how doe's the phone work when using it as a sat nav

[clutchspring]

Hi bear with me , how doe's the phone work when using it as a sat nav , by that I mean do I have to use my phone's data to run the satnav app !.
While I was in Italy this year my Garmin stopped sending audio to my head set so I down loaded a tomtom app to my phone which worked great and got me to my destination OK . This was with dated turned off on my phone, as soon as I had reached my destination and tried to set another destination the app just said something like data link lost.
I assume While at the hotel on WiFi it had pre loaded the first route but needed WiFi to continue to give me another route.
Thanks for any information,
Ian.

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Moved

Richard

 

[Kritou]

Hi bear with me , how doe's the phone work when using it as a sat nav , by that I mean do I have to use my phone's data to run the satnav app !.
While I was in Italy this year my Garmin stopped sending audio to my head set so I down loaded a tomtom app to my phone which worked great and got me to my destination OK . This was with dated turned off on my phone, as soon as I had reached my destination and tried to set another destination the app just said something like data link lost.
I assume While at the hotel on WiFi it had pre loaded the first route but needed WiFi to continue to give me another route.
Thanks for any information,
Ian.

There are many navigation apps that allow you to preload all the mapping you are likely to need. An internet connection is then only needed to create or modify a route. If you have a burner phone on the bars you can hotspot it to the good phone in your pocket for those occasions. No SIM card or contract required for the burner phone …

 

[Bigcats]

Hi bear with me , how doe's the phone work when using it as a sat nav , by that I mean do I have to use my phone's data to run the satnav app !.
While I was in Italy this year my Garmin stopped sending audio to my head set so I down loaded a tomtom app to my phone which worked great and got me to my destination OK . This was with dated turned off on my phone, as soon as I had reached my destination and tried to set another destination the app just said something like data link lost.
I assume While at the hotel on WiFi it had pre loaded the first route but needed WiFi to continue to give me another route.
Thanks for any information,
Ian.

All sat nav apps including google maps allow you to download offline maps whilst you have an internet connection (due to the size of the maps depending on your journey WiFi would be best).
However once on the road you do not need a data signal...it uses the GPS chip in the phone exactly the same as a standalone sat nav.
However to use the live traffic features (if they have them) then you will need data.....please see my sticky on getting your hands on e-sims when overseas rather than use your UK sim as data can be very expensive if you don't have the right contract. A standalone sat nav will most likely use the FM network to get the traffic updates but because FM is ridiculously slow the information can be very very out of date compared to your phone app live traffic which is instant.

Unlike a standalone sat navs, phone apps have unlimited map updates.

Unlike standalone sat navs if you buy an app you will have it no matter how many new phones you swap too. Where a stand alone sat nav is only updated in its 'lifetime' which is normally only a few years.

Due to the popularity of apps and the fact most people use apps nowadays they apps are updated far more regulary than stand alone sat navs.

99% of people just want to get from a to b so using their phone is all they need.

If you have a comms system in your helmet you can control most phones and navigation via voice.

Its worth buying a smartphone that is both waterproof AND has wireless charging so you never have to worry about charging issues in the rain.