Can a smartphone work as a navigator. How to install a navigator on an Android smartphone for free: step by step instructions. High price category

This is a universal device that serves not only for communication, but also for performing many other useful functions. One of the new features of the device is navigation. It became available thanks to the introduction of GPS sensors into the phone. How to choose and install navigator on smartphone?

GPS navigation on a smartphone

Most modern smartphones have built-in GPS sensors. This makes it easy to use your favorite device, for example, as car navigator to quickly find your way in unfamiliar places. It is very easy to take advantage of this opportunity.

With convenient apps install the navigator on a smartphone of any manufacturer possible in minutes. The only thing is that for different operating systems this process has its own nuances. Let's consider in more detail, how to use navigator in smartphone, and what programs are better to use for this.

Useful programs and applications: how to choose a navigator

Using a smartphone as a navigator made possible by the work of various programs and applications. They are of two types:

Online (Yandex Navigation, Google Navigator and others);
Offline (for example, Navitel).

The first option requires a mandatory Internet connection, so it is recommended to use them only with an unlimited tariff. A significant advantage of these programs is that they are regularly updated. In the basic version, these applications are free.

The second type of navigators can also be used when the Internet is turned off. All information is in the internal memory of the smartphone, however, it takes up quite a lot of space. These programs are paid.

Setting up the navigator on the base

Setting up a navigator for a smartphone on Android is very simple. You just need to download the desired program through the Play Market. The action plan is very simple and includes several actions:

The first step is to create a Google account. This is necessary to work with the Play Market;
Using the login and password of the account, you need to log in on your smartphone;
Next, you need to launch the Play Market and select the desired application, for example Navitel. To speed up the process, you can specify its name in the search bar;
When the application is displayed in the list of found ones, you need to click on its name and in the window that opens, click the "Run" button.

To use the navigator, you need to make sure that the GPS sensors are turned on. For example, for this you need to go to the "Settings" menu, select the "Location" item in it and configure the appropriate connection settings.

Android supports the following navigation apps:

Navitel;
2gis;

Navigator selection based on

Now let's answer the question of how to set up a navigator on an iphone? The iOS operating system supports many navigators, including:

Navitel;
Navigon;
CityGuide and others.

You can download the navigator for iphone, like other programs - through the App Store. You also need to download maps, as the pre-installed application is not always accurate.

To turn on GPS on your iPhone, you need to sequentially go to the "Settings", "Privacy" and "Geolocation" menus. In this section, you need to move the "Location Services" switch to the ON state.

Navigation based on Windows Phone

As a navigator in smartphones based on Windows Phone, for example, Lumia 640 using "Here" app. It allows you to view both a schematic map and a panoramic map with photos of houses. But you can also download another navigator through the Windows Store. The best options are:

Yandex.Navigator;
Navitel;
2 GIS;
Windows Maps.

Knowing how to use a smartphone as a navigator, you can quickly get directions, find the nearest cafe or gas station, and determine the location of loved ones. And this is really a very useful and necessary feature for any smartphone owner.

Many cyclists have a question what to choose: bike navigator or dedicated smartphone apps? To provide the most complete and detailed answer, you will have to understand many nuances. We recommend that you carefully read the material, the article will consider the advantages of navigators and smartphone applications.

Why is it necessary

Why might you need a navigator or smartphone app?

The main task is orientation in unfamiliar terrain.
Finding the best route to quickly reach your destination.
Distance traveled count.
Definition of minimum, maximum and average speed.
Formation of training programs.
Determining the effectiveness of classes, the number of calories burned.
Construction of graphs and analysis of the collected information.
Post-processing of data.
Formation of individual training programs based on current parameters and user anatomy.

Note that many of these features are only available in smartphone applications. But in practice, they are not necessary for everyone. Advanced features will be useful to advanced amateurs and professionals. If you just ride a bike and make tourist trips, then it is enough to determine the current location and build routes on the map.

But what to choose - a navigator or a smartphone? Do not look for an exact and unambiguous answer on the Internet, it simply cannot be. The choice between the two devices depends on how you use your bike and the features you need.

