How is GPS performance?

[schlar01]

Just wondering how well (if at all) the GPS and directions work when you are out of VM coverage areas? I believe the GPS may still work, although you won't be able to download the maps?

 

[Rxpert83]

You can always pre-download the maps of the areas you'll be in

 

[schlar01]

Yeah, I know, but a person may not always think about that or know if there will be coverage, especially if they are in the car when they think about it.

Just curious, I think it should work but in reality it ?????

 

[MacFett]

It will depend on the app. Some have maps preloaded others do not. If you are not in a service area the gps will work, but the map data will not.

 

[mogelijk]

Just wondering how well (if at all) the GPS and directions work when you are out of VM coverage areas? I believe the GPS may still work, although you won't be able to download the maps?

I took a trip in May and, for the most part, I didn't have any problems. The one major problem I has is that I was going on I-70 from Denver and didn't turn on the GPS on my phone before I left the Denver area. I was in the middle of Kansas (Salinas) before I could get the GPS to work again, when I got a signal on my phone again. The GPS refused to start without a data connection.

I'm not sure how different it would be now that you can pre-download maps. My worry, unless you are just in a strange city and won't always be in coverage area, is that you are very limited as to how much map you can download at a time.

 

[schlar01]

It will depend on the app. Some have maps preloaded others do not. If you are not in a service area the gps will work, but the map data will not.

I understand but what does that truly mean? Do directions continue even without cell service?

 

[mogelijk]

I understand but what does that truly mean? Do directions continue even without cell service?

From my experience, if I had GPS up before I lost service, I would keep my GPS to my destination (or until I turned the GPS off). The maps would lose detail of any area except my direct route, however, if I was out of data range for too long since it couldn't update the map.

I was completely unable to start GPS if I didn't have a data connection. I assume now, with pre-downloaded maps, you'll be able to start GPS if you have the proper maps downloaded -- but I'm not sure that you will be able to set a destination outside of the downloaded area.

 

[MacFett]

I understand but what does that truly mean? Do directions continue even without cell service?

It means when you move off the screen of the map you currently see it is just blank. The route might be highlighted with turns as such, but no roads or anything to coincide with said route.