any way to get free gps? - Page 2

Robman62 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 06:39 PM

is tom tom free?(as in data plan only), because I could get that

**hooover** · #12 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 07:34 PM

you can search around the web and find it for free or flash a ROM with it built in !

imdarkside · #13 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 08:34 AM

I cant see why you would be charged for gps if your phone gps is unlocked and you are only using data. with unlim data then you have no charge for data usage per kb. if you use a free map then as far as your carrier knows all you are doing is downloading data that correlates your position on phone with the online maps. i dont have gps unlocked and i aint paying vzw for gps but this has been my theory unless i am missing something.

**wmdunn** · #14 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 10:35 AM

Wow....lots of confusion on these issues. I can't speak for Verizon, but as far as Sprint goes, the GPS is built into the official 6.1 Rom and doesn't cost anything extra. With that said, GPS does require data, which is not free. Data is, however, included in many plans, such as SERO, for no additional cost.

The separate issue is a navigational program.....live and google maps are free, as is aMaze, which also gives voice turn by turn instructions. Tom-Tom and Sprint Navigation are not free programs, and should be legitimately purchased. Hope this helps....

**darren.wlsn1** · #15 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 10:55 AM

on my diamond gps is built in and i have unlimitted data plan, but gps is NOT included.

chipperclocker · #16 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 11:58 AM

GPS can function completely independently of your phone's cell/data radio - you could conceivably put your phone in airplane mode and still use GPS (though granted, this might cause slower locks because you would not be using AGPS). The carrier has no way of knowing youre using the GPS chip in your phone or not, and as such can't charge you for it.

What you will be charged for is data - to make your GPS hardware actually useful for something, you'll need a program like Google Maps or something simmilar for downloading maps, giving directons, etc.

**jmorton10** · #17 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren.wlsn1

on my diamond gps is built in and i have unlimitted data plan, but gps is NOT included.

As long as the GPS is unlocked, you can use the GPS all you want in free programs like Google Maps, amAze, MS Live Search etc.

I have a verizon XV6800 in which the GPS was locked when I bought it. I flashed it to dcd's 3.2.6 ROM which unlocked the GPS & now I use it daily in a few different GPS programs that where totally free downloads.

I have an unlimited data plan & verizon has no way of knowing I am using that data for GPS use.

~John

**jmorton10** · #18 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 02:13 PM

For that matter, I have another 6800 sitting here that is not even activated as a phone.

It will still connect to the internet using wifi however & the GPS works fine in Google maps on that phone also as long as it is in range of a wifi hotspot. I can connect to the internet in my house using my Linksys wireless G router with that phone & it will show my house on Google maps while sitting in my kitchen.

~John

**jmorton10** · #19 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imdarkside

I cant see why you would be charged for gps if your phone gps is unlocked and you are only using data. with unlim data then you have no charge for data usage per kb. if you use a free map then as far as your carrier knows all you are doing is downloading data that correlates your position on phone with the online maps. i dont have gps unlocked and i aint paying vzw for gps but this has been my theory unless i am missing something.

That is 100% correct.

~John

**darren.wlsn1** · #20 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmorton10

As long as the GPS is unlocked, you can use the GPS all you want in free programs like Google Maps, amAze, MS Live Search etc.

I have a verizon XV6800 in which the GPS was locked when I bought it. I flashed it to dcd's 3.2.6 ROM which unlocked the GPS & now I use it daily in a few different GPS programs that where totally free downloads.

I have an unlimited data plan & verizon has no way of knowing I am using that data for GPS use.

~John

i understand that i just didnt want any new diamond users that have a unlimitted dataplan to think that gps is free by using the gps app. only on phone. thanx for your input on amaZe app, im using it now on my diamond and it works very good.