Android + OSM. Decent Navigator Software?
 

I suddenly realized that Mauritania doesn't exist in Nokia's Africa (at least on my Symbian phone). So I probably have to use an Android smartphone coupled with OSM offline maps and... Which app from this mile-long list at Android - OpenStreetMap Wiki people actually use? I've tried one, but couldn't get any voice out of it in an hour. I have no time nor patience to go through the list, so I'm asking here instead. My needs are fairly simple:

- use OSM maps offline
- use voice navigation
- search for POI
- allow to redirect voice to a bluetooth device like helmet speakers (this is not trivial question, as Nokia users know).

So, which Android App that meets these requirements would you recommend based on personal experience?

Navfree does the first 3 of your list; I've no idea about the 4th one though.
I downloaded the free version of navfree from the Google site.

I just tested MapFactor Navigator. Works pretty well so far and should fit your needs.

I'm still looking for an Android app that is able to import my .gpx files. I tried Locus but it kept on crashing. Any suggestions?


Lucas :Beach:

Rabat, Morocco -> Nouakchott, Mauritania broken
 

I've installed Navigator and downloaded the OSM maps on an Android phone. The app fails to find a route Rabat, Morocco -> Nouakchott, Mauritania. At OSRM Website which uses OSM maps the route was successfully calculated. I may miss something, but it looks like an app's fault, as the road itself is on the map.

I've come across this "answer" to your query (on a dank, wet, miserable Sunday, with not much else going on right now):-
Which is the best navigation app on android which can import gpx files? - Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers

I got to that "answer" by following some of the links in:-

Over at this thread:- http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...t-vs-gps-69975 I have posted some info about a few of the mapping/GPS software that are listed in your wiki link above, viz:-

"After reading this particular thread and this one http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...software-72464 I am now experimenting with the free downloads in the "google offerings", but only for the UK, for now.
So, I now have (to play with, alongside NavFree) Map Quest, OSMAnd, and GPS Essentials. I picked these out because they have better than average review scores (judging by the stars system) in the google store - I don't fully go by that system so it would be good to hear of more experiences with Android-based navigation systems.
e.g. the free version of OSMAnd definitely permits just 10 map downloads, but such downloads can be for a whole continent; on the other hand my first impression of their vector maps is that they are no better than some of their competitors in the "free market". e.g. Map Quest.
This is not too surprising, because they all seem to rely on OSM for their mapping.

The linked thread above contains it's own wiki link that has a massive database concerning android GPS software; it makes me think that one or more of these have to become "the standard", sooner or later.
For now, I will stick with the free offerings to see how they perform."



So far I have tried only the Navfree software in a vehicle while on the move, but I have looked at each of the other softwares to get a feel of what each does.
My initial impressions are (all were downloaded from Googleplay):-

1.Mapquest.
When this is downloaded there is immediately available a basic map of what looks to be the whole world - I have zoomed in on this map to some "3rd world" cities/places that I am reasonably familiar with and I believe I could get by with the map information shown, if I was not trying to navigate in too much detail e.g. for passing through a place, rather than trying to find a specific location. Especially so, because Mapquest does not have a routing, or tracking, capability according to the Wiki link (and I can't find these capabilities in the menu).
It does contain POIs which are inclined toward commercial interests, such as "Best Western", "Holiday Inn" and the like - maybe it navigates to these or perhaps it just shows them on the map?

2.Navfree.
As stated, the only one I have used in anger to date, and it definitely navigates, as its' name suggests.
It is quite intuitive to open and use.

3. GPS Essentials.
The first thing to recognise about this software is that it uses the Mapquest map tiles, which themselves are derived from OSM; immediately that begs the question of "why use Mapquest therefore?" because it has far more capability.
It includes a user manual, downloaded via their website, and it is not quite as intuitive in use simply because it does a lot! In that respect, the user manual is very useful and it acts as a good indicator that support to this product is ongoing.
It has features such as a head up display (HUD) for showing photos, and who knows what else, along with aviation-type information of roll, pitch and yaw angles for the photos. It also has a dashboard to show whatever data you choose to view alongside the map.
It does routing (but I think that is "one-at-time") and it records tracks.
All in all, it claims to be the Swiss-army-knife of Satnav.

4. OSMAnd.
Another one-stop-shop software which seems to be a clear competitor to the Swiss-army-knife above.
I haven't looked into this one too much so far, but it has a basic world map and after that the free version allows 10 downloads of more detailed maps derived from OSM; I have no idea what happens when that limit is reached: perhaps it sends the user to download the paid-for version which itself is not expensive?

As a general comment the information in the Wiki link shown above is accurate so far as I can tell: there are masses of competing software in there, very many of them free, so which ones will "survive" to be used by masses of people remains to be seen; watch out for those which are no longer supported or being developed.

Check out Forevermap 2
 

Forevermap 2 is modestly priced app which allows for offline viewing of Open Street Maps. Maps are downloaded on a country by country basis, needing no internet connection whilst on the road. It doesn't have routing capabilities, but works really well as a map viewer.

Available for iPhone, iPad and Android, see skobbler - Home - smart apps and technology based on OpenStreetMap - OSM

I have an earlier version and my only criticism is that minor roads are very pale in color when set against the background color. I understand that later releases have different map styles and color palettes and wonder whether this is now improved?

Hi,

We have just driven from the UK to Mongolia and used Mapfactor Navigator Free..... Just look it up in the Google Play store.

It's free, and unbelievably, worked for us all the way, even having the dirt tracks that pass for roads in Mongolia.

It uses OSM maps and has UK post codes. For the rest of the trip we just downloaded the country maps we needed.

We stuck it on a Google Nexus 7 tablet, but it will work on Android and Windows Phones. Unlike some it also works off line so you don't need a wifi or data connection when you are on the move.

It takes a bit of learning how to get the best from it but I'll never buy a sat nav again. Well worth a look.