Offline Maps - Huh???

[artnbarb]

OK, I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy a GPS for our upcoming Spain/France trip, but I'll ask about off-line maps anyway, and maybe I'll figure it out eventually. When I originally asked for advice about buying a GPS unit for our trip, several friends recommended downloading maps to my phone, but I have to admit there are things I jut don't understand about that process. Here's what I think I know, and my questions:

First of all, I just don't get the concept. I know I can use Google maps on my (T-Mobile Samsung) cellphone, and it more or less works like GPS, right? I'm not sure if this method is better or worse than GPS, but I prefer it since I can zoom in or out on the map and get a better overview of where I am in relation to where I'm going. So, if all this is correct, and if my Samsung phone has free data in Europe, then technically I could use my phone for driving directions, right? If so, then the next 2 questions are: will Google maps be detailed enough in rural Spain and France, and most importantly, will I have reception - and is there anyway to know?

IF there is a reason I would NOT want to use my cellphone, is the next best option to buy a GPS, OR is it to download maps? What I don't understand about this is: HOW do I download a map to my phone - literally, what do I do, where do I go? Will I have options about where to save the map, and how do I access the map once it's downloaded? And here's the part I really don't understand: once this map is downloaded, can I zoom in and out on the map, to get more detail, or to get the big picture? So then I'm thinking that's sort of like Google maps, I just won't be able to 'see' our car moving on the road, correct?

Thanks for any and all advice, and please correct any inaccuracies in my descriptions!

 

[Callie]

Barb, I am a doofus when it comes to using the GPS on my phone - just figured out how to get the nice lady to talk to me last week and I've had the phone for 3 years - but I can tell you that on our trip to Scotland, we used a Garmin GPS with recently purchased maps of Scotland and they were wonderful. Every tiny little road was there, lots of warnings about roundabouts, clear directions. I don't have enough experience with my phone GPS to say one is better than the other, but next time I need a GPS for a very rural area, I'll probably get the updated Garmin maps, only because we had such a good experience with them in Scotland.

For cities and towns, I do love Pocket Earth. You can download the map and use it off line on your phone or iPad with the app. I've been finding all the places I want to go in London and putting a "pin" so I can find them again easily.

Callie

 

[Pauline]

I haven't a clue how to download Google maps to my iPhone or iPad, but when I want to figure something out, I Google the question and usually someone explains it somewhere.

This might be your answer.

I always travel with a GPS. With the new Garmins you get free map updates for life. They come with the maps loaded (you choose US maps or Europe). I update them each year by attaching the GPS to my computer and doing something on the Garmin website (I probably have notes on this somewhere) - it updates the maps on my GPS.

I know many people who use Google Maps on their iPhone instead of a GPS. I am not sure if the cell phone is as accurate at locating you. The GPS locates you via satellite. But maybe the phone is just as good.

There, I haven't answered your question at all.

 

[Chris]

But you sounded very knowledgable while not answering her question! I've used my phone successfully in Spain and France, and a little bit in Italy, but not in enough areas to say that it always works.

 

[artnbarb]

Thanks all - I have ordered a Garmin GPS for Western Europe, plus a slew of regional paper maps, and I will attempt to download maps to my phone to #1) see if I can, then #2) see it I can then figure out how to use it, and #3) see how useful it is - or is not.

 

[artnbarb]

I haven't a clue how to download Google maps to my iPhone or iPad, but when I want to figure something out, I Google the question and usually someone explains it somewhere.

This might be your answer.

I found that same page, Pauline, and hope it helps! Thanks!

 

[Callie]

Somehow we did used to be able to get around without GPS and Google maps and phones. And I do love a good map.

Callie

 

[Pauline]

Somehow we did used to be able to get around without GPS and Google maps and phones. And I do love a good map.

Callie

Yes but how many marriages ended because of that driving trip in Italy with one person driving and the other navigating with a paper map?

 

[Callie]

Untold numbers, no doubt.