LR Max
Local Oaf
Device: Toshiba Thrive (wifi only)
App: Navfree USA for android
Brief Description: Pre-downloaded road maps and basic road navigation system
Test use: Around town in a sedan
Review: So I've moved to a new place and as many who have done so know, running simple errands can be a challenge in a new place since I have no idea where ANYTHING is. I decided this would be a great opportunity to use my tablet and the Navfree application rather than my phone or GPS. So without any research beforehand, I would use the tablet and this app to navigate to the post office, grocery store, hardware store, get to the park, etc. Overall, it did fairly well. I would say on par with my stand-alone GPS system (you know, the garmin nuvi-whatever that sticks to your window).
When you download (BTW, it is free) you can download the maps you need by state. So I downloaded my home state only just for the tests. The maps are fairly good. Not google-good but pretty good. It only does roads so forget about looking for topo or whatnot. However for most of my travels, pavement is what I use.
The Points-of-Interest database is fairly comprehensive but I stick to address input or scrolling the map, finding my place, and then selecting it. Also you can do a google search within the app (need wifi) and then navigate to the place. Which is pretty good.
On the road, I hardly even looked at it. It sat in my passenger seat, open but I relied on the voice commands it gives for direction. Another downside, as with any electrical device, it can be distracting while driving. Hence why I put it out of sight so I wasn't always looking down at the passenger seat at it. I sat in the driveway, got it setup, got it going and then listened to the voice guide me.
The layout when it is navigating is pretty good. When nagivating, it looks just like google. You can have the overhead view with the little blue arrow or you can follow it. The roads are on the screen and your route is highlighted in pink. Very easy to see and follow.
The only thing I don't like about it is that you can't build/import a route. It is strictly for point A to point B. Now it does have a "recently found" section. So you could preload all the places you want to go and then quickly select them.
Conclusion: For free, its pretty good. Heck for $1 it is pretty good. As said before, really only good for point A to point B but as long as you're ok with that, then its fine. I'm coming around to the idea of using a tablet as my primary navigation device in my truck. I would use this app to navigate to the campsite/trailhead/meeting point/whatever. But then select a different app once I hit the dirt.
This device + a RAM mount or something to actually get it in front of me were I could see it would be the biggest advantage.
Overall, I recommend it for anyone with a GPS-equiped device that wants road maps available when there is no cell signal available. I plan to test this app and others on the Toshiba in the future. Do a "all in on the device" and rely 100% on it. See what happens (of course have a bag of maps, compass, sexton, etc in the back in case it gives out).
Anyway, I know others provide info like this on this here. Just thought I would chip in to provide some information.
App: Navfree USA for android
Brief Description: Pre-downloaded road maps and basic road navigation system
Test use: Around town in a sedan
Review: So I've moved to a new place and as many who have done so know, running simple errands can be a challenge in a new place since I have no idea where ANYTHING is. I decided this would be a great opportunity to use my tablet and the Navfree application rather than my phone or GPS. So without any research beforehand, I would use the tablet and this app to navigate to the post office, grocery store, hardware store, get to the park, etc. Overall, it did fairly well. I would say on par with my stand-alone GPS system (you know, the garmin nuvi-whatever that sticks to your window).
When you download (BTW, it is free) you can download the maps you need by state. So I downloaded my home state only just for the tests. The maps are fairly good. Not google-good but pretty good. It only does roads so forget about looking for topo or whatnot. However for most of my travels, pavement is what I use.
The Points-of-Interest database is fairly comprehensive but I stick to address input or scrolling the map, finding my place, and then selecting it. Also you can do a google search within the app (need wifi) and then navigate to the place. Which is pretty good.
On the road, I hardly even looked at it. It sat in my passenger seat, open but I relied on the voice commands it gives for direction. Another downside, as with any electrical device, it can be distracting while driving. Hence why I put it out of sight so I wasn't always looking down at the passenger seat at it. I sat in the driveway, got it setup, got it going and then listened to the voice guide me.
The layout when it is navigating is pretty good. When nagivating, it looks just like google. You can have the overhead view with the little blue arrow or you can follow it. The roads are on the screen and your route is highlighted in pink. Very easy to see and follow.
The only thing I don't like about it is that you can't build/import a route. It is strictly for point A to point B. Now it does have a "recently found" section. So you could preload all the places you want to go and then quickly select them.
Conclusion: For free, its pretty good. Heck for $1 it is pretty good. As said before, really only good for point A to point B but as long as you're ok with that, then its fine. I'm coming around to the idea of using a tablet as my primary navigation device in my truck. I would use this app to navigate to the campsite/trailhead/meeting point/whatever. But then select a different app once I hit the dirt.
This device + a RAM mount or something to actually get it in front of me were I could see it would be the biggest advantage.
Overall, I recommend it for anyone with a GPS-equiped device that wants road maps available when there is no cell signal available. I plan to test this app and others on the Toshiba in the future. Do a "all in on the device" and rely 100% on it. See what happens (of course have a bag of maps, compass, sexton, etc in the back in case it gives out).
Anyway, I know others provide info like this on this here. Just thought I would chip in to provide some information.