error message up saying it cannot navigate without a network connection

englishpremier · 23 Sep 2011 at 09:36

That is true. If you stop and try to start it up again without a data connection is generally won't work.

Additionally, if you lose connection, while the original route is there, in my experience you can no longer zoom in for greater detail. You can zoom in, but he detail doesn't increase/update.

It will get there though eventually.

Greebo · 23 Sep 2011 at 10:14

Greebo said:
Forget expansys site as that version is for Andriod 2.2 only. If your are running 2.3 and above then go directly to navfree's webssite and download version 1.92

Works a treat on my htc desire hd now and the 300mb of maps are stored on the phone.

Very nice map program for free and speed cameras and Europe maps out soon according to their site.

http://getsatisfaction.com/navmii/topics/android_release

ManCuBuS said:
Navfree installs fine on my Optimus 2x but refuses to launch, also tried it on my knackered Desire HD and it wont even install on that.

Good job its free.

You are using the wrong version. See my link above. It works fine on my desire hd.

Greebo · 23 Sep 2011 at 10:15

Simian said:
Damn it!!!.. Just downloaded the App and Maps for NavFree and totally forgot I was on 3G... I'm now at 75% of my allowed 500mb/month and I've still got.. well.. a month to go!!... hope I don't use more than that 25% by the 22nd October!

on the plus side, my phone will be switched off (thus not downloading owt) for 2 weeks from the 1st October whilst I get married and go on my Honeymoon!!.. hope thats enough!!

God I'm a Butt Head!!..

Ooops. At least i remmebered to do mine via wifi

Simian · 23 Sep 2011 at 10:54

Greebo said:
Ooops. At least i remmebered to do mine via wifi

AndyCr15 · 23 Sep 2011 at 17:44

Yeah, maybe I'm just lucky that I'm hardly ever somewhere without a data connection, but Google Nav has come on leaps and bounds.

AndyCr15 · 23 Sep 2011 at 17:46

Larkspeed said:
You try using it for navigation and drive into a low signal area as soon as it loses signal Google Maps throws an error message up saying it cannot navigate without a network connection

Not for me it doesn't. Sitting at my desk I've just plotted a route and then turned off my data connection. Not a thing. I can even look at the route and move around the map...