Best smartphone navigation app for vocal instruction only?

Barnoe · Trackday Trickster Joined: 17 Aug 2014 Karma :

Before i get shouted at for advocating the use of such things...
I know having anything that distracts from the road is a bad thing, but lets just say your lost and need desperate help.

Smartphone in inside pocket with headphones into helmet.
There are lots of apps that do navigation, but which is best for this use?
Obviously one that relies on visual maps etc, is a waste of time and im guessing some are better than others.
Has anyone tried a few that can enlighten us fellow bikers Smile

Casper · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Karma :

I used this on an android for a while what was good

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.navfree.android.OSM.ALL&hl=en_GB

My gripe was it started to us adverts what pissed me off so bought a sat nav, that should not bother you as you just want the sound. You need to install the software first then download the maps you need so do it at home so you can use your internet and not your data limit. Remember using your GPS will kill the battery fast. If you plug it into the bike wire it direct and not through the ignition as the software sometimes freezes when you lose the power. Other than that I found it navigating will and I deliberately went off route and it quickly re calculated another for me.

Ben90 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 Feb 2014 Karma :

Might give that a go. The original Google Maps app leaves much to be desired for audio-only nav.
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Barnoe · Trackday Trickster Joined: 17 Aug 2014 Karma :

[quote=" so bought a sat nav[/quote]

Thats another point, is all the extra layout worth the money for a dedicated satnav?

I have a TomTom for the car, but still prefer to use my phone on a cradle (S4) i actually think its better than Tomtom when i use the Sygic app.

Think i will try several at weekend and see which is best voice only.
Not only that, but with the screen turned off, its probably less drain on the phone battery

@Ben90
I find the google map is ok in the car, but wow.... it drains the battery fast!

Ben90 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 Feb 2014 Karma :

Screen is just as big a draw as the GPS, and on the bike you don't need distractions.

The only problem with Audio only nav is if you're in a hectic city scenario with a few directions within 100ft of eachother - the voice can't keep up! Especially guilty of this is google maps which insists on telling you every variant of the road name, she don't half natter!

Just downloaded the Navfree app, looks good! Offline maps is a huge plus.
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Casper · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Karma :

Casper · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Karma :

almostthere · Traffic Copper Joined: 28 Oct 2013 Karma :

I've always found waze good on an android phone I much prefer it to google maps
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Barnoe · Trackday Trickster Joined: 17 Aug 2014 Karma :

Unless your phone is mounted you will have problems with accuracy.

I had mine in my inside pocket and it kept saying i had reached my destination even though i was miles off!!

Samsung Galaxy S4 :/

Ive used the same apps mounted in the car and are pin point accurate, so unless i duct tape my phone on top of my helmet i am going to have problems lol
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Casper · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Karma :

You not got a tank bag where you can stick it in the map pocket?

Barnoe · Trackday Trickster Joined: 17 Aug 2014 Karma :

Bikeless · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Karma :

On my S4,Navfree constantly says go left and it has a right turn on the map and it sometimes misses exits on roundabouts so would be pointless using it a voice only which is usually a wrong command.

........................ · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 Jan 2014 Karma :

I use my TomTom app just like you describe, no problems. Although I've got it on the iPhone I assume the Android version will be the same.

-Matt- · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Apr 2013 Karma :

I've used Navfree for a while - for visual directons/free map coverage its great. I have had issues with the audio though, although it may just be a problem with my phone - It gets temperamental trying to raise the volume [usually left on silent/vibrate only] and often needs the App restarting a few times tweaking the system volume/app volume between to get the audio directions to start.

As visual navigation I couldn't fault it so far; just the hassle setting up the audio occasionally - once its working its fine though.