Cant really be used offline

I thought this would be the solution for getting around while out of the country without paying foreign data rates. Its not. You cant do something as basic as get a route to a landmark without being online. I was left clumsily trying to drive while repeatedly looking down at my screen to see where on the map I am since I couldnt plan a route or get turn by turn directions without being online even though the full map had been downloaded to my phone. I dont see the point of this if it cant give you directions without being online.

Cal L. Kent about Pocket Earth Maps