Sat Nav / Phone App / Data

[Grianan]

I’m trying to decide what to do for a 15 day trip to Europe this summer.

I’ve never owned a stand alone sat nav. If I need maps in uk I use google maps via CarPlay in the car and just on the phone in the camper.

I should be able to hotspot phone onto iPad for a bigger screen.

My current data plan is only 1.5Gb a month but that’s always been sufficient.

I know I’m going to need to use it a lot more on holiday as I won’t have home WiFi, I’ll need to use Google maps more and Park4night / Searchforsites and weather apps.

I’ll be taking paper maps too for general route planning.

So, I guess questions are
- is Google maps generally ok or should I get another app!
- or stand alone satnav
- how much data am I likely to need to cover maps and site searching?
- anything else I’m missing?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Bart]

Use Google maps and download maps at home before you go away so that you can use it offline.
I'm pretty sure you can do that

 

[ceejayt]

How long have you been on your phone plan? Maybe think about switching for more data?

 

[The general]

Deffo more data needed and handy, me I got 30gb 200 mins unlimited text £15 a month with three

 

[Grianan]

I can get a one off bundle (or swap network at any time). Only network to get any kind of signal at home is O2.

How much data am I likely to need?

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[SMB]

Buy a dedicated satnav app such as Copilot which stores the maps on your phone so you can navigate without needing WiFi

 

[Landy Andy]

Download Sygic App. It’s very good and what I use all the time.

But they allow a free 14 days trail. You can enter you sizes, weights and preferences. We used the free test and then bought it. No data needed, or you can switch on/off traffic which will use a very small amount of data.

Andy.

 

[jollyrodger]

https://maps.me
You can download maps into pad before you travel and use offline for the areas you want to visit
All free enjoy your trip

 

[Landy Andy]

Also check to see what day your data is reset, you may be lucky and get the dates in your favour.

 

[EssexBoy]

Giffgaff are on O2, and they do monthly bundles that you can do for any period ie. Just one month if you want. They are priced competitively for each amount of data and there are no ties and the SIM is free. If you buy a bundle it can be used in Europe just as it would back home...

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[SpeedyDux]

A stand alone sat nav beats a smartphone because a satnav can't receive a phone call at a critical moment when navigation ought to be the priority.

 

[mitzimad]

A stand alone sat nav beats a smartphone because a satnav can't receive a phone call at a critical moment when navigation ought to be the priority.

my google maps stays up with the call in a small box at the top

 

[Grianan]

Thanks all, looks like I might be best downloading an alternative app and buying a bundle for the month.

 

[berni109]

Have a look at osmand+ android app it's a bit quirky to start with but once u get the hang of it it's good everywhere as long as u have the maps downloaded.
There's a free version u can try but it limits the number of downloads.

 

[normanandsue]

We use paper maps and Google maps when wanting to find a site or specific directions to a place. We find our 1g pcm sufficient, though we each have a phone so maybe that should be 2 gb

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[Grianan]

We use paper maps and Google maps when wanting to find a site or specific directions to a place. We find our 1g pcm sufficient, though we each have a phone so maybe that should be 2 gb

That’s interesting, that could well be our preferred modus operandi.