Google Navigation Excessive Data

[KPW]

I use Google Navigation only periodically and noticed that it is using an excessive amount (IMHO) of data. According to the data usage on my phone, I used approximately 402MB for two local trips totaling about 45 minutes. By comparison, two local trips using a different navigation application (Scout) used about 10MB.

I understand that Google Navigation may have more detail than some competitors, but 400MB for less than an hour of driving seems ridiculous. I searched and found a few complaints similar to mine, but not a general outcry.

Do other users experience similar usage for Google Navigation?

Ken

 

[electricpete]

Typically my Google Maps uses 5 to 10 MB per hour of navigation.

One thing I'm remembering.... I usually set up ahead of time (while on Wifi) an "off-line map" of the areas that I will be driving in. This might be a factor which reduces the usage.... worth giving a try.

 

[KPW]

Typically my Google Maps uses 5 to 10 MB per hour of navigation.

One thing I'm remembering.... I usually set up ahead of time (while on Wifi) an "off-line map" of the areas that I will be driving in. This might be a factor which reduces the usage.... worth giving a try.

Thanks for the idea. Between trips 1 and 2, I did download the area, but it didn't seem to make a difference. Perhaps I need to turn off my data plan for it to use the offline data.

5 - 10 MB per hour seems much more reasonable; I can live with that. If you don't mind me asking, what version of Google Maps do you have?

 

[MooseKnuckles1]

I use about 20mb/hr. It's possible if you have satellite view, and traffic, and all the layers turned on it will consumer a lot more data.

 

[KPW]

I use about 20mb/hr. It's possible if you have satellite view, and traffic, and all the layers turned on it will consumer a lot more data.

Interesting, thanks for the hint. I need to determine if all the layers are enabled. If they are, that would explain a lot.

 

[electricpete]

Thanks for the idea. Between trips 1 and 2, I did download the area, but it didn't seem to make a difference. Perhaps I need to turn off my data plan for it to use the offline data.

No, I don't turn off my data. Must be something else

5 - 10 MB per hour seems much more reasonable; I can live with that. If you don't mind me asking, what version of Google Maps do you have?

6.14.3

 

[KPW]

Interesting, thanks for the hint. I need to determine if all the layers are enabled. If they are, that would explain a lot.

I cleared all map layers and drove around town for about 15 minutes. Preliminary results look promising: used less than 5MB in that time. Longer test coming over the weekend.

Ken

 

[KPW]

No, I don't turn off my data. Must be something else

6.14.3

Same version as mine; thanks for checking.

Mystery may be resolved; I'll know more this weekend. It's possible that unnecessary "layers" were enabled and causing the extreme data usage. A few more sessions needed to confirm.

Ken

 

[funkylogik]

Sorry if this is slightly off topic but does having voice navigation on use more data than just doing it visualy?

 

[KPW]

Same version as mine; thanks for checking.

Mystery may be resolved; I'll know more this weekend. It's possible that unnecessary "layers" were enabled and causing the extreme data usage. A few more sessions needed to confirm.

Ken

The issue must have been related to one of more of the layers being active. I went on a trip to Ohio over the weekend (no layers) and used Google Navigation for at least several hours. Total data usage for Maps, according to the device, was about 17 MB.

Thanks to everyone that responded.

Ken