Google Maps new Android version allows downloaded maps
David Cousins
Dave
m meiser
It does work ok, but there is no way to define where to cache or what
level of detail.
I have successfully scrolled a little ahead along my route at an
appropriate level of detail to have it load and hence precache areas
but it's no alternative to a gps... it's a damn shame though because i
much prefer gmaps to your typical bike maps.
I must admit that most of the time touring my biggest annoyances are
a) the phone crashing, b) keeping the phone charged... even with a
massive aftermarket battery I still have to charge at least an hour a
day. Since I often camp that means stopping someplace for a long lunch
everyday. I don't typically sit still so long.
When gmaps for android crashes sometimes it dumps your preloaded
routes and cache data... if you're loading your route off google maps
i.e. saved under "my maps"... which is awesome... the problem is you
cannot reload the route. You can however make a GPX of your route and
save it on the phone as a backup.
I've played with pro model of Backcountry Navigator for android... but
that was a year ago. It might be a suitable backup for when you do go
off the grid.
What I need is a AA lithium powered uber efficient smartphone with an
app that allows me to automatically save/cache to the phone all routes
under "my maps" and automatically all map data from google for
terrain, bike paths, and streets that are within 15 miles of that
route. There is no reason why gmaps couldn't be that app.
BTW, my favorite thing about traveling with a smartphone and google
maps is route recon.
1) the ability to star any point on the map both on my computer and
from my android phone and be able to view all those stared points no
matter where I am on my android phone. I do this for all bike shops,
potential accomidations, friends, family, favorite coffee shops,
hostels, b&b's, points of interest... random places I stop at and want
to remember, places I've stealth camped... places of interest
wikipedia has recommended I want to visit... places I've seen random
photos of... just about everything.
2) the ability to type in or even predefine common map searches...
i.e. "pizza", "coffee", breakfast, bike shop, motel, etc, etc.... and
just with a click and a few phone calls I can and have on many
occasions found place to stay, a good six pack of microbrew and a
pizza. I've litterally rolled into towns, decided they looked like a
great place to stay and 30 minutes later been sitting in a motel, b&b
showered, feet up, enjoying a pizza and drinking a brew.
Indeed when I think of how I used to just travel with paper maps and
depending on libraries or something to do recon for local services...
I can't imagine ever going back to that.
So... anyone know an android phone or any android device that takes
AA's and/or is waterproof? The amount of android devices and their
usage has exploded... there has to be some manufacturer looking in
this direction.
Also, I've kept an eye on solor... and they have come a long way in
durability, price, and power. A 5-watt or more panel just work for a
smart phone... but I still don't think it'll be any more convient then
finding a place to stop for lunch and charge my phone for an hour.
I have also looked at dyno hubs... USB adapters have become pretty
common for these. Problem is I tour on three different bikes... a
surly cross check/LHT, a Salsa Fargo, and a Salsa Campeon ultralight
road bike... all of which require a different hub / rim combination.
I'm not ready to make that leap yet.
Primarily my focus is on things I can put AA or AAA lithium ion
batteries in. I have superbly efficient LED headlamps, AA cameras,
there are even great garmin GPS (i'm contemplating), but I have yet to
find a smartphone / tablet / netbook / communication device that'll do
what I need it to do and run on AA. This remains my only "tether".
-Mike
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David Cousins
The new version of Gmaps does allow you to select a 10 sq mile area of the map. You can store as many of these square 10x10 maps as your phone will hold the data. The stored map does not include satellite, but just the map. These little 10x10 maps show up on your map too.
All your other comments are right on the money.
Dave
S.Fuller
there are even great garmin GPS (i'm contemplating), but I have yet to
find a smartphone / tablet / netbook / communication device that'll do
what I need it to do and run on AA. This remains my only "tether".
Steve Fuller
steve...@gmail.com
Michael Meiser
On Tue, Dec 27, 2011 at 2:44 PM, David Cousins <dave.j....@gmail.com> wrote:
> Mike,
> The new version of Gmaps does allow you to select a 10 sq mile area of the
> map. You can store as many of these square 10x10 maps as your phone will
> hold the data. The stored map does not include satellite, but just the
> map. These little 10x10 maps show up on your map too.
>
> All your other comments are right on the money.
Double thanks, and holy cow you are right about the new feature! I
had assume you'd meant the feature I was already using, but this is
potentially awesome. I'm testing it out now.
It takes a few minutes to precache a 10x10 area. Am going to do some
tests on exactly what it does pre-cache. I.e. level of detail...
satelite, terrain, bike map info, what happens if all network
connections are severed and phone is restarted, etc, etc. Will
respond later with more detailed notes.
May I just say though... this may be exactly what I've been waiting
for! Finger crossed!
Now... if they can just cache "my maps" from google maps online...
which they should do anyway google maps could be a real winner for
full on bike touring, even back country touring. (battery charging and
waterproofing issues not withstanding)
-Mike
Michael Meiser
On Tue, Dec 27, 2011 at 5:19 PM, S.Fuller <steve...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Plan on waiting a while. :) AA batteries don't have the energy density to
> make them useful for phone applications in this day of smaller and lighter.
> The best you will be able to do for smartphone would be to look at using
> something to charge a AA pack and then using that to recharge the phone.
I have tried 4AA battery packs... even with lithium ion batteries I
can only get one good charge out of them. After that they're less then
useless. These smartphones have so high a draw when they charge
batteries can not keep up, it knocks them down... the phone stops
charging... the batteries recover... the phone starts charging again
and immediately knocks the batteries down again. The net effect more
often then not actually drains the battery on the phone faster.
> People around here have been having good luck with the $80 Lithium Ion
> battery packs and using them to charge a phone. They trickle charge the
> lithium unit with a hub generator, solar panel, or an AC outlet while out
> riding. I had one with me on TransWisconsin in 2010, but I lost it in the
> singletrack after leaving a zipper open on my frame bag.
this seems wasteful... charging yet another battery... to then charge
the battery in one's phone... but it completely makes sense because
smartphones do require a constant high draw to charge properly while
these lithium ion battery packs can truely trickle charge and handle
the intermittent power from solor or dyno hubs.
> My experience with solar cells has been mixed. When in solid sun, it worked
> well to keep my GPS topped off while on bike. When the weather is bad, or
> there are a lot of trees, they are pretty much useless. :)
exactly why i haven't used them... great for occasional heavy charging
in a base camp type scenario but when you're always on the go, always
moving they won't the constant sun they need. I.E. You'd have to be
riding a nice straight road in the open plains or desert to charge
while riding. Not realistic for me... but for people who spend less
time on the bike while touring I could see them being a pretty good
solution.
BTW, good to chat with you again steve.
-Mike
> --
> Steve Fuller
> steve...@gmail.com
David Cousins
I look forward to hear about your tests. Here's what I know. Only the map data is saved. The Bike layer route is NOT saved. To bad, I wish that layer would save too. The Satellite view is not saved either.
To save battery life, it would be a good thing to put the phone in Airplane mode which would turn off the radio. This is particularly smart when you are outside the calling zone. Otherwise, the phone will continue to search for a tower. If you know there aren't any towers, then turn off the radio to save battery.
On my phone, I can put the phone in airplane, then turn on the wifi. I haven't figured out yet if the GPS will work in airplane mode. I'll try that today.
Looking forward to hearing your report.
Dave
Wayne Estes
to a tutorial how to do it?
I found a tutorial at this Google site:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/download-map-area-added-to-labs-in.html
I know how to get to the "Places Page" described in the tutorial. But
when I press the Menu key and select "More", the resulting pop-up list
is totally different from what is shown on the tutorial, and doesn't
include "download map area".
My Android phone has Google Maps version 6.0.3 which seems to be the
latest version.
Do I need to download another helper app or enable something else to get
the "download map" function to appear?
Wayne Estes
lost in Oakland, Oregon, USA
Wayne Estes
the screen: "Map", "Directions", and "Call". I don't have a 4th button
called "More".
According to Google's tutorial, I need to tap the nonexistent "More"
button, then select "Download Map Area" from a pop-up menu.
Help!
Wayne Estes
Oakland, Oregon, USA
S.Fuller
Oakland, Oregon, USA
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Wayne Estes
First, enable map caching:
1. Launch Google Maps.
2. Press the phone's Menu key, select Settings.
3. Tap "Labs".
4. Scroll down to the "Pre-cache map area" description.
5. Tap the icon on the left which is an UNMARKED on-off switch.
6. Observe that a green check mark appears to the right, indicating the
the "Pre-cache map" function is now enabled.
Second, enable map downloads over the cellular network:
1. From the Settings menu in Google Maps, tap "Cache Settings".
2. Tap the "Automatic caching" menu.
3. Change the setting from "Wi-Fi only" to "Wi-Fi or mobile network".
To download a map section I do this:
1. Launch Google Maps.
2. Navigate to the map section I want to download.
3. Long-press on the map area I want to download.
4. A small address pop-up appears on the screen.
5. Tap anywhere on the address pop-up.
6. A full-screen menu pops up.
7. Tap the "pre-cache map area" item at the bottom of the list.
8. The map section downloads.
Does anybody know a simpler procedure to download a map? My phone does
NOT display a "More" menu button in "places" pages, as described in
Google's online tutorial.
Once the feature is enabled, downloading a map is relatively simple but
not at all intuitive.
Arlen
because the android market says not compatible with my device. I
might try installing it from an apk sometime. I downloaded another map
app called trimble outdoors my topo from the amazon appstore it is
free and includes topos, street, aerial, hybrid and terrian maps. It
just caches what i look at but there is also an app called trimble
outdoors navigator in the android market that wasn't compatible with
the kindle that allows caching any map layer of selected areas. Its
free so it probably worth checking out if you have a compatible
device.
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