Phone as gps

MrWizard wrote:
Here is my take on the situation
I'm a tech geek, but I use physical maps for route planning
I do not want turn by turn directions from any machine/device
I do use mapping and tracking on my phone, to track my position, miles covered etc..
But Not to tell me where the exits are or where to turn...NOT for directions
Technically GPS stands for global positioning system
Position info
Not directions info, I don't need a dash board mounted electronic driver telling need "where to go"
There would be less people going down the wrong road, getting lost and stuck, if they didn't use them for directions

I used to do the same thing 30 years ago but got frustrated by outdated maps, small, hard to read, cluttered maps, having a hard time figuring out where, exactly I was on the map, having to turn on the "map" light at night to read the thing. etc.

I'm also a tech geek, but I actually use tech now to solve those problems. My modern day GPS pinpoints my location, finds the shortest route, adapts to changing traffic conditions, reads out the turn-by-turn directions, helps me with lane choices as I approach the exit and a host of other useful things.

I wouldn't go back to paper maps unless, there was no other choice. There would be far fewer accidents and confusion if everyone used a GPS rather than being distracted reading paper maps.

Here is my take on the situation
I'm a tech geek, but I use physical maps for route planning
I do not want turn by turn directions from any machine/device
I do use mapping and tracking on my phone, to track my position, miles covered etc..
But Not to tell me where the exits are or where to turn...NOT for directions
Technically GPS stands for global positioning system
Position info
Not directions info, I don't need a dash board mounted electronic driver telling need "where to go"
There would be less people going down the wrong road, getting lost and stuck, if they didn't use them for directions

I've been using Google Maps for Mobile for something like 10 years since Blackberry. Location based searches, quick access to current data and pionts of interest, and direct dial when we find what we want. Both our vehicles also have OEM navigation systems that we use for longer trips and routing, but in any city, GMM on smartphone just provides a far better and quicker experience.

My wife has the Samsung Galaxy S5 Android and it gives the full GPS mapping plus a lot more than my Garmin or my Tom Tom.

Her Samsung S5 has a free GPS and travel AP that gives your actual GPS location with a blue dot on the road or in a parking lot etc within + or - 1 meter (+ or - 3 ft) on very detailed color maps and you can enlarge the area with your fingers to less than about 1 city block area in size, the elevation where you are to the foot or meter depending on which you select, your speed to 1/10 mph, Compass direction of travel to the degree, the engine RPM's, the posted speed limits where you are, the temperature F or C where you are, the humidity level where you are, your route planned and showing any traffic tie ups/accidents, etc and routes you around them, miles traveled and miles to go, gives any weather alerts and tells you when rain or snow will start and when it will end in hrs/minutes, and the screen looks just like our Garmin background map screen. Tap on the question mark and it gives a list of points of interest where you are or CG's or fuel staions or resturants, or stores, etc. Tap again and it gives the directions to what you'd selected. A lot more info given but I can't remember all of it without looking at it. Voice command operated if desired or type info in or select the locations wanted on the map also.

We just got back on Thursday night from a 2+ week trip to the Smoky Mtns NP from West Michigan and guess which GPS we uesd? Maybe better to say the Garmin wasn't even plugged in! Before she got her Samsung S5 a year ago, the Garmin was the best with our Tom Tom as a back up but now the Garmin is just the backup. I have a Marine Garmin for our main boat though as they don't have the high quality waterway navagation maps I want yet for the cell but they say it's coming in 2016. Cell will work over open water for 20-30 reliable miles from shore depending on where the tower is located. Sometimes it's worked over open water more than 60 miles from the towers but may become iffy.

My wife and her cell is our co-pilot and has gotten very good at it!

JaxDad wrote:

Lantley wrote:

Trackrig wrote:
The phones work in a pinch, but:
* They use up your data at a high rate. If you're using the phone to save on the cost of buying a GPS, you're going to pay more for the data than the GPS.
* The GPS app uses up a lot of battery power. Some phones we've used have gotten awfully hot when using them as a GPS and having them plugged into power at the same time. If you damage a smart phone due to heat, the replacement cost will be more than a GPS.
* The screen is really too small for comfortable use while driving.
* They're also a pain to use at times, especially when you should be paying attention to driving. You lay it down for a moment and the screen goes dark/times out while not using it. Then you're trying to touch it in the right place to get the screen back and you hit something you shouldn't have touched and it leaves the GPS app and then you're trying to get it all back correctly while driving.
* They work fine for quick usage, but in general, do yourself a favor and buy a GPS.

