** Chris Green cl@isbd.net [2015-08-02 09:46]:
On Sun, Aug 02, 2015 at 07:11:43AM +0100, James Freer wrote:
On 1 August 2015 at 12:35, Chris Green cl@isbd.net wrote:
On Fri, Jul 31, 2015 at 08:22:07PM +0100, James Freer wrote:
Just wondering what folk use. One can use the Garmin/Express updates on windows but I was thinking of a way in Linux.
I gather one can use a VM but then also have a windows version after Vista in order to do so. The only way I have found is to use maps from Openstreetmap.nl and copy to a mini SD card. Seems ok but not as good as Garmin/Express - is there a better way using linux.
The update problem is one reason I no longer use Garmin, or any dedicated satNav.
On a recent 2500 mile 'bike trip around France I used my Android phone with an app called Here! from Nokia, it's free, maps are free and it works off-line (i.e. without an internet connection which would cost money for data).
It was excellent, among other things route [re]calculations were *much* quicker than I've ever seen on a dedicated satNav.
I agree that the smart phone is a better choice. As I don't have a signal where i live so haven't bothered getting one. I didn't find routing as easy on google maps but allows you to inspect the route for bridges and possible problems which is necessary if one is a lorry driver. I certainly wouldn't pay £400osh for an HGV one. Mine is a basic Garmin which i use applying common sense, use a map for the general direction, staying on A roads and using detour to avoid tricky roads.
Cheap Android smartphones are often cheaper than satNavs. My Motorola Moto E which is sort of middle of the road is only around £100. There are others out there much cheaper.
I found Here! at least as good as the native Garmin offerings, better in some ways. I didn't use Google Maps at all.
We don't have a signal at home (out in the sticks in Suffolk) but I still find having a 'phone is handy at times.
** end quote [Chris Green]
If you're just using it for offline maps which update over wifi at home why not use a small screen tablet? There are car mounting brackets for them, although I'm not entirely sure whether they would fit on the dash. Storage wise I think they would stand up better than a phone since most I've seen only have about 4G (e.g. the Huawei Y550 that my son has which is around £40 plus £20 topup on EE, there used to be a similarly spec'd Sony for a bit more there too), whereas tablets generally have around 16G (e.g. the Lenovo A7-50 which was around £60 in Argos recently or £70 on Amazon, it looks like there's a new version with less memory now; I suspect the S8-50 I've just got for around £100 would be too large at 8" instead of 7", although the screen is a better resolution - go to John Lewis for that price as Currys, etc. want another £50 for it! You also get 2 years warranty for free).