GPS signal Strength

[tcope]

I'm guessing that the GPS hardware in most Android phones is the same or close. If it makes a difference I have the Moto Cliq XT.

I'm going hiking tomorrow and will be using Google's My Tracks program. I've tried it twice... the first time I could not get a signal despite being out in desert with nothing to block the signal. Next time I was in the mountains and once I had a signal, it was rock solid. Worked like a charm. But I did not want to take a chance and held it in my hand the entire time.

I'm wondering if anyone has tried it while the phone was in their pocket. Any issues with sat lock on? This would be much easier. I also can't imagine that you'd not be able to use GPS while the phone was in your pocket as it's not really possible to have it in your hand all of the time.

Just looking for some real world experience.

 

[Akalatengo]

signal is strong at all times on mine

 

[tcope]

Tested it this weekend while backpacking. I had it in my front pocket. I also had my Garmin on my backpack. There were a few trees that blocked reception every once in awhile but not enough to throw the Garmin off by much. However, the phone (using My Tracks) was much less accurate. There were 2 or 3 locations where it was all over the place. As such, it almost doubled the correct distance. Again, much of the route was correct... it was in a few, limited locations that it was incorrect.

The link below is to the map. If you zoom in you will see the locations where it was far less accurate.

My observation is that the GPS is unreliable unless the unit has a good clear view of the sky. Perhaps being in a pocket will allows for a correct reading but I suspect that all other things need to be perfect.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=105971268899532497656.00048bb80d5ee6b203f7e&ll=40.891155,-110.360869&spn=0.069166,0.110378&t=f&z=13&ecpose=40.93243229,-110.32568024,6956.49,-147.197,54.146,0&lci=com.panoramio.all

 

[takeshi]

I've had issues with getting a lock with my Droid's GPS receiver but none of the instances have been due to signal strength.

 

[DHAndroid]

Have the Hero and it works fine, besides being a huge battery drain 1-2 hour max before full depletion when the GPS is on constantly.

Short hikes around an area you sort of know I could see using the phone. Anything more, especially if its a couple hour adventure, take an actual GPS since your phone battery might go dead before you decide to head back with 6-12 hours of battery life. To save phone battery you can mark your spot where you leave from and turn it on every 30 minutes to get an idea of you are going in the right direction. When I hike in the forest I mark my leave spot on the Garmin, start on a trail, 30 minutes later off the trail and an hour or 2 later many miles and canyons from the trail. The phone would be dead before I decided to return, let alone if I needed it to send an emergency text message