Do you bother with a dedicated GPS unit?

monty_python

robinph wrote: »

But it is possible to have loads of stray apps running in the background of a phone which can be eating up the battery usage. Uninstall the ones that are not needed and things will last longer, but get a dedicated GPS device and you don't have to worry about that kind of messing about in order to get more battery life as the device just has the one job to do.

or in install a battery saver app and an app killer app on your phone and stop worrying about it!!! :P

tossy

listermint wrote: »

i wouldnt allow an electrical problem in my baby. Integrated headunits are the future. Only povers use their phones :P

The problem is though your integrated head unit is Android That's like getting a gift of a motorised Armchair only to discover it's Diesel powered

listermint

tossy wrote: »

The problem is though your integrated head unit is Android That's like getting a gift of a motorised Armchair only to discover it's Diesel powered

Oh no an apple man. stricken by good marketing

You might join the party this year with the SG IV or new HTC

tossy

listermint wrote: »

Oh no an apple man. stricken by good marketing

You might join the party this year with the SG IV or new HTC

I've been apple since the first TiPod I'm more swayed by the ease of use.I guess when i had an Ipod you had an Iriver ?? It sucks not to be a sheep

Anyway lets not drag it OT.

H3llR4iser

I have an old Garmin from 2007, the maps are outdated as it would be pointless to buy them anew (they cost more than a new GPS unit) and still, my phone doesn't hold a candle to it.

The problem is, probably a super-high-end phone will work like a charm; anything less than that you're stuck with poor GPS reception or even the horrendous aGPS (GPS positioning that relies on the mobile network as well as the GPS triangulation).

Google Maps Navigation requires a data connection, which makes it absolutely useless; I have NavFree installed and, while it does have stored maps and works quite all right, it still wants data connection for a search...is there any Android alternative that actually works line a real GPS navigator, with not data connection?

In the end, the standalone units still do their job - navigation - a little bit more cleanly, are less clunky and fidgety than smartphones, and make sense if you don't want a smartphone or won't spend 400 Euro on a high-spec model.

listermint

tossy wrote: »

I've been apple since the first TiPod I'm more swayed by the ease of use.I guess when i had an Ipod you had an Iriver ?? It sucks not to be a sheep

Anyway lets not drag it OT.

Oh god no, I had Ipod Classic, Creative Zen and Now have an IPod Touch, Pretty good.

listermint

H3llR4iser wrote: »

I have an old Garmin from 2007, the maps are outdated as it would be pointless to buy them anew (they cost more than a new GPS unit) and still, my phone doesn't hold a candle to it.

The problem is, probably a super-high-end phone will work like a charm; anything less than that you're stuck with poor GPS reception or even the horrendous aGPS (GPS positioning that relies on the mobile network as well as the GPS triangulation).

Google Maps Navigation requires a data connection, which makes it absolutely useless; I have NavFree installed and, while it does have stored maps and works quite all right, it still wants data connection for a search...is there any Android alternative that actually works line a real GPS navigator, with not data connection?

In the end, the standalone units still do their job - navigation - a little bit more cleanly, are less clunky and fidgety than smartphones, and make sense if you don't want a smartphone or won't spend 400 Euro on a high-spec model.

Sygic is a boss. You should give that a lash.

robinph

challengemaster wrote: »

I've something like 5 pages of apps on the phone and never bother closing out any before using GPS. Again, never had any adverse effect on battery life. Just sounds like you're making up excuses to justify you buying a GPS

In fact being completely honest, the days I use my phone for GPS are the days it lasts longer than ever. It gets a full charge while I'm driving. Otherwise with normal use it'd be on its last legs by bedtime.

Nope, making suggestions as to why some people will have different battery drain experience to what you have. Without having identical phones and apps and usage of those apps one persons claim of a battery being drained within an hour is as useless information as another claiming to be getting 24hours plus from a phone.

I plug my phone in to charge when in the car normally, but I can't be bothered with faffing about on it for getting GPS directions when driving. I will use it when a passenger though to check the route and traffic if needed. Phones are a closer match to the requirements of car usage GPS than they would be for my other specific use GPS devices I mentioned earlier, but still think the dedicated unit edges it for car use.

tossy

H3llR4iser wrote: »

The problem is, probably a super-high-end phone will work like a charm; anything less than that you're stuck with poor GPS reception .

