Turn by Turn Navigation for Android

[101RRS]

I have an android smartphone but no data plan. I want to use the GPS facility for turn by turn navigation. Can any one recommend a Tom Tom or Igo type navigation program for Android that work well and comes with its own maps - noting I do not have a data plan so a gps system than relies on downloaded maps like google maps is of not use. If there is one can you tell me where to get it - a link would be great as I find the app store awfully confusing and never found anything there.

I will be putting on ozi-explorer on later for off road navigation but just looking for something that covers onroad.

Thanks

Garry

[loanrangie]

Garry, go over to Austech.info and in the gps igo section you will find a post on igo 9 for android :)

[Ranga]

I use Sygic, and it seems OK. Only thing is to remember to do your upgrades on wifi, as they can be very big - 200-300MB!

[101RRS]

Garry, go over to Austech.info and in the gps igo section you will find a post on igo 9 for android :)


I use Sygic, and it seems OK. Only thing is to remember to do your upgrades on wifi, as they can be very big - 200-300MB!

Thanks guys - have registered for Austech and will have a look at both on there.

Cheers

Garry

[101RRS]

Garry, go over to Austech.info and in the gps igo section you will find a post on igo 9 for android :)

Thanks but I need some sort of visitor password which I don't have to download the Primo software so I will look for something else.

cheers

garry

[101RRS]

I use Sygic, and it seems OK. Only thing is to remember to do your upgrades on wifi, as they can be very big - 200-300MB!

Do you think it is worth the 22 Euros - any pros or cons before I buy it?

Thanks

Garry

[Utemad]

Samsung phones come with Navigon. Have to pay for added features though.
You can buy it in the market too.
All maps are downloaded to device.

I like it except that it doesn't seem to have an avoid tolls option.

[incisor]

I use Sygic, and it seems OK. Only thing is to remember to do your upgrades on wifi, as they can be very big - 200-300MB!

sygic worked well on the iphone, used it for years

haven't looked at the android version as i have navigon on the samsung phone which seems to go okay although i preferred the sygic interface, myself.

[woody]

I use Sygic, and it seems OK. Only thing is to remember to do your upgrades on wifi, as they can be very big - 200-300MB!

I've been using Sygic for about 3 yrs without problem. It's built around Tom Tom maps. IMHO it's far superior to the Navigon app on the wife's samsung.

As Ranga said just be mindful of the updates.

woody

[101RRS]

Is the brand of the phone important - Samsung has been mentioned which I do not have - Motorola Defy.

Garry

[TeamFA]

Another vote for Sygic - been using it for as long as it's been available on Android, on a Galaxy S1 and now a Galaxy Note (n7000).

As mentioned before, initial download of data should be done over Wi-Fi at home (or elsewhere), as opposed to mobile data.

[Utemad]

Brand of phone is not important.
The version of Android the phone runs may be important if it is a particularly old phone though.
Samsung just has an arrangement with Navigon to have their app pre installed on their phones. They just hold back on some features then charge you extra for them.

The same as Dropbox is pre installed and you get 50gb extra free for two years.

There are various comparison reviews. I saw a good one recently but can't find it. The one below is just a random one.

http://lifehacker.com/5870515/the-best-turn+by+turn-navigation-app-for-android

[Ranga]

Is the brand of the phone important - Samsung has been mentioned which I do not have - Motorola Defy.

Garry

Sygic runs fine on my Defy ;)

[101RRS]

Samsung just has an arrangement with Navigon to have their app pre installed on their phones. They just hold back on some features then charge you extra for them.

The same as Dropbox is pre installed and you get 50gb extra free for two years.

There are various comparison reviews. I saw a good one recently but can't find it. The one below is just a random one.

The Best Turn-By-Turn Navigation App for Android (http://lifehacker.com/5870515/the-best-turn+by+turn-navigation-app-for-android)

Thanks - anything that uses Google Maps is no use to me as I do not have a data plan attached to my phone. Maps have to be installed on the phone.