Therefore, each user will have to answer such an urgent question. Do you think that we deceived you, promised to provide a clear answer, but in fact it does not exist? This is not so, our material should help users decide on a suitable device. To do this, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Navigator

Navigators are produced not only for cars, but also for bicycles. Note that before buying such a device, it is important to understand why you need it. If you ride in your area, then the navigator will become an ordinary toy and it will not bring practical benefits.

Such equipment should be purchased in the following cases:

You often visit unfamiliar areas of the city.
You want to quickly find the best route.
Often you go on tourist trips by bike.

What are the benefits of a navigator?

This equipment is well protected from mechanical influences, moisture and dust. Modern navigators are produced in a durable and sealed case. This increases the reliability of the equipment.
Navigators are able to work autonomously for a long time. On average, they can be powered by a battery for a day. You won't need to frequently recharge and plug in an external battery during your trip.
Modern navigators are equipped with a barometer to track weather conditions and a compass to determine the cardinal points.
Maps are already loaded in this device, and GPS and GLONASS satellites cover the entire globe.
The navigator is independent of mobile networks. This fact will be especially important when riding in the forest and outside the city.
This unit can be controlled using buttons or a resistive screen. You do not have to take off your gloves to perform any manipulations with the equipment.
If necessary, you can easily find mounts for the navigator on sale. Many manufacturers include them in the kit so that the owner can immediately install on the bike.

The main disadvantage of the navigator is limited functionality. It is capable of performing only a certain list of tasks. Manufacturers are trying to gradually expand the capabilities of this equipment, but in any case it is inferior to applications for smartphones.

Advantages of a smartphone and specialized applications

Several reasons to choose a smartphone:

A huge number of available applications in the official store.
Many programs are free for users.
You can find advanced software, but it is often provided for an additional fee.
The displays on smartphones are larger, and the image quality is much better.
Many modern phones are protected from water and dust, they are not afraid of being exposed to rain.
You can not only build routes, but also get access to many additional features.
The software is updated, improved and the number of available functions is expanded.
Almost everyone has a smartphone, no need to buy additional equipment.
Modern phones support various navigation systems.
You can use multiple applications at the same time.

Now let's list the disadvantages:

Fragility. The phone may break if dropped.
Smartphones with poor performance often slow down, and applications crash on them.
It is difficult to find a bike mount that would provide a secure fit for your device.
Phones are equipped with capacitive screens. You can interact with them only with your bare hands or with a stylus.
Some applications do not support downloading maps. They are loaded while driving and this fact must be taken into account when choosing software. If there is no mobile network signal in this area, then the maps simply will not be displayed on the screen.
Most gadgets run out quickly. In active mode, they can work for about 5-10 hours, depending on power consumption and battery capacity. Therefore, be sure to take a power bank with you.

The phone is suitable for cyclists who need wide functionality. If you need to collect as much information as possible, process it, create training programs, then it is better to give preference to a smartphone. In the official app store on your operating system, you can find the right software. Here are some popular programs among cyclists:

Velopal.
cyclemeter.
Map My Ride+.
Strava.
iBiker.

How to choose the right bike navigator

When choosing a navigator, pay attention to the following parameters:

Fastening reliability. The device must be perfectly fixed on the steering wheel. Usually, manufacturers attach mounts in the box so that the buyer does not have to purchase it separately.
Robust, shock-resistant body.
Protection against water and dust. Ideally, if the navigator complies with IP67 or IP68 standards.
Capacious battery. Although the navigator consumes less energy than a smartphone, it is still a rather gluttonous device. The minimum battery capacity is 2000 mAh.
The battery must be of the Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer type. At the moment, these battery manufacturing technologies are the most reliable. Such batteries are characterized by high energy density, lack the memory effect and tolerate operation well in difficult climatic conditions.
A slot for a flash card will allow you to load many maps and store information in the navigator.

It must be understood that this equipment is far from cheap. A really good navigator will cost at least 10 thousand rubles. Naturally, the higher the price, the better the performance and more additional functions for subsequent use.

