Best GPS/Navigation Android Apps

I recently bought a Motoroala Droid 2 and have Verizon Wireless service. I tried navigation via Google Maps and found it extremely accurate -- more accurate than my Garmin. I can also select a street view, and by manipulating the icon, I can see 360 degree (photos), like I am actually standing there.

I understand that the GPS industry is scrambling because of the superior navigation provided by Internet devices. One forecast I heard (from Clark Howard of HLN) is the mobile GPS business as we know it will be defunct within five years. This news is impacting my decision to buy a new Garmin. Any views by our members on the future of the GPS industry?

http://www.alk.com/copilot/android/

While I have never used it and I don't know if it is the best Android application, I have read some good things about CoPilot Live v8 for Android. Given that it is $4.99 for the US version and works without a data connection, it very well might be worth a try.

I've got the Incredible and mainly use Google Maps. But I also purchased and occasionally use CoPilot. I like that it doesn't need a data connection to work. Also, its VERY customizable as opposed to google maps. The one downside is that the CoPilot maps don't seem to be as up-to-date as google. But CoPilot does have a program called MapSure where you can report street updates and they will update the maps every 45 days for free.

Since CoPilot is only $5 I'd highly recommend trying it. If you do decide to purchase CoPilot you should first install CoPilot Central (http://www.alk.eu.com/copilot/central/) on your computer. Its a free companion program which allows you to download the maps to your computer and then transfer the maps to your phone via USB. MUCH quicker than downloading the maps directly on the phone.

On a different note, keep in mind that you can use POIs from this site with both Google Maps and CoPilot. Detailed instructions for loading the POIs can be found in these threads
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/31773
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/31770

I just bought CoPilot for my Droid X because I live/travel in the SW with spotty data service, so offline maps are important. Was hoping for the Garmin StreetPilot app, but it isn't available for Android. Had it on the Storm and worked great, except for the smaller screen than the Nuvi 880 and $80 price tag.

Agree with other comments, that for $4.99 it's worth a shot. Will compare to Nuvi 880 since the Droid X screen is comparable, but don't think you can beat the StreetPilot for usability.

As I've noted, pretty much I have different preferences for apps depending on what I use the GPS for on the phone at the time:

a) Google Maps for city exploration, public transportation routing, etc.

b) CoPilot Live for road trips

c) Geocaching.com app for geocaching

d) Orienteer for orienteering not involving geocaching

Now, if I were using the GPS for water navigation--I'd probably have a dedicated app for that as well; there are actually some specialised navigation map programs for aviation and navigation, but these tend to be specialised and expensive.

My point is that no one tool serves all purposes identically well, and the beauty of smartphone GPS's is that one can have multiple tools to pick the best "specialist tool" rather than seeing everything as a nail. (I like to use the "swiss army knife" metaphor--I have my "walking around town" tool, my "road trip" tool, my "looking for geocaches" tool...)

Since you already have the 255 for those occasions that data isn't available, it's probably not worth paying for a package that contains off line maps. The default google nav is surprisingly competent and has a few tricks like street view upon arrival up its sleeves. Many phones also come with some form of Telenav installed too, if you want something more to play with. Have fun with the new toy!

The Google maps and directions on my wife's Motorola Android is better than my Garmin 255wt. One great benefit of the Garmin is the POI alerts.

It seems unlikely we'll need any standalone GPS in a few years. Smartphones are the future. No old databases, no map upgrades.

You can use custom POIs with Google Maps http://www.poi-factory.com/node/31773

Thanks for the link. I hit enter to soon & didn't finish my thoughts. We were on a road trip to Yellowstone in August & found that the Android GPS does not work when you are out of cell service, just keeps searching for satilites. When we got home I bought the Nuvi 255wt. I still like the mapping in the Android, much more detailed & you can use street view.

I'd like to clarify this. If you were out in Yellowstone your android wasn't searching for satellites, it was probably searching for a cell signal. And since your android couldn't find a cell signal your default gps app couldn't work.

That's why gps apps like CoPilot are good. Because they work without the use of a data connection (cell signal). They only need to use the gps receiver built into all current smartphones.

I have the Droid 2 and use google maps when I don't have my Nuvi available.

That's rather odd--with CoPilot Live and the T-Mobile G2, I've actually managed to get a reliable GPS-only fix whilst the phone is in airplane mode (with ALL data/radios turned off save for the GPS receiver).

Google Maps does download from a data connection (either wifi or the phone's data plan) so I can see it hiccuping in a remote area with no phone service--one reason that for road-trips and remote areas I do prefer apps you can pre-download maps for.

That said--if the GPS itself isn't picking up (especially after a good minute or so)--I'm now curious as to what Android phone and which provider. (Verizon was known for deliberately crippling its phones, basically forcing them to use AGPS--they wanted to push Verizon Navigator, of course. T-Mobile and their GPS-enabled Androids, I've never heard an issue with...I've also heard Samsung Android phones are more problematic with GPS than HTC.)

Another GPS program I use with my Android phone is Waze. This is more of a social networking type program, but people will report traffic jams and police traps real time. For routing I wouldn't trust it to get me around the block.

