Fortunately, more than 80% of smart phones sold nowadays are running the Android operating system.

I had an Android for about 6 months and sold it last month to go back to Apple. It just plain works better for me. But, a dedicated GPS is in my near future.

Not reading 30 pages: I used a Garmin before, small so we could use it in the car and while hiking. But we don't hike that much.

Currently, I see no reason to use a Garmin of which the interfacing will always be outdated compared to a phone. And when I was using a Garmin, I was already using it with OSM.

Now I use OSM because it is easy to download a country, and use tracks (import ones or create your own).
So I see no reason to spend extra money on a seperate GPS navigation system.
The phone can get warm while doing all that work and charging at the same time, but it does not cause issues.

I've been using an iPhone 6S with what is now called Guru Maps Pro, formerly Galileo Pro. Offline mapping.
We were successful in using it to navigate London for two weeks of walking around there. I don't really get turn by turn with it, but rather a warning to "return to the route" when following a track.
I'll be doing some more experimenting with it this year around the Southwestern deserts in preparation for a 2020 ride around the HoW and Western Canada and BC. Maybe even Alaska if I convince myself that would be interesting.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycl...MG_3442-X2.jpg

I have gone down the phone route for a SatNav.
I have discovered that the HereGo App for phones is very good. I also found by accident that HereGo is the SatNav application used by BMW cars.
The App has the facility to be used off line, therefore you don't incur any data charges. All you have to do is download the maps of the area you need when you have WiFi and off you go, turn by turn navigation. Most of the world is covered.
All I have done is use my old iPhone 6 with a UltimateAddons waterproof holder. I have found it so useful I won't going back to a dedicated SatNav. It more than covers my journeys and routes without any problems. I have never used it outside Europe but I can't see why not.

Here is indead too used in the BMW Navigation unit. But on the Smartphone it is more powerful:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_3XexEID3...ne-android.JPG

I hope you all did also did test other helpful apps during travelling?

https://vanlife.4x4tripping.com/2021...-2021-for.html

I did mention them all - with the specific use case I did use them during my journeys...

Surfy

Sometimes I see people riding with a tablet on their bike, like Itchy Boots (the Youtuber) does. Does anyone know what kind of software/device they're using? It looks like proper navigation software on a normal tablet, or is it just a really big dedicated navigation device? My google skills weren't good enough to find out, so I thought to ask here.

Apps for tablet
 

Same as for smartphones

Android tablets and Android phones use same apps. Same OS

Apple phone and tabet use same apps. Same OS


If you want to know what Itchy Boots uses, it is better to ask her direct.

I tried downloading the Here Wego app onto my iPhone and iPad from the Apple App Store - it isn't "available for my region" unless I am doing something even more stupid than normal. Any suggestions as to which regions it is avaailable for - I will then connect via VPN and get it that way?

Works ok in Canada

She uses a Gamin XT.

How to change your Apple ID country or region:
https://support.apple.com/en-euro/HT201389

Sadly it got more complicated as the offered services like subscriptions and payment options growed.

If you have subscribed to Apple Music you have change back to your original country before you can use Apple Music. Apple Music subscription is only valid in the country store where you subscribed!

Would be interested if turn by turn is still an issue for you?

I am just digging in into guru maps. Read on insta about an off road rider who uses an ipad in a 3d self printed tough cases on his dirt bike to navigate in regions where no cellphone reception is given. Look pretty smart and feedback from other off road pilots about guru maps was much positive.

Still no joy even when I am “in” Canada. Hurumph.

I used to have it as well and I liked it - I wondered where it had gone and now it would appear that apple have taken umbridge about it for some reason - probably not giving 75% of the profits to them.

Where are we as if 2022?
 

This thread has not seen much activity in a while. So, where do we stand as of 2022 in terms of adequate mobile navigation offroad?

I'm wondering wether to get a dedicated GPS or not. I have a handheld trekking GPS that is now more than 10 years old (Garmin GPSMap 60 CXS - the one with color screen and expandable memory slot). It has served me well enough from the open seas to mountai peaks and desserts). The only real gripe I have had with it is that it doesn't really like rechargeable batteries all that much.

There is still much to be desired on my ancient Grmin, and my mobile therefore now does 99% of the grunt work 99% of the time. It is only when I go far off the beaten track that I use the GPS. For road trips, I hardly ever bother to bring it any longer. When I do, it's for backup for when my phone shuts down from too much heat, or becomes difficult to operate in the rain, etc. When that happens, I find that I have not entered a route into the GPS (a pain to do), and that it is then much easier to use my internal compass or simply ask for directions. Also, paper maps and a compass still seems to work just fine for me still.

For most of the time I would prefer to have only one device to deal with (phone) and have a very good GPS for those times that the phone won't do.

I am looking for a way to expand the use of my phone into the realms of a dedicated GPS, but not to replace a dedicated GPS. The question then becomes. What is the best app, and wether it has any significant shortcomings.

What I want from a dedicated GPS is

• Import and export GPS
• Turn by turn navigation with voice commands - both on road and on trails
• Navigation to next waypoint, and not solely to the finish
• Option to automatically recalculate routes, or deactivate (for road)
• Single line address search and route calculation
• Filters, i.e. to avoid highways, ferries, etc
• Speed limit warnings
• Speed trap warnings
• Easy to create and edit routes (on and off road)
• A great screen

The more boxes above my phone can check off, the more a standalone GPS becomes redundant for me more of the time.

I just downloaded Navigator OSM as it got some positive reviews on HU (long time ago). I have not had the time to play with it yet, but at first glance it looks awesome

Phone ?
 

I would not use my only phone for navigation.
It is to big risk that it get damage in case of accident.....

So even if I use a phone as GPS. It is a separate phone.
=> Still same amount of devices.

The phone needs a mounting that reduces vibrations, if the phone shall survive.
And a water proof cover top protect it from rain.

End... I do not even try to plan my routes on the phone. (Unless it is from A to B. But not a normal complex route) With that small screen and no mouse. I use a PC and down load to the phone.

Some apps works on both Android and windows.
Others can generate .gpx files to be used by the phone.

When it comes to apps, there are very many opinions.
It is more up to your preferences. No science.