Can anyone suggest a way I can get GPS (and matching maps) on my phone? Why
are there so few phones that actually have this feature? Are there any
phones that DO have this feature in a usable way (i.e. being able to use
GPS and mapping WITHOUT having to pay extra for the privilege?) Are there
any Bluetooth GPS devices I can get?
Jonathan Wilson wrote:
> Can anyone suggest a way I can get GPS (and matching maps) on my phone?
> Why are there so few phones that actually have this feature? Are there
> any phones that DO have this feature in a usable way (i.e. being able to
> use GPS and mapping WITHOUT having to pay extra for the privilege?) Are
> there any Bluetooth GPS devices I can get?
What phone do you have?
--
The views I present are that of my own and NOT of any organisation I may
belong to.
73 de Simon, VK3XEM.
<http://web.acma.gov.au/pls/radcom/client_search.client_lookup?pCLIENT_NO=157452>
Simon Templar wrote:
> Jonathan Wilson wrote:
>> Can anyone suggest a way I can get GPS (and matching maps) on my
>> phone? Why are there so few phones that actually have this feature?
>> Are there any phones that DO have this feature in a usable way (i.e.
>> being able to use GPS and mapping WITHOUT having to pay extra for the
>> privilege?) Are there any Bluetooth GPS devices I can get?
>
> What phone do you have?
Currently have Motorola L6 but am in the market for a new Motorola to
replace this one (and am considering the Motorola Z6 slide phone)
Jonathan Wilson wrote:
> Currently have Motorola L6 but am in the market for a new Motorola to
> replace this one (and am considering the Motorola Z6 slide phone)
Motorola is really way behind when it comes to extra features like GPS.
Have a look at
<http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-search.cfm?s=1983242&r=9300905> to
see what other's say about the Motorola Z6.
I personally steer clear of Motorola, I prefer Nokia.
As for phones that are able to make use of GPS, you will either need a
phone with an inbuilt GPS or Bluetooth enabled and have third party
software available for it. This will pretty much limit you to Symbian
or Windows based phones.
Whirlpool has an extensive list of discussions regarding GPS and mobile
devices, I would be investigating there before deciding on a phone if
that is a feature you want.
<http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-search.cfm?s=1793184&r=1649993>
--
The views I present are that of my own and NOT of any organisation I may
belong to.
73 de Simon, VK3XEM.
<http://web.acma.gov.au/pls/radcom/client_search.client_lookup?pCLIENT_NO=157452>
> Can anyone suggest a way I can get GPS (and matching maps) on my phone?
Get a phone that can do that.
> Why are there so few phones that actually have this feature?
Because those that do aint cheap.
> Are there any phones that DO have this feature in a usable way (i.e. being able to use GPS and mapping WITHOUT having
> to pay extra for the privilege?)
If you mean that comes standard on the phone, yes.
> Are there any Bluetooth GPS devices I can get?
Yes, but its mostly the PDAs that can use those, not many phones can.
"Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:5rpqmuF165p7gU1@mid.individual.net...
> Jonathan Wilson <jfwfreo@tpgi.com.au> wrote:
>
>> Can anyone suggest a way I can get GPS (and matching maps) on my phone?
>
> Get a phone that can do that.
>
>> Why are there so few phones that actually have this feature?
>
> Because those that do aint cheap.
>
>> Are there any phones that DO have this feature in a usable way (i.e.
>> being able to use GPS and mapping WITHOUT having to pay extra for the
>> privilege?)
>
> If you mean that comes standard on the phone, yes.
>
>> Are there any Bluetooth GPS devices I can get?
>
> Yes, but its mostly the PDAs that can use those, not many phones can.
Kwyjibo <kwyjibo@ozdebate.remove.com> wrote:
> "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:5rpqmuF165p7gU1@mid.individual.net...
>> Jonathan Wilson <jfwfreo@tpgi.com.au> wrote:
>>
>>> Can anyone suggest a way I can get GPS (and matching maps) on my
>>> phone?
>>
>> Get a phone that can do that.
>>
>>> Why are there so few phones that actually have this feature?
>>
>> Because those that do aint cheap.
>>
>>> Are there any phones that DO have this feature in a usable way (i.e.
>>> being able to use GPS and mapping WITHOUT having to pay extra for
>>> the privilege?)
>>
>> If you mean that comes standard on the phone, yes.
>>
>>> Are there any Bluetooth GPS devices I can get?
>>
>> Yes, but its mostly the PDAs that can use those, not many phones can.
>
> Any phone running Windows Mobile can use them.
"Simon Templar" <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote in message
news:5rpql4F15mb94U1@mid.individual.net...
