[pct-l] smartphone as GPS

[giniajim]

Strange.  I've noticed that when I put my Droid in Airplane Mode that battery use goes way down.  And I don't know what would draw power when its hard off (holding the off button down for a few seconds).  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: dsaufley 
  To: 'Eugene Leafty' ; Pct-l at backcountry.net 
  Sent: Monday, October 25, 2010 6:29 PM
  Subject: Re: [pct-l] smartphone as GPS


  I have a Droid 2 (II?), and the salesman warned me about the battery life
  issue if I wasn't going to be able to recharge it daily. He instructed me to
  actually REMOVE the battery to conserve power -- the device will exhaust the
  battery as it searches for a signal even in the off/powered-down position.
  I only put the battery in and turned the device on about once a day where I
  thought I could get a signal, and then only used a few features, usually
  quite briefly. I brought a charged second battery, and between the two
  batteries I was okay for over a week without power outlets. Signal strength
  and wireless access is a whole other animal; already plenty in the archives
  on which network has the best access where. Works great down here in the
  flatlands, but I wouldn't stake my life on it out there.

  I did not use the Droid for a GPS, so can't comment on that.  I'm still
  trying to master map and compass/orienteering, and need all the practice I
  can get. I also don't think I want to hear that lady's voice saying "Turn
  left at the next intersection," which always sounds to me like "Turn left at
  the next trail intersection [you idiot]." 

  L-Rod 

  -----Original Message-----
  From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
  On Behalf Of Eugene Leafty
  Sent: Monday, October 25, 2010 2:13 PM
  To: Pct-l at backcountry.net
  Subject: Re: [pct-l] smartphone as GPS

  I bet we could definitively settle the cellphone-gps vs real-gps concerns at
  kickoff.  I'm sure there will be more than a few people with some type of
  gps on their smartphones.  Add cellular and gps jammers to the mix and we
  should have a pretty good idea of what really works and how.

  I know I'd love to have one electronic device that replaces my cell phone
  and gps, but there's no way I'm going to risk spending $500 on a smartphone
  unless I know for 100% that it does gps well.  I really don't care much for
  the other smartphone features anyway.

  Sir Mix-a-lot

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