Now
that winter is almost over, people have started looking for vacation
destinations. And in any vacation, there isn’t anything more useful than
a map. Luckily for you, your smartphone is the
universal all-in-one device
and has capability to double as your GPS, map and compass, making it
the perfect travelers’ companion. That’s why we’ve piled up a nice
collection
Android map apps, so that you wouldn’t be lost in you journeys.
Some of these apps offer a few layers over what
Google Maps have, but many of them operate on the Google Maps
backbone, so, basically, you will see the same map (most of the times),
but with a different level of details. On the other hand, some Map apps
use
topology maps (a.k.a. topo maps), these have great
detail and terrain view, excellent for mountain hiking, but also have
city and roads layers.
Top 9 Android Map Apps
Not the cheapest Map App on the market, but without a doubt, the most detailed outdoor map available.
BackCountry Navigator PRO GPS
contains high detail maps of outdoor regions, mountain tracks,
snowmobile and ATV trails and so on. A great app for hikers and hunters
alike. Also, you can set way-points and follow your track via GPS, or
the old school compass. The high level of detail of its maps is due to
the use of topographic maps and OpenStreetMaps and NASA landsat data worldwide.
Simple but yet,
detailed maps can be viewed on Maps
(+) or, the free version Maps (-). This Android map app combines
multiple map sources to make a wonderful world-wide map with high
accuracy and level of detail. It features a simple interface and the
possibility to download your maps to the SD card and use them offline.
The GPS has good accuracy and it connects really fast.
Maps App for Android is a great alternative to Google Maps.
The first step when deciding to visit a new city is to get familiar
with it. Getting to know where the best restaurant are, the best coffee
shops and tourist attractions. But it’s crucial to know how to get to
these places. And here is where
aMetro steps in. An app
that has all the subway maps in the world. They can be very confusing
at start, especially for big cities with lots of lines, but with this
app, you can plan your route in advance and not have any problems when
you arrive at your destination. Obviously, this
Android map app won’t be suitable for hikers or mountain climbers…
The second Google Maps! Although it looks similar to
Google Maps, this one is quite different, offering approximately the same level of details and accuracy. The app’s best feature is the
quick loading time,
but it also packs quite an impressive suite of features, such as voice
navigation, traffic levels or satellite maps, to name just a few. Oh,
and did I mention, the app is
Free on
Android Market (
it’s Google Play now) !
Some of you might have heard of this app,
ArcGIS is a specialized software for mapping (kind of like
AutoCAD)
that helps you to make topological maps. But the app’s map is pretty
good. A high detailed, worldwide map that has practically no loading
time! You will be surprised by how well this
Android map app works and by the accuracy of its maps.
This app is not for the fain-hearted. It features some of the most
detailed maps ever, with great topological layers and road layers. The
built-in GPS is a great addition and it makes
Gaia GPS a
great wilderness navigator. The compass and the possibility to map
way-points are just a few of its features, and the list goes on.
One of the simplest
Android Map apps out there,
RMaps has been a big surprise. They managed to offer a great Map App for
Android. The reviews from its users speak for themselves. This app is
awesome: it’s free, it offers highly detailed maps and lots of useful
information. The interface is simple and because it can search many
useful things on the map fairly quick, I might even say it’s almost
better that Google Maps, from this point of view.
Some may argue why
MyDirections is here, because it’s an extension for Google Maps and not
Android map app
itself, but the truth is MyDirections make Google Maps a totally
different app. Most map apps use Google Maps for the base layer, but
MyDirections works with G Maps to make it even better than it normally
is.
Maps With Me is a familiar name when you think of
Maps. They have the fastest loading map I’ve seen so far, and it can
access them offline, so you will have no trouble because slow internet
connection or lack of a decent Wi-Fi network. It features a highly
accurate GPS and compass and add this to its lightning fast maps, and
you’ve got a great
Android map app!
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