Introduction
Trying to find a good navigation app for Russia or the Ukraine can be quite the task. If you want a physical map, they are usually in Russian, and end up being useless for people like me who don’t speak the language.
Luckily Yandex LLC has releases Yandex.Navigator, a full-on, free navigation app for Russia and Ukraine, now available in the App Store. This app will calculate the fastest or the shortest route for you, and gives you turn-by-turn directions while you drive through these beautiful countries.
The app also takes in account closures, traffic conditions, and many other issues that might make your journey come to a halt.
Continue reading our Yandex Navigator app review for more details. It might just be one of the best navigation apps for iPhone users traveling through Russia and the Ukraine.
Russian Maps And Russian Speech
While the app itself is in English, by which I mean the menus and options, the rest of the app is in Russian, which are the street names, any other information within the app, and most importantly the voice.
You have a choice of two different Russian voices: Dima (the male voice) and Oksana (the female voice). It’s annoying to find that these voices are only in Russian, as in the App Store they really make you believe the app is designed for English speakers.
You can also use voice commands in the app, but again this only works when you speak in Russian, which is pretty useless. I think it’s a big mistake from the developer to not design this app in actual Russian, and not bother with the English version, as the only things translated are the menu and options.
Maps And Options
The app is actually really good. You can make maps available offline, use 3D mode, get road alerts, and use auto zoom. The map can switch between day and night mode automatically or you can set this manually.
You can set favorite destinations as easy as a simple tap, and if you need a particular shop or amenity, simply use the search function that comes with tons of presets where you can find all kinds of businesses, ranging from drug stores to dentists, and from ATMs to saunas.
These show up on the map instantly with icons, so the only thing you will need to do is find a parking spot!
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Free offline navigation system
- Detailed maps
- Tons of options
- Full database of businesses
Cons
- It’s all in Russian
- Difficult to set a route
Conclusion
This app would be an instant recommendation for any expat or traveler going to Ukraine and/or Russia. Regrettably, as most of the app is in Russian, I can’t really recommend it if you don’t speak at least basic Russian.
If you do, this app is a must-have, as it’s a free, detailed navigational system for use in any possible way. It has tons of options and a huge directory of businesses, so you will always get what you need. The app is designed for both iPad and iPhone and requires just over 15 Mb.