Table of Contents
- 1 Why do people still use sat navs?
- 2 Do people use sat navs anymore?
- 3 Does using sat nav on phone use data?
- 4 How do sat navs know about traffic?
- 5 What sat nav means?
- 6 Can I use navigation without internet?
- 7 Is it cheaper to use a smartphone as a navigation device?
- 8 How much does a car sat-nav system cost?
There are still reasons to go for a dedicated car sat-nav, though, not least because they’re generally more sophisticated than smartphone app navigation systems and offer better traffic information and features. It’s much easier to use a proper sat-nav system than it is a phone, too.
Not so long ago, separate sat-nav systems were the car accessory. But, demand for separate sat nav systems has dropped dramatically in recent years. The increasing prevalence of in-built, factory-fitted nav units is a factor, but arguably the biggest reason for the drop is Google Maps and other apps of that ilk.
Is Google Maps as good as a sat nav?
Overall though, Google Maps works just as well as a sat nav and has the added bonus of automatic updates. So, you don’t need to buy the latest map packs to keep things up to date.
The short answer: Google Maps doesn’t use much mobile data at all when navigating. In our experiments, it’s about 5 MB per hour of driving. Most of Google Maps data use is incurred when initially searching for the destination and charting a course (which you can do on Wi-Fi).
Most of the more affordable in-car sat navs, such as Navigon and Medion devices, get their live traffic information supplied free via the Traffic Message Channel (TMC). Run by Trafficmaster , the data is sent over the FM radio band and decoded by the sat nav to provide verbal or visual traffic alerts.
Why use a GPS instead of a phone?
GPS units also have a longer battery life than a smartphone and it easily plugs into the car adapter. Using the smartphone for so many different things (GPS, calling people, internet) will drain the phones battery quickly. A GPS is also simple: it provides navigation.
Definition of satnav : a satellite-based navigation system for ships.
Can I Use GPS Without an Internet Connection? Yes. On both iOS and Android phones, any mapping app has the ability to track your location without needing an internet connection. When you have a data connection, your phone uses Assisted GPS, or A-GPS.
Is it easier to use a sat-nav system than a phone?
It’s much easier to use a proper sat-nav system than it is a phone, too. They’re better designed to be used in cars, with larger screens and, with built-in systems, the sound is louder and clearer because it plays through the car’s audio speakers (although you can do that by linking your phone to the infotainment system).
More than anything, a smartphone is something that pretty much everybody already owns, so using it as a navigation device is cheaper than specifying sat-nav as a solitary option on a new car, or buying a dedicated aftermarket unit.
Good quality aftermaket sat-nav systems usually cost at least £100, and factory-fitted versions can be an expensive option on a new car. There are still reasons to go for a dedicated car sat-nav, though, not least because they’re generally more sophisticated than smartphone app navigation systems and offer better traffic information and features.
Can I use my phone as a GPS navigation device?
Smartphone as navigation device Most smartphones have full GPS capability onboard, so navigation is a natural use for that. All that is needed to get going is an app that handles the mapping and navigation. There are many options for all smartphone platforms, and my preferred app for navigation is available on both iOS and Android.