Offline maps for Android tablet (help for the technologically handicapped!)

Thorn Tree forumInterest forumsTravel Tech
Enter custom title (optional)
This topic is locked
Last reply was
16.0k
…
Send as an e-mail
Send as an e-mail
aristotle
aristotle

Hi all

I am planning on trekking in Nepal, taking my Samsung Galaxy tablet with me. The idea is to create offline maps (Google Earth, Soviet military maps, etc.) of the region I am going to, and in the field use the GPS to figure out my exact spot. As I am not that great in technology, I would be really happy for your advice:

  1. How exactly can I make offline maps out of applications such as Google Earth, Google Maps etc.?

  2. Is there an application that allows me to store all the offline maps and switch between them when necessary? If there is, how do I calibrate the maps on the exact coordinates?

  3. Is it feasible to use the GPS in the field to get my location on an offline map?

Sorry if some of these questions might seem stupid, as I've said, technology is my strongest side...

Thank you for your help!
Ari.

View last reply
Report
1
joegoozey
joegoozey

Google Maps for Android labs offers offline caching ... problem solved.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
2
melnichek
melnichek

Hi Aristotle

  1. There is a free application MapsWithMe offline maps for Android, iPhone and iPad that allows to download a map of any country and use it later offline.

  2. No calibrations are needed, it just works out of the box.

  3. Yes, GPS works in the field. However, it may take several minutes to start.

Cheers,
Yuri

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
3
justin23
justin23
blog

You definately need an application of some kind to use offline maps.
Mainly because google don't want people saving its maps, but license the use of the maps through software/apps.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
4
joegoozey
joegoozey

Mainly because google don't want people saving its maps,

What are you going on about?

Google Maps for Android has allowed you to download it's maps - for free - for almost a year now ... the OP's running a Samsung Galaxy. Done deal.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
5
anonymous
anonymous

Google maps allows you online use of maps of limited areas. You just press on location on the map while being online and then open the menu of the appearing balloon and chose the command in there. It is limited to a square of 10 miles around that point, so if you need larger areas you will have to safe several squares.
Open street map allows saving of offline maps but you will have to check if it is any good for the area you need, quality varies a lot.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
6
anonymous
anonymous

Soviet military maps have an app btw, but you have to buy their pro version to bulk download maps to your phone.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
7
justin23
justin23
blog

#4, thats fine, but only because the OP is using a google android device. I realise that they asked that, but also people will read this thread with other devices. Also question #1 kind of says the OP is unsure how to do it.
Generally you need an app that hooks into google maps. But read the terms and conditions of google maps, all sorts of good stuff in there. Literally do anything with their maps online. As soon as its offline, not so free.

I like the app #1 mentioned. There are not many free apps, plenty of cheapish ones though.

OP you can test the functionality of course, by turning off your network connection some where near home.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
8
aristotle
aristotle

Thank you all, I found orux maps and there its a possibility to upload some types of offline maps including google maps and google terrain. Not sure about google earth yet.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
9
melnichek
melnichek

Can you download a map of whole Nepal in full resolution with them? MapsWithMe does that.

Edited by: melnichek

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report

This topic has been locked by a moderator.

Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner