Google maps for navigation

[pradokakadudavid Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradokakadudavid]

Hi.

I have a Hema 7 Sat Nav and although I have written my own manual on how to use it, by trial and error, I find it is so complicated to use the 4 wheel drive section, that I forget how to use it between use and therefore I don't use it at all.

Bloody waste of $700!

I have recently been using Google Earth by dialing up where I wish to go and following the roads on the real life pictures which sure beats those stupid 4 wheel drive GPS's.

My question is, is there an app or program that can show you where your vehicle is as you follow the Google map as you drive; a bit like a GPS but on a real map.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

David

[Guest Close Guest]

In Google Maps, there is a function that keeps the map and screen active but without having to key in the destination. In the menu, it says "Start driving". It is also available as a separate shortcut icon. It is called Driving Mode

http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/01...load-teardown/

[pradokakadudavid Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradokakadudavid]

Excellent amps thanks.

I will give it a go.

Cheers.

David

[Radix Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Radix]

I have been absolutely amazed by how accurate Google Maps is on the phone (iPhone). It even tells you whether the place you are going to is open or not and warns you if you try to navigate there and it is expected to be closed when you arrive.

When you use the Google Maps app for navigation and put on the Satellite map, it's like you have a drone following you from altitude. Actually beautiful to watch. Mind you need to keep your eyes on the road.

As I was using it I wondered exactly the same thing. Why pay 100$ of dollars these days for a crappy nav system if you can get the Google Maps app for free on your phone.

[Guest Close Guest]

Google Maps only works if you have mobile coverage. You can download offline maps but only up to a certain area. Satnav devices are still good when you go remote. I used Hema's Android app when on trips. But yeah, Google Maps is awesome for around town use. It even has very good updates when new road construction is going on. Eg in Adelaide is the South Rd roadworks. The little deviations and detours are already on Google Maps.

[pradokakadudavid Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradokakadudavid]

Yep all true but unfortunately Google Maps does not give the same view on bush tracks as Google Earth which is the view I am looking for. I did do some experimentation with Google Earth on the move and if you hit the arrow that shows you where you are in real time, it will move a blue dot on the screen to show you moving which is not ideal, but the best view I have seen so far. And yes of course you need mobile coverage to use it but my ipad has a sim card so works very well. I will keep investigating to see if I can get a better view. Cheers David.

[Guest Close Guest]

OK. What you want then is the Locus Map Pro
http://www.locusmap.eu/

When you have wifi or mobile coverage, you can download a large area using Google Satellite images and store it on your device. Then run it when heading offroad.

[JohnLynn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JohnLynn]

Yes I completely agree with all above, if only we could display the phone image on the factory screen to replace the overpriced out of date Toyota maps.

[Piratepete Member Find all posts View Profile Close Piratepete]

Hi guys, can't make up my mind which 4wd GPS maps to go with. Hema, VMS have mixed reviews on ease of use, after sales support. Looked at Oziexplorer too. Found some very positive reviews on Avenza PDF maps. You can download all the maps you like for free and even buy some Hema maps if you want. Seems to have full functionality as Hema but it's all free. Also able to cross over to Google maps anytime. Anybody tried this out?

I've downloaded app and maps of outback SA but haven't tried it out bush yet. Reviews and details on traveloutbackaustralia.com

[peter_mcc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peter_mcc]

Hi guys, can't make up my mind which 4wd GPS maps to go with.

If you want to be more confused take a look at Memory Map - the Android version works ok for me and they have a large range of maps available. It's not perfect - I can think of many ways to improve it - but they do make it easy to buy sets of maps and get them into the program.

[Nik83 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nik83]

My preference is memory map.

Google earth will hurt your 3g/4g download cap quite a bit due to all the tile downloads at low altitude. You also dont want to have to rely on a connection in remote areas or valleys.

Locusmap looks like a good option.