Unfortunately unuseable
Response from developer
Unfortunately a number of apps have had issues with recent iOS updates, especially when accessing via CarPlay. We haven't had any automated crash reports for a while, and believe these issues have been resolved. Please get in touch if not with some details and we'll look into it urgently. In any case we'd like to extend your subscription for free so you can explore its promise more thoroughly - support@bluelightmaps.com
Worked for a short while, then stopped
Response from developer
Hi James, Unfortunately a number of apps have had issues with CarPlay with recent iOS updates, which we believe have now been resolved. If you get in touch we'd be happy to extend your subscription for free to remind you how brilliant it can be - support@bluelightmaps.com
Real potential
Response from developer
Glad it helped! Would love to improve your experience further, but would need a few more details as we haven't heard of others having any similar location issues (e.g. if you're using CarPlay, as then we take location information from the car's GPS - if it has one, etc). Please get in touch support@bluelightmaps.com
Great idea but doesn’t work yet
Response from developer
Hi, this is probably due to phone locking while on CarPlay. Try iPhone Settings --> General --> CarPlay --> [Select the car] --> 'Allow CarPlay while locked' We've also released an update that should help. Get in touch if you still have any issues, happy to extend a trial support@bluelightmaps.com
Maps fail to download
Response from developer
Hi Nige, Try deleting the map and downloading again - if you still have issues please contact via the in-app support button or support@bluelightmaps.com
Good app!
Response from developer
Glad we're helping with carrier life. Interested to understand why you'd want to manually avoid a specific road and if there's something we can do there, drop us a mail - support@bluelightmaps.com In the meantime you can add extra points ('Add Stop') to the route to force it a certain way.
Great Potential
I'll start with the positives, this app is great for city centre driving. It'll route you through bus gates, and get you straight to your destination. A recent trip was 20 minutes on Waze, and 6 minutes on Blue Light Maps. The route was perfect, and hassle free.
Now, the downside I've found is in regards to motorway driving. I love that it will take you off via authorised vehicles off slips. This can be extremely useful, unless there's a barrier there. Whilst I know that's something that is entirely slip road dependant, it can add significant delays to the journey. I'd opted to use BL Maps for a journey as it was 20 minutes faster than Waze, unfortunately however it took me off at an exit that was barrier controlled and I was unable to get past it. This added a 40 minute delay in response time.
Another great feature is being able to use it with Apple CarPlay, it just needs a couple of touches up on control regarding zooming in and out and locking/unlocking orientation as I've had issues with this. I've found it easier at times to unplug my phone, change or set the settings, then reconnect. This obviously takes much longer than just being able to do it via the screen in the car.
Otherwise, great app with regular development. It's great to all see the developers replying to ratings and feedback.
Response from developer
Thanks for the feedback & support Jaydon. We've fixed that barrier issue, please contact us if any issues - support@bluelightmaps.com. We're still tweaking default preferences for CarPlay, and recently did so RE: orientation when in 'free drive' mode - hopefully this has addressed that for you.
Don’t bother
Response from developer
There was briefly a version available with a bug on some devices that was withdrawn and updated the same day, please try again now.
Good app
Paywall
Additionally, what3words is a free-to-use app, so requiring payment to integrate it for something as simple as displaying a tapped location seems unnecessary. Opening what3words separately is quick and easy, making this integration feel more like an extra charge for convenience that isn’t needed. While the maps themselves are good, the approach of integrating free services and then charging users feels like the app is taking advantage of both users and small apps.
Response from developer
We’d like to clarify that any access to the app requires a subscription. While some services provide free access by incorporating ads or selling user data, we believe that approach isn’t appropriate for our users. Many large providers also charge (TomTom, Ordnance Survey, HERE, etc). Integrating services like CarPlay, what3words, Google etc. involves significant development and/or data licensing costs, not to mention the costs associated with our core product. As a niche ("good") app focused on meeting the specific needs of our users, we rely on subscriptions to attempt to cover these expenses, and really value the support of our subscribers. I think the other reviews here stand testament to that, and that we aren't taking advantage of anyone.
Ignore the reviews.
I’ve been looking for a navigation app which mixes in Google / Waze and width restrictions features to aid me on the transfer teams in and around London, and this app dose exactly that, with the added benefit of showing exemptions where only the locals would know what they can and can’t get away with. It has its flaws, don’t get me wrong, but as a start up, this is amazing.
