OS Maps For Android Phones

[Wildfisher]

Anyone every tried using OS maps with GPS on an Android smartphone?

[Wildfisher]

Andy, there are hunners of similar apps for Android do you require a phone signal to get the maps live or are they pre-loaded loaded on your phone?

[Traditionalist]

Andy, there are hunners of similar apps for Android do you require a phone signal to get the maps live or are they pre-loaded loaded on your phone?

That's the main problem with it, you need a phone signal or they wont work, so pretty useless where you have poor reception.

There are apparently some that can preload, but I have never found one that worked reliably. May be useful;

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/android-gps-mapping-with-os-maps

http://blog.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/2011/09/mapping-applications-for-your-phone/

but I can't vouch for any of it.

[Traditionalist]

By the way, apropos of some comments there and elsewhere, you definitely do not want to be wandering about in zero visibility half way up a mountain, and even less so relying on a phone GPS.

That's just bloody stupid and asking for trouble.

[Wildfisher]

I have been doing that for 40 years Mike. Always have a map and compass with me and of course I know how to use them. GPS is useful though. However this thread is about GPS  mapping apps for Android phones, not tips on mountain safety. If I need those I'll ask Corsican Dave in new thread

[Traditionalist]

I have been doing that for 40 years Mike. Always have a map and compass with me and of course I know how to use them. GPS is useful though. However this thread is about GPS  mapping apps for Android phones, not tips on mountain safety. If I need those I'll ask Corsican Dave in new thread

Wasn't meant personally Fred. Unfortunately some people will actually do things like that. One of the quotes I was referring to ;

"Its installed on my Symbian sd card, so I expect it can on Android too.
Fantastic app. Saved 8 of us stuck up Scaffel a few months ago in zero vis, just followed the crosshair "

[Traditionalist]

A friend of mine uses this and he reckons it is pretty good ( he uses the German and French versions);

http://www.viewranger.com/en-gb

http://www.viewranger.com/en-gb/app-features/product-overview/walking-gps-app

http://www.viewranger.com/android/hikingGPSforAndroid/pages/page1.php

I have not used it myself.

[Wildfisher]

OK, I downloaded the free ViewRanger app which come with a complete set of UK road maps. I then bit the bullet and bought a complete set of 1:50,000 OS maps for it that covers all of Scotland.

At 40 quid for the maps I thought it was not bad. OK, not as good as the newer 1:25,000 series but more than adequate for fishing and hell I did do 250 odd Munros using them and never got lost. Well, not often anyway.   :lol:   All I have to do now is learn how to use it, got to be better than buying a dedicated GPS.

[fergie]

I have the free one downloaded and its ok but only when i have a signal.

[Wildfisher]

That's why I wanted maps downloaded onto  the phone, no need for a phone signal.  :