Cheers

Garry

[Hoges]

This is a very interesting thread... thankyou! With sygic, can you get maps of the UK, Europe etc ? similar isses to Garry... don't want to have to use data
plan, just wifi for download ? (samsung galaxy s2)

thanks

[TeamFA]

This is a very interesting thread... thankyou! With sygic, can you get maps of the UK, Europe etc ? similar isses to Garry... don't want to have to use data
plan, just wifi for download ? (samsung galaxy s2)

thanks

Pretty comprehensive maps of the world. I have already obtained maps of southern Africa in preparation for our trip there later in the year.

[loanrangie]

Thanks but I need some sort of visitor password which I don't have to download the Primo software so I will look for something else.

cheers

garry

Provide me with the details or link and i'll get it for you , might even try it myself on my phone.

[101RRS]

Provide me with the details or link and i'll get it for you , might even try it myself on my phone.

Thanks but it will be Ok - I have decided to go with Sygic and will see how it goes.

I think this is the link you referred to Android IGO Primo 9.6.22 incl. TTS patch and AU content (http://www.austech.info/igo/82159-android-igo-primo-9-6-22-incl-tts-patch-au-content.html)

When you hit the Achieve Link it takes you here LinkSave.in (http://linksave.in/1454306125155b4470b06b) - I tried to register for this but it does not recognise my Aussie TPG email address.

Cheers

Garry

[loanrangie]

No worries.

[bobslandies]

Samsung phones come with Navigon. Have to pay for added features though.
You can buy it in the market too.
All maps are downloaded to device.

I like it except that it doesn't seem to have an avoid tolls option.

Navigon in my Galaxy S3 has an option to "Avoid motorways" and "Avoid tolls" in Route and alternates - then Route Options. (It's the pair of gears symbol next to the blue Navigon arrowhead - pity it's not very obvious, maybe they want you to default to tolls:eek:)

Bob

[Utemad]

Navigon in my Galaxy S3 has an option to "Avoid motorways" and "Avoid tolls" in Route and alternates - then Route Options. (It's the pair of gears symbol next to the blue Navigon arrowhead - pity it's not very obvious, maybe they want you to default to tolls:eek:)

Bob

That is my phone too.
Is all that under settings?
I still can't find it.

Thanks

[mikehzz]

Is the brand of the phone important - Samsung has been mentioned which I do not have - Motorola Defy.

Garry

Sygic Compatible Devices| Sygic GPS Navigation Offline for Android (http://www.sygic.com/en/android:compatible-devices)

[101RRS]

Thanks - interestingly my motorola defy plus mb526 is not listed :(

[bobslandies]

That is my phone too.
Is all that under settings?
I still can't find it.

Thanks

It's not in the general Phone Settings but in the Navigon system, here's the quick way:

After you turn on Navigon (Applications - Navigon blue arrowhead) press the bottom left hand side of the phone (left of the obvious button in the centre) and there will be a pop-up with two meshed gears for Route options; then (a stupid knob) for Settings then (?) for Help.

Go to Route options and select "Avoid motorways" and/or "Avoid tolls".

The other way I referred to in my earlier post is - once you had typed in or spoken an address press the same spot to the left of the centre button below the screen and this time you will get Route and alternates; Direction list (a turn by turn list to your destination); Layers (Traffic view, Satellite, Parking, Gas stations, ATMs & banks, Restaurants); Turn off (and on) voice; Exit navigation, and More - (Search, Set destination, Settings, Help)

To get alternate routes you let it decide on a route then press the left hand spot and the blue Navigon arrowhead can be pressed to start the journey or you can press the Route options (gears); the next button will bring up alternate routes on the map overview that you can then select (at the top) and the fourth is the turn by turn directions list. If you opt out of Motorways or Tolls a new route will be plotted.

Hope that makes sense.

Bob

[manic]

NAVFREE
Its free! :)

Download entire Aus map on Wifi and your set. Thinks its about 700mb tho.
http://www.navmii.com/gpsnavigation
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.navfree.android.OSM.ALL&hl=en

[Utemad]

It's not in the general Phone Settings but in the Navigon system, here's the quick way:

After you turn on Navigon (Applications - Navigon blue arrowhead) press the bottom left hand side of the phone (left of the obvious button in the centre) and there will be a pop-up with two meshed gears for Route options; then (a stupid knob) for Settings then (?) for Help.

Go to Route options and select "Avoid motorways" and/or "Avoid tolls".

The other way I referred to in my earlier post is - once you had typed in or spoken an address press the same spot to the left of the centre button below the screen and this time you will get Route and alternates; Direction list (a turn by turn list to your destination); Layers (Traffic view, Satellite, Parking, Gas stations, ATMs & banks, Restaurants); Turn off (and on) voice; Exit navigation, and More - (Search, Set destination, Settings, Help)

To get alternate routes you let it decide on a route then press the left hand spot and the blue Navigon arrowhead can be pressed to start the journey or you can press the Route options (gears); the next button will bring up alternate routes on the map overview that you can then select (at the top) and the fourth is the turn by turn directions list. If you opt out of Motorways or Tolls a new route will be plotted.

Hope that makes sense.

Bob

Thanks. Why I never thought to press that button is a mystery to me. It is obvious now.
However the blue Navigon arrowhead and gears etc do not show on mine. Perhaps we have different versions. My phone is a i9305T however I would have thought the app to be the same no matter what.
Also the alternate route choosing is done differently. Maybe our app versions differ.

[Hoges]

Thank you all... got the sygic app. Paid for it using the PC but downloaded it direct to the Smsng S2 with home wifi. For $50 got whole of Western Europe. Very handy. Thanks agin

[FeatherWeightDriver]

NAVFREE
Its free! :)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.navfree.android.OSM.ALL&hl=en

+1 on Navfree

But as the data is crowd sourced - if you find an error please head over to the OpenStreetMap web site and correct it for the rest of us... :D

[bruiser69]

Hi Garry,
If you have a Samsung go to the Samsung Apps store & download free Navigon (By Garmin) app. It has turn by turn voice and full maps of Aust & NZ. it works better than my dedicated car GPS.

[101RRS]

Hi Garry,
If you have a Samsung go to the Samsung Apps store

As mentioned I have a Motorola not a Samsung

thanks

Garry

[bobslandies]

Thanks. Why I never thought to press that button is a mystery to me. It is obvious now.
However the blue Navigon arrowhead and gears etc do not show on mine. Perhaps we have different versions. My phone is a i9305T however I would have thought the app to be the same no matter what.
Also the alternate route choosing is done differently. Maybe our app versions differ.

Sorry I had not looked at your reply earlier.

My phone is a Galaxy S2 GT-I1900, running 2.3.6; Navigon is version 3.5.4

Bob

[101RRS]

Ok - haven't looked at this for a little but bought a licence for Sygic today.

On my PC I have gone to the Google Play Store and was able to search for Sygic and found it but I cannot do it on my phone. The search function at the top of the page is on my PC but not on the same page on the phone (it will not scroll down) and the phone keeps on freezing up and i have to go back into the page and start all over again.

So how do I get this software onto my phone if I cannot find in on the Google Play Store via the phone??:confused: Beginning to think I have done my doh.

Thanks

Garry

[bell1975]

Metroview (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.metroview.nav.au) is pretty user friendly, has good support forums and developers and is less than $20.

I've found it to be excellent in capital cities and provincial cities with a little room for error creeping in as you get into the sticks.

Initial install (and subsequent map updates) are in the region of 700MB so do this on your home connection (or even better your work connection).

It has turn-by-turn spoken directions.

And best of all it's Australian.

[bell1975]

Ok - haven't looked at this for a little but bought a licence for Sygic today.

On my PC I have gone to the Google Play Store and was able to search for Sygic and found it but I cannot do it on my phone. The search function at the top of the page is on my PC but not on the same page on the phone (it will not scroll down) and the phone keeps on freezing up and i have to go back into the page and start all over again.

So how do I get this software onto my phone if I cannot find in on the Google Play Store via the phone??:confused: Beginning to think I have done my doh.

Thanks

Garry

When you go to the Play Store on your phone are you logging in?

Being an Android phone it's heavily Google based so my question should probably read: are you logged into Google on your phone?

I'm not familiar with the Defy unfortunately but on my Motorola Atrix you can check if you're logged in by going to --->> Settings --> Accounts --> Google ---> look to see if you're logged in there.

