The best maps for the navigator

GPS navigator. Recently, this device can be seen more and more often in car interiors and simply in the hands of people. An irreplaceable thing for those who find themselves in an unfamiliar city. The navigator is able to determine its position with an accuracy of several meters. But in order for this to make practical sense, it is necessary to put the point where you are at the moment on the map. So what are the best maps for navigators? Let's try to understand this issue.

What are the cards

First of all, it should be noted that modern navigators use two types of maps. Raster is actually a detailed and high-quality satellite image. Google Maps is an example. Their advantage is that the relief of the area is visible here. For fishermen, hunters, lovers of extreme tourism and those who simply adore wandering through remote settlements, this is an excellent choice.

The second type is vector maps. For motorists and city dwellers, they are much more convenient than raster ones. After all, all the necessary points (gas stations, hotels, restaurants) are clearly marked on these maps. Additional convenience in orientation is provided by the presence of street names and house numbers. There is a great deal of resemblance to a regular car map here.

Major card providers

European company Tele Atlas. Many navigation systems are based on the maps of this company. Updates take place regularly. However, many places in Russia are not presented in sufficient detail - neither street names, nor house numbers. And their relevance leaves much to be desired.

Russia is much better represented on the maps of Roskartografia. All our major cities in the European part are represented. In the Asian part, they are the largest. But the databases are constantly growing.

Some companies choose not to use third-party products, but to create their own maps. It is not so rare that they are more relevant and better composed than the delights of the "whales" of the market.

Sometimes a lot of choice is more difficult than no choice at all. There are quite a few navigation programs on the market (maps are an integral part of them). Let's talk about the most common ones.

CityGuide

This brand appeared on the navigation software market relatively recently, namely in 2003. By the way, he comes from Russia. Initially, CityGuide focused its efforts on St. Petersburg and Moscow. However, now a motorist with this program will not get lost in other regions of our vast Motherland. It is worth noting that the maps of both capitals and their regions are posted on the CityGuide website and are open for free download. But if you want to use the navigator in another area, you will have to spend a certain amount.

In principle, the program provides a standard set of functions for navigation systems. However, it is worth noting that using the CityGuide help, you can calculate your route adjusted for traffic jams. The time of day and day of the week are also taken into account. Constant current updates allow motorists to feel very confident in the largest cities.

Yandex Navigator

The Yandex Navigator service is one of the most used features of Yandex. Most modern smartphones are suitable for its use. The user can choose between a one-time download of the entire map (this will save traffic) and a mode in which the device itself will download the necessary sections of the map as needed. A detailed map is available based on satellite photography.

Yandex Navigator works closely with other services of the company. For example, with its help, you can not only plot a route and find the desired object on the map, but also view its photos posted by other users. The program has many settings, and support for voice prompts will allow the driver not to be distracted from driving. A big plus in difficult road conditions.

Suburb

This domestic development has been intensively developing since 2009. Despite its youth, the software complex managed to establish itself in the eyes of users from the best side. But it is worth noting that the Progorod managed to develop its own detailed maps of only large cities. But the regions and remote areas are much less represented.

As mentioned above, the City uses its own maps, and does not buy them from government or other cartographers. The advantage of this solution is that although the coverage of the territory of the program is less than that of many competitors, the relevance and "freshness" of the company's maps are always at their best.

Autosatellite

A navigation system that has gained great popularity due to the large number of objects displayed on the map. In this regard, Avtosputnik is the undisputed leader. Perhaps, best maps for navigator the trucker is provided by this system. A nice addition will be the ability to learn about the presence of traffic jams, but here you need the help of the provider.

Garmin

The navigators of this company use the Navicom system. The sizes of the maps are large, and it would seem that they should be quite detailed. But the trouble is, it is too rare that they are updated. As a result, you risk losing your bearings in unfamiliar terrain. So Navicom is far from the best choice for the user.

IGO

This navigation system should only be chosen by those who are planning to travel outside of Russia. IGO uses Tele Atlas maps so you won't get lost in Europe. But Russia is not represented in the best way. Most of the maps of our Motherland are outdated and with large errors. Although it is quite possible to navigate in Moscow and St. Petersburg with the help of IGO.

Navitel

Perhaps it is the navigation program and Navitel maps that are most common among motorists. The program works on 9 different operating systems, there is support for dozens of languages. Navitel's cartographic base is very large. There are detailed maps of Russia, almost all countries of the former USSR and the former socialist camp. So this program can be freely used in most European countries.

Navitel supports a large number of services. With their help, you can find a specific house number (and this, taking into account the whimsical numbering system in many cities, is not so easy), avoid getting under the traffic police radar, bypass the traffic jam. What is gratifying is that all this is provided free of charge. Although the navigation software itself will naturally have to be purchased.

Among the shortcomings of Navitel, one can note the not quite user-friendly interface of the program. And also a heavy load on the processor of the navigator.

As you can see, the choice of maps and navigation programs on the Russian market is quite large. And this is good. After all, the user has the opportunity to find a card that most fully satisfy exactly his needs. So look, evaluate, choose.