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Which GPS App you use that supports offline map?
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Rick Law:
I normally use Google Map with downloaded maps, but ran into some difficulty.  With Google Map, I know it needs WiFi data connection to search for a location, but once location is set, it used to allow navigation using downloaded map functioning without SIM or WiFi but GPS only. 

It failed me this week-end.  Okay, I switched on my cell connection based HotSpot and connect my sim-less phone to it so it has WiFi for data and GPS signal for location.  That usually works, but this time, it was rural area at 2G connection only, Google Map frozed.  I could have tried putting the SIM directly into the phone instead of using my cell HotSpot, but it was too dark to try opening things up.  My sense of direction was good enough, I managed, this time.

Do you have a suggestion for a map/navigation app that can function with downloaded maps other than Google Map.

Thanks

(By-the-way...  Good thing is, now I know where I can still use my Treo650...)

SilverSolder:

If you travel a lot in bad cell areas,  a GPS-only unit with a built in map is very reliable (e.g. various Garmin products), and can be inexpensive as in sub $30 (tons of them on eBay).

Qw3rtzuiop:
I can recommend https://osmand.net

If you dont wanna support the developers you can get the pro version in the F-Droid Appstore for free
nali:
I thought Google Maps used live (i.e. mobile data or WiFi) map tiles? Or have they changed that now?

I too use OsmAnd, in fact often prefer it to Google unless I want to see Streetview or Sat view, but only for mapping, I've never tried it for navigation TBH.

For navigation I use Waze which caches map tiles when you plan a route but obviously you need a data connection before you start out (which probably fits most usage cases) after which it's happy working offline.
Rick Law:

--- Quote from: SilverSolder on January 03, 2022, 09:22:38 pm ---
If you travel a lot in bad cell areas,  a GPS-only unit with a built in map is very reliable (e.g. various Garmin products), and can be inexpensive as in sub $30 (tons of them on eBay).

--- End quote ---

I guess I have to revive my Tom-Tom GPS (v6).  Rural area is slow to change, so map change is not as much a problem.  I will have to test if the battery in eat can still hold up.


--- Quote from: nali on January 03, 2022, 10:19:07 pm ---I thought Google Maps used live (i.e. mobile data or WiFi) map tiles? Or have they changed that now?

I too use OsmAnd, in fact often prefer it to Google unless I want to see Streetview or Sat view, but only for mapping, I've never tried it for navigation TBH.

For navigation I use Waze which caches map tiles when you plan a route but obviously you need a data connection before you start out (which probably fits most usage cases) after which it's happy working offline.

--- End quote ---

re: "I thought Google Maps used live (i.e. mobile data or WiFi) map tiles? Or have they changed that now? ... ..."

I think the change may be the other way around.  Downloaded map worked for me for a few years.  Once the destination location is set, navigation without data connection was no problem at all.  I have my region's map downloaded.  I did my destination selection on the downloaded map by touching the spot or search with WiFi (stopping at a coffee shop w/ WiFi or using my mobile hot-spot) then turn off WiFi for the rest of the trip.  The rest of the navigation is the same as with WiFi.

During the lock down, I stop traveling outside my immediate area.  Last weekend was the first time since the virus thing started (about March 2020) that I ventured beyond 30 miles from my house.  It was also the first time I saw "Data Connection Lost" warning with Google Map.  So I believe some time during the lock down, updates to the Andriod or to Google Map make constant WiFi connection a necessary thing.

Waze's caching probably wont work for me.  For my immediate travel, I may not have a well defined destination but instead just a general area (helping someone with apartment shopping and looking around a target area).

I'm going to reset my device, restore to an earlier version of Google Map, see what I get.

Hey, guys, thanks for the suggestions.  I appreciate it.
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