When buying this equipment is not worth saving. Refuse to buy too cheap devices. They will drain quickly, freeze, have limited capabilities, and may fail completely.

How to choose a smartphone to use as a navigator on a bike

In addition, we list the basic requirements for a smartphone:

The optimal amount of RAM for full-fledged work. At the time of writing, the minimum recommended amount is 4 GB. But you can buy a device with 6 or 8 GB of RAM. Given the rapid development of operating systems and applications, the stock of RAM will never be superfluous.
Note: This recommendation is relevant only for Android devices. Features of this operating system increase the consumption of RAM.
It is important to have the optimal amount of permanent memory for storing information from applications and downloading offline maps.
The smartphone must be protected from water and dust according to the IP68 standard. Then you can not be afraid to get with him in the rain.
Some sources recommend checking for a shockproof case. But only the authors forget that phones protected from mechanical stress do not differ in powerful hardware. Since the device will be used to the maximum, the technical characteristics are much more important than the presence of shock resistance. Choose a secure mount and be careful when using your smartphone, then nothing threatens it.
An important parameter is the presence of a capacious battery. The minimum figure is 3000 mAh, but more is possible.

In practice, a high battery capacity does not guarantee a long battery life. The operating time of the phone without recharging depends on the power consumption. It is also affected by the components installed in the smartphone and the optimization of the operating system. Therefore, give preference to devices from trusted manufacturers who are working on their own shell and trying to reduce battery consumption.

Don't forget to choose the right app. Our article has already listed several programs for cyclists. But in the official store you can pick up other applications. It is better to test the programs yourself to see how easy they are to use and whether they can cover your needs.

Already from the name of the program you can guess its purpose. The essence of the operation of the utility is to determine the current coordinates of the user according to the signals of satellites of the global geo-positioning system (GPS) and cell towers of the mobile network. The reader will be provided with instructions for downloading, installing and initial settings of the navigator application. The process of entering data for the route and following it is also described in detail.

Brief historical digression

In general, the idea of using a device to help a car driver determine their location is far from new. The first predecessor of modern electronic navigation devices appeared in 1920 in Great Britain.

The English version looked like a wrist watch. Special mini-rolls with printed maps of the area were inserted into them, the scrolling of which was carried out manually.

In 1930, a mechanical navigator for use in the automobile was introduced. Progress did not stand still: in the new device, paper maps scrolled automatically. Separately, it should be noted that the intensity of scrolling directly depended on the current speed of the car.

Of course, there was no talk of any satellites at that time. If the driver turned onto a new road, he had to manually change one card for another.

The idea of using satellite navigation for positioning came about with the launch of the first Soviet satellite in 1957. It turned out that it is possible to use the signal reflected from the apparatus to determine the coordinates and speed of the object.

In 1974, the United States launched the first GPS satellite, which marked the beginning of the creation of a global positioning system.

General description of "Yandex.Navigator"

"Yandex.Navigator" is a free application that greatly simplifies the life of a car enthusiast who finds himself in an unfamiliar area. Below you will find instructions on how to use Yandex.Navigator.

The main features of the program are as follows:

Laying a route from the current point to the specified destination.
Voice prompts while driving.
Building the best route between two points on the map.
View the map offline.
Search for parking lots in large cities.
Display information about traffic jams on the route.
Voice search function.

The user interface of the navigator is simple. It is not difficult to master it even for an inexperienced user.

System requirements

Before using Yandex.Navigator on your phone, you need to find out if the device meets the minimum system requirements. They are quite democratic. For comfortable operation of the navigation application, it is sufficient to use a mobile device with the following parameters:

Processor with a clock frequency of 1000 MHz.
Display with a diagonal of 4 inches (it can be smaller, but it will be difficult to see anything).
Availability of Wi-Fi and GPS modules.
Operating system - Android version 4 and higher (there is also a version of the program for use with iOS).

