I use OSM and Organic Maps, but I have difficulty searching by address or business. I end up using my computer, finding the location, matching it to the map in the app, and favoriting it. Am I doing this the dumb way? Is there an alternative FOSS navigation app which has this functionality?
Anything based on OpenStreetMap is going to be limited compared to Google Maps, at least in my experience where I live. Information on public transit, traffic, police, etc is not existent on Organic Maps. If I were only walking or biking it might be a good option, but for me in practice I just have it as an offline backup to Google Maps.
I’m hoping more people contribute to OSM and CoMaps. Building an alternative isn’t easy but very doable if enough people contribute! StreetComplete looks like an easy way for everyone to help out.
First there is a fork of Organic Maps, which is called CoMaps. If I understood it correctly, the development on Organic Maps nearly halted for some reason regarding the company that owns it. CoMaps now wants to pick it up again.
Also for navigation I use Magic Earth. It uses OSM data but is not FOSS itself, which is unfortunate. But it offers traffic data which is crucial for good arrival time estimation or avoiding traffic jams.
Same two here. CoMaps for general use, Magic Earth for navigation. Hopefully a true FOSS alternative comes along at some point.
Yeah I’d recommend Magic Earth as well, I use it practically every day. I tried many other apps and it’s annoying that this one isn’t FOSS but I needed something that actually works
doesn’t seem to work with Android Auto, which is the primary way I use it.
For motorcycle riding i use calimoto. It has an option to find the most curvy route to your destination. It also works offline, which is great when riding in remote areas with poor cell coverage or foreign countries with expensive roaming conditions.
Also it can track your journey and show elevation, acceleration, speed and lean angle.
Unfortunately it’s subscription based now, but i was licky enough to buy it before that, so i basically got lifetime premium account.
One more downside is the shitty search function. even with the exact address copy pasted it almost never finds the location.
Look I know it’s not Foss and I hate it with a passion. But I had to have good gps the other day. Google maps told me the police was up ahead and like 20 or so people said the police was still there 1 minutes ago. I was like damn. Now Google tells you where the police is 😂
waze did that for years and google purchased them, they are now integrating some of its features into maps.
I didn’t know that. I was looking at a wyze robo vacuum. My father has one. It does a great job actually. Drives over door lips, rugs, extension cords. You name it. Only down side is you have to manually empty the container. But for 150 its worth it for light daily cleaning while everyone is out of the house.
I use HereWeGo. it has traffic and decent search and POI databases. plus it has offline mode.
Apple Maps. The integration across my iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch is too good, and I have Shortcuts and automations to bring up directions as needed. Also, we build guides for vegan-friendly restaurants for out-of-town trips, so it’s a real stress reliever.
CoMaps, i transform Gmaps locations to OSM with GeoShare. Both in Fdroid/Droidify.
Transit (Bike/Bus/Rail) and Waze, sometimes Google maps just for more…global maps. (Eg, stuff like finding a campground on a map, or a certain bakery)
Same except I supplement with Gmaps. Transit is fantastic if you know your destination but Gmaps is way better at looking around for restaurants for example
I use OSMAnd+. The searching is the biggest problem, so I will contribute to StreetComplete in an effort to improve the areas in which I travel.
When I do need a location that isn’t found in OSM, I’ll grab the coords from LatLong.net and copy/paste them into OSM. When I get to the destination, I’ll pop open street complete and fill in details in the hopes that next time will be better.
I really wish this was built in!
When driving - Google Maps
When commuting - Jakdojade (Polish app)
When riding my bike - Komoot
When hiking/walking - Komoot or Organic Maps
I live in Chicago, which uses a grid system. Apps are unnecessary for in-town trips.
I live in a city that resembles nothing like a grid, but I still don’t need navigation because it’s my home town. Of course you don’t need navigation if you know the way to where you’re going.
Having a grid system makes no difference anyway if you don’t know the address. “Let’s meet up at Starbucks!” “Oh… kay. Where’s that?”
Fair bit of difference between a map app and a navigation app. I’ll use a tool to find out where I’m going but I don’t need one to tell me how to get there.
Fair point, I suppose. Though the original commenter said that “apps” [in general] are unnecessary. That’s how I interpreted it. And that they are so due to the grid system where they live. I call BS. I bet it helps, but not for someone who isn’t used to it either. It wouldn’t help me, as a European, because I have no experience with it.
I’m currently still using Waze. I have CoMaps installed, but it doesn’t seem to be available through Android Auto.
I use Waze because I had issues with organic maps with routes changed and almost did not get to my appointment in time. I still have it to use when I don’t have to be somewhere in time. I also contribute to open street map when I walk on order to improve the navigation in the future
I’m Using the Dutch app Here we Go, works pretty good!
Honestly, don’t know why their search is so broken but it’s a damn near unusable app for that reason. I keep it on my phone for the offline map but it’s almost worthless. If anyone can guide both of us on this, we and our privacy would be in your debt.
I unfortunately mostly use https://f-droid.org/packages/us.spotco.maps/