> Jonathan Wilson wrote:
>> Currently have Motorola L6 but am in the market for a new Motorola to
>> replace this one (and am considering the Motorola Z6 slide phone)
>
> Motorola is really way behind when it comes to extra features like GPS.
> Have a look at
> <http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-search.cfm?s=1983242&r=9300905> to
> see what other's say about the Motorola Z6.
>
> I personally steer clear of Motorola, I prefer Nokia.
>
> As for phones that are able to make use of GPS, you will either need a
> phone with an inbuilt GPS or Bluetooth enabled and have third party
> software available for it. This will pretty much limit you to Symbian or
> Windows based phones.
And even those are horrible as a GPS.
I'm using the dopod 838 pro (which has a pretty large screen) and, when
using it as a GPS, the screen is way too small to be useful.
Kwyjibo wrote:
> And even those are horrible as a GPS.
> I'm using the dopod 838 pro (which has a pretty large screen) and, when
> using it as a GPS, the screen is way too small to be useful.
Well maybe you need to get a dedicated GPS Unit. I agree the screens on
the phones are just a little small for use in a car with GPS but it is
really a just a convenience and a compromise having GPS in the phone.
--
The views I present are that of my own and NOT of any organisation I may
belong to.
73 de Simon, VK3XEM.
<http://web.acma.gov.au/pls/radcom/client_search.client_lookup?pCLIENT_NO=157452>
Simon Templar <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote
> Kwyjibo wrote
>> And even those are horrible as a GPS.
>> I'm using the dopod 838 pro (which has a pretty large screen) and,
>> when using it as a GPS, the screen is way too small to be useful.
> Well maybe you need to get a dedicated GPS Unit. I agree the screens
> on the phones are just a little small for use in a car with GPS but it is really a just a convenience and a compromise
> having GPS in the phone.
And GPS in the phone can be handy when you want more
than just a full sized GPS when you arent in the car and
want to carry around everything else in the one device.
"Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:5rrl86F15n5qpU1@mid.individual.net...
> Simon Templar <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote
>> Kwyjibo wrote
>
>>> And even those are horrible as a GPS.
>>> I'm using the dopod 838 pro (which has a pretty large screen) and,
>>> when using it as a GPS, the screen is way too small to be useful.
>
>> Well maybe you need to get a dedicated GPS Unit. I agree the screens
>> on the phones are just a little small for use in a car with GPS but it is
>> really a just a convenience and a compromise having GPS in the phone.
>
> And GPS in the phone can be handy when you want more
> than just a full sized GPS when you arent in the car and
> want to carry around everything else in the one device.
Yep. Very handy for that.
The only downside is the the bluetooth GPS units usually don't have an
external antenna which makes them pretty useless whenever you are around any
high-rise buildings (eg Sydney or Melbourne CBD)
Kwyjibo <kwyjibo@ozdebate.remove.com> wrote
> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote
>> Simon Templar <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote
>>> Kwyjibo wrote
>>>> And even those are horrible as a GPS.
>>>> I'm using the dopod 838 pro (which has a pretty large screen) and,
>>>> when using it as a GPS, the screen is way too small to be useful.
>>> Well maybe you need to get a dedicated GPS Unit. I agree the screens on the phones are just a little small for use
>>> in a car with GPS but it is really a just a convenience and a compromise having GPS in the phone.
>> And GPS in the phone can be handy when you want more
>> than just a full sized GPS when you arent in the car and
>> want to carry around everything else in the one device.
> Yep. Very handy for that.
> The only downside is the the bluetooth GPS units usually don't have an
> external antenna which makes them pretty useless whenever you are
> around any high-rise buildings (eg Sydney or Melbourne CBD)
The tomtoms which dont have an external antenna in use do fine in that situation.
"Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:5rs354F163ja9U1@mid.individual.net...
> Kwyjibo <kwyjibo@ozdebate.remove.com> wrote
>> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote
>>> Simon Templar <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote
>>>> Kwyjibo wrote
>
>>>>> And even those are horrible as a GPS.
>>>>> I'm using the dopod 838 pro (which has a pretty large screen) and,
>>>>> when using it as a GPS, the screen is way too small to be useful.
>
>>>> Well maybe you need to get a dedicated GPS Unit. I agree the screens
>>>> on the phones are just a little small for use in a car with GPS but it
>>>> is really a just a convenience and a compromise having GPS in the
>>>> phone.
>
>>> And GPS in the phone can be handy when you want more
>>> than just a full sized GPS when you arent in the car and
>>> want to carry around everything else in the one device.
>
>> Yep. Very handy for that.
