Favorite Offline GPS Navigation App for Andriod?

Dale_I

Dale_I

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I've been looking for better navigation for a bit. Longer rides this year, along with having to deal with GPX files, is forcing me to look for options.

Garmin is the obvious, but spendy. Attractive to me are the GPS locators that give my family an ability to see where I'm at, but again, if there is a alternative without the hardware expenditure, it would be more attractive.

Breifly scanning the scene of Android based navigation apps has turned up a few and I'm wondering what your experience (if any) has been with any (or all) of them. From what I'm reading... Locus and OsmAnd Maps seem favored. Locus needs an attachment (I think called Brouter) to operate away from cell service and OsmAnd will do it natively.

There are others... Here, Co-Pilot, etc.

I'm looking to be able to load (or convert) GPX files for trips and use as navigation offline. I've tried Google Maps, Waze, and Life 360 and whenever I lose signal I'm pooched. To be honest, Google Maps has been pretty good about keeping location without cell service. But, I lose my maps because it can't keep up with my movement without some type of cell signal. Worse... if/when my cell freezes I can't even get a destination posted. Life 360 turned out useless.

So... what say you who are more experienced than I?
 
Osmand works pretty good but the UI is cumbersome.
One I have been investigating lately is "MyRoute-app Navigation" by the TyretoTravel group. Seems to do everything that a regular standalone GPS does and more. Easily integrates with Tyre or the MyRoute program. The downside is that it is not free but it does work.
It is available in the iStore or Google play store. If you use the Navigaiton app in conjuntion with the MyRoute planning app, it is VERY easy to create, share, edit, download, upload, etc routes in several formats.
The MyRoute program is available on the TyretoTravel site. It is also available as an app that you can use on your phone or tablet.

http://www.tyretotravel.com/

My initial investigations of it make me think that my standalone gps will become a paperweight. Just need to figure out a way to mount and power an android phone to the bike but there are lots of options for that. I have an old Samsun S4 that I am going to set up.
 
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I know this thread is about Android devices however I'm curious about how hot your phones get while using a navigation app.

My iPhone 7 gets very warm when I use it as a gps in my truck. If it were in on the bike in the sun I'm very sure it would overheat.
I'm looking at auto gps units as a result.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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DavidR8 said:
I know this thread is about Android devices however I’m curious about how hot your phones get while using a navigation app.
Click to expand...

I keep my iPhone in a mount on my Heli riser and plugged into the bike. I was on a two hour ride Sunday with the sun on my phone the whole time.

It got pretty warm but didn't overheat. It might have in hot weather but moving may have kept it from going thermal ballistic. The phone should give a temperature warning if it gets too hot.
 
I'm not a fan of sat navs, lately I've tried using the Co-Pilot app on android and it has been fairly good, I can't understand people looking at the little map on a sat nav, the co pilot gives me directions through my bluetooth headset.
 
there are threads on ADVRider that discuss the use of android for gps. They are very informative. I just purchased a Kyocera duraforce pro phone for use on my ride. The phone is waterproof and don't even need cell service to use for GPS so if you wish to you can leave it mounted on the bike.
 
I am using my old Galaxy S5 with TomTomGO , NOAA weather app, and GPS essentials ..... phone was free apps are free but I bought subscription for no ADs and unlimited nav by voice.
 
broc11...
I can't understand people looking at the little map on a sat nav
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Keep in mind that it is not being used as a map per-SE so being smaller than a regular map is not relevant. You are only looking at it to know where you are and for indications of where you should be going which is more difficult to do with a regular map while riding. It has the blue tooth capability as well.
 
Joeywhat said:
Google maps let's you download offline maps for use without service. Have you tried that?
Click to expand...

Yes. I tried it a few times and as long as my phone didn't freeze it would work if I didn't leave the area of map I downloaded. My experience was that when cell service got spotty it would start to degrade the map resolution and finally freeze. When I close and reopen I don't have a cell signal for it to route me and can't pick up the previous route.

