I'm researching to buy a smartphone and considering the investment involved I would rather make the right choice. With this in mind I do have a few questions for those who already have a unit in hand.
I'm curious as to the Rhodium's GPS performance when used without the AGPS fonction, or any similar mode requiring use of GPRS/EDGE/3G.
The reason is quite simple: my work takes me abroad very often and as you all know data roaming fees are insanely high. Therefore I would like to be able to use my future smartphone (possible the Rhodium) without incurring said fees.
I have no problem with downloading satellite information once in a while via wifi or active synch connection on the other hand.
So, what kind of performance does the Rhodium offer in my scenario? Would I be plagued with low accuracy and insanely high fix time like some of the other HTC models or can I expect usable performances?
Thx!
Pat
P.S. As a side question, how reliable is the "nodata.cab" file to kill gprs/edge/3G connection? Can I expect it to reliably completely disable my cellular data connection or does it "crap out" sometimes?
This will be my first winmo, so I don't have 1st hand experience with nodata--I have downloaded it preparation though, as I plan not to buy a data plan. However, screenshots of the TP2's setup screen seem to indicate you can shut off the data radio without it, so it might not even be necessary. Nodata works by editing the winmo registry entries, so if it works at all on a device, in theory, it should work consistently.
GPS over Wi-Fi only works perfectly.
Pat007 said:
I'm researching to buy a smartphone and considering the investment involved I would rather make the right choice. With this in mind I do have a few questions for those who already have a unit in hand.
I'm curious as to the Rhodium's GPS performance when used without the AGPS fonction, or any similar mode requiring use of GPRS/EDGE/3G.
The reason is quite simple: my work takes me abroad very often and as you all know data roaming fees are insanely high. Therefore I would like to be able to use my future smartphone (possible the Rhodium) without incurring said fees.
I have no problem with downloading satellite information once in a while via wifi or active synch connection on the other hand.
So, what kind of performance does the Rhodium offer in my scenario? Would I be plagued with low accuracy and insanely high fix time like some of the other HTC models or can I expect usable performances?
Thx!
Pat
P.S. As a side question, how reliable is the "nodata.cab" file to kill gprs/edge/3G connection? Can I expect it to reliably completely disable my cellular data connection or does it "crap out" sometimes?
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Click to collapse
The GPS receiver in the Rhodium is better than the Fuze and on par with the Pure (from my experience). A lot of the GPS performance will be affected by which radio is installed, but for the most part, almost any one of them will give reasonable GPS performance.
You will notice somewhat of a lag (depending upon your location and the strength of available satellites) to getting the 'first fix'/lock after a soft reset. The soft reset essentially wipes out the GPS receivers memory as which satellites are available and has to start from scratch, downloading the almanac from whatever satelites it can find. This can take up to 12 minutes, but most people are finding it takes a lot less time. For me, if I'm outside, it usually takes about 5 minutes or less for 'first fix'. After that, time to a fix is usually in a matter of seconds after turning on the GPS receiver.
Using the QuickGPS and other such tools, which download satellite data from various internet sites, can help somewhat, but I haven't found it making a huge amount of difference.
I have no idea what my esteemed colleague means by 'GPS over WiFi'.
I don't have data, so the first thing I do is go to:
start/settings/connections/connections/advanced/select networks and make sure that both tabs have "my work network" selected.
Either that, or call your provider and tell them.you would like to have data blocked on the phone line (if you're able). Both work.
With regard to the GPS, it's hit or miss at times. Sometimes it's up withing seconds, other times within 5-10 minutes (most likely after a reset).
Go with igo8...worth it.
Hey peeps, well I've jsut got my phone replaced and got it back to how I like it working and loving every minute again lol
So my and swmbo have decided that we'd like to do a little walking\hiking and I was wondering if anyone is running any gps software for hillwalking?
Early days to pick one but would appreciate anyones advice.
have you tried this.. gps software
hi..i do a lot of running and have tried "sportypal " which is a free software for running, cycling, blading, walking, skiing or other workouts involving similar activities...it works for me.......just google ....for it...or try www.freewarepocketpc.net ....works fine on my hd
There's GPSed, which lets you record your route and attach photos at the points you took them (based on the time they were taken, so you can use a camera that doesn't geotag the pics if you want).
http://gpsed.com/
The basic version is free, but the pro version isn't.
