my ancient htc touch pro has gps, i've used the gps functions where there was no signal to be had. all depends on the phone.
Anybody use their smartphone as a bike GPS?
- Thread starter The Road Warrior
- Start date
I tried this today too on my iPhone 3G. With airplane mode on I ran google maps for 20 minutes and it never located me, and then I tried it with Navigon for about an hour and same deal. Then I turned off airplane mode and presto! Location.
I don't know what to make of any of this any more. I'm going to bed.
daught
Well-known member
The iPhone is A-GPS only, it can't fall back to GPS. It wont lock without data. You could however get a lock using wifi instead of data. Once you lock you can go anywhere.
I don't have a SIM card, never mind a data plan.
kiwi
Well-known member
Are you sure???
I was up fishing last year north of Sudbury and not cell signal for sure. I was still able to get lat/longitude info. Google maps also had no maps but was able to lock a blue dot on the screen and get location info
daught
Well-known member
I could be wrong. I don't know that much about about iPhones to be honest. I play with symbian (nokia) and win mobile phones because they run Garmin, which in my opinion has the best routing. It would also depend on what version of iPhone you have. I remember me and a buddy were in NY a few years ago. He turned off his data to avoid ridiculous charges. His phone would not get a lock. Thats in a urban environment, where weaker GPS receivers will have a hard time locking without A-GPS. In your case kiwi it would be a lot easier to get a lock without A-GPS.
vrus
Well-known member
I was able to do both on the android , so I'm sure ios has some software...
The i4 is probably a solid choice for mounting.. that huge connector has less of a chance of failing compared to a micro-usb connection ~the weakness of most smartphones (and electronics) in general.
you are misinformed.... iPhone GPS works perfectly fine without data.
Fastar1, when you enable airplane mode - you DISABLE all radio's, including the GPS receiver - and obviously the GPS won't work.
iPhone's do not need data enabled for the GPS to work, but they do need the GPS enabled.
if you disable data, and disable wi-fi - your iPhone GPS will still work, the native maps app will only work with the cache though.
I remember hearing that even without a sim card in the iPad, that it could still use maps to find your location. I personally would love to get something like that italian tank case thing that could hole my iPad, no problem seeing where your going with a 10" screen, lol.
I finally found 'em! If anyone's interested, the store at Weston & Hwy 7 has these on the shelf, $10.
got a part #?
P/N 037-4494-4
UPC 0-39874-00016-8
EDIT:
Oh and it says "Not compatible with Motorola devices" on the packaging LOL!
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Cha0s00100
Well-known member
I use my Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 with the My Tracks app. I sync it with my Scala G4 unit and just listen for the directions as I keep the cell in my tank bag or pocket. Only downside is when the app is open it will force your screen to stay on =/ I need to find a work around for this. . .
vrus
Well-known member
just an update. I've received my captivate back for the past week and remounted to my bike. I figure I still have warranty for awhile so how about some more stress testing 
.
Again, the vibrate motor has burned/loose - just stopped working after the first ride, which will now make for an awkward visit to Rogers as they figure out why I keep braking the vibrator :confused1: .
The new USB port is holding up well. Nothing loose, no quick disconnect, re-connections!
*JUST* coming back in from this weather, I realized I should carry a ziplock bag handy for rain. Being on highway with no tunnels, and near exits suck. The exterior build is pretty good, I doubt water would get into the seals, except for the top speaker and usb connection (I think there is still a chance here) .
By the way. Some of you might have loaded Splash's gpx file with the tracks. So far, no software on the android will auto route the tracks to roads, so all you will see are straight lines.
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/
I used this website to reload the gpx file into a gpx file with the proper points, so the tracks now properly line up as routes. I guess this would work if you use a nuvi unit as well, if they need it.
Holding out on the GPS for now!
.Again, the vibrate motor has burned/loose - just stopped working after the first ride, which will now make for an awkward visit to Rogers as they figure out why I keep braking the vibrator :confused1: .
The new USB port is holding up well. Nothing loose, no quick disconnect, re-connections!
*JUST* coming back in from this weather, I realized I should carry a ziplock bag handy for rain. Being on highway with no tunnels, and near exits suck. The exterior build is pretty good, I doubt water would get into the seals, except for the top speaker and usb connection (I think there is still a chance here) .
By the way. Some of you might have loaded Splash's gpx file with the tracks. So far, no software on the android will auto route the tracks to roads, so all you will see are straight lines.
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/
I used this website to reload the gpx file into a gpx file with the proper points, so the tracks now properly line up as routes. I guess this would work if you use a nuvi unit as well, if they need it.
Holding out on the GPS for now!
Flatliner
Active member
that's fantastic! Now I don't have to play guinea pig
just an update. I've received my captivate back for the past week and remounted to my bike. I figure I still have warranty for awhile so how about some more stress testing
Holding out on the GPS for now!
Don't get the Co-Pilot app, it's a complete waste of money. The interface is nice, but GTA maps are at least 5 years old and incomplete. I recently purchased the Navigon app and it's so much better. A few deficiencies (i.e. doesn't run in the background, no status bar icon, and contact integration doesn't really work) but offline maps that are up-to-date make it all worthwhile. So far, I've been using it in the car but plan to slap it on a Ram mount when I take ownership of my new MC.
vrus
Well-known member
So my micro-usb is cutting in and out again on the bike. I'm going for a separate gps unit setup. Iphone users might have better luck due to , what i think are better connectors.
