Navfree GPS UK & ROI iPhone app review
The iPhone has become quite the capable and useful device since it entered the market in 2007, and one particular area in which it has found use amongst millions of people worldwide is navigation, with iPhone becoming one of many excellent portable GPS Tracking Devices. Now, the Google Maps client built in to the iPhone is pretty good for getting a rough idea as to where you should be heading on a journey but it isn’t perfect for turn by turn instructions. So is there any other option than Google Maps on your iPhone, for FREE? Well yes actually, there is. Read on to find out whether the Navfree GPS UK & ROI iPhone app cuts the mustard.
App introduction
The Navfree GPS app is being marketed as the world’s first ever free crowd-powered navigation system, offering turn by turn directions and on screen instructions as per your usual satnav. One main selling point to this app is the fact that it features onboard maps which are stored on your iPhone so you can use it even when signal is lost, and what’s more this app is extremely tempting for one very good reason; it is free.
App design
The first thing that anybody see’s when they download an app is the app icon, and the Navfree icon isn’t the nicest one we’ve ever seen nor is it the worst. It makes use of a lot of green and looks sort of ‘eco’, if that is at all possible for an app let alone a satellite navigation one. App icon aside however (and pushed to the side because it doesn’t matter), the Navfree GPS UK & ROI app is pretty nice to look at once opened and it is simple and clear, and the menu is pretty slick indeed.
Within the menu you get navigate, find, Google search, my route, send location, Navfree store, back to map, home, and advanced icon selections to choose from. Click advanced, and you’ll be able to switch on night mode and select the volume level to which the app tells you directions. Select navigate, and you’ll be able to do so by post code, address, recent destinations and also points of interest. In essence, this app features one heck of a lot of selling points and feature wise stands up next to my dedicated Garmin satnav.
Once you have selected a location to navigate to the app will load it’s map, and you will be greeted with a very simple format for roads and streets, which works well and it also supports pinch to zoom which is great. Within the navigate map page itself you can also toggle sounds on and off which is a very neat feature, however we don’t recommend using your smartphone whilst driving unless you want 3 points against your license.
Navigation
During tests I couldn’t fault this app one little bit when it comes to navigation, as it quickly found me the fastest route to get to a destination and also directed me well. There was only one occasion when the app sent me down a country lane (I followed the Satnav, to test it) and it got confused once down there with its dead ends and all. This is not disimilar to dedicated Satnav’s though to be honest, and my old TomTom seemed to love either taking me the longest way around somewhere or getting me lost before losing signal.
As noted in the image to your right, there is a 3D option for the map and pressing this creates a more graphical ‘birds eye’ view orientated interface, with clouds and blue skies. I for one prefer the simple default map.
One feature I like within this app is that you can also personalize the voice to which navigates you and the default one for the UK is called ‘Kate’ who naturally is female however you can also choose ‘Dave’ who is an English male, if you so have a preference for sexes. If you are in the US and you are reading this then Navfree also features two American tone voices to choose from.
Verdict
Who can really fault something which is 100% free? Well I for one can’t. This navigation app only got me lost a total of 1 times out of the 13 times I used it and I enjoyed having Kate along for the ride with me (see navigation, above). Overall if you don’t take advantage of what this app has to offer with it being free you have something medically wrong with you, as it may very well save your business meeting when your Garmin battery dies.
Rating: 
(9/10)
I’ve been using Navfree GPS for about a year and it is great, especially for the cost. There have been a couple of times that it hasn’t know then roads when going to somewhere really remote but generally it has done a wonderful job. I still use my TomTom as main Satnav for major journeys, but when just out and about Navfree gives that piece of mind that you won’t get lost.
Hi Mark thank you very much for your opinion on NavFree. Overall I really like it too, and for an app which is free, all the better!
Free is always a winner in my book. To be honest, it’s an app they should be charging for but no complaints about being free
I’ve just downloaded the app and first impressions are good, thanks for the concise review!
This may be a stupid question, but does this work on an IPad that is only wifi? I I downloaded it and can get it to sort out a route for me while at home with the wi fi connected, but whenever I’m on the road it just says ‘poor GPS’ and doesn’t do anything. Am I missing something?
Hi Jackie, it should work however only if you maintain a WiFi connection. Unfortunately, and unless you have WiFi in your car (wish I did), you’ll have to have a 3G signal to use it properly.
Why do you need wireless or 3G, the maps are included in the app?!!
To find your current location, just makes things easier.
I too have used this with great success. Can I check however does it use your 3g allowance because if it does on a long journey that might be a problem. I do not have a “eat as much as you can” plan.
I’d like to make a decision between a dedicated Sat Nav or using this on my Iphone4.
Cheers
Les
Yes it will use your 3G allowance, best checking how much data you get per month. If 1GB, you should be okay.
Useless.Cannot find a single road around this area. Every street is *not found*. Looks like a nice app, but if I can’t enter anywhere to navigate then it’s a waste of time.