[pct-l] smartphone as GPS

[AsABat]

I just did a little test indoors. I went to airplane mode (cell and wifi off), opened Backcountry Navigator, and turned on he gps. The previously downloaded took came up but the gps location was over a mile off even after five minutes. I don't think it was derived from the gps as it was the center of my zipcode which im sure my phone knows. Turning airplane mode off corrected the gps location instantly. I've read about a link between the gps and cell signals on the androids. Supposedly once the gps has a fix re cell signal can be lost and the gps still works. Strange. I haven't had this long enough to figure it all out.

I had looked at the Orux program in the link Kevin provided but the reviews made it sound a little complicated as did the link provided, not being a all in one product therefore I went with Backcountry Navigator which is very easy to use. 
AsABat
PCT Water Reports SoCal http://pct.4jeffrey.net
Send water updates to water at 4jeffrey.net
-- 
Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

"Kevin" <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:

>I'm surprised the Droid can't do this. The iPhone is a decent GPS, but
>the mapping apps need to mature a bit still. 
>
>I did a search and found some links that might help. 
>http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-use-free-gps-hiking-maps-on-android-without-cell-coverage-a265509
>
>http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-applications/45700-hiking-gps-app.html
>
>Hope this helps. These newer devices certainly show a lot of promise to
>replace several other gadgets. 
>
>Sent from my iPhone4
>
>On Dec 3, 2010, at 4:59 PM, "James F. Miller"
><jamesfmiller at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> 
>> Mntmn4jesus
>> 
>> Thanks for this info
>> 
>> Are all Droid phones alike?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> To: jamesfmiller at hotmail.com
>> Subject: Answer to your Question about Android capabilities
>> From: mntmn4jesus at aol.com
>> Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2010 15:11:30 -0500
>> 
>> 
>> Hello James,
>> 
>> I am having difficulty getting posts to go through on the PCT site. 
>You are welcome to send this in.  I found out that the GPS package
>associated with the Android phone system has minimal capabilities when
>it is out of tower range so the Android is not quite ready to take over
>the GPS market just yet so my plan to consolidate all of my electronic
>gear is a little premature.  All I can replace is my camera, but not
>the GPS or the SPOT.
>> 
>> Here is the link with the reviews:
>> 
>>
>http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/travel/backpacker-gps-trails_fxce_comments.html
>> 
>> Feel free to share with PCT.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>                         
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