[pct-l] smartphone as GPS

[AsABat]

You're right! I turned off data and wifi (but didn't activate airplane mode) and it worked great. I was mislead by turning on just gps in my topo app and didn't realize that themselves flashing gps icon meant the gps did NOT have a signal.

So I don't understand he comments in other boards about android not ready for gps.

Backcountry Navigator on the Droid is faster and easier than my Garmin Oregon. I can load maps using wifi or 3g and can copy Halfmiles gps waypoints from a computer. Maps and aerial photos are free and the software only 9.99.
AsABat
PCT Water Reports SoCal http://pct.4jeffrey.net
Send water updates to water at 4jeffrey.net
-- 
Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

"Kevin" <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:

>In airplane mode, the GPS is off too I think. On my phone, I test by
>turning off the data network and wifi. Technically it could make calls
>still, but it sounds like you're trying to simulate no cell coverage. 
>
>Sent from my iPhone4
>
>On Dec 3, 2010, at 11:20 PM, AsABat <asabat at 4jeffrey.net> wrote:
>
>> I just did a little test indoors. I went to airplane mode (cell and
>wifi off), opened Backcountry Navigator, and turned on he gps. The
>previously downloaded took came up but the gps location was over a mile
>off even after five minutes. I don't think it was derived from the gps
>as it was the center of my zipcode which im sure my phone knows.
>Turning airplane mode off corrected the gps location instantly. I've
>read about a link between the gps and cell signals on the androids.
>Supposedly once the gps has a fix re cell signal can be lost and the
>gps still works. Strange. I haven't had this long enough to figure it
>all out.
>> 
>> I had looked at the Orux program in the link Kevin provided but the
>reviews made it sound a little complicated as did the link provided,
>not being a all in one product therefore I went with Backcountry
>Navigator which is very easy to use. 
>> AsABat
>> PCT Water Reports SoCal http://pct.4jeffrey.net
>> Send water updates to water at 4jeffrey.net
>> -- 
>> Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
>> 
>> "Kevin" <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> I'm surprised the Droid can't do this. The iPhone is a decent GPS,
>but
>>> the mapping apps need to mature a bit still. 
>>> 
>>> I did a search and found some links that might help. 
>>>
>http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-use-free-gps-hiking-maps-on-android-without-cell-coverage-a265509
>>> 
>>>
>http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-applications/45700-hiking-gps-app.html
>>> 
>>> Hope this helps. These newer devices certainly show a lot of promise
>to
>>> replace several other gadgets. 
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone4
>>> 
>>> On Dec 3, 2010, at 4:59 PM, "James F. Miller"
>>> <jamesfmiller at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Mntmn4jesus
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks for this info
>>>> 
>>>> Are all Droid phones alike?
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> To: jamesfmiller at hotmail.com
>>>> Subject: Answer to your Question about Android capabilities
>>>> From: mntmn4jesus at aol.com
>>>> Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2010 15:11:30 -0500
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Hello James,
>>>> 
>>>> I am having difficulty getting posts to go through on the PCT site.
>
>>> You are welcome to send this in.  I found out that the GPS package
>>> associated with the Android phone system has minimal capabilities
>when
>>> it is out of tower range so the Android is not quite ready to take
>over
>>> the GPS market just yet so my plan to consolidate all of my
>electronic
>>> gear is a little premature.  All I can replace is my camera, but not
>>> the GPS or the SPOT.
>>>> 
>>>> Here is the link with the reviews:
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>
>http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/travel/backpacker-gps-trails_fxce_comments.html
>>>> 
>>>> Feel free to share with PCT.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
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