Sat Nav App or Cheap GPS for US Travel

Eivad on 25/09/2014 - 15:44

Hi Ozbargain

I am travelling to the States in December and was wondering if anyone could recommend an app that will enable me to use my phone as a GPS whilst driving (ideally, I would rather not pay for a GPS from a rental car company).

I am not planning to get a local SIM card unless I have to, and would be using my phone on airplane mode - but I would preload the maps onto my phone and hopefully the satellite navigation will take me around.

Alternatively, can you recommend a cheap GPS that has US maps preloaded? I own a Navman at home and preloaded US maps onto it last time (which I bought from Navman's website), but the sat nav never loaded once I got the States and I was not able to use the GPS at all!

Appreciate the help in advance.

Travel

Comments

  • Richardc on 25/09/2014 - 15:58

    just use google map and get urself a local sim, research for cheap data first

  • Orion on 25/09/2014 - 16:04

    Depends how long u are going for as to whether its worth it but you could buy a cheap one from Walmart or soyrce one from ebay or amazon.

  • pao2x on 25/09/2014 - 16:48

    Mapfactor GPS is a free offline map using open source maps https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapfactor.…

    additionally you can buy/borrow a cheap nokia symbian w gps and download the map. or buy a lumia 630 vodafone from DSE for $99—— usually ends up $79 with their all too frequent sales

  • Davros on 25/09/2014 - 16:55

    I use this throughout Australia and several other countries and it worked great
    Works offline (no data connection needed)
    Shows speed and redlight cameras here
    The whole world costs about $7.

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skobbler.f…

  • modsec802 on 25/09/2014 - 18:55

    Android or iphone?

    I bought the U.S version of TomTom for about $50 for iPhone and it works a treat.

  • debo on 25/09/2014 - 19:52

    Another option Windows Phone -e.g a Nokia Lumia 630 (<$250) - with WP you have Here maps (free) which give you downloadable maps (free) and therefore don't need '3G' / data connection to use - it is a full blown GPS app - you could use this without a SIM if you wanted - just do all your downloads at home or Wifi places

  • altomic on 26/09/2014 - 07:33

    5" GPS from aliexpress US$36 delivered. just need to request US maps when purchasing.
    includes-
    1 x 5.0 GPS
    1 x Windshield Mount
    1 x Device holder
    1 x Car charge
    1 x USB cable
    1 x English User manual

  • Eivad on 30/09/2014 - 14:21

    Thanks guys. I'll look into a cheap GPS with preloaded US maps. The Windows Phone ideas are great and all, but they do cost a bit more and I'm not sure what I'd do with the phone after coming back.

    I have both an iPhone and an Android, so might also look into some app options.

  • MtlOz on 30/09/2014 - 21:23

    I used MapFactor on my Android last trip when I was around Buffalo. Can't really fault it for a free app and maps. You have to set it up and download all the maps individually, but hey, it's free!

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