GPS Why not a smart phone?

aguablanco wrote:
I need no validation, I can live with my decisions, and obviously my mind was made up some time ago. I used stand alone GPS for years until I got the phone and never looked back, until now. With all the ads for GPS I thought they may have added some new features that would justify the added cost. I haven't seen evidence of that. I thought that I made it clear why I was starting the thread.
RichH

Let's call it a "research" :)

Any "navigators", including navigator apps in smartphones, are basically GPS. They have GPS chip - a passive receiver that triangulates your position by receiving signals from GPS satellites. This service is free and doesn't need a data connection.

The only difference between an standalone GPS and a navigator/GPS gizmo with data connection like smartphone is that data stream is used to supply more POI - local businesses, gas stations, parks etc. You still have limited POI in an old standalone GPS. And you have much more POI in a navigator app with no data connection - technically can be done in a standalone GPS but it appears that they are lagging behind and losing the market. Standalone GPS you have to buy, and smartphone you already have - heck, my provider gives me an entry-level smartphone for free every 3 years.

I'm not a tech junkie and I'm cheap, so navigator app with no data connection is enough for me. Basically I'm using smartphone as a free standalone GPS. When I need a lot more, I do my research with Google Maps on laptop or desktop, it's more comfortable than smartphone.

Lots of reasons..........Number one being that with the standalone GPS you have a standalone GPS------ you don't have to be fiddling around with the phone ,,bringing up the app--- then if someone calls ----you lose where you're at on the app..!!!!

A standalone GPS is just that -- standalone GPS.

Now ,,they're not always accurate --so you can use your smartphone GPS also to compare if you want to .

but A Standalone GPS Is basically like having automatic wipers --(mist )...you set it to the point where you're going to need it --(in the rain and you forget about it).. you don't have to be constantly adjusting-- that it's kind of like that.


You arent tied down to "your phone "...

I recently bought the "Good Sam " 7" screen one ...
Except for a few issues in the way its set up ( screen dim in bright sun ).
Couple other minor things ---- that they can FIX ....with a software update ........ I LOVE IT.

I use my Rand because of the huge screen...we can set it on the MH's dash and both of us can see/read it at the same time. It can hold a virtually unlimited number of custom maps, POI files and trips. When the cell rings, it doesn't affect that standalone unit at all... Uses zip, nada data from my plan. I can plan trips using the GS Trip Planner and download them to the Rand unit. I can't accidentally wash the Rand unit, leave it laying in a restaurant or drop it on the ground (it stays safely in its mounting unit unless I'm hooking it up to the computer to download new updates or trips and then it is two steps from the dash to the computer desk...

That isn't to say that I don't have or use NAV apps on our phones when we are out and about, but, for the "heavy duty" guidance of our motorhome, we rely on our Rand unit in conjunction with the in-dash built in that came with the coach. If both agree on the route we are confident...if they disagree, we start investigating the "why". Much the same as "two heads are better than none". We tend to treat our phones as phones. The other "uses" are neat, but, a standalone dedicated unit will always trump a smaller multifaceted device; I'm the same with my computer equipment...I have printer, I have a scanner, I have a separate photo printer, etc. A machine designed and built for a specific purpose will usually perform that purpose better than one that can do it, but, wasn't really designed for it. I have a "level" app, but, when I want to build something, I still use my 6' contractor's level to get it right...

"Not sure why you asked the question and started this thread. It seems you already had your mind made up on what works for you. Were you looking for validation?"

I need no validation, I can live with my decisions, and obviously my mind was made up some time ago. I used stand alone GPS for years until I got the phone and never looked back, until now. With all the ads for GPS I thought they may have added some new features that would justify the added cost. I haven't seen evidence of that. I thought that I made it clear why I was starting the thread.
RichH

aguablanco wrote:
I am curious as to why a stand alone GPS still seems to be so popular.

I rarely use my standalone handheld GPS, bought initially for sea kayaking. Didn't upgrade the road maps for many years. Don't need navigator where I live - know the area well already. Rarely need it when traveling either - and when I do, I use free smartphone app with no data connection required - you can't rely on being connected at all times. Remember, GPS in itself doesn't need data plan.

aguablanco wrote:

What with smart phones and tablets being readily available I would think that the stand alone units would sort of fade away.

It did fade away, to me. Texts and calls can be disabled when you don't want to be disturbed, not to mention that it is illegal on the road.

Now, a big screen car navigator may offer convenience that a tiny smartphone can't, but like I said, the very issue is not an issue to me. I know the area where I live, and on the road prefer planning ahead and memorizing turns and exits. Using your brain is free.

SCVJeff wrote:
Two notes:
1- WAZE DOES use data! That is a streaming mapset and when you lose cell signal, you lose WAZE.

2...

waze uses very little data - also if you lose streaming you do not loose the Google Map used by waze unless you drive beyond the display range of the map being viewed at the time of the loss. I've driven from MD to Indianapolis and back thru the mountains of WV and western MD and never lost the map display.

You may want to read some of the posts in this thread to get a better understanding of waze.

Today is the 9th of this billing cycle for my phone. waze has used 4.1 MB - less than my Weather app.

YMMV

aguablanco wrote:
So it seems that Droid phones/tablets are gaining popularity for navigation assistance. I have a phone plan that includes ~6GB of data and I use it for internet and GPS and share the data with my wife and we have never gone over our limit. And she is on it a lot!++ YMMV. I really like my Droid and would never consider going back to a stand alone unit. With GPS, internet, phone and other programs I have everything I need. I do, not so much when towing, have a radar detector and use it as much for traffic alerts as anything radar detection. Since we don't do much boondocking I find that my phone GPS is more than adequate for navigation and very rarely don't have a signal. From my perspective I have no trouble switching between programs while using the GPS, making/taking calls is almost seamless. While not passing judgement on anyone's choices, I have seen no reason to go back to stand alone GPS and forgo all of the features of my phone. I do appreciate all of the different points of view and hope everyone arrives safely at their destination no matter how they navigate there.
RichH

Not sure why you asked the question and started this thread. It seems you already had your mind made up on what works for you. Were you looking for validation?

Two notes:
1- WAZE DOES use data! That is a streaming mapset and when you lose cell signal, you lose WAZE.

2- There are several REAL GPS apps for Smartphones that work exactly the same as a standalone GPS, and they will not lose their map data or position when either going to another app, talking on the phone or loss of cell service. For the iPhone I use Navagon. They also make stand-alone GPS, but they pulled them out of the US because of competition with Tom-Tom and Garmin. Navagon has since been bought by Garmin about 4 years ago.

Tom/Barb wrote:
My Galaxy 6 Android phone has a GPS built in, and uses "Maps" as the screen, when I turn them on, the phone tracks my position at all times. and the data usage goes thru the roof.
I normally use my I pad and Google maps with a remote antenna called "XGPS150A" blue tooth connected. it does not use data for the phone, works great, has a big screen, and will run continuously all day when connected to its charge port in my coach's dash 12vdc plug, and has no data updates, or renewal fees.

Much simpler solution, download waze or any other GPS app. Probably a better display and no data spikes. The phones GPS is going to be more accurate than cell tower triangulation - however may not be a big factor.

My Galaxy 6 Android phone has a GPS built in, and uses "Maps" as the screen, when I turn them on, the phone tracks my position at all times. and the data usage goes thru the roof.
I normally use my I pad and Google maps with a remote antenna called "XGPS150A" blue tooth connected. it does not use data for the phone, works great, has a big screen, and will run continuously all day when connected to its charge port in my coach's dash 12vdc plug, and has no data updates, or renewal fees.