HedonismBot
New member
That's a multi-part answer depending upon the map program you use. The TomTom app is completely offline (takes up ~2GB of space on my iphone) and doesn't rely on cell service to work only GPS. Some other mapping programs, may allow you to, ahead of time, download specific routes, states, etc. and work offline; however, by default most require a cell signal to download the maps as you move.
It's important to make sure your mapping program is either entirely offline OR it will allow you can grab the areas you want and download them offline use. Before the TomTom, I was without a data signal and hadn't gotten offline maps from Google Maps and was effectively "lost". Hooray for paper maps.
TomTom and Garmin (I would suppose) are offline. There are other free apps that allow you to download specific maps but you won't get turn-by-turn directions unless you pay for the feature (a la micro-transaction). The allure of the TomTom was it was affordable, had turn-by-turn and support bluetooth to my helmet for directions and didn't screw up my offline music streaming.
