Mobile Maps

[Phillip]

Guys

does any of you have an idea of where i can get free mobile maps...hopefully ones that also cover south africa....

i am about to fork $120 for garmin mobile xt for my htc touch dimond.......i tried the net the only thing i find is google maps which i do not think cover south africa yet...and there is tom tom which i do not comprehend

please give some guide....i know this aint the best forum for that but hell i got way too used to this forum

please say somethin

[Wombler]

These are the only free options available at the moment that I'm aware of but bear in mind I'm not actually recommending any of these as such, just listing them.

http://www.nav4all.co.uk/

http://www.amazegps.com/

http://we-travel.co.cc/

If you buy a Nokia phone though with a built in GPS you can download their maps for free via your PC and copy on to your phone's memory card.

I have a Nokia N95 and Nokia's mapping software works very well for me.


Wombler

[Phillip]

Thanks Wombler...will check these out

[Wombler]

Thanks Wombler...will check these out

My pleasure.

The We Travel one looks as if it might be very promising in the future but it's only in alpha at the moment which wouldn't give much confidence.

Let me know how you get on though as I'm curious as to whether any of these free options are acceptable alternatives.

Although the mapping is free from Nokia they charge a subscription for voice directed navigation.

As the GPS is free I'm happy at the moment using the maps just as maps but it might be useful to have a free alternative the odd time I would need voice directed navigation.


Wombler

[blutach]

Anyone know how to update maps for the L6110 (which has a built in GPS navigator and maps)? I think it is a costly download.

Regards

[Wombler]

Anyone know how to update maps for the L6110 (which has a built in GPS navigator and maps)? I think it is a costly download.

Regards

Les,


Are you sure that's an L6110 and not a 6110?

Anyway I'm assuming it's a 6110 as L6110 doesn't bring anything up in Google.

Go here and you can download both the latest upgrade to the mapping software itself (which is specific to your phone) and the Nokia Map Loader.

BTW this is via the Australian version of the Nokia site which I presume is correct.

You don't actually have to update the mapping software unless you wish but it's recently been upgraded to version 2.

There are a lot of changes to version 2 and the menu layout has been altered quite substantially to version 1 so it's your call.

The Map Loader lets you download whatever mapping you want via your PC for free and will also install and remove selected areas from your phone.

If you're upgrading the mapping then uninstall your existing maps via the Map Loader before downloading the latest ones.

I'm in work so I can't remember this fully off the top of my head but you can expand the trees in Map Loader (which isn't immediately obvious from what I recall) and download specific areas which might be useful if you only want certain coverage. e.g. although you can select USA you can also expand the tree and download each state individually.

You shouldn't have any problems but if you've any queries give me a shout.

HTH.


Wombler

[blutach]

Sorry mate - it's a 6110 Navigator, you're right. I'll give it a try. I hope I don't bugger anything up

But does this update my GPS Navigator maps, or does it install another application to the phone?

EDIT: OK, I can see this installs a whole new app called "Maps" on the phone under My Own (in addition to the built in Navigator). I can't get the map loader to find the device. It just flashes Waiting for Device - even though it is connected via PC Suite.

EDIT2: Got out of the app and back in - seems to be doing something! I'll report back! But, it does seem to use a lot of your free memory card. On the other hand, this will be very handy when travelling overseas, as it means I won't need to buy new maps. Thanks heaps!

Regards

[Wombler]

More than glad to help.

For once it's me giving you the advice instead of the reverse.

Might be an opportune time for you to upgrade that memory card though.

They're ridiculously cheap now and even I couldn't believe how much they'd come down in price.

I bought a SanDisc 4Gb MicroSD card recently for £8.

Don't know exactly what that is in Aussie dollars but it's pretty cheap.

Well worth it for maps etc. in fact that's the main reason I wanted a fairly high capacity one.


Wombler

[blutach]

I'll consider that cos the card is only 512Mb (not that I play or take movies on my mobile - I think that is crazy when you have a home cinema).

One thing - it keeps asking to connect to something to validate free use or something. Is this normal? Anyway, it can't make the connection.

Regards

[Wombler]

I'll consider that cos the card is only 512Mb (not that I play or take movies on my mobile - I think that is crazy when you have a home cinema).

One thing - it keeps asking to connect to something to validate free use or something. Is this normal? Anyway, it can't make the connection.

Regards

Although the mapping is free, Nokia charge a subscription for voice directed navigation.

You get a free trial period when you install the mapping software so it's trying to connect to activate this.

I'm saving mine for when I'm likely to need it on holiday so haven't activated it as yet.

You can still do everything else apart from this though and the GPS use is of course free.


Wombler

[blutach]

Aaah thanks. It seems to be more complemtary to the built in navigator. This really will be best for travelling overseas, I think.

Regards

[Wombler]

Aaah thanks. It seems to be more complemtary to the built in navigator. This really will be best for travelling overseas, I think.

Regards

Sounds like that's the case but I don't have the navigator on my phone so I'm not sure what that's like.

There are settings that also allow you to view the mapping in 3D similar to most standalone sat navs.

You can also select what features you want to appear on the map (pubs, restaurants, petrol stations etc etc). In fact the list is so exhaustive if you displayed them all you'll hardly be able to see the map.

Have a play with it anyway as I think it's pretty good.


Wombler