Sat Nav / Phone App / Data (1 Viewer)

Feb 18, 2018
3,425
11,371
South Ayrshire
Funster No
52,460
MH
Globecar Campscout
Exp
Since 2018
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

Free Member
Jun 4, 2016
3,188
1,398
Northern Ireland
Funster No
43,436
MH
Boxer L4H2 van build
Exp
Since 2016
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

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 12, 2015
3,207
5,807
Stamford Bridge - Yorkshire
Funster No
37,605
MH
RS Elysian A Class
Exp
Since 2004
How long have you been on your phone plan? Maybe think about switching for more data?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Jun 25, 2013
1,872
4,480
Funster No
26,668
Exp
Old wild camper in transit
Deffo more data needed and handy, me I got 30gb 200 mins unlimited text £15 a month with three
 
OP
OP
Grianan
Feb 18, 2018
3,425
11,371
South Ayrshire
Funster No
52,460
MH
Globecar Campscout
Exp
Since 2018
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?
 

SMB

Apr 26, 2013
1,230
1,347
Spain
Funster No
25,710
MH
Coachbuild
Exp
Fulltiming since February 2013
Buy a dedicated satnav app such as Copilot which stores the maps on your phone so you can navigate without needing WiFi

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Apr 22, 2018
6,823
12,574
Herts.
Funster No
53,503
MH
Adria Coral lowline
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.
 
Apr 22, 2018
6,823
12,574
Herts.
Funster No
53,503
MH
Adria Coral lowline
Also check to see what day your data is reset, you may be lucky and get the dates in your favour.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Feb 5, 2009
678
783
South Essex
Funster No
5,558
MH
A Class
Exp
15 in MH, 15 in Caravan
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...
 
Aug 26, 2008
4,760
24,924
B&NES
Funster No
3,823
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
since 2007
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.
 
Jan 28, 2008
10,116
18,382
Dovercourt, Harwich, UK
Funster No
1,353
MH
Renalt burstner
Exp
7 years campers before that
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

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
Grianan
Feb 18, 2018
3,425
11,371
South Ayrshire
Funster No
52,460
MH
Globecar Campscout
Exp
Since 2018
Thanks all, looks like I might be best downloading an alternative app and buying a bundle for the month.
 
Sep 10, 2012
2,131
3,706
worcester
Funster No
22,842
MH
Sunliving van
Exp
2012
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

Free Member
Dec 31, 2010
1,871
21,571
Dunfermline - Scotland
Funster No
14,796
MH
van conversion
Exp
Since 2007
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

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
Grianan
Feb 18, 2018
3,425
11,371
South Ayrshire
Funster No
52,460
MH
Globecar Campscout
Exp
Since 2018
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.
 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top