google maps sat nav?

[dan36547]

Hi all
New to android forums, I have an Alcatel OT-990 Droid phone with a google maps sat nav

I'm looking for a new sat nav for work and I love the setup of the google maps sat nav, but my phones prob not upto the constant sat nav usage.

Does anybody know of a google maps sat nav ? Or would you use a tablet with GPS?? if so which ones are good ? has anybody done the same?

thanks dan

:thumb:

 

[Doit2it]

If you are wanting to use a GPS on a daily basis, I would purchase a stand alone unit from TomTom, Garmin, etc. While GMaps Nav is great, it relies on you having a strong cell signal to constantly update the map. Yes, you can cache 10 sq miles into your phones memory, but 10 sq miles isn't a large area while driving. If you enter a roaming area (not sure of your carriers coverage) you will incur roaming data charges. Also, if you get a phone call, it can be cumbersome with some phones (I don't know yours).

The new stand alone GPS are great. Most have PC connectivity to easily add addresses to your book, allow you to update the maps (some free, some charge), and some have traffic build in, as GMaps Nav does.

I use GMaps Nav in a pinch. But when I go on a trip, I dust off an old Magellan GPS and plug her into the 12v.

 

[TheyCallMeBT]

I like it a lot. But like Doit said, it can't always be dependable. If you lose a cell signal and have already routed a destination, it will go ahead and cache that route and some possible detours. The bigger problem for me has been the phone or the app locking up. On my old Droid X, the problem was the phone locking up, then having to reboot it, which took a good 3 or 4 minutes to really get back going again. My GNex is a lot better and more dependable, but I have had the app lock up when trying to search an address. Sitting in your car for five minutes waiting for your phone after leaving a client's home or small office can be weird and embarrassing. And it's happened to me before. I ended up circling the neighborhood trying to remember how to get to the main road while the phone rebooted. lol.

A standalone unit is usually very dependable. I don't know how they are now, but usually the "connected" features require a monthly fee. Android does traffic, updated POI's, phone numbers, and everything.

So if you don't already have an old standalone, I say give the phone's satnav a try first. If you like it, but HAVE to have something reliable, figure out how dependable your particular phone is, and have the dedicated unit in your glove box or wherever just in case. That's what I do.

Btw, I want to thank you Brits for the term "satnav". It just describes it better than anything else. Calling a satnav a "gps" is just totally wrong and can get very confusing since they could mean the device itself, the software/ app, the gps receiver chip inside the device, or the gps satellites. lol, no offense Doit.