Installation on a smartphone with an Android operating system

In order to install "Yandex.Navigator" on a smartphone, you must perform the following list of manipulations:

Launch the Google Play Market app store.
Write the name of the program in the search bar (in our case, it is "Yandex.Navigator").
Click the magnifying glass icon.
Tap on the "Install" button.
Confirm permissions for the navigation program.
Wait for the installation process to finish.

To start working with the installed Yandex.Navigator application, you need to go to the home screen of the Android system, find the required icon and tap on it to launch the program.

Route planning and other basic functions

So how do you use Yandex.Navigator on Android? Below are brief instructions on how to use the functionality of the navigator application.

To start working with the program and make the initial settings, you must do the following:

Launch navigation software.
Wait for the GPS module to complete the procedure for determining its own coordinates.
Touch the bottom of the smartphone display.
The menu bar will appear. To search, click the magnifying glass icon.
Set search parameters, find the desired address (or coordinates).
Press the "Let's go" button to start moving along the specified route. To change the scale, just touch the on-screen icons with a plus or minus sign.
The color of the line of the laid route can change from green to red, depending on the intensity of traffic jams along the route of the car.

Also in the settings you can choose the type of map display. There are three options:

Scheme. Maps created by cartographers are displayed. There are street signs and house numbers. Various organizations are also labeled.
Satellite. In this case, the background for the map is a satellite photograph of the area. Sometimes it is easier to navigate in an unfamiliar settlement from a photo.
Folk. This category includes amateur maps created by Internet users. Their use is relevant in the absence of official versions of maps for the desired locality.

Other navigation app settings:

Select the type of interface display (day or night). In the second case, screen colors are inverted for better perception of information in the dark.
Choice of voice guidance. You can choose one of three options: no voice, female, male.

Using maps offline

Many people working with the application have a question about how to use Yandex.Navigator without the Internet. Without access to the network, you can use maps downloaded in advance from the network. To download them to your device, you need to do the following:

Activate the Internet connection on the mobile device.
Launch the Yandex.Navigator application.
Enter the main menu of the program.
Next, you will need to enter the name of the city and download the proposed map file.

After downloading, the map will become available for viewing even without a network connection.

Functionality available without internet connection

And yet, it is necessary to finally clarify whether it is possible to use Yandex.Navigator without the Internet. It is difficult to give a definite answer to this question. Despite the use of satellite signals, positioning is also carried out with the participation of the Internet and Wi-Fi access points. In other words, without an active connection to 3G / 4G networks, the navigation program will not fully function.

In such a situation, the user can only view previously downloaded maps of certain settlements, while active navigation and route guidance in offline mode are not available.

Once upon a time, GPS navigators replaced simple paper maps. And now, completely imperceptibly and somehow even on the sly, the ubiquitous smartphones began to conquer the market.

In 2014 alone, about 1.2 billion smartphones were sold worldwide. These are staggering numbers that should make GPS navigators' electronic hair stand on end. A logical question arises - is a smartphone preferred to other gadgets because it is better? Or is it just more widely used due to its rich functionality? So, let's figure it out. What is better to use as a car road sign - a traditional GPS tracker or a dear smartphone, without which a modern person feels naked?

What do you prefer - a smartphone or a GPS-navigator?

Photo extremetech.com

satellite signals

In the 1970s US Department of Defense ordered the development of what today we call a global positioning system, the constellation of which includes 24 satellites. Around the same time, Russia began to develop its own network, called GLONASS. By the way, in December 2006, negotiations were held at which the Russians and the Americans agreed that the systems GLONASS and GPS will complement each other.

To use the positioning system, until recently, motorists needed a special device that could skillfully process GPS signals. But today the situation has changed: almost all new smartphones can receive such signals, process them and track the location almost instantly with great accuracy. It would seem - what's the difference? She is. And the main trump card in the sleeve of smartphones is Assisted GPS. This technology allows you to accelerate the "cold start" of GPS receivers.

GPS and GLONASS systems make our life easier

Photo patriots.rf

This unique feature of mobile phones allows the device to use real-time information provided by cell towers. So the person behind the wheel can determine their coordinates much faster. Help in this case and some mobile applications that use the built-in phone accelerometer and digital compass for more accurate positioning.

