As a critic of the Good Sam Book for it's many faults I have decided to try the App to see if it is better organized, easier to use and a bit more up to date...When I looked at it in the Google Play store I found that virtually every review mentions the enormous battery drain this app causes by constantly running in the background.Has this issue been addressed? Has good Sam issued an update to stop this background usage?ThanksOn Edit: Some of the Google Reviews regarding the extreme batt usage are from as recently as Feb 2016

It's been more than 24 hours can anyone at GS address this issue? It is a serious question.Have you taken steps to limit the battery drain of the APP?

No problem here. I've had the app for a long time but use it mainly for planning while still at home. I do not let it run in the background. It uses the GPS feature of the phone to keep your location updated and I've always found that feature to be a battery drainer. BTW, I don't think the app is any better than the book; just different.

TinyoneRV wrote:No problem here. I've had the app for a long time but use it mainly for planning while still at home. I do not let it run in the background. It uses the GPS feature of the phone to keep your location updated and I've always found that feature to be a battery drainer. BTW, I don't think the app is any better than the book; just different.Thanks but while you can "disable" the app. That is only temporary and the next time you restart your phone it comes back on. The only way to truly stop an app from running in the background is to "Root" your device or Uninstall it or install an App-Killer App. I have several other apps that use the gps locationing and they do not run my phone batt down.But you are certainly right about it's limitations for sure. From the exact same geographical location three different tries brought up 3 different results. One of which left out one of the biggest parks. Now we are talking here of Seward Alaska which has a very limited number of RV parks anyway. And so far I have found not a single entry with any descriptions at all.I fear it's like much else associated with Good Sam...a lot of promise and potential not realized and sorely lacking in many areas.

Can't you actually close the app?I use an iPhone and can have apps run in the background or close them when not needed.

beemerphile1 wrote:Can't you actually close the app?I use an iPhone and can have apps run in the background or close them when not needed.this was an interesting question. Here is what Appleinsider.com says about that.>However, many users mistakenly believe that all apps shown in the app switcher are currently running in the background on their phone, draining performance and battery. That's incorrect.Apple's iOS platform does allow for intelligent multitasking, meaning some apps will operate or finish a task in the background, then automatically close.However, the iOS app switcher shows all apps that have been opened on an iPhone or iPad, regardless of whether or not they are actually running in the background.Misconceptions about the iOS app switcher have led many users to adopt the habit of double pressing the home button and swiping up on all apps, constantly, in a futile effort to improve their handset's battery life or performance.The truth is, that habit is a waste of time.For proof, restart your phone, then double-press the home button without launching anything. You'll see all of the same recent apps in the app switcher, despite the fact that iOS has been completely rebooted and nothing has been opened.

Good Sam App - Battery Drain isssues | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Jun 07, 2016
2gypsies wrote:
4x4Dodger: Perhaps it's your battery or phone. Others don't seem to have the problem.

(sigh) No it's not my battery or phone and if you had read my post where I state clearly that I have multiple other GPS apps that do not behave this way...also when the GS was uninstalled my batt life returned to normal.

Go to the Google Play store site and read the reviews. The most common negative is batt drain. Yes many other have the same issue.

Now this app was made my Consentmedia and I have sent the fellow who wrote it an email. We will see what he says.

I haven't really checked online yet but consent media may be part of GS or not and that may be why GS is so "ignorant" about this issue.
4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Jun 07, 2016
Jim & Betty wrote:
Are you talking about the GS Camping app?

If so I have no problems with battery drain and no running in the background per your instructions on how to check.

I just used it and it loaded some data (so the app said) and did a search for nearby camps.

All is good here in the Good Sam and Apple world.

jimR

I phones handle apps running in the background completely differently than Android. Apple apps are more or less "Put to sleep" until they are needed. Android Lolipop uses a different system.

Most apps in Android are "constructed" correctly to utilize batt resources correctly within the Android system. The GS app apparently is not.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jun 07, 2016
4x4Dodger: Perhaps it's your battery or phone. Others don't seem to have the problem.
Community Alumni
Jun 07, 2016
Are you talking about the GS Camping app?

If so I have no problems with battery drain and no running in the background per your instructions on how to check.

I just used it and it loaded some data (so the app said) and did a search for nearby camps.

All is good here in the Good Sam and Apple world.

jimR
nineoaks2004
Explorer
Jun 07, 2016
I just use a Garmin GPS. and it plugs into my cig lighter and it does a fine job for us. Heck my cell phone still has a dial on the front ( I wish anyway)
4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Jun 06, 2016
jeffcarp wrote:
What are you using to determine that the Good Sam app is continously using your battery? What device are you using and how are you closing the app after you are done with it?

My phone is "Rooted" by me and I have access to many metrics that the average user never sees including exactly how much resources each app is using.

My phone is an Android, Lollipop version S5

I close the app as I do all others including those like RV Parky, Mapquest, Google maps, Oh Ranger and many others that use the GPS function. these apps have never run my batt down.

And once I uninstalled the GS app y battery life went back to normal...normal depending on use of course.
jeffcarp
Explorer
Jun 05, 2016
What are you using to determine that the Good Sam app is continously using your battery? What device are you using and how are you closing the app after you are done with it?
4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Jun 02, 2016
catkins wrote:
Any program that constantly verifies your location (using GPS) is a major battery drainer. Either close the program except to check as needed or turn off the location services for that app but then some tasks will not work. Such are our high tech live dilemmas............... Good Luck!

While this is true...none of my other GPS dependent apps kill my battery. But once I installed the GS app it just eats it.

I was warned about this from the many online reviews of this app. That is why I posed the question here.

If I don't get an answer I will just be forced to remove it until they decide to fix the thing.
catkins
Explorer II
Jun 01, 2016
Any program that constantly verifies your location (using GPS) is a major battery drainer. Either close the program except to check as needed or turn off the location services for that app but then some tasks will not work. Such are our high tech live dilemmas............... Good Luck!
4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Jun 01, 2016
Since it has been THREE FULL DAYS now with NO response from Good Sam on this issue I must assume they either CANNOT or DO NOT want to answer this question.

This is rather surprising since they mostly do a good job here of handling issues of all kinds related to Good Sam Products, fairly and quickly in my judgement.

I certainly will not waste my money on another giant book and this lack of response to a simple question seems odd at best and does not increase my confidence at all in the app. Or Good Sam.