texasdontholdem
Lurker
Thinking about getting the new Samsung Galaxy S (Vibrant) when it comes out in Canada and the end of month... With the GPS turn by turn I understand it uses data... anyone know how much data it uses for the GPS? Is it a ton?
-
After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.
GPS Data usage
- Thread starter texasdontholdem
- Start date
wmtoandroid
Well-Known Member
The GPS itself won't use any data, but if you use a program like Google Maps, then you will be using a lot of data to load maps.
If you plan on using GPS a lot, I would suggest purchasing an offline navigation software that uses maps stored on your SD card instead. There are many of these apps around, just do your research and see which one suites your needs best.
texasdontholdem
Lurker
Any suggestions for a person from Ontario, Canada?
wmtoandroid
Well-Known Member
I wish I knew. The only one I've tried was Ndrive and I suggest you try it as well, since they are the only GPS offline navigation app that offers a free trial (that I know of).
They were featured on this forum just the other day as part of a contest:
http://androidforums.com/android-applications/116315-ndrive-contest.html
If you do try Ndrive, make sure you download the Ontario maps with your WIFI as it's about 300MB or so.
There are others, like Copilot, but without being able to test it, I wouldn't pay $30, even if I could return it after 24 hours since it won't allow much time for actual testing.
wmtoandroid
Well-Known Member
Keep in mind that in Canada, our data plans are very restrictive, so if your drive uses 20mb of map data, you'll be paying a lot in extra usage at the end of the month. In fact, the charge that you would get could likely pay for one of these offline GPS navigator apps
Google Navigation is terrible. I have no idea why Google Maps/Directions is pretty flawless but you turn on Navigation turn-by-turn and you're going in circles and doing glaringly dumb things. Guess thats why its still beta.
If you're driving a lot, I'd suggest getting a standalone car GPS. You can get a Garmin for pretty cheap (try ebay/cl for cheaper) and it'll blow Google Nav out of the water, with the added bonus of not having the huge gps+3g battery drain, nor the 3g data usage, or eating your SD card's storage.
I know I'll get crucified by the "ZOMG BUT MY PHONE CAN DO EVERYTHIGN111" people. When I got my phone I had planned on having it replace my Garmin, but its not even close. Plus the laundry list of things of physical design choices for each product.. a glossy phone screen in the sun is awful.
Use the right tool for the job.
If you're driving a lot, I'd suggest getting a standalone car GPS. You can get a Garmin for pretty cheap (try ebay/cl for cheaper) and it'll blow Google Nav out of the water, with the added bonus of not having the huge gps+3g battery drain, nor the 3g data usage, or eating your SD card's storage.
I know I'll get crucified by the "ZOMG BUT MY PHONE CAN DO EVERYTHIGN111" people. When I got my phone I had planned on having it replace my Garmin, but its not even close. Plus the laundry list of things of physical design choices for each product.. a glossy phone screen in the sun is awful.
Use the right tool for the job.
wmtoandroid
Well-Known Member
That's a good point. I picked up a Garmin for my wife used for $50. Best purchase I could have made considering I didn't have to use my phone for GPS anymore and I knew that I had a solid navigation option available.
Still, not everyone will want to have multiple devices, so a dedicated GPS app is still a good option.
Why would you have any battery drain in a car when a micro usb car charger can be had for $5? I'm in the States so I don't care about data usage, especially since the Verizon guys sitting onstage said very clearly unlimited means "downloading all day every day until your contract is up", and I'm trying my best to hold them to that.
Also, I've found you only have 3G data usage if the screen is on and the app is in the foreground. If the screen is off, or the map is in the background, Google nav simply goes by it's waypoints and doesn't update the map.
My standalone Garmin GPS unit requires money to update the maps. I've not found Google navigation to be particularly horrible, and it's maps are always current. They put a bypass around the town I live in, which isn't on the Garmin maps yet. Google Nav has it though. Plus voice control, which the Garmin doesn't have.