Map data

The most important information any navigation tool are maps. It must be admitted that many GPS trackers, especially those that do not know how to access the Internet, are equipped with a very meager set of pre-installed maps. Updating such data is often associated with many technological difficulties. In addition, do not forget about the additional financial burden. When using a smartphone, this problem is not so acute, although there are some pitfalls here.

Many cars are equipped with standard GPS systems that fully satisfy the needs of drivers.

Photo fastcompany.net

The main thing is the price of the issue. When it comes to additional spending, the smartphone inflicts GPS navigator blow below the waist. While the cost of software installed on GPS systems can be quite hefty, smartphone maps can be obtained absolutely free of charge. And if not free, then almost for a penny. There are tons of navigation apps that can be installed on your smartphone in seconds. And such maps are not only not inferior to the data provided by GPS navigators, but can also give them a head start. In addition, smartphones easily tie photos to geotags. Some GPS navigators are also taught this magic, but it costs the user a pretty penny.

A smartphone without special accessories can become a serious distraction

Photo pexels.com

Many mobile navigation applications allow you to share location information, waypoints and directions on social networks, or store this information in the "cloud" from where it can be "pulled" by other users. Try this with your GPS device.

Device cost

If we are already talking about the price, then it is worth noting that many users claim that a GPS navigator is much cheaper than a smartphone. However, the price of the gadget is a very, very conditional factor. Electronics manufacturers have long begun to fill different market niches, so today you can find both smartphones and GPS trackers playing in different price leagues. Motorists have the opportunity to buy a quite decent navigation system at a democratic price, or get a budget smartphone that will be an excellent guide to cities and villages.

Today, the cost of a gadget is not a factor

Photo phonearena.com

Internet access

The ability to connect to the World Wide Web is an important component of a comfortable ride in unfamiliar terrain. Many GPS navigators, but not all, today are equipped with such a function. However, they are usually not cheap. But for a smartphone, accessing the Internet is as natural as breathing is for us. This feature allows you to download new maps and updates in real time, get traffic and POI data, and much more.

Internet access is a huge advantage of a smartphone

Photo today.mts.com.ua

Filling advantage

No one will argue with the fact that the performance of smartphones is usually an order of magnitude higher than the capabilities provided by a GPS navigator. More modern software and high-performance stuffing again bring smartphones forward.

The smartphone has more impressive features

Photo gnsystems.net

Accessories

All navigators are equipped with such essential things as car chargers and a special mount that allows you to position the device in the car in such a way that the driver is as comfortable as possible. If the motorist nevertheless decided to give preference to a smartphone, he will have to buy all the related accessories. And, as experience shows, finding a functional phone mount is not so easy.

Special mounts make it much easier to use your smartphone while driving

Photo discount-discs.co.uk

Functionality and battery

One gets the impression that the navigator loses dry to the smartphone, but this device also has its own important advantages. For example, a phone can at any time interrupt navigation with a call and distract a person who is concentrating on turning the steering wheel. With a GPS tracker, this kind of surprise will not happen.

The smartphone can also be mounted on the steering wheel

Photo onfancy.com

It is also worth considering how long the device you have chosen will be able to work offline. If the battery of the navigator allows it to function without recharging for 2-3 hours, then the constantly on screen of a smartphone operating in navigation mode will “land” the gadget much earlier.

GPS navigator		Smartphone
pros	Minuses	pros	Minuses
Reliability of location tracking	The relatively high cost of such a monotask device	Easily accessible and cheap (often free) cards	Battery life (when you turn on navigation applications, the smartphone starts burning calories at a breakneck speed)
Structural strength	Low display resolution, which sometimes makes reading cards rather difficult	Size (many users consider the relatively small smartphone screen as a drawback)	Navigation can be interrupted by a call
Typically, navigator displays are equipped with an anti-reflective coating, which makes using the device more comfortable.	Even today, many navigators do not have the function of accessing the Internet.	Regular updates of the mapping software (there is no need to connect the gadget to a desktop computer to "upload" the updated data)	Dependence on cellular signal
Includes windshield mount and car charger		Always with you, so it doesn't matter whose car you're in
Good battery capacity		The ability to access the Internet at any time
Optimal display size for card reading		High performance Summing up, it must be said that neither a smartphone nor a GPS navigator can be unambiguously called the winner of this discussion. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. And your decision will depend on many factors, including the state of the family budget, habits, preferences, and even mood. But there is one main question that every motorist must find the answer to. Or rather, two interpretations of this question. First, decide if you need a navigator if your phone already has the same features? Second, consider whether a narrowly targeted device is always more reliable and understandable. After all, a cupcake can be baked in the microwave, but a bread machine will cope with this task much better. We wish you a competent choice and error-free navigation!

In our age in the city it is hard to do without a map. This is especially true for motorists who travel long distances, travel by car between cities and often travel to unfamiliar areas. Assistant in finding the path - navigator. This is an application that is installed on the phone and builds a route along which the traveler leads. In this article we will talk about which navigator to install on android.

The advantage of using the navigator in the phone

Previously, navigators were only separate devices that needed to be purchased and selected separately. This entailed unnecessary expenses, the need to understand the technical side of the gadget. The danger of making a mistake and choosing a bad device, the danger of breakage.

They are preferred because they:

Free. And if you want to buy a paid application - the amount is not large.
If you don't like the program, uninstall and install a new one.
Does not require a separate device.
Performs all the functions of road navigators.
Can work without internet.

Benefits in person.

Android navigators for car

But which navigator is better to install on android? There are dozens of items in the app store. There are paid and free ones, working with or without the Internet, with voice assistants, maps for individual countries and cities. With a different interface, those where you can watch traffic jams and traffic police posts. We have selected the TOP similar applications in the Play Market and compared them:

Navigator without Internet on Android
Navigator	Offline mode	Is free	Voice control
Google Maps	Yes	Yes	Yes
Yandex Navigation	There are maps, no routes	Yes	Yes
Navitel	Yes	Not	Not
Yes	Yes	Not
MapFactor	Offline only	Yes	Not
Waze	In Russia	Yes	Yes
Yes	Yes	Not
7 roads	Yes	Yes	Not
OsmAnd	Yes	Not	Not
Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps	Yes	Yes	Not

And now more about each of the applications.

Google Maps

Internet Corporation specializes not only in Internet search. In Google Maps, you can get directions for different modes of transport. Google Maps is on all modern phones that run on android. If you don’t really like to choose and download applications, the question of how to install a navigator on an android will not arise.

There is an online and offline mode. When connected to the Internet, you can build any route, even by public transport. And offline, only a car route, if the map has been downloaded to the phone’s memory in advance. It swings in the application.

Google Maps has maps for almost the entire world. Wherever you go, the path is always with you. There is a voice assistant and the ability to view the area in 3D format.

Yandex Navigator

Yandex Navigator is one of the leaders in the Russian segment of the Internet. For Russia, it is this application that paves the most accurate route. It takes into account traffic jams, accidents, repairs and even toll roads. Yandex Navigator is easy to install on Android - you just need to download it for free in a couple of minutes.

Sometimes you can't download the app due to the common df-dla-15 error in the Play Market. We how to deal with it.

Builds routes taking into account all the information about the road. Convenient thanks to voice control. You need to turn: "Listen, Yandex!". He will lay the route, listening to the instructions by voice. This minimizes emergency situations on the road - you do not need to be distracted to set up Yandex Navigation. The question of how to update Yandex navigator on Android has a simple answer: connect your phone to the Internet, go to the Play Market, select the "Updates" tab and click "Update" under the application icon. The whole process - no longer than five minutes - and up-to-date information is already in your smartphone.

Of the disadvantages - you can not pave the way without connecting to the network. If you are well versed on the map, you can get there by looking at the image of the area.

Navitel

Nativevel

Navitel is often used by taxi drivers and delivery drivers, since without the Internet it works perfectly anywhere. But he is paid. After installation, there is a week of trial period for free. You can use maps of 64 countries. After 7 days you will have to buy maps of countries and cities. For taxi drivers traveling in one city - not expensive, but the trucker will go broke on the application - buying a map of the whole country is expensive!

The SpeedCam function notifies about speed bumps, traffic cameras, radars, traffic police posts.

Navigator 2GIS

A very popular navigator that works without the Internet for Android. There is also an online mode. 2GIS has an extensive database of enterprises. In shopping centers, shops and cafes are marked on a detailed map of each floor. The base is up-to-date, as moderators often call the company or institution and clarify the information.

Of the minuses - many small settlements are not on the maps, so it is not suitable for residents of villages or towns.

MapFactor

This is a free navigator for an android smartphone without internet, it uses OpenStreetMap to work. Updates happen once a month. But there will be no information about traffic jams and accidents. Information about cameras installed along the way is also updated only once every 30 days.

Controls if the driver is speeding. Will build routes for the car and for the pedestrian.

Waze

In Russia, it can work without the Internet as a simple navigator, but the data will not be updated and you will not know about traffic jams, traffic police ambushes or accidents. If you stand still for a long time, the application will close itself so as not to drain the battery on your phone. Automatically changes the route if there is information that there is an accident, traffic jam or other unpleasant cataclysms along the way. But the function only works with the Internet.

Of the minuses - it quickly uses charging, and also in the navigator there is no numbering for some houses.

7 roads

A navigator program for android that works without the Internet and uses OpenStreetMap. Available for free. The interface is similar to Windows 8 or 10.

If music is playing on the phone, the program will turn it down to give a voice prompt when needed. Then everything will come back. The disadvantage is that you can’t follow accidents or traffic jams.

If you often move between cities, this GPS navigator for android without the Internet will not suit you. In the application, city maps are installed separately, despite the fact that there is a general map of Russia. Therefore, if the route is built from one city to another, there will be small errors along the way. And when traveling, even a small mistake can be significant.

The maps are updated almost daily in order for the application to work efficiently in offline mode. Each person can add information about the objects that appeared in the city. After editing, specialists check their accuracy and update maps.

In offline mode, it works perfectly, the detail of the terrain is at a high level. But maps take up a lot of memory on the phone, and the weight of the application is constantly increasing due to updates.

Another disadvantage is that since the application works without the Internet, there will be no information about traffic jams, accidents and what is happening on the road.

The developers are TomTom. This is an indicator of the accuracy of the image of the relief and roads. Almost all maps that are available also have a 3D view.

The application is paid, but the main functions are in the free version. The voice assistant differs from the assistant in analogues: it not only notifies you before turning, but also tells you if you are passing a landmark or along a historic street.

The maps have information about cameras, traffic jams and road posts. Additionally, there are marks about parking spaces and parking prices, there is information about gas stations, hotels, shopping centers, cafes along the road, and so on.
Through the application, you can keep in touch with friends, but the function is only available when connected to the Internet. You can connect via BlueTooth with the radio in the car if the sound on the phone is bad.

OsmAnd

Navigator Osmand

Also a great choice if you need a GPS navigator for android. The application is paid. Works without the Internet, offline shows all the necessary maps and routes. It can work with OpenStreetMap, Yandex and Google maps, as well as others that are installed on your smartphone by default or by choice.

Attractions and useful places are marked on the maps: cafes, gas stations, shopping centers, theaters, and so on.

It builds a path well in mountainous areas. But there are only 2D maps.

Please note that viruses can interfere with the normal operation of the smartphone. We advise you to familiarize yourself with if you want to extend the life of your smartphone.

Output

We have given a description of only a part of the programs that you can download for free in the Play Market. But the question of which navigator is better for android is subjective. It is important for someone to work without the Internet, someone needs 3D maps. Prioritize features for yourself and use them when choosing an app. How much can you pay or don't want to pay?

Look at the "weight" of the application, whether there is enough space on the phone for it. This market is constantly evolving and soon there will be better options if you are not completely satisfied with any of the existing ones.