Memory Map Pocket Navigator runs on the HD (main program installs on your PC and self-installs Pocket Nav to the phone, with the PC app syncing maps, overlays and routes to the device as required via USB). National maps (OSGB,USGS, etc.) and elevation data sold for most places and you can scan in your own maps. It's far from free, but kinda good.
http://www.memory-map.com/
The only issue on the HD is the footer menu bar icons are a strange color, but they're legible and work fine. As with most GPS apps you need to make sure you've got A-GPS turned off on the HD settings menu (quickGPS can stay on for updates, but A-GPS interferes with the NMEA data and the app continually drops out of lock).
I think you can also give Garmin a shot. If I remember you can get different map types.
I use GPS Cycle Computer v3 when I go hiking in the lakes, it has very good options for saving battery life. It was designed for the Diamond but works perfectly on the HD. Creates GPX & KLM files for importing into Google earth etc.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=424423
...and the winner is...
All these recommendations are sub-standard if compared to RunGPS (portable trainer): it is not cheap (you get what you pay for), but it does everything, including taking you back where you left, if you get so much into running or other outdoor activities, and you get lost. All this via voice guidance. Furthermore, the application constantly monitors your parameters as you run and reads these aloud to you, including total distance and burned calories! If you have a supported-heart-beat monitor device, this can be attached, too! Simply the best! You also have online-map support.
Sorry, I am not affiliated to this company, but this application is cool. No offence to other suggestions!
www.rungps.net
For the simplest GPS tracking program, I use NoniPlot. Fairly good for mapless gps tracking.
carola said:
All these recommendations are sub-standard if compared to RunGPS (portable trainer): it is not cheap (you get what you pay for), but it does everything, including taking you back where you left, if you get so much into running or other outdoor activities, and you get lost. All this via voice guidance. Furthermore, the application constantly monitors your parameters as you run and reads these aloud to you, including total distance and burned calories! If you have a supported-heart-beat monitor device, this can be attached, too! Simply the best! You also have online-map support.
Sorry, I am not affiliated to this company, but this application is cool. No offence to other suggestions!
www.rungps.net
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i agree 100% . if you try rungps you'll never want to use any other software!
well I disagree with statements about rungps.. I found run unstable and overpriced, but each to their own..
I much prefer memory map, gps cycle computer and my favourite gpsvp.
I teach DofE award (and bel) in the UK, and memory map works exactlly as needed (for winding up lost pupils, by showing them exactly where they've just walked compared to where they should be walking). The Desktop version is great for showing what contours they are likely to come across and gives a great visual lesson in map interpretation.
GpsVp works great when I'm cycling overseas where OS maps aren't available, and gps cycle computer for generally logging my rides with the minimum of fuss.
fards said:
well I disagree with statements about rungps.. I found run unstable and overpriced, but each to their own..
I much prefer memory map, gps cycle computer and my favourite gpsvp.
I teach DofE award (and bel) in the UK, and memory map works exactlly as needed (for winding up lost pupils, by showing them exactly where they've just walked compared to where they should be walking). The Desktop version is great for showing what contours they are likely to come across and gives a great visual lesson in map interpretation.
GpsVp works great when I'm cycling overseas where OS maps aren't available, and gps cycle computer for generally logging my rides with the minimum of fuss.
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I am sorry, but even looking at the interface (website), I feel as if installing this piece of software would result in my HD (OS) stating that this software was written for an earrlier version of the operating system.
I have both RunGPS and SportyPal (http://www.sportypal.com/) on my X1. Both are great. RunGPS has a few more features... but SportyPal is free.
how is the SportyPal in case of battery consumption? for example, if I want to use it fore 7 hours of recording my skiing or a long bike trip or a whole day hiking...
thanks
I've tried many apps like that but they either don't do what I want or are too complex and I cannot make them do what I want. I'm looking for an app which would:
- display tracks in gpx or kmz format
- let me choose a certain area and download maps for all/selected zoom levels (at least google maps, ideally ordnance survey) for offline use.
I can normally use google maps app which displays kmz (or kml, cannot remember) tracks and obviously lets you see maps, but it works only when I have signal and 9 times out of 10 I do hillwalking where there's no signal whatsoever.
Does anybody know an app which would have at least these 2 features?
paw3lk said:
I've tried many apps like that but they either don't do what I want or are too complex and I cannot make them do what I want. I'm looking for an app which would:
- display tracks in gpx or kmz format
- let me choose a certain area and download maps for all/selected zoom levels (at least google maps, ideally ordnance survey) for offline use.
I can normally use google maps app which displays kmz (or kml, cannot remember) tracks and obviously lets you see maps, but it works only when I have signal and 9 times out of 10 I do hillwalking where there's no signal whatsoever.
Does anybody know an app which would have at least these 2 features?
