I've been using the app "SYGIC" for a year now when touring with my wife on my smartphone. This is a fairly inexpensive app that you can, if you catch an offer, upgrade and thus either map material of the entire world, or special features, such as speed camera info, etc., receives. I have purchased a lifetime update version with the map material of the entire world for about € 30. The interesting thing about the app is that you can use it "offline" only with the GPS/GALILEO/BEIDOU/GALILEO system of the smartphone, so you do not have to pay "expensive" data charges, especially when traveling abroad. The map material is updated up to 3 times per year. Currently, I have downloaded the maps of all of Europe to my smartphone, which means a total of about 25 GB of storage space. The app works identically to "Google Maps" when planning routes und using it. I noticed an interesting feature after one of the last updates. Apart from the standard information such as route information, speed, maximum permitted speed, etc., for bends you are also shown a speed recommendation in km/h and additionally the bend radii with "safety arrows" on the outside of the bend. So far we are extremely satisfied with this app! How do you do it?
I managed to get a tomtom 450 and active mount for £50 second hand and it’s been brilliant. Should I connect it to the phone via Bluetooth and it is then “live” with traffic data and speed cameras etc. It’s also very easy to plan routes (I find it way easier than phone based apps) as it’s really easy to see etc. It’s also easy to put ride magazine (and others) gpx files (routes) on it to give them a go.
I mostly use apple maps or google on my iphone. Like the Austrian wording @Markus as it gets me exited to know I’ve got to my destination.
I'm using Apple Maps, although I'm trying out Waze which seems quite good. Both, though, require an internet connection. I did use Syngic for a while on an Android phone: it had problems connecting with the GPS. The phone could connect, but Syngic didn't seem to want to know. I may have another look at it now I have an iPhone, but there are other navigators available. Biff
I am using it with ANDROID based smartphones. With them it works perfect. I have no experiences with IOS based smartphones when using Sygic.
I use the free version of the "mapfactor navigator" app on android. I've been using it for years. It has offline maps as I don't have a phone plan, just pay as you go. So far a tenner has lasted me a couple of years on the pay as you go, so I'm not a big phone user. Recently I upgraded my mobile phone (can't remember why except it was a cheap bargain!), so I now use the old phone (normally without a sim card) as my satnav. Works ok for me although I don't get traffic updates. It doesn't have the twisty road options which I wouldn't mind though, it can avoid M'ways etc though. I've only used it in the UK and mainland Europe and it works fine there.
I use a Tomtom 550 in combination with a Freecom2+ bluetooth for spoken instructions. like @Ducatitotriumph said it's really easy to plan routes and send 3rd party routes to it.
I sniff the air. If I can smell steak or/and beer, that's the way to go. I can also smell fried chicken. Free updates come along at random intervals.
