Monday, February 27, 2017

The Top 4 Free Offline GPS Apps for Android

By Dan Price  

We already know there are lots of great navigation and maps apps for when you do have a data connection, but what about when you need your location when you’re offline?What's the Best Maps and Navigation App for Android? What's the Best Maps and Navigation App for Android?Using the rights maps and navigation app can mean the difference between making it to your appointment on time or being late -- so we examine the best of them for you!READ MORE
Offline GPS is a vital feature for any maps app. Ironically, it seems you’re most likely to get lost when you don’t have a connection, perhaps because you’re exploring a foreign city and have data roaming turned off, or because you’re on a cross-country road trip and find yourself in a dead zone in the middle of nowhere.
Here are four free offline GPS apps for your Android device. Download them, and you’ll never get lost again!

1. Google Maps

Yes, I know, it’s obvious. But I can’t write a list like this without giving it a mention.
And it’s more than deserving of its place. If you’re on Android, nothing else comes close for ease-of-use and integration with the operating system. Microsoft’s Maps app could give it a run for its money, but at the time of writing, no Android version is available.Windows Maps vs. Google Maps: 7 Features Windows Does Better Windows Maps vs. Google Maps: 7 Features Windows Does BetterIt's time for the Windows 10 Maps app to step out of Google's shadow. We show you seven tricks that will turn you into a power use of this awesome app.READ MORE
If you want the Google Maps app to work offline, you need to do a bit of preparation.
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Tap the three-line icon in the upper, scroll down, and select Settings > Your Offline Areas to see what locations are already stored. In most cases, Google will have already automatically saved your local area offline. To download a new area, tap Custom Area, drag the window to the part of the map you want to save and click Download.
In the image below, you can see the maximum size of the map you can download. It equates to an area of roughly 200 miles x 120 miles.
There are some limitations to using the app offline. The app limits the maximum size of each individual offline file to 2 GB. You can work around this by saving lots of offline maps, but it’s not efficient and should only be used in extreme circumstances.
Furthermore, the app automatically deletes any downloaded maps after 30 days without an internet connection. If you’re planning to trek through a rainforest for six months, it’s not a suitable solution.
Download: Google Maps (Free)

2. MapFactor GPS Navigation Maps

If you want to try a non-Google alternative, the best choice is arguably MapFactor GPS Navigation Maps. It’s free to download and doesn’t require in-app purchases.

When you fire up the app for the first time, it will prompt you to download maps for offline usage. That’s because there is no online map function — so don’t download the app and expect to have a map of the entire world at your fingertips.
There are more than 200 individual maps to choose from, including 56 in Europe and 53 in the Americas. They are organized by country, but densely populated areas have sub-regions available. You can also find maps for speed cameras in certain areas. Each map pulls its data from OpenStreetMap.
Once the maps have downloaded to your device, you can search them manually by tapping on Mapor ask for directions by heading to Navigate. The Navigate tool has some useful built-in features including a live odometer, route simulation, and route replays.
Download: MapFactor GPS Navigation Maps (Free)

3. GPS Navigation and Maps Sygic

You might not have heard of Sygic, but it’s powered by TomTom — so you can be confident in the accuracy and quality of the directions.
The app is useful for both drivers and pedestrians:
  • Drivers can enjoy speed limit warnings, speed camera warnings, fuel price suggestions, and even parking availability.
  • People on foot benefit from pedestrian zone navigation and offline locations of popular sights, tourist attractions, hotels, etc.
Though some of these functions are limited when you’re using the app offline.

When you open the app, it will recognize your location and prompt you to download the relevant map for that area. If you want a different locale, tap Choose Another Country.
The maps themselves are clearer and easier to interpret than MapFactor. It’s simple to switch between walking and driving modes, and you can easily share routes with friends and family if you’re all making the same journey.
The premium version adds various features such as live traffic reports, a HUD to project GPS directions directly onto your windshield, a dashcam recorder, and lane guidance. However, if you’re planning to predominantly use the app offline, those features aren’t necessary.How To Choose The Right Dashcam For Your Car How To Choose The Right Dashcam For Your CarAs you browse dashcams you may wonder why one would be desirable. What features do they offer? How are they different from a regular camera? Why not just use a smartphone?READ MORE
Download: GPS Navigation and Maps Sygic (Free)

4. CoPilot GPS Sat-Nav Navigation

In-car navigation is the primary focus of CoPilot GPS Sat-Nav Navigation. People on foot should avoid it.
The app excels in route planning. For every journey, it will give you three separate options. If you’re using the app online, they’ll be accompanied by traffic reports. For each of the three routes, you can add up to 52 individual waypoints. If you’re planning a road trip and want to make sure you see all the points of interest as you drive, it’s ideal.15 Ultimate Chrome Extensions For Travel Planning 15 Ultimate Chrome Extensions For Travel PlanningSearch for a flight or hotel, plan a route for the road, save items you find, and discover new spots with these excellent 15 travel tools for Chrome.READ MORE
The developer has added thousands of offline locations such as hotels and restaurants. You can search all of them from within the app, even if you don’t have an internet connection.

After downloading the app for the first time, you’ll be given a free seven-day trial of all the premium features. These include 3D maps and an audio navigation assistant. Once the trial expires, the app limits you to 2D offline maps and visual turn-by-turn directions.
Download: CoPilot GPS Sat-Nav Navigation (Free)

Watch Your Battery

I’ll leave you with a quick word of warning: continuously running GPS apps in the background of your phone will drain your battery fast. If you’re walking, try to leave your GPS turned off as much as possible — and if you’re driving, think of investing in a portable charger or a car charger.Best Pokemon Go Power Bank Best Pokemon Go Power BankPokemon Go beats the heck out of a phone's battery. Squeezing a bit more Pokemon-catching juice out of your phone requires a power bank. But what's the best battery out there?READ MORE
I’ve shared four of my favorite GPS apps with you, but now it’s your turn. Which apps do you use when you need an offline map? Have you tried any of the apps on this list? Which is your favorite?
You can leave all your tips, recommendations, and opinions in the comments below.
Image Credit: ARTFULLY PHOTOGRAPHER via Shutterstock.com  Source: www.makeuseof.com
Originally written by Chris Hoffman on March 23rd, 2012.

1 comment:

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