Tonight's question - Cellphone GPS

[sail]

So you need a data plan for GPS to function on a phone?

 

[JPSmit]

So you need a data plan for GPS to function on a phone?

don't make me come down there :grin:

 

[sail]

[

I am so technologically illiterate. sheesh.

don't make me come down there :grin:

Which is it?

 

[JPSmit]

[



Which is it?

What is, all of the above for $100 Alex.

 

[sail]

Alex has left the building. The point of my question was if or why can't a cell phone do what a Garmin can without a monthly data fee. Call me cheap, thrifty, broke or ignorant, just wondered. I have an atlas, can use dead reckoning and will leave it at that.

 

[DNK]

What's an Atlas??

 

[sail]

Mount Pleasant I might give your friend Atlas (or better his friends) a ride for directions but any state not so hard to find and Canada is north where the wind is from. I am here. Not so tuff, after all the fun is to drive around and get lost.

 

[drooartz]

Alex has left the building. The point of my question was if or why can't a cell phone do what a Garmin can without a monthly data fee. Call me cheap, thrifty, broke or ignorant, just wondered. I have an atlas, can use dead reckoning and will leave it at that.

To clarify, the basic GPS function only requires that the iPhone (what I have) be powered on, no data plan at all required to get your coordinates or point you towards another set of coordinates. The built in free map app will require some data usage to get maps. There are other map apps that allow you to download maps ahead of time (as a dedicated GPS does). So yes, a smart phone could work just like a Garmin device if you need it to.

Really depends on what your needs are. I love having the GPS/map as a secondary system in my phone -- there if I really need it, but otherwise I can use the phone for other things (calls, email, etc). I already have a data plan and have plenty of reserve data usage so for me the GPS is a free addition. I could never justify paying for a dedicated GPS/mapping device, as it doesn't work for my needs. If you had that need all the time, then a device like a Garmin does have real value.

 

[Keith_M]

Really depends on what your needs are. I love having the GPS/map as a secondary system in my phone -- there if I really need it, but otherwise I can use the phone for other things (calls, email, etc). I already have a data plan and have plenty of reserve data usage so for me the GPS is a free addition. I could never justify paying for a dedicated GPS/mapping device, as it doesn't work for my needs. If you had that need all the time, then a device like a Garmin does have real value.

I agree with this completely. If you have a phone (a full screen 'smart' phone) with a data plan, the functionality is not all that different from a dedicated GPS. Google Maps is a free app, and it does everything I could want it to do. There's even a traffic layer that shows real-time traffic information along the roads on the maps. I don't think it can give verbal directions, but the written directions with the map are pretty good. The data plan on the phone does lots of other things as well, so you pay one price for lots of things.

 

[GregW]

I don't think it can give verbal directions

It does.

 

[Guest]

Can the gummint track me when I use it? Yes, but if they were interested in you, they have other means.

.

I'd stick with the phone. The anal probe is a real PITA not to mention it gets crappy reception.:highly_amused:

 

[Keith_M]

It does.

I stand corrected. I will now spend the next however-long-takes to figure out to do this. Not because I need it, but because I can't stand not knowing how to do it now that I know it can be done.

 

[70herald]

To clarify, the basic GPS function only requires that the iPhone (what I have) be powered on, no data plan at all required to get your coordinates or point you towards another set of coordinates. The built in free map app will require some data usage to get maps. There are other map apps that allow you to download maps ahead of time (as a dedicated GPS does). So yes, a smart phone could work just like a Garmin device if you need it to.

Really depends on what your needs are. I love having the GPS/map as a secondary system in my phone -- there if I really need it, but otherwise I can use the phone for other things (calls, email, etc). I already have a data plan and have plenty of reserve data usage so for me the GPS is a free addition. I could never justify paying for a dedicated GPS/mapping device, as it doesn't work for my needs. If you had that need all the time, then a device like a Garmin does have real value.

Depending on what phone GPS software you are using and where you are, you can get other useful information such as traffic conditions, accident locations... I use WAZE on my android phone and can see what roads to avoid, how big the traffic jam is, up to date gas prices for different gas stations.. The other advantage of the on-line GPS is that they update for detours / new roads etc very quickly. However the biggest benefit is knowing what traffic is like so that I can plan around it.

 

[GregW]

I stand corrected. I will now spend the next however-long-takes to figure out to do this. Not because I need it, but because I can't stand not knowing how to do it now that I know it can be done.

On my phone, find an address you want to go to and get directions. Now you're in navigation mode. On the bottom right of the map screen there is an icon of three horizontal lines. Finger that and a list of options pops up. Look for "Turn on Voice"

 

[Keith_M]

On my phone, find an address you want to go to and get directions. Now you're in navigation mode. On the bottom right of the map screen there is an icon of three horizontal lines. Finger that and a list of options pops up. Look for "Turn on Voice"

Yep, found it. To get it on my phone you have to enter the actual Navigation program by clicking on the little arrow at the bottom of the map. I almost never do this because simply clicking on "get directions" shows the route on the map, which is all I ever need. The other advantage of google maps is that you can get 'street view' for many locations. I am unaware of any GPS programs that have this capability (of course, someone will probably correct me layful. If you're not allowing the navigation software to guide you step-by-step, it really helps sometimes to see what a particular area or intersection actually looks like. It's truly amazing how much information is available through google maps.