Gps

iviyth0s · #1 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 12:15 AM

What exactly is the point of the built in GPS??? Doesn't Sprint Navigation, Amaze GPS, and Google Maps just use cell phone towers to work anyway??

SporkLover · #2 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 12:23 AM

No, they actually use GPS signals. The precision of the GPS readings can be enhanced with triangulation from cell phone towers.

**HBOOT** · #3 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 12:29 AM

how about if you dont want any of that isht you mentionned and wanted a true stand alone gps that doesnt rely on the internet or towers!!! Yeah I would think the gps chip will help

pyro254750 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 12:45 AM

I think garmin uses the gps standalone. Even if it doesnt, its the shiznit.

iviyth0s · #5 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyro254750

I think garmin uses the gps standalone. Even if it doesnt, its the shiznit.

I heard that the Tom Tom and Garmin paid apps actually use the GPS. But why can't anything free use it?? I mean why have it if you have to buy software that can utilize it. I am specifically talking about software like the three I mentioned since if I lose signal the phone is not a useful tool for navigation.

**strra** · #6 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iviyth0s

I heard that the Tom Tom and Garmin paid apps actually use the GPS. But why can't anything free use it?? I mean why have it if you have to buy software that can utilize it. I am specifically talking about software like the three I mentioned since if I lose signal the phone is not a useful tool for navigation.

you're only half right. those apps do use the built-in GPS but they download the maps from the internet. that's what renders them unusable without signal. i don't know of any free apps that use a built-in map, but i have tomtom and it's wonderful

iviyth0s · #7 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strra

you're only half right. those apps do use the built-in GPS but they download the maps from the internet. that's what renders them unusable without signal. i don't know of any free apps that use a built-in map, but i have tomtom and it's wonderful

oh and I guess since the TomTom and Garmin suites come with all the maps preloaded that makes them completely independent of being in the service area.

**HBOOT** · #8 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 09:16 AM

You are getting there dude slowly but surely,nomsayin

pyro254750 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strra

you're only half right. those apps do use the built-in GPS but they download the maps from the internet. that's what renders them unusable without signal. i don't know of any free apps that use a built-in map, but i have tomtom and it's wonderful

Id have to disagree with you on this one. I have garmin mobile XT on my touch pro and i also have a 1gb map file on my sd card that disagrees with your above statement. Garmin DOES however connect to data to download traffic updates, but the navigation continues to work without cell signal. I dont know about tom tom, havent used it.

dtuma1980 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strra

you're only half right. those apps do use the built-in GPS but they download the maps from the internet. that's what renders them unusable without signal. i don't know of any free apps that use a built-in map, but i have tomtom and it's wonderful

I'm gonna disagree with this as well. All the POI's and maps you are able to use with TomTom (which is what I use) are loaded onto the SD card and is roughly 1gb in size. If it needed to download all the info on an 'as-needed' basis, when in roaming you could REALLY rack up a bill.

Google Maps is the only GPS app I have used that downloads the maps in realtime - and it's pretty obvious that it is as it isn't as smooth as TomTom is for me.