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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : GPS navigation thingy's for cars...
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9505 |
Hi all. These seem to have dropped off the planet, when I went to find a replacement for my old NavMan that died. I can't find them anywhere over here in NZ again, from the usual shops. Asking around, it would seem that everyone just uses a suitable app on their smart-phone now, along with a phone-holder so they can stick the phone on the car window. I've been told that the integrated MAPS app works for this, but I would prefer NOT to use Mr. Google any more then I have to. They already have way too much access to stuff IMHO - they are almost worse then Microsoft at this point, for needing a Google account and having to be signed into their services to do even basic stuff.....like using your TV set.... So, do the members here have any GPS navigation apps that they would recommend? I will consider using the Google Maps app, if it works well, but I would PREFER something else. Anyone got any suggestions? Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Volhout Guru  Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 4904 |
Hi, I use "OsmAnd" an an Android phone (OpenStreetMaps Android). The free version allows to download up to 30 free maps. I have it for 5 years already, and am just on the edge of depleting the 30 maps. Regards, Volhout P.S. in the range of 150-500 dollar there are still individual navigators (Garmin, TomTom). If you purchase, spend the extra 10 dollar to have lifetime map updates. example : Dutch advertisement.  Edited 2025-05-09 16:14 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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Supertech Newbie  Joined: 13/11/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 39 |
We have them listed still in Victoria if I'm on your same page that is. My first Maps in vehicle was my 1st Nokia who's maps were free and incredibly accurate for a small phone. I never bought a GPS unit, But, been with others that use, like yourself, completly agree. I went out on a job in electrician van one day, he had TWO active GPS's going at same time. One had dogey speaker that sounded like a squashed bird, while other clear, a bit louder. The competition was like a live farce of even conflicting demands, quite hilarious 😂... Anyway, don't dispair, they still out there, maybe not local to you though. I have a colleague that comes from NZ, I'd have to ask him. Everthing online. Unfortunately Mr. Google or Aussie Duck Duck Go you can find search them. Then reversing result to suit where you live. Well, these are very available. I am not promoting brand or models, that up to you. But ensure you study carefully for what YOU need in YOUR neck of woods. https://www.navman.co.nz/about/retailers Please forgive me if I got this all wrong. Just trying to be helpful. I hear see your pain. I have elderly gent who also loves his GPS and also continues to struggle keeping it functioning maps updated etc. Regards. Supertech. Victoria AU. |
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| ville56 Senior Member  Joined: 08/06/2022 Location: AustriaPosts: 220 |
On my phone I use AmiGo which is an app from TomTom. I also connect it wirelessly to my car screen via AAWireless (another dutch company). Car is an 2017 VW Golf that has Android Auto already in the cars firmware, but only via USB. Newer cars can that already on a BT/WiFi basis. I've chosen this combination as i don't want to plug/unplug the USB all the time. The map display in drive mode is only 3D, but i can live with that. But also with plain AmiGo on the Android phone in a holder it is a good navigation tool which also warns of Radar/Laser paceing, be it fixed or mobile, as long as other users are reporting new boxes or mobile posts. Works quite well here in Austria and saved me already some money. 73 de OE1HGA, Gerald |
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CaptainBoing Guru Joined: 07/09/2016 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2150 |
I used TomTom heavily in the noughties but they had a flawed business model which was easily trounced when big G came along... now they seem to be an "also ran", just playing catch-up and been offering free traffic etc for a few years. Shame coz I liked their approach and the traffic had a really nice "ruler" representing your entire journey so you had a really long range view of up-coming slow-downs. They also had some nice navigation options too, like shortest route (which is rarely the fastest) but when I wasn't in a rush, it helped me find some fabulous scenic routes. I really like that you could add PoI (point of interest) files really easily and I snagged the location of all my then employers sites and created a PoI file of them which then became a staple download across the company - it was nice being able to navigate directly to the office of choice without looking up its address... had McDs on there and other useful files too. Used a ONE for years but upgraded when that coughed and then the maps had a different look to them and lost that "niche" apeal for me. They are still going as I get emails from them now and again and I would certainly look at them if I was in the market for a stand-alone. As it is, I use GM exclusively and find it really accurate, I have learned to trust its routing even when it seems illogical - always comes out in the end and recently it routed me around a huuuuge slow down on a highway by sending me through some very odd snickets... but got me home on time whereas if I had ignored it "coz I knew better", I'd still be in the queue now. my 2p h Edited 2025-05-09 20:12 by CaptainBoing |
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| Bleep Guru Joined: 09/01/2022 Location: United KingdomPosts: 594 |
I think TomTom have the best navigation interface, how the route & directions are presented & spoken, very clear, simple, concise, just what you need when driving. But I do use Google to check up on any holdups, as my TomTom doesn't have traffic. |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 4904 |
TomTom have changed their business model. They are #1 logistics guiding/fleet management company in Europe now. Navigation is a small part of their business now. They are also heavily involved in autonomous driving trucks. This info is from a presentation they gave 3 years ago in the dutch HAN university. Volhout Edited 2025-05-09 22:14 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| robert.rozee Guru Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 2406 |
