I've been using the Google sat nav on my Android Galaxy S and I'm reasonably pleased with it considering it's free. I'm about to go touring around France and I'm wondering what my options are for getting this, or something, working without killing my data tariff. Is there any nav software that will cache part or all of a country before going there?

Cheers

Gary

Not sure about the data costs - I suggest that you ask your service provider - T-mobile/Orange sell 'add-on' packages to allow data roaming for a set period. I shouldn't be surprised if other providers do the same.

But be cautious if you have speed camera warnings active! (NOT detectors - they've always been banned - I'm talking about warnings that you can download to satnavs & phones)

The French authorities are considering whether to ban all such devices... big fines for using them, huge fines for supplying them. They are also removing all warning signs that precede the speed traps, replacing them with speed-indicating signs. (LINKY)

The French driving associations are currently going spare...


[Edited on 31/5/11 by David Jenkins]

There was a hacked google maps app that allowed you to store google map data onto your memory card, its name escapes me at the moment.

There is a free satnav program just released called NavFree which is supposed to have other countries maps available along with the standard GB one. It's main problem though is its rather phone memory hungry coming in at 72mb.

LINKY

Thread on modaco LINKY

Havn't tried it personally though (Not enough spare memory!)

Cheers

G

CoPilot live stores the maps on your card though not technically free if you know what I mean

copilot is what you need i have it on my htc desire works flawlessly in europe and america just make sure you have a1.5amp car charger for the phone as it gobbles battery

if you have trouble finding it foc let me know.

Cheers guys - that all sounds promising = I'll follow up on those leads tonight!

Dont know about the Android version but copilot works well on Iphone.
Cheers,
Bob

PC Pro magazine this month has a good article on just this and how to get cheaper data tariffs abroad, particularly

If your phone is unlocked see http://www.abroadband.com/en/AT/home also Vodafone do at cheaper than most European data bundle but you must purchase either before you go and unlock your phone.

Sorry to resurrect this thread but I've just gone Android and found Mapdroid. It's a freebie and whilst it shows you where you are on a pre downloaded map (also free), it doesn't give turn by turn directions. Might be worth a look.

I'd want turn-by-turn directions, if I was using satnav in France! When we went there a few years ago we got lost more than a few times while trying to drive through towns - their urban road signs are appalling!