>> The only downside is the the bluetooth GPS units usually don't have an
>> external antenna which makes them pretty useless whenever you are
>> around any high-rise buildings (eg Sydney or Melbourne CBD)
>
> The tomtoms which dont have an external antenna in use do fine in that
> situation.
Must have a better internal one then. Wouldn't surprise me, given that my
bluetooth unit is a cheapy from China. It only ever gets a lock on 2 sats in
either Melbourne or Sydney.
Kwyjibo wrote:
> Must have a better internal one then. Wouldn't surprise me, given that my
> bluetooth unit is a cheapy from China. It only ever gets a lock on 2 sats in
> either Melbourne or Sydney.
You get what you pay for!
I have a Nokia LD-3W Bluetooth GPS receiver and it works fine. A friend
of mine has a Nokia LD-1W Bluetooth GPS receiver with the option for an
external antenna, but he has never needed make use of it.
I see Nokia have also released the LD-4W, but have never seen or used one.
--
The views I present are that of my own and NOT of any organisation I may
belong to.
73 de Simon, VK3XEM.
<http://web.acma.gov.au/pls/radcom/client_search.client_lookup?pCLIENT_NO=157452>
Kwyjibo <kwyjibo@ozdebate.remove.com> wrote
> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote
>> Kwyjibo <kwyjibo@ozdebate.remove.com> wrote
>>> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote
>>>> Simon Templar <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote
>>>>> Kwyjibo wrote
>>>>>> And even those are horrible as a GPS.
>>>>>> I'm using the dopod 838 pro (which has a pretty large screen) and, when using it as a GPS, the screen is way too
>>>>>> small to be useful.
>>>>> Well maybe you need to get a dedicated GPS Unit. I agree the
>>>>> screens on the phones are just a little small for use in a car
>>>>> with GPS but it is really a just a convenience and a compromise
>>>>> having GPS in the phone.
>>>> And GPS in the phone can be handy when you want more
>>>> than just a full sized GPS when you arent in the car and
>>>> want to carry around everything else in the one device.
>>> Yep. Very handy for that.
>>> The only downside is the the bluetooth GPS units usually don't have
>>> an external antenna which makes them pretty useless whenever you are
>>> around any high-rise buildings (eg Sydney or Melbourne CBD)
>> The tomtoms which dont have an external antenna in use do fine in that situation.
> Must have a better internal one then.
There's more involved than just the antenna.
> Wouldn't surprise me, given that my bluetooth unit is a cheapy from China. It only ever gets a lock on 2 sats in
> either Melbourne or Sydney.
Fark, thats pretty obscene.
Thats one of the reasons I chose the tomtom, the choice claim
that it does better in tunnels and CBDs than the alternatives.
> The only downside is the the bluetooth GPS units usually don't have an
> external antenna which makes them pretty useless whenever you are around any
> high-rise buildings (eg Sydney or Melbourne CBD)
Same for car ones. Our Tom Tom One and more recently Mio C510 are pretty well
fucked trying to track any signals in the Melbourne CBD. They keep saying
"recalculating", over and over.
The Mio has an external antenna jack so that may help, but the Tom Tom didn't.
>Can anyone suggest a way I can get GPS (and matching maps) on my phone? Why
>are there so few phones that actually have this feature? Are there any
>phones that DO have this feature in a usable way (i.e. being able to use
>GPS and mapping WITHOUT having to pay extra for the privilege?) Are there
>any Bluetooth GPS devices I can get?
My Nokia 5500 supports GPS but it needs a bluetooth-based GPS device to do
anything, so it's a pretty useless feature of the Symbian OS that Nokia
uses.
I hardly use GPS because I know all the roads but when I do need GPS im
unlikely to have a GPS with me. How many times have you been UNsure of
your location not specifically lost because you manage to find your way
but UNsure if your on the right road or are heading in the right
direction particularly at night? having GPS in a phone is extremly
useful because you always have it for when you need it.
~Dan
In article <5rrl86F15n5qpU1@mid.individual.net>, rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com
says...
> Simon Templar <usenet@vk3xem.net> wrote
> > Kwyjibo wrote
>
> >> And even those are horrible as a GPS.
> >> I'm using the dopod 838 pro (which has a pretty large screen) and,
> >> when using it as a GPS, the screen is way too small to be useful.
>
> > Well maybe you need to get a dedicated GPS Unit. I agree the screens
> > on the phones are just a little small for use in a car with GPS but it is really a just a convenience and a compromise
> > having GPS in the phone.
>
> And GPS in the phone can be handy when you want more
> than just a full sized GPS when you arent in the car and
> want to carry around everything else in the one device.
>
>
>
GPS on mobile phones 
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