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Google maps On Phone In USA - Use Much Data?

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  • 01-04-2014 5:53pm
    #1
    gaillimh
    Registered Users Posts: 433 ✭✭


    Hi.
    Has anybody here used google maps on their phone as their sat nav when driving in the States?

    Just wondering how much data roughly it would use.Say for a two hour drive would it use much MB of data generally?

    Thanks


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    #2
    InTheTrees
    Registered Users Posts: 9,900 ✭✭✭InTheTrees


    In my experience, yes, they use a lot of data. How much I dont know.

    There are maps apps out there that you download maps in advance with so they'll work when you're outside coverage.

    Sorry to be vague, hopefully someone else can be ore specific and technical.


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    #3
    InTheTrees
    Registered Users Posts: 9,900 ✭✭✭InTheTrees


    You can always go to a shop and buy a cheap GPS when you get here.

    That way directions stay on the gps and it leaves your phone free. Just a thought.

    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/gps-navigation/portable-gps/abcat0301014.c?id=abcat0301014


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    #4
    dave2pvd
    Registered Users Posts: 1,511 ✭✭✭dave2pvd


    ^ agree on all counts; lots of data, buy a GPS.

    To add: road trips in the US frequently include lots of remote and/or mountainous stretches. No cell towers = no data.


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    #5
    vandriver
    Registered Users Posts: 3,462 ✭✭✭vandriver


    What network are you with here?


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    #6
    gaillimh
    Registered Users Posts: 433 ✭✭gaillimh


    Thanks lads.I'm on Three network here.My oh has a Htc which she's going to get unlocked and we'll use a local data SIM. We'll just have a car for two of the days so I'm thinking we might get by with the data allowance on the local SIM.
    If we had it for another few days I'd go with a separate sat nav or a sat nav app but we might get by given its just for two days and we won't really be doing any very long drives.more like 3-4 hours per day I reckon in the car.

    Thanks again


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    #7
    InTheTrees
    Registered Users Posts: 9,900 ✭✭✭InTheTrees


    gaillimh wrote: »
    We'll just have a car for two of the days so I'm thinking we might get by with the data allowance on the local SIM.

    Car rental place will probably rent you a gps too. If its only for a few days, might even be cheaper than (buying and) downloading maps to save locally.

    Its so much nicer than using your phone. You get the more detailed (and reliable) turn by turn directions, you can put it in the sun on your dashboard without worrying about it. It doesnt use so much power, bigger screen. Plus you still have the phone free.

    But thats just me. :)


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    #8
    lil_lisa
    Registered Users Posts: 1,829 ✭✭✭lil_lisa


    Where abouts will you be driving? If you're out in a small rural place, it might be very difficult to get coverage with your phone. Major cities are usually pretty good.


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    #9
    MissFlitworth
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,057 ✭✭✭MissFlitworth


    You can download Google maps to your phone to use offline, although I couldn't swear you'd be able to download a large enough section to cover a 2 hour drive

    Android: https://support.google.com/gmm/answer/2650377

    iOS: http://gizmodo.com/how-to-save-offline-maps-in-the-new-google-maps-for-ios-819672562/all

    I do it on city breaks using my hotel wifi rather than risk roaming data charges when I, inevitably, get lost


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