OT Car GPS without cell signal

[Alistair]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

The problem with smart phone based navigation, as I understand it is that the maps are not downloaded and on the device, rather they are loaded via the web in real time as you move through time and space.

This is the normal use case, but both Google Maps (the app, not the web site) and GaiaGPS allow off-line maps to be saved in advance.

I haven't had a phone that didn't jump to autonomous GPS (from a-GPS) in years. But I've also only used iPhones, so can't speak to Androids.

[bigbill]

I use The Google for tracking my progress when I'm traveling with the trailer to track my progress. Much of where I travel has no signal including the Navajo Reservation, mountainous areas of Utah and Colorado, and Wyoming. I haven't had any issues with the app tracking me. I know all the routes like the back of my hand, I use GPS to see where I'll need to fuel.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by benb

I have had situations Google Maps seemed to be working fine and then we drove out of Cell coverage.. everything *seems* fine but you better just keep driving to your destination. If you try to change where you're headed you might be in trouble and then be unable to restart.

That happened to me two years ago when I was picking up my Spesh from HilltopperNY. Waze got me to his house, but when I pulled out of his driveway, Waze was brain dead.

I hadn't been paying a lot of attention to the points of interest along the way, and just happened to head in the right direction, back into cell coverage so that Waze could regain its senses...

[ridethecliche]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

The problem with smart phone based navigation, as I understand it is that the maps are not downloaded and on the device, rather they are loaded via the web in real time as you move through time and space. They do use GPS signal to locate you, but the actual map image comes from the www.

I believe there are aps that allow you to download the map for the area you will be in, but I have yet to explore this solution.

Maps.me

Is one such app. I use it when I travel internationally as a backup!

[David in Maine]

I have used maps.me app while bike touring. You need to download regional maps with WiFi before traveling.

David

EDIT : ridethecliche beat me to it!

[MikeD]

They still make stand-alone GPS navigators. I'm looking at this Garmin Nuvi sitting on my desk right here. My Prius has a navigation system built into the head unit (maps are 6 years old though).

[HenryA]

Look at Guru Maps Pro. You can download detailed maps to your device. GPS does not depend on an internet connection, just a clear view of the sky. The app and gps thats in the phone work great for me.

[slowpoke]

Originally Posted by p nut

Google maps offline maps has been a hit/miss for me. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. No rhyme or reason. (And no satellite layer option. Only standard).

Yeah, Google Maps offline maps are very hit or miss for me. As an experiment, down a map area, turn your phone to airplane mode, quick and open up Google Maps again, and see how much you can browse. I don't trust it. Gaia, I trust.

Originally Posted by ridethecliche

Maps.me

Is one such app. I use it when I travel internationally as a backup!

Maps.me took a turn for the worse a few years back. The founders of Maps.me now make an open source version called Organic Maps that works pretty much like it. But because it uses OpenStreetMap data, the points of interests are oftentimes not up to date (but you can go onto OSM and update them!).

But back to OP's question.. if you're in areas without cell service quite a bit, I'd get a dedicated GPS unit.

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by ridethecliche

Maps.me

Is one such app. I use it when I travel internationally as a backup!

Big vote for maps.me Works great offline.

[sg8357]

I have OsmAnd+ on an android phone, off line maps and nav,
works in airplanes and in airplane mode too, altitude, airspeed etc.

Back when my Garmin Touring would have the vapors,
I'd use OsmAnd to get back to the hotel.
You do have to download the maps state by state.

[cbass]

Originally Posted by sg8357

I have OsmAnd+ on an android phone, off line maps and nav,
works in airplanes and in airplane mode too, altitude, airspeed etc.

Back when my Garmin Touring would have the vapors,
I'd use OsmAnd to get back to the hotel.
You do have to download the maps state by state.

OsmAnd+ is great +1