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OK, so my twopeneth...

@ 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 :)

In reply to Colin.  Android apps and perfect turn by turn navigation using .tcx files.

1. Excelllent and very simple to use app: Track Navigator ! Uses online maps or simply a blank.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thunkmonkey.tracknav&hl=en

2. Locus map.  (Free and Pro).  The online manual:  http://docs.locusmap.eu/doku.php?id=:main&redirect=1

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=menion.android.locus&hl=en

Excellent app that understands .tcx navigation. Instructions by TTS or by simple beep or by simple loud and clear Morse sign for L/R/S...(= very limited so no morse training necessary ;-)

Uses online or offline 'vector' maps and more and more.

Reading the online manual is a MUST to understand all available features ! =  A lot !  

Thanks Colin - that's very helpful feedback.

John

I suspect most people posting here will be those who want a new app, so I thought it wouldn't do any harm to confirm that I don't need an app for route plotting.

I've got a 24" screen at home and I certainly wouldn't try plotting a route on a phone regardless of how good the app might be, because I want to be able to see the big picture ...

As for following the plotted route, I only use voice navigation and that is using the Android Track Navigator app.  (An alternative app is OSMAND)

So there are already apps that do the job I want.  For me, Track Navigator works perfectly.

I also use the Endomondo app, but that is just to record the history of routes that I ride so I can look back at where, when, route details and calories.

So, if I was looking for something better, then that would be an app which both follows the plotted route AND keeps a history, so I only have to run one app.

Before anyone tells me that I can already do the two things with a single app, I should mention that the above apps are free.

Track Navgator is always free.  OSMAND is free for my requirements including downloading some maps to use offline.

Endomondo is also free for my requirements and that's because I have absolutely no interest in the functionality relating to sharing data and competing against anyone else.

For many people, I'm sure apps like Strava are indispensable and already has lots of users to compete against.

Any new Plotaroute app might have to be good enough to draw people away from those already established apps to make it viable ...

Thanks for everyones input on this so far.  It's important that we understand the key objectives from an app before investing in this.

John

A mobile app with offline functionality.

The main issue with web sites especially for walking is lack of decent network signal out in the middle of nowhere.

Some ability to cache a map of an area in a similar manner to Google maps.

At the moment I plan on the plotaroute website and then export the GPX to Komoot to navigate on my rides.  It would be great if plotaroute could also do the turn by turn with voice instructions, eta, onscreen distance to go etc etc (like car satnav but for cyclists, runners, walkers). That way I could ditch Komoot (which isnt anywhere near as good as planning as plotaroute).  I personally would be willing to pay for such an app.

Where an app is a sizeable outlay it also opens up a whole new market. Add in adverts and it makes money. 

It'd be a useful tool if people could save plotted routes and access the app offline and navigate it purely with GPS. Etc. Thus making offline access more accessible perhaps. 

The mobile site.is great though. It even works like a good app in how well formatted it is. 

Thanks for your feedback Ian.  I'd be interested to hear other peoples' views.  The mobile version of the website already offers most of the features available on the desktop site, so we would need to understand what additional benefits a native app would need to deliver before considering an investment in this.  

In the meantime, we'll keep working through the other suggestions.

John

John

Having been using the mobile site recently (which is excellent!), I don't see any advantages to having an app, whose only purpose, that I can see, would be to re-package the existing mobile functionality.

Given the development time needed to do that, I think it would be a much better use of you resource to develop some of the other features that have been requested.

Pending any specific requests from anyone who feels the mobile site is lacking, I would definitely put this one way on the back burner

The suggestion of developing a native mobile app for the site is already showing signs of being a popular request on our new Feature Requests list.  Developing an app (or in practice several apps would be needed for different types of device) is a big investment, so it would be very important for us to understand exactly what features and benefits people are looking for in such an app.  In particular, as we already have a mobile version of the site, I'd like to understand a bit more about what you feel a mobile app could provide that the mobile site can't, so that we can be clear about the objectives if we were to develop an app.  It may be that some needs can be met through enhancements to the current mobile site.

Thanks in advance for your input.

John