GPS devices - Universal Thread

[dominic]

Hi Guys,

Santa got me a Garmin eTrex personal navigator this Christmas. I haven't found a thread giving any info on GPS devices. Being a noobie with this gadget I have no idea how to begin using it beside turning it on and off

I tried GPS in India - Main - Home Page but havent really understood much

Can anyone pass on some tips about how to begin using this device for navigation, using maps etc. It could be really helpful to me as well as lots of other folks around

cheers,
Dominic

[Aryan]

Universal Thread Approved.

@all: Please use only this thread for discussing anything pertaining to GPS devices.

[hitanshu]

etrex or etrex H or the HCX series?

[sam92]

hey i use a nokia N95 8gb gps device .. but i think even that has errors

[awasay]

I too use my nokia n95 8gb as a gps device ,

The main problem with this device is that it only works under a clear sky
ie., it wont work in your house , not either in cloudy conditions not even under a tree.

I have not used it much only for a few times though using combined it with the nokia maps application it gives a clear presentation about the route,destination etc.

i didnt actually find alot of errors it correctly explained the route for me with almost accurate distance for the turns to take and which roads to take.

The only main problem I found was its disability to work in my room

[joe350]

what is the price range of the GPS!!?? i am planning to get one. or going for a gps mobile is worth?

[awasay]

Originally Posted by joe350

what is the price range of the GPS!!?? i am planning to get one. or going for a gps mobile is worth?

A gps device gives your exact postion interms of lattitude and longitude degrees , when used combined with the maps it also gives you the directions for the destination provided you know the exact location of your destination ..

In case you want to use a mobile with gps enabled say a nokia phone it comes along with a software for maps that can be downloaded for any city you want.

And in other case if you want a dedicated gps device I dont know much about it but I have seen one with out maps that just gives your position in degrees , that wont be useful when touring into new cities..

Hence make sure what exactly you want and then decide...

[hardashh NGP]

Ive got a Nokia N79.Its got a gps but the main problem is it wont work outside my house.I mean wats the use of a gps if u cant use it outside yor house! The Nokia maps software hasnt worked ever..so i use Google maps.It works but it needs a Net connection..which unfortunately is only at my house [WLAN].Any idea wat the prob might be??

[insanebiker]

Originally Posted by hardashh NGP

Ive got a Nokia N79.Its got a gps but the main problem is it wont work outside my house.I mean wats the use of a gps if u cant use it outside yor house! The Nokia maps software hasnt worked ever..so i use Google maps.It works but it needs a Net connection..which unfortunately is only at my house [WLAN].Any idea wat the prob might be??

'Google maps' works even without a GPS. I guess a motion sensor will do.

[satyenpoojary]

Originally Posted by hardashh NGP

Ive got a Nokia N79.Its got a gps but the main problem is it wont work outside my house.I mean wats the use of a gps if u cant use it outside yor house! The Nokia maps software hasnt worked ever..so i use Google maps.It works but it needs a Net connection..which unfortunately is only at my house [WLAN].Any idea wat the prob might be??

Getting a satellite fix is an issue that plagues most GPS devices, however you say that it works well INSIDE a house! thats weird, cause usually the fix issue gets resolved when under open skies!

May be its a firmware issue!

You can also load maps directly into the phone using the Nokia PC Suite.
Google Maps DOES need a active net connection (GPRS would be as fine) for loading the maps...

Some Mobile phones have GPS disabled based on country wise regulations, so if you bought your phone from such a country, then head back to the store or the SVC. Else Google around about flashing your mobile phone and unlocking it.