Smart Phone and Map App (Android) - Beginners Guide?

[wiggydiggy]

Hi,

Its about time I dragged myself out of the dark ages and I'd like to get an Android Smartphone so I can use it for maps, and hopefully feature a nice(ish) camera. It wouldnt be my everyday phone just the one I use when I go out on the chariot so I don't get lost again (like last weekend lol!)

I'm starting at the beginning though, so if anyone can help me with....

Do I need to get a 'data' contract? I cant change/afford to pay more than £10 a month and it has to be with o2
Are there such things as 'offline' mapping applications, so that say I could map a route and upload it to the phone for me to check whilst out?
GPS - How does this work, some apps boast of 'GPS Mapping' but will this not cost £££ in data charges?
The phone itself - obviosuly I'd favour battery life, and a decent touch screen then software capabilities. Any recomendations (not iPhone)

I'm literally starting from the beginning here, ideally I'd like to pay upfront for a Smarthphone rather than go contract as I'm on a non contract monthly simplicity tariff from o2. But I'm open to suggestions of o2 tariff/phone copminations that don't cost more than £10 p/month.

I know a GPS mapper may work better as a mapping device, but I cant justify the £££ on just a mapping a device, at least if I dropped £50-100 on a phone I can use it for other things.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I have the HTC Wildfire and this moning I ordered the HTC Desire S Sim Free from Handtec here -> CLICK ME

There are a lot of really good deals around for the Widlfire S also.

 

[Hacienda71]

You can switch off data and only turn it on when you are connected to WiFi. I did this in France to avoid roaming data charges when using Endomondo.

 

[mangaman]

The data is the real killer money wise.

You don't need the GPS enabled if you've a map uploaded - unless you want to know where you are. In my experience the GPS eats up the battery. I have the OS on my phone and just use it like any other OS map without the GPS.

If you wanted more sophisticated apps that recorded your ride while you were out, you would need the GPS and decent coverage.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I have the HTC Wildfire and this moning I ordered the HTC Desire S Sim Free from Handtec here -> CLICK ME

There are a lot of really good deals around for the Widlfire S also.

Wayyy over my price range (£50-100) but nice phone Ill keep the website for looking at some other models though.

You can switch off data and only turn it on when you are connected to WiFi. I did this in France to avoid roaming data charges when using Endomondo.

Thats what I'm aiming for - you can turn 'data' off then on most smart phones? I may be lacking wi-fi on top of the pennines like

The data is the real killer money wise.

You don't need the GPS enabled if you've a map uploaded - unless you want to know where you are. In my experience the GPS eats up the battery. I have the OS on my phone and just use it like any other OS map without the GPS.

If you wanted more sophisticated apps that recorded your ride while you were out, you would need the GPS and decent coverage.

No I dont need to record my ride, I tend to map it before and after using mapmyride so I don't mind still doing that manually as long as I can get a map on the phone, preferably one that has my route mapped but it doesnt need to tarck my location as I can do that myself.

Is there an OS map app, or just the raw data of the maps themselves.

Bearing in mind the most sophisticated I get ATM is a printed screenshot of my route scrumped up in my back pocket, anything is better!

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Wayyy over my price range (£50-100) but nice phone Ill keep the website for looking at some other models though.

Have a look at some PAYG phones here -> CLICK ME some of them are nearer your price range, none of them are on o2 but you can always get it unlocked to accept any sim card.

 

[mangaman]

Wayyy over my price range (£50-100) but nice phone Ill keep the website for looking at some other models though.






Is there an OS map app, or just the raw data of the maps themselves.

Bearing in mind the most sophisticated I get ATM is a printed screenshot of my route scrumped up in my back pocket, anything is better!

I've just got the raw data of the maps - I think I had to download it from the Market - but it was free (or very cheap) and covers the whole country, so well worth it.

If you really are lost, you can turn on the GPS and it will show your position on the OS map as well.

 

[calibanzwei]

Is there an OS map app, or just the raw data of the maps themselves.