what model number was it, and in what way did it die? it is not uncommon for them to become flakey when the internal Li-Ion cell expires - replacing the cell then restores normal behavior. cheers, rob :-) |
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| Godoh Guru Joined: 26/09/2020 Location: AustraliaPosts: 504 |
Hi Grogster, I use an off line mapping app on my phone.'It is called Maps Me. I try to stay away from any google stuff if I can. I don't even have a google sign in on the phone and use FOSS apps where possible. Most of my navigation is by looking at maps and just remembering where to turn. But sometimes when i am out on my motorcycle on back roads I use MapsMe to find where i am if I am not sure pete |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9505 |
Thanks for all the replies and links.  I will check out some of those alternatives. @ Robert: It's a MOVE70LM, and I see from the NAVMAN website Supertech linked me to, that it still seems to be available. I checked out some of the "Suppliers" links on that website, but places like Super-Cheap Auto - who are supposed to stock the NAVMAN products, don't return any hits, or the only hits you do get, are for extraordinarily expensive bits of kit. I was wondering about the internal battery. The unit must be at least 10 years old now. It just shows the battery-charging animation when the USB cord is plugged in, but never completes the charge, nor will it start/boot/reset anymore, so I figured it would be cheaper to replace it. ....that was before I found out they seem to have gone out of style now!  I might pull it to bits to find out what kind of battery it needs, and what a replacement would cost. Perhaps it can be recycled.  But then, there is the next problem - if I have to replace the battery and force a full reset, I'll probably loose my maps, and can I even GET a new map from NAVMAN these days? I'd have to send them an email and find out, I guess. .....or just get one of the ones that works on a cellphone, and buy a cellphone holder thing-y for my car window. Edited 2025-05-10 13:53 by Grogster Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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phil99 Guru Joined: 11/02/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2450 |
Before pulling the old battery out solder some wires to it's PCB pads and connect to external battery or supply while you do the changeover. |
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| PhenixRising Guru Joined: 07/11/2023 Location: United KingdomPosts: 1185 |
I use Waze (free and interactive) The in-vehicle devices never impress me. |
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| robert.rozee Guru Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 2406 |
there is nothing important saved in RAM, so no need to solder in a 'temporary' battery; maps and address book, etc are all stored in flash. they use a single Li-Ion cell, about the size of a nokia BL-5C. the cell will have a small protection PCB securely attached, from which a 3-way cable goes up to the main PCB. the trick is to separate the cell from the protection PCB, then solder on 2 wires (to said protection PCB) in place of the cell. route these 2 wires out of the case and away to an 18650 in a battery holder that you hide under the dashboard somewhere. reason for an external battery is that when sitting on the dashboard of a car, GPS units get incredibly hot in the sun. is far better to relocate the replacement cell to a safer location where it will not get cooked daily. as it happens, i have a move70LM with NZ 02.2017 maps here - just dug it out from the junk heap. connected a USB cable with power on it, and it did much as you described. i then held down the power button for 10 seconds and it sprang to life, but would only keep going with the USB cable plugged in. initially it drew 700mA, but had dropped back to 500mA now. will see what it is doing in the morning wrt holding a charge. despite being an 'LM' model, updated maps don't seem to be available from Navman any more, and their website suggests they are exiting the satnav market. personally, i much prefer the units made by Garmin, and they still offer lifetime maps even for their older LM versions. if you don't have any luck getting your unit going, i'm more than happy to post this move70LM down to Dunedin. i have no real use for it myself. cheers, rob :-) |
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| Frank N. Furter Guru Joined: 28/05/2012 Location: GermanyPosts: 940 |
Why don't you try this one? https://github.com/organicmaps/organicmaps A friend of mine uses this. It's free and works offline. Frank |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9505 |
I've just got around to installing that(organic maps), and it is fantastic! I love it. I will try it out on the road soon, and get back to the thread, but if it does what it looks like it does, I have found my replacement. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 4904 |
Please share you experience. I am interested as well. Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| PhenixRising Guru Joined: 07/11/2023 Location: United KingdomPosts: 1185 |
Just installed it myself and I love the fact that an internet connection is not needed. However, the thing that I love about Waze is that; fellow motorists can give real time warnings about congestion or hidden speed traps, hidden cops, potholes, stranded vehicles, etc. On our godawful M6 motorway, this has saved me from getting stuck in a traffic jam, many a time. Obviously, this needs a data connection but it's well worth it |
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| PhenixRising Guru Joined: 07/11/2023 Location: United KingdomPosts: 1185 |
Currently on a road trip with Organic on one phone, Waze on another and an in-vehicle Sat-Nav Organic does in fact run offline and becomes like any other hand-held GPS. Great for hiking, cycling, etc. but knows nothing about traffic, speed limits, etc. In-vehicle has the most detailed graphics but again, no real-time info. Waze requires a data connection but for driving, it is darned impressive. There has been an accident, 25 miles ahead and it already advised me of a faster route. Just went through a small village near Oxford where they just went to a (ridiculous) 20 MPH limit. It warned me via Bluetooth audio and also about the camera Data consumption is negligible. I'll keep Organic as a regular GPS but Waze is the only "Waze" to go if you want to stay out of trouble when driving. |
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