Google Map Information

As far as I know the only map that you can download to your phone to use is HERE from Nokia ( Windows Phone). With Nokia now part of Microsoft, I think this will change. MS owns Bing map so most likely HERE map will be sold.

Ulmon Pro is an app available from Apple and Android Play Store, there you can download individual maps for viewing while on vacation.

HERE has maps from countries all over the world to download so no need to use data when navigating with the app. You can select entire countries are like in the US just the States that you will need if you do not want the entire US area.

It works very well and there is a setting that tells it to use it offline only to prevent it accessing and data.

As far as Microsoft buying Nokia that does not effect the HERE maps division as it is a separate entity and not part of the acquisition by Microsoft.

"Here, Nokia's mapping entity, is considered a separate business and isn't included as part of the deal, but Microsoft has agreed to a 10-year licensing agreement. (Additionally, Nokia also retains its Solutions and Networks division, its CTO office and a large number of patents.)"

http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/25/microsoft-nokia-merger-de...

HERE. the maps you need can be downloaded for on or offline use. You can run in a hybrid mode, you use your downloaded maps, and the Traffic is live.

As a sidenote, I ran Waze on my iPhone 6 form VA to FL and back and only used 200mb on a 2GB plan. Came nowhere near my data limit. I haven't used HERE like that yet, I don't care for the map display. It's hard to see at a quick glance. Too much detail on the map. Waze is good, there is just the road you are on with a plain background.

I heard that Here maps off line were very large. Is this so?

Do you have to download Google Maps? If so are they large?

I have tried Here and don't remember what I didn't like about the map but I deleted it. Can't remember why.

I keep going back to Google Map for the looks and it has all my favorites in it from my PC on the web.

Still need information on Google Maps:
Does it run without data?
Do you have to do a setting to turn off data?
Do you still have to download maps of the area you are going to as I have read in the past?
Do you have to pay for anything on Google Maps, traffic etc?

Thanks, Mary

Mary Here maps is a good alternate for offline maps https://www.here.com/?map=26.82122,-83.07868,6,normal .One of the best features is going on line and putting in your favorites.They are called collections on Here.You have to sign in.Just click on the 3 horz lines next to About Here.You will find the help menu there also.

Look at these two links for Google Maps to help you decide. http://www.androidcentral.com/how-save-google-maps-offline-u... .Make sure to look at "Things to know about offline maps". Also see https://support.google.com/gmm/answer/3273567?hl=en . Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgMac8JZrF8

For HERE, i use VA, NC, SC, GA, and FL. It only takes up 1.1GB. Less than the photos I have.

Google Maps can be downloaded for offline use, but I can't tell you how big the maps are, haven't used them. Google is Free, so it Here. The largest size map you can download for Google is an area 50km by 50km. At that rate it is not practical to download road maps for Google. I can't speak to the size of them on disk, but Google Maps isn't designed to operate offline.

If I do another trip soon, I'll try to see how much data Google uses. Unless someone else tries it sooner. the iPhone allow you see how much data an APP uses. I don't know about Android.

You can download Google maps for off-line use but the biggest map you can download is a 50km x 50km area. If you are trying to download a bigger map it will tell you to zoom in to a smaller area.
I also heard somewhere that the Google maps will expire after a while and you will need to reload them however I have not confirmed this.

More info about using Google Maps off-line can be found here: https://support.google.com/gmm/answer/3273567?hl=en

With HERE if you choose the entire North and Central America maps the download is 6.7GB's. I just downloaded Arizona, California and Nevada and that was less than one GB. You can always add additional states at any time if you would need them. The only thing that I thought HERE was lacking over Viago was the voices are not as clear even using the HD versions.

With Google maps the area you can download is very limited and pretty much only useful around town.

Everytime I ask a question about what map to use on my cell phone it almost always comes back to Here Mobile.

I have asked a question about Google Maps and after reading all your comments I put Here back on my cell phone.

I am now trying to put POIs in "Collections" on my computer, as they do show up on my phone. It is going to be another learning curve for an old lady.

I will still use Viago but will try and use Here a lot too so when Viago no longer works I won't be left out in the cold.

I am now going back to the old post on here about Here and reading them for help and information.

I guess most think Here is better than Google Maps.

Thanks everyone.
Mary

EDIT: Ever try to search the word Here.... not easy

Mary. I posted on this link how to do the favorites(collections) for Here on the computer.The instructions should still be good http://www.poi-factory.com/node/44250 .It is the 9th post down.

I for one, like Google Maps. It does not use much data, has a good level of detail, has reliable and surprisingly up to date traffic data (here in the Bay Area). It gives clear and understandable verbal instructions.

You do not pay for traffic. Heck, you do not pay for the app...

It does not have the "take the off-ramp/on-ramp" bug that my Garmins do.

As always, your mileage may vary....

I was looking for someone who uses Google Maps, Thanks!

1. I only have 1GB of Data a month and only use about 300 to 400mb each month for other things, will this be enough data?

2. Do you know about how much data Google Maps uses on a 400 mile or so trip?

3. Also, if you use data do you still have to download the map area you are wanting to use?

4. If you use Google Maps with data are the maps for the World or just USA?

Thanks so much for your reply about Google Maps
Mary

This will help as looking for Here brings up a lot of here...

The above poster was positive about Google Maps, if it doesn't have to be downloaded and uses only a little data I will look into that too.
I didn't think of the maps not using much data. I will look into Here data usage also.

Thanks, Mary

I used Prague, Czech Republic.

I went to Google Maps to download Prague or Czech Republic but it was not offered.

I went to Here and Czech Republic - 363.3 MB is offered.

So results of the test:

Google Maps - You have to use expensive Data in Europe for Czech Republic

Here - You can download the Czech Republic to use off line and delete it when you return

Well maybe this test didn't work as I can not figure out how to download any maps on Google Maps. The directions I used online do not work.

EDIT: I found on Google Maps the Help said Czech Republic was offered but can not find how to download it.

EDIT #2: I found how. But Google Maps will only let me download a small area of Czech Republic.

So - Here you can download Czech Republic but Google Maps only a small area of Czech Republic.

There is the rub. With Google Maps, you can only download a very small area in one map. But it's really impractical to download the routes to get there. Google maps are no more expensive than Here, but with Here, you can get a whole region with maps of the routes connecting cities.

When we went to Czech Republic we were in several areas of the country. With Google Maps I would have had to download several map areas and hope I had all I needed. With Here I can just download once and have the entire country.

Per the link above. Note: The biggest size for an offline map is 50km x 50km. If you try to save an area bigger than that, you'll be asked to zoom in to a smaller area.

A side note found on web.Aside from adding the ability to access saved maps directly and give them unique names, there's now a 30-day expiration period for saved maps. Once that time is up, the map data will require the user to update it by re-downloading. Unfortunately, once the map has expired, Maps tries to force an update (regardless of whether the device is online or not) and won't allow access to the outdated data in the case of a connection-less device. This could be problematic, as some people may find themselves lost in unfamiliar territory with no connection and no map. Thus, if you use offline maps often, be aware of the expiration date to ensure the map data is always available.

I used to use Google maps, but now it's Here and supplement my Note 4 with the Dual XGPS160 SkyPro GPS Receiver for more satellites and better satellite reception. I get about 18-20 satellites because of Glonass and GPS working side by side.

Anyone interested in this amazing device can go to:

http://gps.dualav.com/explore-by-lifestyle/outdoors/xgps160-...

Thanks for the information. I could have used the SkyPro today. I was at a gas station and my phone showed me across the street. I tested it with Viago, Google Maps and Here and all were off..... The car builtin has us spot on as to where we were. Guess it has a better GPS receiver than my Note 4.
Thanks for all your information.

It looks like with all the above information Here is going to be a better product. I am not used to it so today while we were out I was searching for a place and it was not easy on Here. I went to Google Maps and found it right off. I will just have to make myself use Here to get to know it better.
Thanks.

Mary, HERE may have a slightly steeper learning curve, but it's worth it. An interesting thing is, it will use your offline maps, while using online traffic status. Minimal data is used, and only for traffic.

Copilot Live on my S4 and all previous android phones. Maps install on phone so data is required once installed.

http://copilotgps.com/us/

Will keep trying to learn it... Am putting in Collections. I have a lot of Custom POIs so it may take me a while.

I bought Copilot Live Premium. It worked great on my Nexus 7 but when I put it on my Note 4 I had some problems. I emailed the company and had a little help but can't remember just now what I couldn't get fixed. I think it was hanging up on my Note 4. Instead of fixing the problem I just deleted the App. The lazy way of doing it I know.

Is there a way to add multiple addresses to the collection at a time? It would be nice if I could import and export the collection.

I don't think you can. But yo can look here and see if you can find your answer. https://help.here.com/search/?tx_herehelp_help[controller]=Search&tx_herehelp_help[action]=search

I remember why....

Traffic is $9.99 a year. Not bad but free on Google and Here.
The Europe Map that I may only use once is $29.99

Even though the App I paid for said free safety cameras, after I could not find them and emailed support, this is their answer..."Unfortunately, safety camera alerts are unavailable for NA maps due to our lack of safety camera data for the NA map region"

I know I can use POI-Factory Camera data on the Copilot (with a little work) so that is not an issue even though they said it was included in the description. But, when we go to Europe again I don't want to pay $29.99 for the Map...And I do not want to pay for traffic when I can get it free...

Perhaps springing for one of the least expensive European Garmin models might be cheaper and less hassle in the long run.

i've got it on my nexus 7. when we went to ireland, i bought the euro maps and installed them for offline use. it worked like a champ. granted, there was not that much traffic over there. as far as speed cameras goes, we only came across one so i can't say too much other than they installed.

I am trying to only take my cell phone. I can leave my Tablet, camera and Nuvi at home when I go to Europe with Europe maps on my cell phone.

Only taking one item will make for a lot lighter day bag.

I used it on my Nexus 7 and it worked ok but on the Note 4 I am not offered the the option to install the speed camersas and I don't want to pay for Europe Maps on another device and Traffic on Google Maps and Here is FREE.

SO...again... I uninstalled Copilot from my phone.

It looks like Copilot and Google Maps are out and Here is in....

Thanks everyone for all the help and information.
Mary