As a backup to my proper OS maps when out on the hills I use MMTrackeron my phone:
https://market.android.com/details?...ult#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5tZWl4aUZSRUUiXQ..

The maps are stored on the SD card and are from the MemoryMap software:
http://www.memory-map.co.uk/

I don't know of any other way for maps to be stored on your phone (ie not downloaded as you need them) AND those maps be used in conjunction with the GPS.

EDIT:

I've just got the raw data of the maps - I think I had to download it from the Market - but it was free (or very cheap) and covers the whole country, so well worth it.

Must've missed that - got a link?

 

[wiggydiggy]

Have a look at some PAYG phones here -> CLICK ME some of them are nearer your price range, none of them are on o2 but you can always get it unlocked to accept any sim card.

Any of them recommended? I can do a comparision/read reviews for a feel of them but from what I've read so far some 'budget' smarthphones are terrible and to be avoided.

I've just got the raw data of the maps - I think I had to download it from the Market - but it was free (or very cheap) and covers the whole country, so well worth it.

If you really are lost, you can turn on the GPS and it will show your position on the OS map as well.

That'd do for me TBH I tend to stick to pre-mapped routes e.g. Sustrans so its for times when the sineage fails or I need to transition from 1 path to another. e.g. at the weekend both times I got lost I was within 1/2 mile of where I needed to be, a quick look at a map would have saved me

 

[mangaman]

As a backup to my proper OS maps when out on the hills I use MMTrackeron my phone:
https://market.android.com/details?...ult#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5tZWl4aUZSRUUiXQ..

The maps are stored on the SD card and are from the MemoryMap software:
http://www.memory-map.co.uk/

I don't know of any other way for maps to be stored on your phone (ie not downloaded as you need them) AND those maps be used in conjunction with the GPS.

EDIT:
Must've missed that - got a link?

I don't know how to link - but just searched on the Android Market for "os map" and it's there (and free)

 

[calibanzwei]

This one?
https://market.android.com/details?...GwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5hbmRyb2lkZ2FtZXIub3NtYXAiXQ..
Uses the OS API - ie, downloads the maps.

 

[mangaman]

This one?
https://market.android.com/details?...GwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5hbmRyb2lkZ2FtZXIub3NtYXAiXQ..
Uses the OS API - ie, downloads the maps.

Yes - I'm sorry it's not free £4.99 - but works for me (although you do need coverage)

 

[Hacienda71]

Thats what I'm aiming for - you can turn 'data' off then on most smart phones? I may be lacking wi-fi on top of the pennines like

I only have tried this on my HTC Desire, but I would be suprised if most smart phones weren't capable of switching of data. The GPS logged the points on my rides and then Endomondo mapped the rides when I turned wifi data on when it was available back where I was staying. So I didn't see any mapping until the maps were downloaded later although you could see speed duration calorie burn etc.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Yes - I'm sorry it's not free £4.99 - but works for me (although you do need coverage)

I don't mind paying a few £££ for the digital maps - I've already spent £30-40 on dedicated cycling maps after all.

When you say coverage do you mean for this app I have to have GPS turned on?

I only have tried this on my HTC Desire, but I would be suprised if most smart phones weren't capable of switching of data. The GPS logged the points on my rides and then Endomondo mapped the rides when I turned wifi data on when it was available back where I was staying. So I didn't see any mapping until the maps were downloaded later although you could see speed duration calorie burn etc.

I think, and feel free to correct me lol, that I could have GPS at a minimal data usage and do a (wifi) download of the route taken later in the day?

Asking as I've found a tariff on o2 that is 50p more than mine but includes 100mb data for 12 months - would 100mb be enough for say 2 x 6 hr rides each weekend?

 

[mangaman]

I don't mind paying a few £££ for the digital maps - I've already spent £30-40 on dedicated cycling maps after all.

When you say coverage do you mean for this app I have to have GPS turned on?

No - I never turn mine on generally - just scroll around to find the map that I'll be using - I do that at home using wifi - and just turn it on when I need it.