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I haven't tried all the above mentioned gps software but with rungps you can do both.
you can create your own maps and place them in rungps folder for offline use
OK let me be a bit more specific - I want to be able to cache maps from the phone itself, so without a need to use a PC. If this software is able to do this please let me know how, because I've downloaded the trial of rungps and I cannot do any of these things.
Thanks
hm hm hm. i am testing sportypal right now. everything seems ok, but...have do I manage, that recording of my route does not stops everytime when the device turns into sleeping mode (which is automatic). is there any chance to have the device sleep (that helps battery) and still have active recording?
I was today on a 40 km bike trip and what I have found is point A (my home) and point B (place where I stopped the recording) and just a air line between them :-(
I have just one positive recording - when i used car charger and recorded some driving (the device did´t converted into sleep mode).
any advice?
I don't thing is possible to still record your rout while the device is in sleeping mode. It will lose the GPS signal.
During my holiday in spain, i used at the same time rungps and garmin:
- Garmin mobiel XT for its topo map
- rungps for tracking, and for hiking statistics (distance, average speed, ...)
RunGPS is more stable than garmin for reliable tracking.
Full charged battery of the HD (in airplane more) can reach around 5 hours. For bigger duration hikings, i had an external 3000mAh usb battery. During a 8 hours hiking, i plugged the battery after 4 hours (25%) and 4 hours later, my HD was fully charger and the external battery was not empty yet.
Why not give geocaching a go? they have a cool app that works well on the HD called GCzII.
Careful Geocachig is catching, the HD is ideal for it too!!
I'm sure we're all waiting for the 'proper' navigation software to arrive for WP7 (anyone any ideas when Orange Maps will go live?)
But in the meantime, I could do with a very simple GPS tracking app that will allow me to go walking out in the forest, and find my way back to the car.
I've downloaded most of the free or trial apps from Zune, but they all seem to require access to a data connection to display a map. I understand that the alternative is a local cached map (like TomTom) which is a problem, but I need something where the map is optional.
There is very patchy data coverage out in the forest around here (to be honest, the coverage is not great in the villages), but GPS is generally pretty good. I don't see why the app couldn't show your location, and either a plot of your route, or simply a direction and distance back to a saved location (i.e. where your car is). regardless of a map.
I've looked at many 'GPS' apps and 'Where's my car' apps, but all seem to require a data connection (apart from one GPS app that doesn't, but it requires you to enter your target location in degrees mins and secs, and doesn't give you an option to 'save' a current location).
There's one called 'Smartrunner' that looks possible, but all the reviews say it's crap and doesn't actually run on Wp7
Also, I'm guessing that it's the developer's choice to include a trial version of paid software (as not all of them do) - I'm very reluctant to pay for anything at this stage (as so many of the apps don't seem to work that well on all phones). - What does eveeryone else think?
I placed this question on the nexus portion, only because I have a nexus and it might effect the answer (even though the question is more general)...so here it goes
With the new option to download maps (or part of them), do you need to use your dataplan to use navigation? Am I correct in thinking GPS is separate from your data plan? I mean, I dont pay for my garmin. It just picks up a signal and uses maps already installed.
The thing about android is that the maps ARENT installed. But wasnt there a new option to pre-download certain parts of a map in JellyBean?
Yes, you need data for navigation. You can use Wi-Fi and cache the needed maps before you travel, then no need for the network data
You can download the maps before leaving the house, and you can start navigation route guidance before you leave and it'll be downloaded, but if you change the destination or go off the path and need recalculating, it won't work. It doesn't have all of the maps and turn-by-turn data downloaded, just the map tiles/vectors for the area you cached. If you need true offline maps and navigation you'll have to consider one of the paid apps that let you download everything ahead of time.
So to answer your question plainly: you can cache large portions of maps (several square miles in size), but you can't download huge areas or navigation information.
Also remember that without an active data connection, GPS takes a damn long time to lock on.
Dear friends,
I have the following question, I'd like to replace my now defuct car radio with a Nexus 7 in the dash. I've seen many youtube videos about how to do it and feel confident that I can manage it. The only problem atm would be that I can't really afford to get the super top of the line version which includes the sim support (nor pay for a second sim to leave inside it), therefore I'd buy the wifi only model. For my job I frequently used the navigation system of my defunct radio / multimedia system, so my big concern here is if I'd be able to use the Nexus 7's GPS to navigate without having a data connection. I can download offline maps before putting it in the dash.
Thank you so much for the info guys,
Best regards,
Roby
Yes, GPS navigation works without data connection, but you may occasionally experience slow location lock after start up because GPS 'almanac' takes more time to download from a satellite. The almanac needs to be updated after a few months. Online/assisted AGPS also uses other methods to speed up location lock, but it is optional.
Cheers
:good: