I'm sure we've done this before but search ain't finding the thread.
Downloaded something called 'Be on Road' to my Hudl a few weeks ago and have used it in both UK and France. Main need is for navigation over 'last mile' into unknown locations such as French camp-sites or, last weekend, Miss B's new home in Devonport. Previously we'd have used Google maps printed from PC before departure.
Used yesterday for first time on longer range mission to get us homeward bound after a stop at 'Clarks Village in Street.
On whole it's pretty good. Running on open source maps and without a license for UK postcodes finding destinations can be problematic. There's an index of streets but top level is main thoroughfares with residential areas tending to be grouped in an 'off Leeds Road' kind of sense. Points of interest such as campsites are listed and can also be located on map and marked as waypoint which is rout able provided it's near a road.
Directions are given via the screen as green markings on an otherwise magenta line delineating one's route. Next turn is shown as a 'PIP' icon top left of screen with turn direction and distance o run to it - can be anything from a few yards/metres to, on autoroute, hundreds of k. Voice instruction is also available.
In the main instructions are accurate but it's not wholly consistent when effectively going straight on, sometimes instructing, other times silent, and junctions with even a slight stagger result in an instruction to turn. Easy to correct when you've got a navigator to interpret but easy to misinterpret using solo.
Mrs B thought it was taking us out of way finding directions from Street to M4/J17 via A39/A361* to Frome then Bradford on Avon, minor roads to A4 then Chippenham but in fact it was near a straight line as you could get. Would have been a challenge if we'd been towing though.
Once on M4 we were advised via gantry messages of trouble on A34 with diversion via A404M/M40. Very impressed by way it recalculated route(s)as we passed round Reading before it 'clocked' our intention..
On the whole good for it's (nil) cost but needs to be on a phone and within driver's visible 'sweep' of road etc to be of any use driving alone.
What's experience of others with 'free' stanav?
*A361 actually goes pretty well all way home as it by passes Daventry and ends at Kilsby (though no longer continuous) but that's a project for another day.
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Wed 27 Aug 14 at 16:03
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