Free sat nav app with maps for 30 countries

[fifi]

I am looking for a sat nav app for my phone. Navfree  Link  is being recommended by Martins money saving website.  I need one that talks to me when im driving. My sat nav in the car has out of date maps and so im hoping to find a good phone app to replace it. Has anyone ever used one and are they any good? Recommendations gratefully received.



Copied from Martins website....


Free app turns phone into sat nav for 30 countries

If you've a smartphone with GPS such as an iPhone, here's a nifty way to turn it into a sat nav abroad, with local maps, for free - without using up any pricey data overseas. It isn't a fully-fledged system like paid sat navs, but it's handy if it's for a one-off trip.


Navfree is a free app for iPhone and Android. It turns a GPS smartphone into a sat nav, with pre-loaded maps, route planning and voice prompts.

The big boon here is that once you've downloaded it to your phone, it doesn't need any internet data to find routes, search or access its maps via GPS (unlike similar apps, eg, Google Maps), as these are stored offline in your phone.

It also has optional paid premium content including voice prompts by Wallace and Gromit or Snoop Dogg, traffic updates and more.

By contrast, paid sat nav app TomTom Europe is over £50 on iTunes at the time of writing. Though it doesn't have the same bells and whistles, it's still a big saving.

Where can I use it?

Navfree has downloadable apps for about 30 countries, including Spain, France, Germany, India, Canada, and the USA, as well as the UK.

To get them, just search for 'Navfree' in your phone's app store with the name of the country, eg, 'Navfree France'. Navfree confirms all these are free and allow you to access map GPS without using any data.

Download it before you go

Don't forget to download it in the UK before you leave, as part of your standard data plan. Otherwise you'll pay for data to download it abroad (see Cheap Data Roaming). The size of the initial download varies depending on which country it's for, but you can see this before you get it. As an example, the Navfree UK app is around 500MB.

It isn't perfect, but it's got good forum feedback, including "hasn't let me down yet" and "it doesn't always recognise house numbers but it will direct near perfectly to the bit of the road you need to be on".

[duncolm]

I finally moved into the world of the smartphone recently and have used Navfree.

It does talk to you, you can adjust the volume and even choose from a small number of voices. It also gives a visual map display. I bought this little sucker gizmo which sticks to the windscreen so I can see the display while driving. As the phone battery gets drained pretty quickly a charger to attach the phone to the cig lighter socket would be good, unfortunately my socket is broken...

My needs are simple and I've only navigated in Scotland and England with it so far, always by post code. It doesn't seem to be programmed with many street numbers, but there are plenty other options in the menus. Haven't tried the Spanish maps yet, though I have downloaded them.

As far as I'm concerned, NavFree represents good value for the purchase price. I don't feel the need to look for an alternative.

[fifi]

Thanks a million Duncolm. The little gizmos are terrific. I will buy them. Just one question. Did you use the Navfree (free version) or the Navmii which you have to buy.


Im delighted that I asked the question on here now.

[duncolm]

What, you think I might have spent money? 

Try out the free version, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

[fifi]

 




We think alike. Thanks again. Looking forward to trying it.

[admin]

Google Maps is free and talks to you - I use mine when driving in Tenerife or Gran Canaria.

android and iphone app:
http://www.google.com/mobile/maps/

[fifi]

Hi Admin, thanks for the recommendation also.

Do you have to use your internet credit when you are using Google maps as a sat nav or can you do it offline like the other one?

I am still trying to learn how to use the iphone properly and dont have a clue how much it even costs to pay for internet usage because I only use it with the wireless at home here and in Fuerteventura.

[admin]

When I'm on the road it uses 3G (mine is an iPhone too).

Data useage (I think is the term) isn't a problem for me with the thing.
I'm with Movistar and I'm allowed 2GB per month.
If I go over that then it's still free but a bit slower to download.

I don't know if you can use it in offline mode - never needed to find out. Sorry.

[admin]

July 11th Article
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57593218-94/google-scrambles-to-restore-offline-google-maps-storage/

Google scrambles to restore offline Google Maps storage

It's handy to cache maps when you know you'll be headed into an area with bad network coverage. Google has tweaked its new Google Maps for Android app to make the feature easier to use.

A day after users complained that the overhauled Google Maps app for Android made it hard to store maps for later use offline, Google has updated its app to try to fix the problem.
Caching maps on a device is useful when traveling to areas where the network connection is bad or where high roaming fees discourage mobile network use. But the new Google Maps app had required a laborious and obscure method to cache maps.
Now it's not so hard. Users can tap on the map to display a screen to search or explore an area, and scrolling down to the bottom of that page reveals a small card that says, "Make this map area available offline."

"We know some of you are missing an easy way to access maps offline. That's why our engineering team has been working around the clock to add a 'Make this map area available offline' card below the search box for easier access," Google said on Google+ Thursday of the hasty move to make the feature easier to use.


Edit - I get confused with all their Apps - I'm not sure if Google Mobile and google Maps are the same thing.

[fifi]

When I'm on the road it uses 3G (mine is an iPhone too).

Data useage (I think is the term) isn't a problem for me with the thing.
I'm with Movistar and I'm allowed 2GB per month.
If I go over that then it's still free but a bit slower to download.

I don't know if you can use it in offline mode - never needed to find out. Sorry.

Thanks again Admin. I actually hate mobile phones and just have one in case I get a puncture. I do use them when I am in Fuerteventura though.  I love the internet  so my new phone has a certain attraction. Because I dont make mobile calls usually I am just on an ordinary pay as you go rate which as far as I can see does not include any data. I will see if I can source a better deal.

I noticed 3G on the phone and someone told me that it was just to increase the download speed on the phone and to just leave it on. Is that what it is for and should it be on all the time?. Again thanks for all of the information. I will try them both and compare.

[wesmin]

I would talk to you for free Fi but not when your driving 

[duncolm]

If your phone's like mine then there will be two ways to connect to the internet, wifi and 3G.
You use wifi to connect at home or wherever else you are, the same as if you had a laptop with you. 3G uses the data allowance which you may or may not have with your phone account. I only have a small allowance, 100mb per month, so I leave 3G switched off except for the occasions when I'm out and about and want to check e-mail or the forum or Google something.
To go back to the start of this thread, You download and install NavFree  and its maps to your phone through your wifi at home, so it doesn't cost you anything. The app then doesn't need any further data connection, it just uses the phone's built in GPS sensor.

[fifi]

Thanks Duncolm. I wasnt sure about the 3G. I must check my settings.

I installed it this morning and I am playing around with it at the moment. It is so simple to use. I love it. I didnt like the little adds so paid a euro to get rid of them. (big spender  ) I ordered the two gizmos so as soon as they arrive I am all set to go. I have the Google maps on too Admin but I havent figured out how to turn it into a sat nav yet.

[fifi]

I would talk to you for free Fi but not when your driving 

Hi Wes, long time no hear. I have improved.....a LOT.