Is there any way to get around paying for GPS on Sprint?

[efunk33]

I've used the GPS a few times since getting the phone and it never required me to pay a monthly fee, but now it does. I guess they let you use it for free when you first get the phone just to see how it works, if you like it, etc. So now it wants $9.99 a month, or $2.99 for a 24hr window.

Is there any way to hack this so I can use the GPS without having to pay?

[banzaiwolfe]

Use something else, like Google Maps. You won't get turn by turn voice directions or anything but it works fine for GPS and it's free. If you want Sprint Nav, you'll have to pay.

[janko10]

Originally Posted by banzaiwolfe

Use something else, like Google Maps. You won't get turn by turn voice directions or anything but it works fine for GPS and it's free. If you want Sprint Nav, you'll have to pay.

Word.

Use Google maps or Bing mobile.

[efunk33]

Originally Posted by banzaiwolfe

Use something else, like Google Maps. You won't get turn by turn voice directions or anything but it works fine for GPS and it's free. If you want Sprint Nav, you'll have to pay.

Originally Posted by janko10

Word.

Use Google maps or Bing mobile.

What's the best way to use Google Maps? I've never used it before. Is it an App you download, or are you just talking about using it through the browser? I guess I need a little more info. Thanks.

[Tony V.]

It's a free app.

[janko10]

Originally Posted by efunk33

What's the best way to use Google Maps? I've never used it before. Is it an App you download, or are you just talking about using it through the browser? I guess I need a little more info. Thanks.

Go to google.com/mobile in IE on the phone and you can download and install it.

Make sure you have location set to 'On' in phone settings for the GPS to work.

[efunk33]

Originally Posted by Tony V.

It's a free app.

Originally Posted by janko10

Go to google.com/mobile in IE on the phone and you can download and install it.

Make sure you have location set to 'On' in phone settings for the GPS to work.

Got it. Thanks. I do like the Sprint Nav GPS better, but free is free.

[zim2323]

Originally Posted by efunk33

I've used the GPS a few times since getting the phone and it never required me to pay a monthly fee, but now it does. I guess they let you use it for free when you first get the phone just to see how it works, if you like it, etc. So now it wants $9.99 a month, or $2.99 for a 24hr window.

Is there any way to hack this so I can use the GPS without having to pay?

My understanding is, since you are on Sprint, if you have a $70 plan or up, their GPS is included free. I would call Tech Support and ask them why you are being asked to pay unless you are on a plan that doesn't include it.

[Kamokazi]

The only problem with Google is no turn-by-turn. Bing Maps does this but it is supposedly a little lagged.

You might want to consider a paid GPS program that doesn't require a subscription like Garmin or Tom-Tom. They work far better for driving directions than Bing or Google, and quite possibly even better than Sprint Nav. They cost around $100, so a lot up front, but in the long run, cheaper, and probably better.

[rob05667]

As zim2323 noted, Sprint Navigation is likely part of your data package and something else is wrong. An update to Sprint Navigation recently became available. Installing that update does not remove the previous installation or even update existing shortcuts to point to the newer version. I've found that if I start the older version, it asks me to subscribe for a monthly fee. If I start the newer version, everything works as normal. So you may just need to update your shortcuts.