Off-line navigation with Google Maps

[tommo47]

I've just noticed that the latest version of Google Maps (9.17.1 - updated 13th November) now includes off-line navigation. At first glance it seems like maps can be downloaded in 1500 MB blocks with an overall maximum of 15 GB (not sure if that relates to individual Google account data storage).

 

[AZgl1500]

CoPilot USA beats everything else 10 ways from Sunday.

You only need download the database once, put it on the extSDcard and never need access to the internet again.
has a lot more, and better features than any other map, including google.

* CoPilot GPS - Plan & explore! - Android Apps on Google Play

I use it more than my Garmin which is always in the car, for planning out where I am going next...
especially while sitting idly in a waiting room... pull the phone out, look up what you need, and either use it to tell you how to get there, or get the address and put that into the Garmin on the car's dashboard.

 

[Unforgiven]

I will +1 CoPilot fro the car. I do want to play with off line maps in Google for hiking and navigating using my Huatch. So if I can cached the maps on my phone and display them on my watch it will be useful and save me data.

 

[AZgl1500]

I will +1 CoPilot fro the car. I do want to play with off line maps in Google for hiking and navigating using my Huatch. So if I can cached the maps on my phone and display them on my watch it will be useful and save me data.

I just never liked anything on my wrists... for some reason, they make my arms ache... tried wearing wrist watches as a kid, and just couldn't do it.

CoPilot offers "Hiking Mode" also.

 

[Unforgiven]

CoPilot offers "Hiking Mode" also.

I don't want to go too far off topic for the thread. The missing component from CoPilot for me for hiking is displaying the map on my watch. A quick glance at my watch for map and compass is easier than pulling my phone out of my pocket.

 

[tommo47]

I will +1 CoPilot fro the car. I do want to play with off line maps in Google for hiking and navigating using my Huatch. So if I can cached the maps on my phone and display them on my watch it will be useful and save me data.

I only posted as a point of interest, and unfortunately it is only possible to obtain a route/navigate by car whilst off-line so I will certainly continue to use OsmAnd for hiking and Magic Earth for navigation by car, although I will probably try Google Maps for the latter - I find it gives different and, sometimes, better routes.

 

[kate]

I've just noticed that the latest version of Google Maps (9.17.1 - updated 13th November) now includes off-line navigation.

They probably improved or expanded the offline mapping features, you've been able to use Google Maps offline since 2012.

Here is a 3 year old article:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/27/google-maps-offline-android/

 

[tommo47]

They probably improved or expanded the offline mapping features, you've been able to use Google Maps offline since 2012.

Here is a 3 year old article:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/27/google-maps-offline-android/

Yes, but the ability to navigate using the downloaded maps was not introduced until the latest update.

 

[AZgl1500]

Yes, but the ability to navigate using the downloaded maps was not introduced until the latest update.

hmmm, guess I will allow that one to update then....
I have all Updates turned off... don't like changes in my life if it ain't broke.


oops!
I am reading the Reviews on that and there are a lot of pissed off folks with the new version.
Think I will leave my old version alone.

CoPilot is still the best Offline mapping app ever made.

.

 

[kate]

It looks like downloading maps with Google Maps take up much more space then other offline GPS apps, if you're tight on space I wouldn't use Google Maps.

 

[tommo47]

It looks like downloading maps with Google Maps take up much more space then other offline GPS apps, if you're tight on space I wouldn't use Google Maps.

One advantage with Google Maps is that it's possible to zoom in on a city and save it - I've just saved Liverpool and surrounding area using 40Mb. It's relatively easy to get from home to the outskirts of a city, it's trying to navigate to an address that is the difficult part and when turn-by-turn navigation is at its most valuable so I can see a place for Google Maps off-line navigation even and perhaps especially for anyone with restricted storage space.

There is also the benefit of Google's excellent search capabilities when entering your destination address/location.