Polaris Navigation GPS: Navigation for the Explorer in You
Most navigation apps follow a simple design that directs which way or road to take to arrive at the destination. However, putting them side by side virtually shows no difference between their main functionality. But the Polaris Navigation GPS is something different.
The Polaris Navigation GPS app is one of the most unique Android GPS apps. It breaks the mold with its practical and highly informative features. It’s an app that’s designed with off-road adventuring in mind, and it shows right from the start.
So, if you’re planning an escapade through a National Park or plan to hike, then I highly recommend using Polaris Navigation GPS on your smartphone.
The Good
The Polari Navigation GPS – as the name suggests – highly depends on the Global Position System for its features to function well. Other than that, there are also useful features such as:
- Integration with Google Maps.
- Fully functioning compass with latitude, longitude, degree reading, altitude, and barometer.
- Interchangeable units
- Supports various map types (Atlas, NASA, Topographic, USGS, Toporama, Nautical)
- Download detailed continental maps
- Send current position via email or SMS
- Track sunrise/sunset
- Record trails (Background trail recording)
- Create waypoints
- Off-road, on-road, at sea
The Bad
Despite being a powerful and feature-rich navigation app, it’s still far from being perfect. Most of the time, all the features aren’t utilized to its fullest.
- Ease-of-use could be better.
- Certain parts of the app cause the phone to be laggy.
- Doesn’t really provide you with off-road tracks (you have to record it first).
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a tool or a navigation app that you can use on your off-road adventures or even on-road, then the Polaris Navigation GPS app is a great option to consider. The best thing about this app is its built-in compass tool. Additionally, the ability to record your tracks is definitely a feature that will be appreciated by most. Although, the only issue is that the app is highly dependent on GPS, as the name suggests. Therefore, if you have no internet connection or signal at all, then some functions of this app will be rendered useless.
Ultimately, you might want to consider having an offline navigation app for Android.
Installation and boot
The Polari Navigation GPS app is available on the Play store. Search for the app or click the link below. If you’re using a non-Android smartphone, refer to the app store of your operating system.
Interface (GUI)
If this is your first time using the Polaris Navigation GPS app, it will take some time to get used to it. When you launch the app, there’s a lot of information to soak in on the main screen. Fortunately, everything is categorized. Using the compass tool, you will see every information from latitude to longitude, magnetic heading to true heading, as well as altitude, speed, distance, and time.
Additionally, there are a lot of options and tools that you can use. I won’t be going through them one by one as off all of them are there to provide assistance whenever you find yourself needing it. That also includes various types of maps, sunset/sunrise tracking features, satellites tracker, and more.
As to what I’ve mentioned above, the app is highly dependent on GPS. Therefore, if you turn on the GPS of your smartphone, the app will be able to fully provide you with accurate measurements and results. You will also access all of its features and functions.
User experience
In terms of user experience, the Polaris app is quite difficult for beginners, especially to those who have no idea how to use a compass for navigation. So, if you’re someone who values the importance of latitude, longitude, altitude, etc… while climbing a mountain or voyaging the seas, then this app is for you. Otherwise, it’s best to depend on guides that know their way around the area than using a complicated navigation app.
Although for trekkers, mountaineers, and off-road hikers – this is an extremely useful app that can maximize your outdoor experience and safety in the wilderness.
Access Permission Required
Naturally, the Polaris Navigation GPS will need some information from your smartphone. It will need to install some maps on your local storage space, that’s if you choose to download them. It will know where you are at any given time, but this is what the app is meant to do.
Conclusion
Polaris Navigation GPS is an odd app; the good kind of odd, though. The main screen of this app will overwhelm a lot of potential users. On the other hand, the app will definitely be beneficial if the user is accustomed to using navigation apps.
If you’re looking to go on a wilderness expedition with your mates, Polaris Navigation GPS is a great app to use. Although for beginners, there can be a steep learning curve. But it’s also important to note that the rewards are worth every minute invested.
Do you like to take the path less traveled? Let us know the most beautiful place you’ve traveled to in the comments below.
nice share, but think google map still has the lead, though am yet to try other gps map. thanks i will try others and have a review
Hi There,
I can´t argue with you there, Google Map is still the king. Don´t forget to let us know about your experience with those other apps. Thanks for commenting.
Its hard to beat google maps thats for sure. That being said, there are definitely apps out there that do specific things better that may suit your needs.
Hi Alan,
Thanks for sharing your opinion. We appreciate it. =-)
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Hi Christie,
Your kind words are appreciated and I thank you for them. I am glad that we were able to help you and please don´t forget to share your positive experience in your social media accounts. Thanks for reading.
Currently I use Waze. It does have a voice navigation somewhat, and while it will inform me to watch for police in 500ft, it doesn’t warn of an impending traffic jam which would be excellent (it does persay, the map lets you navigate to see your route start to finish, so I should specify and say it should voice it since anything can happen in 10 mins and we can’t stare at the map the whole time). If course, I haven’t really tried any others. I did try Google Maps, and will admit I kept trying to figure it out before throwing my hands up. However I to fully agree about other Waze users knowing where I am. I recently tried the Send My ETA feature and it informed me other users would see that. I was less than thrilled. So I have started looking for another app. What’s important me to is traffic mostly. It makes driving easier knowing there is stopped traffic or a traffic jam that will delay me to my destination. But Waze runs on an internet connection so when my signal drops, it tries to freeze. If I see traffic is slowed further up my route, it would be great to have the app offer something such as “In 5 miles traffic is jammed, would you like an alternate route?” Instead you have to manually go in and do this, which can be a pain when there’s no internet connection because my cell phone company is horrible. Waze does have many great things, and these things it lacks probably seem fairly small. It runs off the reports of users so it’s all real time, which is great. If I could take many of the features in Waze and mix it with something that promptly offered an alternate route due to problems located on current route and it worked without a connection, I would be in Heaven. This list have given me some options to check out, and I plan to do just that, so thank you!
What navigation apps will allow use of GPS coordinates to specify the starting point and destination for a route? This would be useful for apps that do not have an extensive database of street addresses for offline maps. The GPS coordinates could be looked up while online,, then input during offline use if the starting point and/or destination points are not found in the offline database.
Hi Pau,
I think all apps should do that, but the ones that certainly do that are Google Maps, OsmAnd, Magic Earth, Navigate (Route66) and MAPS.ME. Hope this helps you. Thanks for commenting. =-)
is there any gps app apart from google maps that would work perfectly in nigeria?
hi is there an app that works offline as a map for navigation that includes POI like places, shops worldwide ?
Hi Mal,
Have you tried OsmAnd+? Hope this helps. =-)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.osmand.plus&hl=en
I appreciate your writing. It’s very interesting for me to mastered android apps. I want to subscribe. All of Your writing, but how? Tanks
Hi,
You can use the below link to register.
https://joyofandroid.com/profile/register/
Happy reading.
I love these navigation apps. They are so much more accurate than other devices. Even on rooted phones, I get great accuracy and love that I can see if there is traffic ahead.