Navit: Open-Source GPS Navigation for Offline Maps

Navit: Open‑Source GPS Navigation for Offline Maps

What it is

• Free, open-source car navigation system (GPLv2) with its own routing engine and touch-friendly UIs.

Key features

• Offline maps: uses vector maps (notably OpenStreetMap) and can run fully without internet.
• Cross‑platform: Linux, Android, Windows, macOS, iOS and embedded platforms.
• Routing: built-in routing engine (LPA*/Dijkstra-style) with turn-by-turn directions and spoken prompts (many languages).
• GPS input: accepts gpsd, NMEA devices, platform location services, and UDP sources.
• Modular rendering: real‑time vector rendering (2D/3D/bird’s-eye) and support for multiple map formats and POIs.
• Privacy‑friendly: designed to work offline and not track usage.
• Extensible: source code on GitHub; active community, translations, and documentation.

Typical use cases

• Offline navigation for cars or embedded “carputer” systems.
• Privacy-focused users who want local routing and map storage.
• Developers integrating open routing/rendering in custom devices or projects.

Where to get it

• Official site: https://www.navit-project.org/
• Source code and releases: https://github.com/navit-gps/navit
• Android builds: F‑Droid and Google Play (F‑Droid recommended for FOSS builds).
• Packages/archives: SourceForge and project download pages.

Quick start (assumed defaults)

1. Install Navit for your platform (use package manager, APK from F‑Droid, or build from GitHub).
2. Download OpenStreetMap vector maps for your region and place them in Navit’s map directory.
3. Configure navit.xml (or use default) to point to maps and GPS source (gpsd or device).
4. Launch Navit, set destination, and follow on‑screen / spoken directions.

Further reading

• Official docs and README on the project site and GitHub for platform‑specific installation and navit.xml configuration examples.