Standalon satnav using what3words

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Thu 17 Apr 2025 13:57
Standalon satnav using what3words - mondeoman2013

I have an old car and currently use my phone with Googlemaps for navigation.

This works well enough most of the time but occasionally let's me down in remote areas with poor or no mobile signal even when I think I have downloaded the map area.

I find the download map feature confusing and don't understand why I can't simply download full uk maps, my phone has plenty of memory.

So , I was thinking of buying a separate satnav device , Garmin, TomTom , Cheap chinese.

Do these allow me to enter what3words addresses as the destination?

I often get these addresses for remote locations and the what3words app works well with Googlemaps to set destination.

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Thu 17 Apr 2025 18:46
Standalon satnav using what3words - Adampr

Some TomToms used to work with what3words but I'm not sure which. Worth googling.

My issue with Google maps tends to be it losing GPS signal rather than not downloading maps. If you're having the same issue, it may be worth getting an external GPS antenna.

An alternative, if it fits, would be to get an aftermarket satnav professionally fitted in your current DIN slot.

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Fri 18 Apr 2025 12:38
Standalon satnav using what3words - Engineer Andy

Some TomToms used to work with what3words but I'm not sure which. Worth googling.

My issue with Google maps tends to be it losing GPS signal rather than not downloading maps. If you're having the same issue, it may be worth getting an external GPS antenna.

An alternative, if it fits, would be to get an aftermarket satnav professionally fitted in your current DIN slot.

Wouldn't the problem with your phone losing the GPS signal when using Google Maps be a phone problem, not an issue with the app? Would an aftermarket one fitted into the car itself use some external antennae or one in the unit itself, which not be any better than the one in a mobile phone? How would such a unit be paired - would it be wireless or some cable (and thus hole into the car) need to be installed?

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Thu 17 Apr 2025 20:49
Standalon satnav using what3words - Big John

Even though I have Android Auto running Google Maps to great effect, well integrated with voice control, great satellite view etc - I still have a legacy Tomtom satnav device as the visual representation of traffic around and about is the best. No what3words.

How about this as a solution - I also have Tomtom Go as a paid for app on my phone where the route can be instigated by the phone's what3words app. The Tomtom Go app has maps stored on the phone.

Edited by Big John on 17/04/2025 at 21:46

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