Internal GPS vs External GPS

[Sirfesturd]

Can someone please clarify (in newb terms) the difference between them, i ask this because i was reading about the tom tom gps and garmin programs being able to run off the nokia (i think at least thats what i comprehended) i want this function because i may not always be in a place with phone service so i want to have another way to navigate.

[Bartmanekul]

Not quite sure what your getting at....

As you probably know, theres dedicated units, like tomtom, and applications you can install on the phone.

You can get tomtom, garmin, copilot etc on your phone, and all except tomtom can use the internal reciever.

Or if you like, you can buy a seperate bluetooth reciever which you can pair with your phone.

[Sirfesturd]

for clarification i mean the gps reviever built into the phone i would like to use rather than the one that runs off the phone network. also is the garmin app free?

[Bartmanekul]

Ah, you mean AGPS? Or network based?

AGPS is just Assisted GPS. It uses a very small amount of data each time you start an app up that uses GPS. The data is about 4-5kb. Tiny amount. But it means it gets a GPS lock much faster. You can still use GPS without it though, it will just take longer to get a lock.

Network based is pointless on a phone with GPS. I think network based also sends some data, but it doesnt help get a lock faster, it just gets a general position based on the cell towers.

This can be miles out sometimes, so your really better off deactivating it.

And no, the garmin app isnt free, none of the good satnav applications are.

[NBN95]

So can i use the internal on its own for free ? if so how ?
I have no data plan just use my own wifi

Sorry to threadjack

[AngusG]

Originally Posted by Bartmanekul

Ah, you mean AGPS? Or network based?

AGPS is just Assisted GPS. It uses a very small amount of data each time you start an app up that uses GPS. The data is about 4-5kb. Tiny amount. But it means it gets a GPS lock much faster. You can still use GPS without it though, it will just take longer to get a lock.

Network based is pointless on a phone with GPS. I think network based also sends some data, but it doesnt help get a lock faster, it just gets a general position based on the cell towers.

This can be miles out sometimes, so your really better off deactivating it.

And no, the garmin app isnt free, none of the good satnav applications are.

Ahhh... Thanks for that... I always thought network based and AGPS were the same...

[NBN95]

So can i use the internal on its own for free ? if so how ?

Anyone ?

[baseballfanz]

Well the GPS receiver built into the phone is free to use, BUT programs that utilized that GPS receiver might or might not be free to use. Garmin, Tom Tom, Route 66 all are paid software. You have to pay for it one time. Google map is free but not really a navigation software (no turn by turn voice feature) Nokia map is free but if you want turn by turn voice than you have to pay.

Some free nav software are www.amazegps.com or Nav4All - Free gps navigation for your mobile phone! (but does require a data plan to load map on the go).

[NBN95]

Originally Posted by baseballfanz

Well the GPS receiver built into the phone is free to use, BUT programs that utilized that GPS receiver might or might not be free to use. Garmin, Tom Tom, Route 66 all are paid software. You have to pay for it one time. Google map is free but not really a navigation software (no turn by turn voice feature) Nokia map is free but if you want turn by turn voice than you have to pay.

Some free nav software are www.amazegps.com or Nav4All - Free gps navigation for your mobile phone! (but does require a data plan to load map on the go).

Looks like nokia / Google maps seams the best choice shame theres no turn on turn as you say tho?

[Bartmanekul]

If the OP doesnt have a data plan, then none of the above will be useful.

Either the OP gets a dataplan, or stumps up the cash for something like copilot or Garmin.

Theres no way for navigation without paying in some way.