What Smartphone/Tablet Would Be Most Similar To A Garmin Automobile Navigator?
Wed, 07/27/2022 - 1:57pm
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    17 years
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I still use my Garmin GPS devices, but the shortcomings become more evident when I travel a bit farther from my home area. I keep my Garmin maps updated, but Google Maps has new streets and businesses much sooner than Garmin does.
With that in mind, I am more likely to run BOTH a Garmin AND a device with Google Maps when traveling away from my typical home area traveling.
Rather than use my day to day smartphone for navigating, I want to use either a smartphone or tablet just for navigating. I can have my day to day smartphone in the hot spot mode to give a device data.
What can I do to make my device more "Garmin like"? For example, can I get a powered mount and have it power up to Google Maps and power down when I shut off the vehicle?
Some caution justified
I can have my day to day smartphone in the hot spot mode to give a device data.
Use some care with that scheme. From personal experience you can rack up some data plan charges quite rapidly when using a hot spot.
I’m not up to date on the current GPS offerings, but I think there are Garmins that can provide real time updates by pairing with a phone. That mght be a better way to go.
John from PA
On Android the app Tasker
On Android the app Tasker can automate actions like open the Google Maps when mounted, adjust the audio, notifications, etc.
Preloaded Maps help with the Data Charges
...Use some care with that scheme. From personal experience you can rack up some data plan charges quite rapidly when using a hot spot...
Preloading Google Maps (or other maps) over WiFi can eliminate a significant amount of hotspot data. Unfortunately; downloaded Google Maps auto-delete after 15 days so you'll probably need to be continuously downloading maps throughout a long trip. Don't know data size for Google Maps; but I have OsmAnd Maps on my iPhone and the preloaded US maps take just over 100GB (not something you would want to download over cellular with most plans).
Mark
I use Magic Earth on an old
I use Magic Earth on an old Android tablet with gps. Simply offline navigation.