There were also times when it wouldn't locate me correctly, which although rare, occurred at the wrong time and just made it frustrating.

I would like an offline option that is better tested, is easier to adopt GPX files, and I don't mind paying a reasonable app fee. I haven't seen any of the paid versions that are horribly expensive. I might consider them deals if they do what they say!
 
drrod said:
I have used this combination in NA, Europe, and Africa and it performed as good or better than standalone GPS units for a fraction of the cost.
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I would be interested in your opinions as to why it may have performed better than a dedicated GPS. I currently have a dedicated motorcycle GPS which is on its last legs so I am following this thread to help me decide what I want to invest in next. I assume your comments would be helpful to anyone else following as well.
 
I'm following this thread for reasons similar to Andrew.
We're anticipating a trip to Reno this summer. I have used Google maps and piped the voice directions into my Sena SMH10 but I don't like how it interferes with helmet to helmet communication.

I had the opportunity to spend a week on an RT1200 and really liked the Nav V system. I liked that I could used it with gloves on and the clarity of its routing.

I don't like the screen size of my iPhone 7 nor the data charges to stream the map.

That said I also don't like the $800 price tag of dedicated moto GPS units.

I'm seriously considering a refurbished Garmin Nuvi 50LM from GPScity for $150.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Andrew Shadow said:
I would be interested in your opinions as to why it may have performed better than a dedicated GPS. I currently have a dedicated motorcycle GPS which is on its last legs so I am following this thread to help me decide what I want to invest in next. I assume your comments would be helpful to anyone else following as well.
Click to expand...

OK, here goes.... bear in mind I have had a couple of glasses of wine:)
1. I can download maps to where ever I am going for free. They are the latest available. eg. Garmin charges $100+ for maps that did not come on your unit.
2. I can choose between Google, TomTom, Here/Garmin maps
3. I can overlay routes of all three and see where the algorithms differ and adjust accordingly so that I can send the routes to a whole group and ensure everyone has the same route.
4. I already have a smartphone so no need to upgrade multiple devices. The display on the phone is larger and brighter than my standalone.
5. do not need a cellular connection (admittedly, neither does a standalone GPS)
6. built in bluetooth to my headset (as do many, but not all, standalone GPS units). I can play tunes, 2 way communicate, etc with my Sena and the priority is for the GPS function which is OK with me.
7. turn by turn spoken directions
8. fewer devices to carry and keep charged
9. designed and supported by motorcycle enthusiasts.
10. constantly being upgraded as they respond to feedback
11. Myroute program is in the "cloud" so I can access the planning and my library with any device, from anywhere that has a wifi connection. It is VERY easy to create routes with this.
12. Can create, save, share, etc. routes in many formats.
13. There is a "public" part of the site where you can access routes created by others and share your routes if you want. Lots of "local" routes that you would not find yourself.
14. If you opt for the "gold" edition of the Myroute planner, you have lots of extra tools to use. eg. curvy roads, hilly roads, disable seasonal closures (very important if planning summer rides in the winter), etc.
15. decent POI database
16. When I open the Navigation app, it automatically syncs to my "Myroute planner" and I can just load any route that I have created with a simple click.
17. The Myroute app and the Navigation app have been developed together and seem to work seamlessly together. I hear about the issues with Basecamp, etc. and I just have to wonder why anyone bothers trying to use them.
18.LESS EXPENSIVE than standalone by A LOT!!!!!!

Downside:
1. not as easy to mount and power. Have to utilize USB ports and chargers and they may be more prone to be affected by vibrations. I have not really experienced this yet though.
2. not waterproof although this is getting less and less important. If it rains, I just put my phone in my tank bag or put a zip lock over it. I seldom look at it anyway. I rely mainly on voice instructions.

There are probably more things but these come readily to mind.

So, just it perform guidance better than a standalone? No, but it is at least equal to that one function (provided you have upgraded the maps on the standalone). It is for the other reasons that I find it a better option.

