[sabrepoint]

Hi there

I may be wrong but I've spent hours trying to find a new (preferably Nokia) phone to replace my N5800, which has been great, but getting long in the tooth.

The TWO things I need, but don't seem to be able to find, are:

1) Easy (external) battery replacement - like on the 5800

2) Map caching capability. Need to download whole country maps before I head abroad to obviate need to go online. I think this means I need to run 'offline' maps.

Both I could do on the 5800. Reason for all this? I cycle in Europe for a couple of months each year. Typically using the GPS the batt runs out after 3 or 4 hours so I quickly swap with the second (none of this opening up the case and removing screen business for me - the 5800 swaps in less than 1 minute). Charge 'em both up in the hotel and I'm good to go for the next day. And of course I don't want to download MBs of maps at $$$ during my travels.

Now I can't see any Nokia Windows phone that can do both! None!

Am I wrong? Is there a Nokia Lumia phone (other breeds OS could be considered if necessary) that can do both?

Thanks for any help

Cheers from New Zealand

[cjlim]

All Lumias can navigate offline but I would suggest on of the latest wp8 models with Nokia Drive+ beta. As for removable battery, that would bring it down to either the Lumia 820 or 620, both with WP8 and removable batteries.

[aspergerguy]

@sabrepoint

One point you didn't raise is whether you might have any intention of using ViewRanger topographic software which uses LINZ mapping where you are situated, which would rule out devices using Windows Phone OS as restricted to Symbian, Android and iOS devices. The only minor irritation with 820 is that although it takes a microSD you can't place mapping data there, as it has to be stored behind protected partition in phone memory.

As ability to use of ViewRanger is a prerequisite I currently use Nokia 808 as main device, although you may well feel that it is time for a change of OS.

[sabrepoint]

OK Thanks. But I think my problem is (non-)downloading maps prior to leaving NZ, as I used to be able to do with 5800. From what I have gleaned, this is not possible with Lumia 710, for example. If I CAN download country maps using wi-fi, then I think the 710 will be perfect Could you clarify this please?

Also, I'm still confused re Nokia Drive vs Nokia Maps. I see I CAN download Drive stuff using wi-fi (well I think that's the story). Does this include some mapping as well as voice guidance? Do I need Nokia Maps as well as Nokia Drive? Obviously I need mapping capability, but do I get this with Drive? - or do I need Maps as well?

If my question isn't clear, my apologies, but I'm confused!

Thanks again

[michail71]

Coming from an iPhone it has been years since I've had a removable battery.  The way these things are built I've never missed being able to do that.  Even so, a battery can still be replaced on an iPhone so I'd guess it could be on a Lumia as well.

[cjlim]

If you have the latest version of Maps and Drive for the 710, then you shgould be able to predownload map data but only for Nokia Drive. Unfortunately this map data cannot be shared with Nokia Maps due to a restriction within the WP7 OS. 

Nokia Drive is for turn by turn voice navigation while Nokia Maps allows you to browse the maps.

However, things have changed with WP8 which allows data sharing between apps hence WP8 phones will have have both Nokia Drive and Maps sharing the same predownloaded map data set.