GPS with route selections like Google maps?

[AJ_Mantalbano]

Hello, Ananandtechs. My job has provided me with a cell phone, but our data plan is very limited. For that reason, I am considering purchasing a GPS. The feature I would like most, would be the ability to select my own routes, in the same manner as Google maps. A GPS will be more economical for me in the long run. However, the last experience I had with them was that they usually offer the longest routes as the de-facto option, likely because they're the most well known (manual company updates and so on).

Google maps usually gives a list of initial routes to select (like arriving to my destination via highway, expressway(s) or maybe two options via different side streets). I live in the city of Philadelphia and sometimes I prefer not to take expressways or the highway, especially if I'm going to be fairly local. I like that Google maps usually gives me a few options and that some of them are usually residential routes (which usually works best for me). My top priority would be having the ability to select routes that I am somewhat familiar with, even if they may not be the most widely known. My experience has been that Google maps usually has these routes pre-accomidated, while the GPS's of the past have not (which is why most people, myself included, have since been using Google maps on their phones).

Could anyone suggest a GPS, based upon my considerations? Basically, Google maps has served me quite well locally, primarily with route options, and I am looking for a GPS that might function similar to that. Most GPS seem to have the ability to detect lanes, and which are best for turning onto/off exits and such (nice modern features, which seem standard today).

A good GPS, which also meets my preference, would likely be a good investment for me. Thanks for the help.

 

[MrSquished]

no clue about standalone GPS's but Google Maps does have offline maps. You can select large areas and cache the data to the phones memory. This reduces Google Maps' data usage significantly. It will still use some data when you use it, but a lot less. Maybe that would be enough to work with your limited data.

 

[lxskllr]

Osmand isn't as good as google, but you can download maps to your phone for offline use. It has some coarse filters for road preference, but to fine tune it, you'd probably have to set waypoints. Combined with acastus for privacy friendly address lookups, it gets me where I want to go. This is usa. Dunno how good openstreetmap coverage is elsewhere in the world.

 

[shabby]

no clue about standalone GPS's but Google Maps does have offline maps. You can select large areas and cache the data to the phones memory. This reduces Google Maps' data usage significantly. It will still use some data when you use it, but a lot less. Maybe that would be enough to work with your limited data.

Unfortunately the route option doesn't work when you're using offline maps, definitely a handy feature when it finds congestion and a quicker route.

 

[MrSquished]

Unfortunately the route option doesn't work when you're using offline maps, definitely a handy feature when it finds congestion and a quicker route.

I realize that which is why I said it still uses some data

 

[WelshBloke]

Copilot do some fully offline sat nav phone software.

 

[shabby]

I realize that which is why I said it still uses some data

Did traffic/routes actually work for you on wifi only? It didn't for me.

 

[JMB1911]

I use a Garmin 2555 LMT but mainly for long haul trips.I know It does give you several routes to chose from(and you can filter out things like tolls, ferries, ect) What I haven't explored with modifying a preplanned route from the device(like how you can click the route in google maps and drag it to use a specific road)

If you're planning your trips ahead of time you can use base camp on your PC to create a route then upload it to your Garmin.
Having a standalone GPS is nice because if you ever find your self lost and without cell service you better know how to navigate with a map, compass, and the stars cause Google won't be helping you.

If you do go with a Garmin make sure to get one with Lifetime map updates. Updates cost $80 yet I think I only paid $129 at Sam's Club for my unit a few years ago.