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Thread: Android - Offline Maps / Custom Maps

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    Default Android - Offline Maps / Custom Maps

    After some frustrations using Google Maps, i am still looking for a good Offline GPS Mapping Solution for an Android Tablet or Smart Phone.

    I know there are different types of Offline GPS mapping.
    Street Navigation with turn by turn
    Cached Google Maps
    Pre-Loaded paper maps

    Offline Mapping and Navigation

    Offline Maps


    MapFactor


    MAPS.ME Seems to be gaining in popularity


    Maverick


    Sygic


    Hema


    MudMaps




    Apps to help Make your own Maps

    Custom Maps Looks interesting



    Map Maker


    Back Country Navigator



    Making your own maps
    I found this webpage informative



    I know Downunder is the expert in this area, and an avid user of OziExplorer with his own custom maps.

    I'm still looking of Mapping solution that keeps my location in the centre of the screen, as the map moves (like Marine Navigation does)
    And have resigned to the fact, i may have to make my own maps, as i just can not find online maps with detail i require, for Bush Tracks with a good TOPO and the tracks i need.

    I'd like it to be detailed enough for Bush Walking, even though it will be "In-Vehicle" must of the time.
    Anyone else had to over come these issues?
    Last edited by ol' boy; 27-04-15 at 11:45 AM.
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!



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    Quote Originally Posted by oceanboy View Post
    After some frustrations using Google Maps, i am still looking for a good Offline GPS Mapping Solution for an Android Tablet or Smart Phone.

    I'd like it to be detailed enough for Bush Walking, even though it will be "In-Vehicle" must of the time.
    I may be wrong, however at the moment i don't think you will get a solution that will have an accurate TOPO & work on a smart phone.

    I use Navigon on my Samsung S3, which is a supplied app that was on my phone & it uses a Garmin supplied free City navigator style map.
    It needs GPS to be accessible by your phone (wont work so well in dense bush), works without phone reception, gives turn by turn directions & keeps your location centered.
    It is no more accurate than your average city nav map & does a reasonable job in rural areas, no bush tracks though.

    I find the best solution for me is a dedicated GPS. I use Garmin; I have 2 Nuvi's (battery life ~3hours) & a handheld Etrex Vista that has a battery life of ~24 hours.
    All 3 can run Topo maps on a micro SD card, I use Garmin Topo & OZ Topo.

    Garmin Topo can be displayed in 3d on enabled devices (neither of mine) & on your PC with BaseCamp (free Garmin program - does not come with a map).
    It is very accurate in most places when you get way off the beaten track, however lacks in some places.
    Luckily OZ Topo usually has those places that are lacking covered well.

    OzTopo is just as accurate, if not a little better than Garmin Topo in most places & has very few places that are not covered accurately.
    The best part about OzTopo is that it has a 2 layer format so you can turn the TOPO layer off & just use the roads & tracks layer to navigate without the complication of the topo lines.
    Great if you are just using it in a car or on a motorcycle.
    Cheers, Tiny
    "You can lead a person to knowledge, but you can't make them think? If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
    The information is out there; you just have to let it in."

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    What about Androzic ?

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    Quote Originally Posted by loanrangiel View Post
    What about Androzic ?


    Thanks mate, i not seen that one.

    Thanks Tiny, yes, i might be asking for too much.
    As i probably need multiple maps to give me the solution i need.

    Looks like i need to do some reading and learning, and learn how to make my own maps.
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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    Quote Originally Posted by oceanboy View Post


    Thanks mate, i not seen that one.

    Thanks Tiny, yes, i might be asking for too much.
    As i probably need multiple maps to give me the solution i need.

    Looks like i need to do some reading and learning, and learn how to make my own maps.
    I have a lot of maps in the OZF format for Ozi Explorer that will work with Androzic, i havent tested it yet but i believe they do.

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    MemoryMap has been a good solution for me.
    Last edited by ol' boy; 14-05-15 at 09:41 AM.
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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    Quote Originally Posted by oceanboy View Post
    After some frustrations using Google Maps, i am still looking for a good Offline GPS Mapping Solution for an Android Tablet or Smart Phone.

    I know there are different types of Offline GPS mapping.
    Street Navigation with turn by turn
    What is the best cheap/free app for Android that gives turn by turn?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dishtrackted View Post
    What is the best cheap/free app for Android that gives turn by turn?
    Cheap/Free?? its one or the other
    I'd say TomTom and Sygic.

    Or are you after Turn by Turn for Bush Track work?
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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    Quote Originally Posted by oceanboy View Post
    After some frustrations using Google Maps, i am still looking for a good Offline GPS Mapping Solution for an Android Tablet or Smart Phone.
    I know the frustration.

    When I went to Tasmania a couple of months ago. I used both Google maps and Sygic. Both were pretty average, but I would give Sygic a undisputed last. I was going to buy it for the trip, but got a 7 day trial instead so glad I didnt. It sent me everywhere bar where I wanted to go.

    I am starting to think that only a dedicated GPS is worthwhile.

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    Ive run TomTom for iOS side by side with my old TomTom GPS, they seemed to be on par with each other.
    Also ran Google Maps side by side with my old TomTom, once again, around the same.

    Where i did find a difference, or even a problem, is route selection!
    I still haven't found any of them that select the fastest route (when you already know the fastest route).

    Yeah, when i was in Tassie, i just used Google Maps on the Optus network... Yep, there were plenty of times connection was lost.
    But hey, its Tassie, if you want to know where you are, just look out the window

    I've been after an Offline Solution more for Bush Tracks, the map available on Memory Maps is more than detailed enough for my needs, i was actually surprised how detailed it was.
    Sure, no turn by turn, but on an 8" Tablet, you don't need turn by turn, just look at the map and work it out your self


    What i would love to know is, how to activate the Maps you download for Free
    Come on, some one has to have made a work around, or converted them into a different format with out losing the datum points.
    Last edited by ol' boy; 14-05-15 at 02:09 PM.
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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    Did a two month trip around Europe a couple of years back
    Drove ourselves in a lease car with trusty old Iphone 4 and TomTom.
    Worked superb.
    TomTom or iGO would be my picks

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    Default Offline GPS Mapping Solution for an Android Tablet or Smart Phone.

    Andozic ... works a treat with Natmap and HEMA maps or any ozf formatted maps
    Sygic or Here Maps / Here Drive for around town voice guided maps

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    Quote Originally Posted by oceanboy View Post
    Cheap/Free?? its one or the other
    I'd say TomTom and Sygic.

    Or are you after Turn by Turn for Bush Track work?
    Free is best but if a few dollars makes a big difference then ok.
    I have a tablet but no Sat nav
    I get lost driving through Sydney and Sunshine Coast the rest of Australia Im pretty good with the Sat nav in my head.
    Wouldnt mind a speed camera warning and school zone warning.

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    I've been using Google maps on my Galaxy note for years. It has only ever let me down once! That was last Sunday. I had to drive to a nearby town to pick up some gear for a friend. It got me there fine but would not give me a route back (no connection). As I was not familiar with the area I made a wrong turn and did not find out until I hit the next town some 20ks down the track. Still no connection, so I thought, ok, I'll cut across country to the right road. I then spent another hour driving around on dirt roads before finally ending up about 40ks past my home town and in familiar country. Bloody machine still couldn't work out where it was even when I finally got home!!!!!

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