I’d love to see live traffic data implemented to aid transit, but I understand that this will be a challenge.
It’s a shame I missed you as ESS24 (where I found out about you). Keep up the good work.
Good app
Response from developer
Glad you're enjoying :). You can do this by importing the borders as a custom 'track' - use a free online tool like gpx.studio/app , export the file and import it to Blue Light Maps via our bookmark menu.
A suivre
Mais il manque la signalisation des vitesses et des zones de danger (pour ne pas se faire flasher bêtement quand on ne connaît pas le territoire).
Il y a aussi quelque petits défauts d’ergonomie pendant la préparation d’un itinéraire.
A part ça, ça commence très bien! 👍
Good idea - needs work
More road detail would be ideal on CarPlay such as up coming road names. There’s so much detail such as building names and house numbers which isn’t really required as I can look out the window for that.
Keeping the faith for the time being as I know the dev team are working to get updates out.
Response from developer
It's great to know our app has been beneficial to you. Thanks for raising the the issue with the 'current street' banner in CarPlay in some cases, this has been fixed in our April update. Regarding the map details, we often get feedback that the house numbers are useful, but appreciate there's a fine balance. We've now updated the visibility of various elements, including only showing house numbers at higher zoom levels.
Great idea
When entering destination it would be nice if it auto populated a list like Google/most other maps when partial text is entered as makes inputting destination less efficient. Also found suggestions of locations when partial text searched for were nowhere near my location whereas other map services will suggest those closer geographically.
When trialing found routes would take me peculiar ways for instance, through single track country lanes and almost unmade roads when motorway would be much quicker and more efficient especially when driving on blue lights. Although an ‘as the crow flies’ route may be quicker for non-emergency driving when in response mode these become more dangerous and slower as roads are not suitable for high speed driving.
Really like the way properties are numbered on the map and the image at the end of the journey from street view however these sometimes can be wrong.
All in all I love the idea of this however needs further development before I can justify the price when Google maps is much more user friendly, safer and free
Response from developer
Appreciate the feedback, we're updating the app twice a month based on feedback from users to improve the user experience. The defaullt search is via Google and our latest release does implement some tweaks. We've amended the priority for different road types in our March release. We'd appreciate it if you could provide further details to ensure we've resolved your specific scenarios by emailing support@bluelightmaps.com (or via the apps help menu) , we'd be happy to extend your trial. Thanks.
Responsive
Response from developer
Thanks for your feedback. CarPlay integration is now available in our latest release.
Not worth the money
Found it frustrating having to download maps for new areas on mobile data 'on the go' as it uses tiles - okay if you always work the same area or know where you're working advance.
Found no discernible difference in routes and driving times to normal map apps.
Response from developer
Thanks for the feedback. Maps cover large areas (multiple counties), so wouldn't expect most users to need to download many. They can be downloaded upfront when on a faster connection, we will look to suggest that for new users. The advantage of this method is that no internet connection is ever required once the maps are downloaded. The opportunities to use exemptions will vary between areas, the UK restrictions map on our website (https://bluelightmaps.com/uk-restrictions-map/) indicates where blue light light drivers will see most improvements over other solutions.
Price
Finally a nav system for emergency services
Having reached out as well with suggestions, its also nice that they respond and engage with the users to see what they want to see, time will tell if they come to fruition.
A few further suggestions for them would be the ability to view submit and see feature requests on their page, it would enable us to up/downvote ideas to help them prioritise.
My only negative so far is the actually destination input UI could be slicker. The search is simple enough but then to have to click one of 4 options to actual route to it. When in the seat the icon is a bit small.
Another nice touch is the image that pops up automatically in the corner showing the street view of the destination when you arrive (maybe make it full screen though)
Response from developer
Great to know you've been enjoying the app. Hopefully you've spotted we've made some improvements since your review, including a larger street view image and more obvious 'route to' option. We've started looking into ways of getting public feedback on our roadmap, and will look to launch something as usage expands.
Love the idea - but charging money for this is a bit ridiculous
Response from developer
We understand, and would prefer organisations procured licenses for their staff, but when we launched we had a number of staff approach us asking to be able to get a personal subscription where they aren't provided it through work. We have subsequently reviewed and reduced our pricing, but ultimately this is a very bespoke product with a small (but awesome) target market and we need to cover our costs.
