How to use 'Off Line" Navigation

I am not poor, only practical. When I purchased my 2016 Prius I was looking for a practical package for my own use. Hence I ended up with the basic (Canadian) offer, NiMH battery but with the Prius Upgrade Package - collision avoidance, lane departure sensing, heated seats, etc. No Moon Roof, no Toyota SatNav.
I am using off-line GPS programs for years on my smart phone. The main reasons are; I do not subscribe to data any data plan (so Google Map is out) and I can take my GPS on my phone wherever I travel around the world. Hard to do this with a GPS anchored to your car.

I use two off-line GPS apps. My preferred one is the 'here maps' - an evolution from the old Nokia Maps, the other is Sygic. Both are available on Google Play and I believe also for Apple phones. Here Maps is free, a huge bonus. As for Sygic, you have to buy it. During the year Sygic has special offers so if you try the free version of the app, wait with the purchase until a special offer is advertised (Xmas season?).
Sygic has nicer displays (licensed from TomTom), and offers some neat features like DashCam and HUD options, both using your cell phone. As I said, my personal preference is the here app. I found that the algorithms used by the designers provide better, more accurate guidance, granted on a simpler screen. The here app is quicker to recover (recalculate your course) when either by mistake or by purpose you deviate from the course set by the system.

Both apps will connect to my Prius via Bluetooth. Select Audio Source = Bluetooth and your radio will play your recorded music on your phone. The GPS app will interrupt the music, take over when it has instruction(s) to the driver. I also found that this way I rarely need to peak at the screen of the phone, laying in the tray. (So far I found it hard to 'mount' the phone nicely. The angle of the windshield is too steep, and there are few smooth places on the dash.)

 

Did you try to use factory GPS in Europe? There is also a question about map updates. BMW charges an arm and two legs for it. I never had a built in GPS, but I hear others are complaining. My updates are free and easy. Suggest to keep maps on the external (add-on) memory if you have one.

There is a "kit" being sold to interface your cellphone to the car's display for around $250-300. According to the YouTube instruction it is a piece of cake. BUT there is a bug in the ointment. Your phone must support Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL). Apparently Apple phones do, many Android devices don't.

At the end to each his/her own solution is the best.

 

If your Nav is an app on your phone no need to 'carry around the Nav'. When I was looking at the Volt, I learned that it can replicate the display of the phone (Apples and some Android phones) on the car's built in screen. I thought it was neat. It also solves the small screen issue.

But really, I am not trying to convince anyone, just spreading the word to list other solutions and their advantages - for some of us.