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There are oodles and oodles of free GPS apps floating around in the iTunes mega-store. Which ones are great? Which ones are crap?
I must admit; I am a GPS addict. As an avid geocacher, I rely on a Garmin Nuvi, a Garmin eTrex H, an iPhone, and a compass to locate tupperware in the woods. The Garmins are fantastic, but I love to tinker with the iPhone apps, too.
After spending too much money on paid apps, I figured it was worth a shot to see what the best iPhone GPS apps are out there, and how they measured up against the paid apps I had been using.
The apps below are easy to use and free. They each offer something a little different, and I wouldn't use all of them for the same task.
The bottom line? These apps are so powerful that it would not have been necessary to pay a single penny for any other GPS apps.
The Best iPhone GPS Apps
AmAze GPS
AmAze GPS is a free turn-by-turn voice GPS app for the iPhone. You can view in 2D or 3D, and it offers many of the features of expensive GPS apps!
The graphics are decent, and the voice part is really helpful when you are driving.
Even though AmAze pops up a screen to buy the full version, there really is no need to do it. Simply tap on "keyword" or "local search" and you will get what you request!
Download AmAze [iTunes link]
Automilez [No Longer Available]
This is a perfect app for people who need to track mileage for reimbursement.
If you need to really keep track of where you are going and how much time and money you are spending, this is the perfect app for you!
Automilez has a sweet interface, but you do need to create a free account first. Then you simply add in your odometer reading when you start and click "stop" when you are done!
Download Automilez [iTunes link]
Free GPS
This is one of my favorite apps. This is a no-frills GPS system that works quite nicely. It is totally simple.
There are no bells and whistles, and that is just fine because my kids can't understand all the other twiddly bits anyway.
GPS is so simple; you can tag locations fairly easily by clicking on "Make Current Position New WayPoint." You can also enter in a WP manually.
Download Free GPS [iTunes link]
GPS Logbooks
I don't actually fly a plane, but this app is pretty wicked sweet if you do.
You can share your flight log book with the world using this handy dandy app.
Even though I am not a pilot, this is a cool app for travelers! As you are flying, simply write a note, and it will update your online logbook with where you are when the post was created.
Download GPS Logbooks [iTunes link]
GPS-Logger
This app is awesome for geocachers! I take a load of pictures out in the woods, and sometime (ye gads), I forget to lock in where the pic was taken. While it is true that lots of apps give the coordinates of a flashy snappy picture right on the spot, few let you go back in and ADD pictures that came off of other cameras or phones.
GPS-Logger is sweet because you can go back and ADD those photos taken on "un-smart" cameras.
GPS-Logger is a great app because you can take pictures or add them in later and connect them to a specific location on a specific date.
Download GPS-Logger [iTunes link]
GPS-R
This is the perfect app for my husband. Not only does it track where you are going, it also tells you when you are near something that you have to do...like buy milk or take back library books.
This is an awesome mashup between a to-do list and GPS!
GPS-R is sweet because it will remind you of certain tasks when you are near them geographically. My husband will chuckle when he drives home tomorrow and is reminded to take out the trash!
Download GPS-R [iTunes link]
GPS Tracker
InstaMapper's GPS Tracker is quite nice. While it is a little tricky because you have to apply for a free code, it is a nicely done app.
Basically, it tracks your phone, so if you are lost in the woods, someone can find you. I hope to never need it, but it will be awesome if I do!
While InstaMapper's iphone interface isn't all that exciting, the web tracking is very cool if you are a hiker or geocacher. The iPhone updates every few seconds so folks back home can see where you are on the map!
Download GPS Tracker [iTunes link]
iWant
This is a sweet little app that lets you know what is around you. Since we go on a lot of hiking trips in areas we don't know all that well, this helps us find gas and places to eat.
Even though iWant wants you to buy the full app, don't...the free version is awesome. You can find anything around you within seconds!
Download iWant [iTunes link]
Waze
Waze is probably one of my favorite apps on the iphone. This is my favorite one! It is a social networking meets GPS application, and it allows you to share your location details with Wazer friends.
The awesome part is that you can report traffic jams to others or locate nearby Wazers.
Finally, Waze is a social appie that lets you connect with other Wazers via chatting and map pinning. The BEST part, though, is that its main purpose is to help you navigate traffic. It is kind of like a Way Cool Updated Smokey and the Bandit kind of tool!
Download Waze [iTunes link]
Why 9?
There are, literally, hundreds of GPS apps out there, and I didn't review them all...so I am hoping you will help me figure out the 10th! Which GPS app is your favorite?
Image Credit: One Eighteen