Using GPS Navigation / TomTom Without Simcard

[Understated]

Hey

I have an old Galaxy Ace android phone that has damaged simcard pins, I have taken it to the phone shop and they said they can't remove and replace the pins socket as its a unibody or something to that effect.

However I want to make use of this phone as its in near mint condition and would be a shame to chuck it a side and let it rot, so I have gotten creative with what I can use it for and for the last 8 months have been thinking on replacing my current half-dead Garmin car satnav with a new one but instead of buying a new satnav, I thought I'd use the Ace as a dedi satnav.

The problem is, when no simcard is inserted, I can never get a GPS signal in the standard satnav app ("navigation.")

My question is:

1) Can I use this phones GPS without a simcard just like I would if the simcard was inserted?

2) If yes to the above, what is the best satnav software/freeware I can buy/download to use for this phone?

Thanks guys!

 

[Harry2]

You'd get a GPS lock without a SIM card.
If not, it might be an issue of your phone.

You'd try it with a free navigation like NavFree.
If the app runs with your phone's GPS you'd purchase a good navigation like Navigon, CoPilot or Sygic

Harry

 

[Davdi]

NavFree works perfectly well on my WiFi only N7 tablet and my Xperia U. I've not felt the need to pay for a GPS App (yet).

 

[Understated]

You'd get a GPS lock without a SIM card.
If not, it might be an issue of your phone.

You'd try it with a free navigation like NavFree.
If the app runs with your phone's GPS you'd purchase a good navigation like Navigon, CoPilot or Sygic

Harry

Hi Harry,

When you say GPS lock without a simcard, what do you mean exactly?

Also, is it possible to install NavFree via the USB port instead of downloading it on the phone?

Thanks!

 

[Harry2]

Hi Harry,

When you say GPS lock without a simcard, what do you mean exactly?

Also, is it possible to install NavFree via the USB port instead of downloading it on the phone?

Thanks!

GPS lock shows if the GPS icon changes from blinking to steady, meaning the phone got GPS signales off more than three satellites and an app could use it for navigation.
A GPS info app like GPS Status would show you this.

Sideloading NavFree?
You'd try to get the .apk off their web site.

But you'd use your Google account and download the app via WiFi.
I do this with my old phone with removed SIM card.

Harry

 

[Understated]

GPS lock shows if the GPS icon changes from blinking to steady, meaning the phone got GPS signales off more than three satellites and an app could use it for navigation.
A GPS info app like GPS Status would show you this.

Sideloading NavFree?
You'd try to get the .apk off their web site.

But you'd use your Google account and download the app via WiFi.
I do this with my old phone with removed SIM card.

Harry

Oh, haha, sorry I thought you meant that the GPS system will shut off (lock itself) without a simcard.

I will try NavFree and see what happens. What is still strange is using the stock 'navigation' software it simply does not locate my position.

Thanks for the reply!