HTH. Feel free to keep the questions coming. I'll check here again tomorrow and see how you've fared.

[101RRS]

As I cannot search the million of apps using the search function on the Google Play Store site I used Google search and managed to get into the App but when I hit install the screen goes a transparent white and has a message saying with a red triangle saying that I do not have any devices :confused:.

Logged into Google and using WiFi.

Computer nerds should not be allowed to develop computer software.:mad:

[OffTrack]

As I cannot search the million of apps using the search function on the Google Play Store site I used Google search and managed to get into the App but when I hit install the screen goes a transparent white and has a message saying with a red triangle saying that I do not have any devices :confused:.

Logged into Google and using WiFi.

Computer nerds should not be allowed to develop computer software.:mad:

I'm no expert as the sum total of my Android experience is a cheap chinese Android GPS navigator (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400493331904) which arrived yesterday afternoon...

The error you are getting sounds like you haven't got an Android device linked with your Google Play account. You need to create a Google account (if you don't have one already) and log in on your device.

https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2521798?hl=en

cheers
Paul

[101RRS]

I'm no expert as the sum total of my Android experience is a cheap chinese Android GPS navigator (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400493331904) which arrived yesterday afternoon...

The error you are getting sounds like you haven't got an Android device linked with your Google Play account. You need to create a Google account (if you don't have one already) and log in on your device.

https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2521798?hl=en

cheers
Paul

Ok thanks - I don't have a Google Play account and have never been asked for one - I am logged onto Google though my normal google log-on which I use to log in on the phone.

This is getting all to complicated - if I cannot get the software I have purchased through the internet on the phone then there is no point having it so I think I will just ask Synic for refund as the code has not been activated.

Cheers

Garry

[101RRS]

https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2521798?hl=en

cheers
Paul

The link talks about starting with your Home Screen - is that the Phone Home Screen or The Google Play Home Screen - is not clear - in either case I do not have the https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/379.jpg Play Store app on either location so not sure how to use the link :confused:

Garry

[rocmic]

Metroview (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.metroview.nav.au) is pretty user friendly, has good support forums and developers and is less than $20.

I've found it to be excellent in capital cities and provincial cities with a little room for error creeping in as you get into the sticks.

Initial install (and subsequent map updates) are in the region of 700MB so do this on your home connection (or even better your work connection).

It has turn-by-turn spoken directions.

And best of all it's Australian.

+1 for Metroview. It is Australian and the guys who develop it take notice of the support forums and also the error reporting they have on their web page.

[101RRS]

Thanks for all the comments - I am not proceeding with putting navigation on my phone - seems all too hard.

I have received a refund from Sygic so that is good.

Cheers

Garry

[TheTree]

Hi

I installed the free version of Sygic on my iPhone and iPad and it looks pretty good, but I hate the American voice :angry:

So i think I might give MetroView a shot

Steve

[101RRS]

I finally got Sygic installed on my phone and got it to work - once only - and it has not run correctly again.

It is supposedly independent of being online but when you open it immediately looks for the internet and if cannot find it will not run. When at home with wifi on it starts but currently does not display anything on the screen - screen is blacked out but the program is running in the background.

For me Sygic was a waste of money and I am going to uninstall it and put something else on - not sure as I am not keen on wasting more money.

Garry

[Ferret]

I installed the trial version of syngic about 2 weeks ago on a Nexus 7. All runs well without internet connection and with an English voice rather than an American voice.

I thought its display of the route and how it presented that to the driver was very good but the spoken turn by turn instructions were just not up to the same quality as the dedicated GPS devices. I found they sometimes came too late to be acted upon and in some cases were confusing in that they did not appear to line up correctly with what the visual display was saying.

I tried 'Mapfactor' also. Uninstalled it after less than a day after it could not find streets I was looking for, let alone house numbers in the street.

[TheTree]

Hi

Interesting, I installed it on my iPhone 4S and played with it and checked the forums.

In the end I purchased the license for 35 bucks.

It does take a bit of juice to run, it wouldn't be good on older hardware.

