I've tried both the MyRoute-app and Tom Tom Go, and they both had their own idiosyncrasies. Time for Kurviger.
This is an app which is intended to - on-the-fly - creation of 'curvy' roads for motorbikes. I'm (trying to) use it as a navigation tool for leisure scenic routes in a convertible. And it works surprisingly well when trying to do exactly that.
Reminder
I keep forgetting how to access certain functions in Kurviger... 😒
1. Plan
2. Three dots
This is where you'll find Delete Route, New Route, Reverse Route, and Snap.
With that out of the way, let's get to it 😏
Web
Just like MyRoute-app and Tom Tom Go, this app requires both a web application and a mobile device app to get the most out of it. I started with the web based part.
To exchange files between the app and the web parts you first need to create a folder via Cloud / New Folder, then rename it to whatever you want.
You must have created a folder or you cannot save / share / exchange routes!
When you examine the import options it is more obvious how Kurviger handles routes versus tracks. The 'overlay' is a static route - a background. You can actually convert a route to a track during import by picking the right option.
The same thing applies to routes. Kurviger can load a route from the specified .GPX file, or it can convert a track to a route the same way. Note that routes are limited to a max of 200 route points. Tracks have no such limits.
If you set both import options to 'Automatic' Kurviger shows some interesting behavior. If a source .GPX file contains both a route and a track, and you have both options set to automatic, then it will create a route based on the track, not the route. The generated route will contain a number of route points, up to the number specified.
Tip: when you have just imported a .GPX file it seems that there isn't a way to clear the screen. Of course there is, go to Plan / 3 dots / Delete Route / Overlay, and it's gone.
Importing / exporting worked fine, and I had no issues with files from other sources.
My only reservation might be the number of waypoints, which is limited to 200. That might not be enough for some longer routes / tracks.
Always verify!
As with any other route planner you should always verify your route after importing. The reason is simple: all navigation and mapping programs use different topo data. Some may recognize sections of the road being split. Sometimes the coordinates of the road differ from one map to another. (Yeah, I know, the road itself doesn't move 😇)
Navigation App
The app is fairly straightforward and works well. Note that you can't change any settings when you have an active route / running a navigation session, not even when standing still.
You can import files from your mobile device, but it seems it needs a connection to the internet to properly import / route some - at least I had problems when not connected.
When navigating a route with a lower number of routing points the automatic waypoint skipping sometimes failed. I suspect it only skips older waypoints when it has past two new and valid ones, or something similar. For those cases there is a 'skip' function (accessible via the triple dots button).
I had no need of the 'skip' function when navigating a track.
Comparison
MyRoute-app
MRA Routeplanner and MRA Navigator is the better combo when it comes to preparing routes, editing routes, and navigating .GPX files with a limited number of route points. That combo costs about 20 bucks for the app plus basic routeplanner, and 30 euro if you take the app plus the Silver package. If MRA Navigator could handle tracks-only-GPX-files better it would be a clear winner.
Still, if you plan many routes you have to consider this one.
- MRA Routeplanner and MRA Navigator - Buy them here
Tom Tom Go - app
Tom Tom Go is less suitable for preparing and editing routes. It can't navigate (certain) .GPX files with only route points, but it works very well when navigating .GPX files with track points. If you prefer Tom Tom Go I would combine it with the free version of the MRA Routeplanner, and that would set you back a similar 20 euro. And if you have more than 20 tracks or like the other options, then add a Silver MRA package as well.
- Tom Tom Go app - Buy it here.
- MRA Routeplanner - Buy it here
Kurviger
Kurviger's target user was always the motorbike enthusiast who likes curvy roads, but it works just as well as a 'tourer' aid. To get turn by turn instructions you need a paid version, and to get those instructions spoken (that's not mentioned on the site) you'll have to shell out for the Tourer+ edition which is 30 bucks a year. I like its ease of use, but the management of multiple routes could be a bit better, and it's limited to 200 waypoints per route.
- Kurviger - Buy it here
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