Bluetooth GPS on A500-Does It Work

[LTCSZ]

I would really like to use a separate Bluetooth receiver with my A500...Would make it a lot more convenient and comfortable in many instances...I noticed that there are Aps that supposedly "disable" the internal GPS in the tablet and allow the Bluetooth GPS to take over...Do they work? Any chance of damaging the internal GPS?

Thanks a lot,

Steve

 

[RMinMN]

I have a keychain GPS receiver like this one at Amazon. Amazon.com: Freedom Input Keychain GPS 2000: GPS & Navigation

It works very well and very fast. From initial turn on (after it has been turned off for days) until it has satellite locks (usually 7 to 9 satellites) is less than 2 minutes outdoors. Usually it can even get them in that amount of time indoors. It plugs into a USB port for charging, runs about 6 hours on a charge, writes nothing to the tablet's memory and recharges pretty quickly.

To use it you turn off the tablet's internal GPS (done with settings) and start the Bluetooth GPS app that you download from the Play Store. This GPS will be faster, more accurate than the internal, and not lose the lock in cities.

 

[LTCSZ]

Sounds great...One quick question...Do you initially leave the internal GPS on until you get a first fix or do you turn it off (as I think you are saying) before you start the whole process? Thanks a lot,

Steve

 

[RMinMN]

Sounds great...One quick question...Do you initially leave the internal GPS on until you get a first fix or do you turn it off (as I think you are saying) before you start the whole process? Thanks a lot,

Steve

Turn the internal one off immediately. As long as it is turned on it is writing to the hidden file that filled your memory. The external is quite able to find satellites on its own. Start Bluetooth GPS, turn the external unit on and click connect on the Bluetooth GPS screen. When it finds a lock, the external will be looking for satellites.

 

[LTCSZ]

Thanks...That's what I thought you were saying!

Steve