Navigation has always been standard in cars, and smartphones are frequently used for this. When it comes to special requests, apps like Google Maps quickly reach their limits. We show you the best specialized navigation systems for mobile phones.
Anyone who rarely travels to major cities and urban areas will encounter some unpleasant surprises when visiting these areas. Traffic jams are just a nuisance. If you’re traveling with a motorhome, for example, you also have to fear bridges, tunnels, or restricted inner-city areas, not to mention the difficulty of finding a parking space. But cyclists, cyclists and users of public transport also have to face very different obstacles than drivers.
In this case, special navigation apps that focus on a particular target group can help. Below, we give you an overview of special navigation systems recommended for campers, cyclists, cyclists, and users of public transportation.
For Campers: Find Playgrounds
If you’re traveling with a motorhome, camper van, or van, finding a parking space is especially important. The park4night app is particularly suitable for this purpose. It lists all the possible presentations for the night – from classic campsites to free insider tips in the middle of nature. The application is also useful during the day: for example, on a city trip you will find large parking spaces suitable for mobile homes.
Clicking on the respective space opens up more details such as price and number of parking spaces. If you want to navigate to the location, just click on the Itinerary button and the app will redirect you to your favorite navigation app. Thanks to the large community, the database is also huge outside Germany, where those who own the premium version can search for services such as drinking water and toilets or activities such as playgrounds and shower facilities.
For cyclists: the most beautiful road instead of the fastest
Motorcycle riders should be especially concerned about the pleasure of driving. Google Maps may be the master of the fastest route, but you usually don’t drive a really nice road. Very different with the Calimoto app: thanks to a special algorithm, drivers promise to find particularly curvy roads with fewer traffic lights.
Especially cool: the app also automatically collects round trips for you that way. During the ride, the app comfortably guides you via voice navigation, and the special motorbike map also shows points of interest such as petrol stations, motorcyclists and mountain trails.
For cyclists: improved off-road routing
Those who start using two wheels under their control also face a problem similar to that of motorcyclists. Navi apps like Google Maps often guide cyclists along major roads, especially in the city – they’re not pleasant, and usually very dangerous. Bikemap does better with improved routing and uses special cycle paths more frequently.
In addition, organizing and executing bike tours is much easier with Bikemap. The community shares their favorite routes, which can be filtered according to characteristics such as flat or hilly. The app also identifies important waypoints such as e-bike charging stations, air pumps, or bike parking spaces. Tours can be recorded and saved, including additional information such as duration, speed, altitude, and distance.
For public transport users: smart features in local public transport
Subway, bus, S-Bahn, tram or e-scooter: Public transport users are often confused in the urban jungle. This doesn’t make navigation any easier, but you still want to get to your destination as quickly as possible.
Although Google Maps already offers a powerful solution to this, public transportation users get smart extra features with apps like Citymapper. In an unfamiliar city, for example, it could be worth its weight in gold if your navigation app tells you whether to take the subway in front or in the back so you can get on to the next train as quickly as possible.
Also important: the application contains real-time information. So you can always keep an eye out for delays or cancellations. If you enter your daily flight, you will be alerted by pushing a notification in such a case.
(Created with agency materials from dpa)
Navigation devices in the test
-
TomTom Go Premium
Offer from BestCheck -
Navigation (1.3)
-
Performance and Operation (1.2)
-
Utilities (1.0)
-
Width (1.7)
-
Battery (1.0)
-
-
TomTom Go 5200
Offer from BestCheck -
Navigation (1.4)
-
Performance and Operation (1.2)
-
Utilities (1.0)
-
Width (1.7)
-
Battery (1.2)
-
-
Garmin Drivesmart 55 MT-D
Offer from BestCheck -
Navigation (1.0)
-
Performance and Operation (1.1)
-
Facilities (3.2)
-
Width (1.0)
-
Battery (3.0)
-
-
Garmin DriveAssist 51 EU LMT-D
Offer from BestCheck -
Navigation (1.8)
-
Performance and Operation (1.7)
-
Utilities (1.4)
-
screen (1.8)
-
Battery (3.3)
-
-
TomTom Go Essential TMC
Offer from BestCheck -
Navigation (1.7)
-
Performance and Service (1.0)
-
Facilities (3.2)
-
screen (1.6)
-
Battery (1.5)
-