Inexpensive unlocked phone with Nav for traveling to Europe?
Jan 4, 2015, 10:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,214
Mods, please delete
My main requirement is that I can use the phone as a navigation system for an upcoming trip (France, Italy, Switzerland), as well as future ones. I used to have an HTC HD2 for this task, which, sadly, has passed on to the Big Phone Booth In The Sky, so I'm in need of a replacement. I have an iPhone 6 in the U.S., but as recent experience suggests, Apple doesn't do well even with "offline" nav systems (i.e. Sygic) when data is turned off (the HTC didn't have this problem). So, unless the 6 is different from the 5 with which I experienced this problem, it won't do.
Last edited by gfunkdave; Feb 26, 2016 at 10:49 am Reason: restored original post
Jan 4, 2015, 10:16 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 137
Curious to see how this plays out for you as Ive often wondered how others do this.
European data plans for american phones are brutal.
UD
European data plans for american phones are brutal.
UD
Jan 4, 2015, 12:02 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 460
My main requirement is that I can use the phone as a navigation system for an upcoming trip (France, Italy, Switzerland), as well as future ones. I used to have an HTC HD2 for this task, which, sadly, has passed on to the Big Phone Booth In The Sky, so I'm in need of a replacement. I have an iPhone 6 in the U.S., but as recent experience suggests, Apple doesn't do well even with "offline" nav systems (i.e. Sygic) when data is turned off (the HTC didn't have this problem). So, unless the 6 is different from the 5 with which I experienced this problem, it won't do.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jan 4, 2015, 12:13 pm
#4
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HERE maps, which is what the Lumia (no longer Nokia!) phones use is also available for free download from the Android store. The Android version also supports free worldwide offline maps.
Jan 4, 2015, 12:30 pm
#5
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@OP - as for the phone, I have an Android with Sygic and it works well, but there are lots of offline maps in the Play store, typically I prefer the offline ones anyway as I think mobile phones have lulled people into thinking that they actually do have "99% coverage" or something equally dubious before you read the fine print. OSMand maps I used for a while and that did what it said on the tin. If I do have data then Waze is good.
Jan 4, 2015, 12:34 pm
#6
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). Of course, I'd only need the iPhone for when I'm departing/returning to the U.S., so if the nano-SIM fits into the Lumia, that would be even better. I'll check them out, thanks!
Jan 4, 2015, 12:49 pm
#7
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So, apparently, Microsoft sells a no-contract Lumia 635 for $69. How difficult would it be to unlock it?
Jan 4, 2015, 12:50 pm
#8
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Jan 4, 2015, 12:52 pm
#9
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Or, GPS satnavs are usually pretty cheap with pre-loaded maps of Europe at the moment.
Jan 4, 2015, 1:08 pm
#10
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Jan 4, 2015, 1:15 pm
#12
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Jan 4, 2015, 1:20 pm
#13
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I bought my dad the unlocked Lumia 635 for Christmas for $179, partially because the GPS in his car is ridiculously out of date and the firmware update was ridiculously expensive.
Jan 4, 2015, 2:03 pm
#14
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Good luck with whatever you decide.
Jan 4, 2015, 2:11 pm
#15
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No idea about that as you didn't provide links but if you want to go down that route: http://www.phonearena.com/image.php?...58&kw=&popup=1 looks even cheaper.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Unlocked
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