I should add.....I am in no way connected to the Tyre/Myroute group other than providing support by buying their products.
 
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I've started to pour through some other forum and their opinions. Thanks for the suggestion to check the Adventure Rider forum.

Another attractive point with the MyRoute people is that they are the Tyre folks. They've had a good reputation for quite a while.
 
Locally I use Apple's Maps app and on any kind of road trip I use Navigon by Garmin on my phone. It's worked really well as I download maps for a state or states as need be and can navigate offline just as well as on.

HOWEVER and that's a big however— Garmin has announced that it's no longer making the Navigon apps available to smartphones for 'strategic' reasons meaning smartphone apps are cutting into standalone GPS sales.

The app will be good for at about two more years. For the most part subscription purchases will not be renewed. For iOS when the subscription expires your done. For Android users you must quit your subscription or you will be charged for the renewal you won't get.

Don't know if anybody else here uses Navigon but here's the link.
 
drrod said:
OK, here goes.... bear in mind I have had a couple of glasses of wine
Click to expand...
Thank you very much- very well thought out and well expressed. I appreciate the information.
I hope that you enjoyed the wine as well.
 
Andrew Shadow said:
Thank you very much- very well thought out and well expressed. I appreciate the information.
I hope that you enjoyed the wine as well.
Click to expand...

No such thing as "bad" wine. Just that some are much better than others and quite unrelated to price!!:)
 
drrod said:
No such thing as "bad" wine. Just that some are much better than others and quite unrelated to price!!:)
Click to expand...

You are so correct about price! I am no wine connoisseur by any stretch but the worst wine that I have ever had was also the most expensive. We were four people and we all had the same reaction. We were assured that the wine was not bad. That well may be but we still didn't drink it- we opened a bottle of cheap stuff and enjoyed it much more.
 
As I'm reading this thread, I see two desires. One is a satnav or GPS function. The other is to track your location or progress. I'll address the latter, first. I've been down this road recently, and maybe I can give you some ideas that'll prove useful.

I stumbled somehow on a Android app called Glympse. I think it'll do routing, but I doubt it is to the level you're looking for. It's strength is in sharing your progress on the short term. I use it a lot when I'm meeting someone. It sends them a text message and they can view your progress in real time. I was running late for a missionary meeting with a group of friends and sent the leader a "Glympse". They could all watch and track my progress to know where I was so they knew how long to wait.

One caveat. When sharing your location with your wife, be sure to turn off the info on your speed. ;)

A far more expensive solution is to use a DeLorme inReach SE. You can still pick these up, but the supply is dwindling fast. Garmin bought them out and it appears put a different plastic shell on the same functionality and are charging $100-150 more. Besides the ability to send texts to say you're alive and to send an SOS to pick up your body when you go off the road out of cell phone coverage, the inReach SE allows others to track where you are, wherever you are.


I have to admit that I succumbed to getting a standalone motorcycle GPS. Long story short...all the other "workarounds" didn't work well enough.

Long story. Not short.

I had a post-retirement ride planned. Going south from Seattle to Utah and then going through five national parks. While I'm cheap, I'm also practical. The last thing I wanted to do, was to waste a potentially once in a lifetime trip because I couldn't figure out where I was going. I did a "dry run" on a BMW rally. I found the smartphone did great...but wasn't waterprooof. Add to that, that I wanted to use the smartphone as a camera. Putting an expensive smartphone on a RAM mount seems great...except if you lose it. There's a tether for the RAM mount, but it takes a long time to put the phone in without putting pressure on the phone buttons. In the end, I couldn't make it work.

I bought a refurbished Garmin 590LM. Buying refurbished isn't the risk you might think it would be. Mine looked identical to a brand new device and had a full Garmin warranty. But it was hundreds less than the "new" unit.

I spent some extra money, but I have no concerns. I use my Garmin 590LM constantly. It works. My post-retirement ride was perfect and the last thing I had to worry about was a GPS. And after the ride, it's just gravy.

Chris
 
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