It also needs to download the maps to your device and this can take 30 mins or so over a wifi connection, I wouldn't try it on a mobile connection.

It seems pretty good so far, though I haven't used it where there is no phone signal.

It did take a bit of faffing around to get it all installed properly.

What phones were you guys running it on?

Steve

[101RRS]

It looks like the latest updates are causing the issue - I went onto the Sygic webpage and there are reviews indicating the last updates are dodgy - not denied by Sygic.

I uninstalled it and reinstalled in case something had corrupted but no change so looks as if it is the updates.

Garry

[Ranga]

Strange, it's always run fine on my Defy.

[TeamFA]

Been running Sygic on my Galaxy Note (n7000) for a couple of years now with no problems.

We also have it on our Note 2 (n7105), and our Note 10.1 (n8010), and they work even better on those (newer, faster hardware).

[101RRS]

Its great to know that Syngic works for some of you guys but it doesn't work for me and according to their blurb it should. I do not have issues with any other apps just this one.

Garry

[Geedublya]

Garry, try co pilot I've had it on 3 android devices and it works well. I have found it quite good in the bush as well showing most tracks.

[Ranga]

Its great to know that Syngic works for some of you guys but it doesn't work for me and according to their blurb it should. I do not have issues with any other apps just this one.

Garry

You probably can't be bothered, but it would be interesting to see if it works after a factory reset with no other apps installed.

Out of curiosity, are you installing and configuring on wifi?

[101RRS]

You probably can't be bothered, but it would be interesting to see if it works after a factory reset with no other apps installed.

Out of curiosity, are you installing and configuring on wifi?

Yes using Wifi - uninstalled today and removed the folder form the directory. Full install and the same issue - is running but nothing on the screen - yet when going through the install instructions and then setup everything was displayed on the screen but nothing when fully installed and setup.

Others have the same problem and it seems the issue is the last update 2 days ago.

Garry

[mzs]

For Jelly Bean 4.1.2 and earlier you can find working Garmin Streetpilot at the GSM News - Mobiles ,Gps and Gadgets Portal (http://www.noeman.org) (rooted and non-rooted)

mzs

[boobook]

NAVFREE
Its free! :)

Download entire Aus map on Wifi and your set. Thinks its about 700mb tho.
http://www.navmii.com/gpsnavigation
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.navfree.android.OSM.ALL&hl=en


The OSm one may be free.... and it's worth every cent.

Never use OSM for off road mapping. It contains many many serious errors. It is put together by users. I found about 50 serious errors or omissions in one small section of the high country in 10 mins. Major roads missing or shown as dead ends. Rivers 50km from where they really are etc.

Great for the US or major roads I am sure. But a toy wrt offroad use.

[manic]

The OSm one may be free.... and it's worth every cent.

Never use OSM for off road mapping. It contains many many serious errors. It is put together by users. I found about 50 serious errors or omissions in one small section of the high country in 10 mins. Major roads missing or shown as dead ends. Rivers 50km from where they really are etc.

Great for the US or major roads I am sure. But a toy wrt offroad use.

True that. The OP asked for offline navigation for on-road turn by turn navigation. I hope no one thought I was suggesting it for offroad use!

As an update, I have used NavFree quite a few times over the past year for main road driving. I have very few complaints. It runs reliably on my phone, never crashes and rarely makes a mistake. I would recommend it as a useful tool to have as backup on your smart phone. Very handy if you find yourself out of data/range and without a map. Oh and did I mention - Its Free ! :)

[FeatherWeightDriver]

The OSm one may be free.... and it's worth every cent.

Never use OSM for off road mapping. It contains many many serious errors. It is put together by users. I found about 50 serious errors or omissions in one small section of the high country in 10 mins. Major roads missing or shown as dead ends. Rivers 50km from where they really are etc.

Great for the US or major roads I am sure. But a toy wrt offroad use.

You could join in and fix the OSM data so that it is correct... ;)

OpenStreetMap (http://www.openstreetmap.org/)

I frequently use OSM for off-road use, although I use it more as an indication of a track being present, rather than making any claims to driveability:


Work out where I am going on the weekend
Update the tracks in the area based on satellite images
Download data
Enjoy!