Bill

Agreed the phone works in a pinch. but a dedicated GPS is better.
The biggest pitfall of using the phone is if it rings while you are in GPS mode. Suddenly you have no GPS. Depending on what point of the trip you are at losing GPS could be no be deal or it could be critical.

I can't speak for Android devices but on my iPhone but the factory map app and Co-Pilot work just fine during a phone call, speech prompts included.

Agreed, mine does the same. There is zero affect on the performance of the navagation.

Its a little confusing why this is even a discussion. A GPS, like a Smartphone is a computer, and the software to run each in GPS mode is the same if on happens to like Garmin, tomtom, Navigon, etc. None of these use ANY phone data whatsoever, they both require plugging into 12V.. So other than one coming with a suctioncup for the window, they perform the exact same function.

If your traveling out west, cell phone coverage can be sketchy sometime when your off the main interstates.

I've used a Garmin for years and I'm very happy with it. I have free lifetime map updates and, thanks to a youtube video, I can replace the battery myself, said battery being easily found on eBay.

The feature I find most valuable on a GPS is the ability to add and edit POI (Point of Interest) files. I have a listing for all of the Ford dealers in the country for truck repairs, as well as all of the Walmarts and, more importantly, those Walmarts that don't allow overnight parking. :)

There are websites that freely provide files for every interest imaginable (POI Factory, for example) such as specific restaurant chains, roadside rest areas, dump stations, gas/fuel station chains, etc.

I have seen android apps, Walmart No Parking for example, but they are stand alone lists and are not integrated with the GPS function.

Another vote for WAZE. I have it on my iPhone 6 Plus and love the functionality. It will route you based on traffic along the route of you so choose. It alerts you to upcoming hazards and is highly configurable as to what it reports and what it does not.

NO, you cannot configure yourself as a big rig or RV and it doesn't provide low clearance height warnings, but there are alwyas ample road signs for those if you pay attention.

Lantley wrote:

Trackrig wrote:
The phones work in a pinch, but:
* They use up your data at a high rate. If you're using the phone to save on the cost of buying a GPS, you're going to pay more for the data than the GPS.
* The GPS app uses up a lot of battery power. Some phones we've used have gotten awfully hot when using them as a GPS and having them plugged into power at the same time. If you damage a smart phone due to heat, the replacement cost will be more than a GPS.
* The screen is really too small for comfortable use while driving.
* They're also a pain to use at times, especially when you should be paying attention to driving. You lay it down for a moment and the screen goes dark/times out while not using it. Then you're trying to touch it in the right place to get the screen back and you hit something you shouldn't have touched and it leaves the GPS app and then you're trying to get it all back correctly while driving.
* They work fine for quick usage, but in general, do yourself a favor and buy a GPS.

Bill

Agreed the phone works in a pinch. but a dedicated GPS is better.
The biggest pitfall of using the phone is if it rings while you are in GPS mode. Suddenly you have no GPS. Depending on what point of the trip you are at losing GPS could be no be deal or it could be critical.

If you only have one phone or tablet, this can certainly be a problem. The great thing about these apps is they work on any tablet, ipod or phone. Once you've paid once you can download it to all your devices. I run my GPS app on an iPad and mount it in the cup holder. No more problems with incoming phone calls and the screen is larger than any standalone GPS. The best of both worlds.

Lantley wrote:

Trackrig wrote:
The phones work in a pinch, but:
* They use up your data at a high rate. If you're using the phone to save on the cost of buying a GPS, you're going to pay more for the data than the GPS.
* The GPS app uses up a lot of battery power. Some phones we've used have gotten awfully hot when using them as a GPS and having them plugged into power at the same time. If you damage a smart phone due to heat, the replacement cost will be more than a GPS.
* The screen is really too small for comfortable use while driving.
* They're also a pain to use at times, especially when you should be paying attention to driving. You lay it down for a moment and the screen goes dark/times out while not using it. Then you're trying to touch it in the right place to get the screen back and you hit something you shouldn't have touched and it leaves the GPS app and then you're trying to get it all back correctly while driving.
* They work fine for quick usage, but in general, do yourself a favor and buy a GPS.

Bill

Agreed the phone works in a pinch. but a dedicated GPS is better.
The biggest pitfall of using the phone is if it rings while you are in GPS mode. Suddenly you have no GPS. Depending on what point of the trip you are at losing GPS could be no be deal or it could be critical.

I can't speak for Android devices but on my iPhone but the factory map app and Co-Pilot work just fine during a phone call, speech prompts included.