I also use 'Soviet military maps' for viewing and downloading.. old Soviet military maps :-) Maps are high quality topo maps, often quite detailed, covers the whole world, just maps are ~30 years old. Great in remote areas, for hiking, etc.

Also 'locus pro' with 'map tweak' for caching Google satellite view, can be useful for hiking, searching for nice beaches etc.

OSMAnd is the main app I use for driving.

I bought an LG G PAD 8.3 to use these apps on. Very powerful and available for $250 USD. It works well. Screen is viewable in direct equator sun if you just shadow the screen with your head or pull over in the shade. I also have a gamin nuvi which I'll certainly use back in Europe when it's a question of getting somewhere concrete, for which it works great, bit as a standalone aid for poking around developing countries less ideal.

In the beginning , when others were not avaliable , I was all for the Locus,, but it requiring data really was a hassle. I have used Sygic all over the world,, and find it amazingly accurate, with 3D buildings,, tons of preloaded way points by category. You can also add your own GPS points and chart and save routes.

At the Norther Asia thread,, Walter has brought up an interesting news regarding Russia shutting down US Sat stations..
Might be interesting to read.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...248#post466162

Cool APP ,, just bought by Google. Download while it's free.
 

Another cool APP for smart phone as we travel in Russia,, daunting Cyrillic.
Download Word Lens from Google Play,, and you can instantly translate simple signs, directions, menus and notices into English, without need for DATA.

It can translate following languages.
Language packs must be downloaded before traveling - but are currently free.
Once downloads, the user does not need a network connection.
Supported translations are:
Russian
Spanish
French
Italian
German
Portuguese

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2OfQdYrHRs

Went to buy Z2 ,, yesterday ,, compared it to my Sam Sung Note II ,, found the screen real estate actually smaller than my Note II , it was thinner,, yes it had metal body but much narrower than I am used to. Deceivingly sophiscated for such a rugged phone. Sam Sung S5 has same 20MP camera and same dust and water proof,, but feels plasticky ,,the price is USD 950 vs Sony' USD 790, here in Korea. Sony is made in China,, Sam Sung is made here in Korea.
I will wait till, Sam Sung comes out with a metal body.
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__________________

Screw Garmin !
 

Another cool apps that you can call for FREE any where in the world,, using 3, 4G or Wi-Fi ,,
Screw Skype also !
Two Korean apps we are using ,,
Kakao Talk ,, talk free ,,, massive file transfer ,, photos ,, voice,, text ,,,have your friends and family download ,, you can call them from Timbuktoo as long as you have some sort of data or wi-fi ,, FREE.

Line , another Korean app ,, this one same as Kakao ,, but with video.

So now you got ,, water proof ,, dust proof ,, impact proof smart phones, with accurate GPS ,, internet ,, free talk and text ,, banking ,, hotel booking ,, AND satellite adaptors for the middle of the Sahara or the Pacific!
SatSleeve for Android | Thuraya
Iridium | Products | Iridium GO

in one package ,, .. so carry TWO as a spare ,, your life depends on it.
Rather than Garmins ,, "recalculating ,, recalculating ,,recalculating ,,recalculating ,,"

A smart phone you can buy in Lagos ,, in Kinshasha ,, in Bogota ,, in Timbuktoo ,,
Try buying a freak Garmin there , or let alone after service ,,
"Please send it back to the Best Buy or Walmart,, in your city for the service, with warranty ,, with receipt ,, Please send it back to the Best Buy or Walmart,, in your city for the service, with warranty ,, with receipt ,,Please send it back to the Best Buy or Walmart,, in your city for the service, with warranty ,, with receipt ,,Please send it back to the Best Buy or Walmart,, in your city for the service, with warranty ,, with receipt ,,Please send it back to the Best Buy or Walmart,, in your city for the service, with warranty ,, with receipt ,,"

Walter , It is here ,, came out several months ago. 5 inch! With 32GB SD
Water proof ,, dust proof ,, impact resistant ,, 20mp camera.
Samsung Galaxy S5 review - CNET

Why bother with Google map ?
Tons of NON-DATA required OSM maps with GPS tracking and route planning !

And with this ,,
RAM Mount Water Resistant Universal Aqua Box Cradle for Mobile Device - Free Shipping!

You can go up to the Magadan ,, submerged in one of those terrible creeks ,, while listening to your music on the waterproof speakers ,, NO PROBLEMO !

Submerging anything electronic in a water resistant box is... unwise at the best of time :innocent:
Besides, the S5 will not fit joe-

Samsung S5 5.59" X 2.85" X 0.32"
Aquabox 3- 5.25" X 3.5" X 1.5"
A waterproof box of the correct size might be a better idea- no? or just use Garmin's Android powered Monterra- a bespoke navigating unit, all the apps you can wish for and waterproof too:Beach:

I'm thinking about buying a Nokia 1020 for Navi (yes, it works in offline mode too) and camera. At the moment it costs around 330€ in Germany.

Has anyone tried it before?

Hello Bertrand ,,
S5 it self is water proof ,, 30 minute guarantee in the water less than a meter deep.
The Ram box is as an example,, my Ram box is 6 inches by 4 inches ,, I put in my Galaxy Note 2, which is bigger than the S5 by an inch ,, plus couple of cigars ,, connected underneath by the wire to the cigar jack for power and speaker wires to the Kuryakin water proof speakers.

I heard some one mentioning in different thread under same category,, that they were very happy with it. It is also very reasonable in price ,, USD 300 or so?
Water proof phones are up there around USD 700 - 900

Long List of Water, Dust and Shock Proof Smart Phones
 

I'm just about fed up with garmin products. I've never had so many issues with their older stuff. The 60csx just worked. Now got 2 rino's and besides useability issues batteries don't connect well between units and now wall chargers stop charging.

Winge over!

Not all of them..

I just picked up a Kyocera Hydro last week for $150.. new..Normal everyday price ( Walmart ). The screen is a little smaller than I'd like 4".. But.. other than that I've been happy with it..

That ,, my friend ,, is the VERY idea , rid of the Garmin BS ,, stop getting ripped off! Stop getting lost!
Kyocera , a good company.

Tablets and smart phones do not work in hot environments with much direct sunlight. Mounted on the handlebars or put in the transparent tank bag holder they over heat verry quickly and shut down. Seen it happen many times whereas my "BS Garmin" product (276C) performed normal in temperatures up to 48 degress. No problems at all, months after months after months after......Actually I'm leaving again in a couple of days with my crappy 10 year old Garming GPS. Nothing beats a Garmin.

Noel