I've been trying out Waze on my Android phone for about two weeks now and am impressed with several aspects, namely its user interface, live traffic feature and community-based incident reporting. Not so impressive is its routing, which at times is very inaccurate. When it is working well, that is when the map and route is accurate, the live traffic and automatic traffic re-routing is better than on my Garmin 1490T!

Started giving Waze a try myself this week, and so far, have been impressed. Nice user interface and more feedback on current conditions than the Google nav app (could be good or bad depending on where you are I guess).

Will definitely put this app through more testing on longer treks soon. Amazing what is now available for these phone...

Started giving Waze a try myself this week, and so far, have been impressed. Nice user interface and more feedback on current conditions than the Google nav app (could be good or bad depending on where you are I guess).

Will definitely put this app through more testing on longer treks soon. Amazing what is now available for these phone...[/quote]

Since I have not been happy with the traffic on my 765t, I will try Waze on my phone.

I have used radardroid for alerts (when using the build in navigation). The paid version is available for free at getjar.com

Is there any other alert system that folks may be using. I really like google navigation - a more integrated alert would be most welcome.

I've found that Sygic is much better than CoPilot if for no other reason that the number of POIs and the currency of the map/poi files.

Routing allows for RVs as well as trucks (if you buy that feature).

Jim

I use Waze and it is great for freeway driving trips. The routing on city streets is hit or miss.

On freeway driving the traffic reporting and speed trap reporting is invaluable and is great for commuting as well.

Waze is relatively new and the programming is getting better with each release.

If we could ever get Garmin to offer Garmin StreetPilot Onboard For Android we would be all set!

Thanks for the info on Waze. I just installed it up on my phone and will test it out.

On another note, Google Maps allows you to cache maps data as well when you know that you will be outside of a data connection area. Just tell it which range of tiles to download and you can save it to you phone's memory or to the microsd card memory.

I don't see Radardroid Pro at getjar.com anymore. It used to be available for download for free, but does not seem to be there anymore. For those, like me, that already have it, I guess it is OK until the next upgrade.

Does anyone know the real difference between the different versions of CoPilot? I.e., CoPilot, CoPilot Standard USA, and CoPilot Premium USA. Other than cost.

I have CoPilot Live USA on my tablet and CoPilot Live Premium USA on my phone. Here's my understanding of the differences:

CoPilot Live USA is the original version. It includes 3D map view and TTS (Text to Speech so it says street names). Its pretty good but doesn't have all of the features included in the newer versions.

CoPilot Live Standard USA and CoPilot Live Premium USA are the newest version of the program. The difference between the two are the feature sets. For example, Standard USA doesn't include 3D map views or TTS. However the Standard USA app includes in-app purchases which essentially would make it the Premium USA app.

If you don't absolutely need a gps app right now I would recommend waiting until CoPilot goes on sale. They seem to place the apps on sale a couple of times a year. Here's the official blog which announces sales and things http://blog.copilotlive.com/na/

Edit - hey, CoPilot now has a comparison page on their website!! http://copilotlive.com/us/popups/androidCompare.asp

I tried the Google maps method and while it works well, I personally still prefer my Nuvi. IMHO.

Another vote for Waze. I have been using it for my commuting across Dallas and running around my side of town. The public input of hazards and then user notifications are great. Maps have been accurate in my small area of usage.

I've been using Waze a bit as well. I like it but I'm always afraid to play with the phone while I'm driving to add issues to the Waze user input database unless I'm in a standstill traffic jam condition or stopped roadwork.

I like the app in theory and I think that Waze does use the speed information from other users that are using the route feature of the software to see what the average speed is during the route.

I like it.

The latest version of Waze is a lot nicer than the previous version. I don't use it often and I don't rely on it since it has come up with some of the strangest routing on local/known trips.
From work to home it wants to route me off of the single main road through my area and take me through a meandering of small ancillary streets with a few lefts and rights only to place me back on the same main road. There is no logical reason for this since it adds 4 minutes to my 19 minute commute and when all is said and done it places me about 5 blocks down the main road from where it diverted me from.

Sometimes I run it just to see what it suggests, which sometimes does not make sense. On known routes it is fun to have on because of the live alert features.

Since the latest upgrade I noticed the last time I used it on my usual route home that it did not take me on that circuitous route. Maybe they finessed the routing engine.

Rob

Has anyone used the FREE co-pilot app on their phone?

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-57437560-48/copilot-gps...

According to the review, it is the Co-Pilot Live Premium app with some features removed. I have the Co-Pilot Live Premium app, which I bought on sale earlier this year, and I find it superior to the alternative from Google. Not having used the free version, I cannot make an informed comment about it.

Personally, I consider the ability to download the maps ahead of time to be a big plus. This means that I am not dependent upon a cell phone connection while driving. In most places that is not a problem, but there are locations where having the map already on my phone is a big advantage.

Since it is free, why not try it out yourself? Based upon past history, Co-pilot seems to go on sale a couple of times a year, so you will probably be able to get the version I have for about $10 if you think it will be worth the improvement over the free version - and are patient.

With best wishes,
- Tom -

Edit:
The biggest fault I have with Co-Pilot Live Premium is that it cannot be completely shut down without turning off my phone. That's not a major problem, but it IS an inconvenience, at least in my eyes.