Yeah those super high end phones are so elusive,i often watch the Monaco GP just to see all the hob knobbers with their Ferraris and smart phones - lifestyles of the rich and famous eh???

TestTransmission

djimi wrote: »

I told you my experience, you called it anecdotal and said youre not buying it. Call it whatever you want; it amounts to the same. Theres no need to be a dick about it; several people have now disagreed with you.

listermint wrote: »

2 People disagreed with me, I never called you names. You need to grow up a bit when some disagrees with you.

Try and be civil please gentlemen

keithclancy

tossy wrote: »

I've been apple since the first TiPod I'm more swayed by the ease of use.I guess when i had an Ipod you had an Iriver ?? It sucks not to be a sheep

Anyway lets not drag it OT.

What put me off the Apple stuff is the lack of parts, custom connectors, the licensing issue with bluetooth (i.e. a generic bluetooth audio profile device will not work with an iPod/iPad)

Apple stuff is grand, but its expensive for what it is.

Actually if its any device that doesn't charge from Micro USB, they can keep it.

tossy

keithclancy wrote: »

What put me off the Apple stuff is the lack of parts, custom connectors, the licensing issue with bluetooth (i.e. a generic bluetooth audio profile device will not work with an iPod/iPad)

Apple stuff is grand, but its expensive for what it is.

Actually if its any device that doesn't charge from Micro USB, they can keep it.

The Bluetooth is annoying alright,my Iphone will connect with my Head unit but not with my laptop.

H3llR4iser

tossy wrote: »

Yeah those super high end phones are so elusive,i often watch the Monaco GP just to see all the hob knobbers with their Ferraris and smart phones - lifestyles of the rich and famous eh???

What in heavens are you on about? 500 Euro (Samsung S3) or nearly 600 (iPhone) are, for many people, beyond EXCESSIVE to spend on silly phones that, regardless of what marketing claims, still have tons of limitations.

tossy

H3llR4iser wrote: »

What in heavens are you on about? 500 Euro (Samsung S3) or nearly 600 (iPhone) are, for many people, beyond EXCESSIVE to spend on silly phones that, regardless of what marketing claims, still have tons of limitations.

What the hell are you on about ? Those 2 aren't the only phones that are capable of acting as GPS units.You can get a 100/200 euro phone that will work just as good - the have been putting GPS into phones for years now,it's not new technology.

Not to mention anyone with a bill phone is not paying 500/600 euro for an S3/Iphone.

I guess the use of the superlative "super high end phone" Just to sway your argument was a bit OTT the fact is most entry level phones are capable of acting as a sat nav,true the "super high end" ones might do it better but it's exclusive.

H3llR4iser

tossy wrote: »

What the hell are you on about ? Those 2 aren't the only phones that are capable of acting as GPS units.You can get a 100/200 euro phone that will work just as good - the have been putting GPS into phones for years now,it's not new technology.

Not to mention anyone with a bill phone is not paying 500/600 euro for an S3/Iphone.

I guess the use of the superlative "super high end phone" Just to sway your argument was a bit OTT the fact is most entry level phones are capable of acting as a sat nav,true the "super high end" ones might do it better but it's exclusive.

Most entry level smartphones will act as a GPS navigator, but they will be utter sh1te at it - at least mine is, and I know a few people with the same issue. They lose the signal, often rely on aGPS (e.g. the GPS signal never really locks unless you switch data on as well) and most free nav applications want a data connection for a simple search.

On top of that, smartphones are clunky and fidgety by design, regardless of what marketing tells most people to think, and it doesn't go well with the "on the fly" nature of operating a satnav. I have no doubt that the TomTom software just works fine and exactly like a standalone unit but, outside of that, there's very little.

Smartphones try to do everything and they do it in a "good enough" fashion; Standalone units are designed to do one and one thing only, and they get it right. Not one with maps from 2007 maybe, as it would probably instruct you to drive through what it thinks is a side road but is now a three-stories building (happened for real ), but still.

Alpha Dog 1

I paid 250 euro five years ago for a Garmin satnav. 1 year later a new motorway Opened, hooked it up to the laptop to download the latest roads, 65 euro....
Fuuck that free Google navigation all the way.

cormie

How about we compare the pros and cons of buying a phone for the sole purpose of navigation vs buying a GPS for the sole purpose of navigation?

GPS:

• Pros
• Will probably save time every day by booting into GPS mode. A phone you will need to turn on and then open up an app to get into the GPS.

• Cons
• Likely not much extras such as camera or wifi

Phone:

• Pros
• Remember, it's being used as for navigation only so no need to worry about data costs, sim card, credit bills either. Just download an app like Co-Pilot

• Cons
• Will probably perform slower than a GPS overall in terms of boot up time, opening the app.

Ok, my list is terrible, anyone else want to be a bit more comprehensive and weigh up the p's+c's of both?

tossy

I think listing having to turn on the phone as a possible con is weak lol the phone will be on anyway.

If we are to do a fair comparison we should go through the pros and cons of making a call on your sat nav or accessing the paddy power app! :D

robinph

Phone with equivalent sized screen will be more expensive than dedicated GPS of same size.
You would want a sim card and data in order to get traffic updates to match what you get through a dedicated GPS.
More chance of the phone app crashing.

The traffic updates that you would get if using Google Maps on the phone are better than I've seen on dedicated GPS.
Easier to search for weird addresses on the phone using Google if you don't have post code like system.

cormie

I'm thinking in the sense of buying a phone INSTEAD of a GPS when you're purpose of the purchase is for navigation, the phone would be stored in the car/van and used as a standalone GPS, not taken with you, your personal phone would cater for all that stuff, but my idea was comparing phone vs GPS as standalone GPS units as I think phones are probably surpassing GPS's with all the latest technology?

dgt

cormie wrote: »

Is there any case I wonder where a phone would be using more power than it's getting fed from the charger? GPS, music, phone calls, wifi, bluetooth all on together?

dgt, the money saved in fuel, driver wage, stress relief etc more than covers the cost of a GPS. When I'm booking a job with a customer who lives in the middle of nowhere, I open up google maps, stick in the closest place to them, name a few roads around it, get the right road, open up street view, tell them I see the barn with the stones painted white at the gate, pan another little bit, tell them I see their house with the yellow door and the green nissan micra, they are baffled at this technology, I then click "what's here", get the coordinates, add the coordinates to the booking, the driver who has never spoken to the customer or has any idea where he's going before the job gets into the van, puts the coordinates into the GPS and arrives exactly on time. I'm just so thankful for such technology given my business and can only imagine how much heartbreak drivers must have had in the days before google maps, GPS and even mobile phones.

If I'm going to a place I haven't been before, I'll plan it the night before on google maps

Failing that I have crappy ovi maps on the phone

s_carnage

Don't understand how people here say there phones won't last a day in the car while charging. Was over in Poland and we were doing a good bit of driving one day and when we landed at our destination I had more power on my phone (S3) which we were using as a GPS than when we set out.

Also was over in Rome and was using my phone while working around with the GPS on for most of the day and it lasted from about 8 in the morning till 5 in the evening. Had a spare battery then to use for the rest of the day.

Used to have Co-Pilot on an older phone but Google Maps has improved so much over the last few years I couldn't justify buying a dedicated GPS unit. Really is excellent for getting directions when out walking in an unknown city.

listermint

listermint wrote: »

Ooo Touchy! Sorry for picking on your phone. Your experience is no less experience than mine.

BTW i have a Samsung Galaxy Nexus, it is a high end phone. So dont need a new one.

@Kieth - The nexus 7 has obvious battery capabilities over a phone, It has a larger capacity doesnt have GSM , GPRS to contend with. I also have one of them and they are awesome. Wouldnt need it in the car as i have a android already. Albeit its not where near as quality as the nexus. Sygic maps is superb too i use that.

Not to drag this away from the main topic, but I also have Samsung galaxy nexus and I have never expierenced the issue you are having. I use my phone as GPS and additional app's running for logging data to add to openstreetmap. Several times I have gone on trips of 8+ hr's in the car doing surveys, and so long as the phone is plugged into the charger, when I'm finished I get out of the car with a 100% charged phone everytime.

I know its been said, but you really should look at your changer / battery. If your car charger is working correctly it should be charging at the same rate as off the mains.

By any chance are you charging through the pogo pins, a la Samsung car dock? If so, it'll charge at a much lower rate, i.e. same as if you had the phone plugged into a laptop and charging from the laptop. In that case, then yes, you are likely to use power faster than you can replenish it

darragh o meara

Anyone having problems charging in the car while using GPS should get a decent charger.

I use one of these with my iPhone and the tomtom app all the time and have no problem.

http://www.currys.ie/Product/TOMTOM-USB-Car-Charger/311197/199.0