@ Willy
Yes, Track Navigator only navigates plotted tracks and nothing more, so as you say it's simple to use. The only configuration option is metres or feet (yes, feet, not yards. I therefore use metres as the numbers are smaller ...)
For me, the screen is blank (apart from the plotted track) and that is fine as I don't look at it - I just listen. It knows where I am on that plotted track and directs me accordingly.
As for Locus, the thought of having to study a manual is slightly off-putting, so I'll give that a miss but thank you for mentioning it :)
OK, so my twopeneth...
What I want to do is plot routes on my PC (so tick to plotaroute) and use my Phone to guide me through the route via a map with turns, etc... I don't need voice feedback (atually HATE that)... So far I've tried various tricks, mainly involving downloading the track from PlotaRoute and uploading to another service (e.g. Mapmy...) so I can get the route on my phone. What I WANT is offline maps with the turns etc.. on it. BUT without having to faff between various apps/websites. I HAVE used Plotaroute mobile website with paths on walks many a time, BUT it doesn't seem to follow where I am unless I reload the page completely, unless I am missing something... Ramblr ALMOST seems to do what I need, but I don't like its plotting interface...
There is one already and you can export your GPX files to Plotaroute! :) Does everything you want and offline! So its perfectly compatible with Plotaroute! Would this help?
http://osmand.net/
Just to echo Andy Owen's comments on this one I think.
Why do I need an app instead of the mobile site? Because it shows my route (selected from a list of my routes) on the map, and most importantly it shows where I am on the map while I'm out and about. My position is kept updated. As far as I'm aware the mobile site won't do that. I can (and do) download a gpx and upload it to a different app - conveniently one that stores map data offline, although most of the time I'm in town with a good signal so that isn't really an issue - but for many people downloading/uploading, worrying about formats and GPX types is a deal breaker.
I generally don't like mobile apps and would prefer to use my browser, but GPS is one aspect where I want to get full integrated use of my device hardware. So for me I would like an app which does the following:
1) Display list of routes (mine, or bookmarked, whatever).
2) Display selected route overlaid on map (google map, whatever).
3) Also display my position (and ideally track my position, zoom to my position, etc).
Just to be clear I have no requirement to edit/plot routes in an app. The website is excellent for that and that's why I use it, but the problem is when I then want to use my routes. I also have no desire for voice navigation while out running/cycling/whatever.
Thanks for the feedback Tim - that is very helpful. Just so you are aware, you can indeed see your position on a route on the mobile website. When you view your route map on a mobile device there is a tracker icon in the bottom right corner of the map - touch this to activate the tracker and touch it again to deactivate it.
John
Do you have an app for my iPhone
As this old thread has just been posted to again, I have re-read my post from 2016. In that, I said I used Track Navigator for audio navigation following routes plotted on Plotaroute.
I'd like to update that by saying that I've not used Track Navigator for 8 months because I now use Bike Tracker from PC Ability. It's much better, very flexible and provides performance information on route.
Note that these apps are only for Android and only for audio ie an earpiece, so you don't need to look at anything.
Bike Tracker does have a map showing current position. You'll need to be online to see the map, BUT the app is so good I've not needed a map since I started using it. If you miss a turn, it tells you how to get back on track.
Hi Michael - we don't currently have a mobile app but do have a mobile friendly version of the wesbite. Also, you can download routes from the site for use with other apps like the ones that Colin refered to - thanks Colin for sharing these tips.
John
Isn't this Feature Request rather similar to Request 26 (Develop a mobile app for route navigation (following a route using GPS enabled mobile devices) ?
- tracks downloaded onto the phone
- GPS guidance along a plotted track
- ideally using offline maps because internet access might not always be available
- ideally with voice guidance along the route
- ideally with visual guidance along a route ??
Does anyone use or want visual guidance with a phone ? In my experience, it's no good on a bicycle. I suspect a dedicated navigation device which fills the small screen with big graphics would be better ...
For walkers, perhaps detailed offline maps overlayed with progress along the track would work ...
If no-one needs to plot a new route on a phone without internet access, then this Feature Request (24) seems to be superfluous .... or am I wrong ? (I've never used the mobile site)
I think number 24 was the original feature request for a mobile app but then we created separate ones for navigation and recording of routes. Feature request 24 is more about replicating the mobile site as a native app rather than creating new functionality to record or navigate that doesn't exist now, so in that respect it probably isn't redundant.
John