Hiring a sat may?

Box Brownie

Box Brownie

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Hi all

My car is due to go in for repairs later in June and because I often have to go to unfamiliar locations for work I find sat nav an essential tool.

However the courtesy car they will give me is very basic.......and until in the workshop they cannot say how long they will need to keep it!

So, has anyone experience of hiring a sat nav? Ideally at very short notice and overnight (or collection in the Surrey area?) delivery.

TIA for any insights and pointers :)
 
If you have a smart phone use google maps, more accurate and gives diversions , have binned my Tom Tom.
 
JackBarley said:
If you have a smart phone use google maps, more accurate and gives diversions , have binned my Tom Tom.
Click to expand...

Hmmm! will look into that though will need to get a mount for it as never use it on the move even on Bluetooth.
 
JackBarley said:
If you have a smart phone use google maps, more accurate and gives diversions , have binned my Tom Tom.
Click to expand...
:agree: I use google maps on my phone a lot and it is pretty good, it even reroutes round traffic jams if finds a faster route which can lead to seeing parts of the country you wouldn't otherwise:D.
 
Quick question about Google Maps used in car.

If used Bluetooth connection does it audio prompt for directions,?
 
You can also download the Google Maps Offline so you keep the navigation even if you enter a cellular dead spot.
 
Furtim said:
You can also download the Google Maps Offline so you keep the navigation even if you enter a cellular dead spot.
Click to expand...

I would have thought that in common with other GPS based systems it uses the actual location independent of the cell network........but can understand that for updates it likely uses the cellular network???
 
Ok, just looking at Google maps and it has a suggestion of Android Auto app. Anyone utilise that with Maps?
 
Box Brownie said:
I would have thought that in common with other GPS based systems it uses the actual location independent of the cell network........but can understand that for updates it likely uses the cellular network???
Click to expand...

The problem is not your actual location - the phone / app can do that, but it needs a good enough data connection to download the mapping data for where you are, as the maps are downloaded section by section on demand.
If you know where you are going to travel, you can tell the app to download the relevant map sections before you travel (IE via wi-fi at home), then it will always have the data it needs, even of the signal drops.
 
Box Brownie said:
I would have thought that in common with other GPS based systems it uses the actual location independent of the cell network........but can understand that for updates it likely uses the cellular network???
Click to expand...
GPS signal yup - as you said, but I was referring to the map data (ie. roads, junctions, speeds etc) - Unlike a dedicated GPS which has the map data pre-loaded (and usually out of date as a result), the phone will pull the maps down over the air. While there's some caching that takes place automatically, it's not good if you run out of data or hit a large 'dead spot' - download the maps at home over Wifi (you can get a lot of map for a relatively small download), and you're covered. It's certainly not essential though,
 
Faldrax said:
The problem is not your actual location - the phone / app can do that, but it needs a good enough data connection to download the mapping data for where you are, as the maps are downloaded section by section on demand.
If you know where you are going to travel, you can tell the app to download the relevant map sections before you travel (IE via wi-fi at home), then it will always have the data it needs, even of the signal drops.
Click to expand...
Ah yup - what he said! Should start reading replies from the bottom up!
 
Furtim said:
You can also download the Google Maps Offline so you keep the navigation even if you enter a cellular dead spot.
Click to expand...

Or download Here We Go (previously called Nokia Drive by Garmin) for free and download full country maps so it works offline like any satnav.

Available for both Android and iPhone .

iOS version:

HERE WeGo by HERE Apps LLC
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/here-wego/id955837609?mt=8

Android

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.here.app.maps
 
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Dave1 said:
Or download Here We Go (previously called Nokia Drive by Garmin) for free and download full country maps so it works offline like any satnav.

Available for both Android and iPhone .

iOS version:

HERE WeGo by HERE Apps LLC
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/here-wego/id955837609?mt=8

Android

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.here.app.maps
Click to expand...

Yes, I use Here when I'm abroad (too mean to pay roaming data charges....). Load up the maps you want on WiFi and then use offline. You can also go online briefly for searches etc. Also works very nicely when walking round towns.
 
Yes I use Here maps because it will work without data. Google needs data to search for a new route. I'm sometimes in countries with no roaming data.
There are other Satnav systems you can install in your phone too.
 
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