External GPS Amtenna

**laparker150** · 08-12-2012, 07:36 PM

When is someone going to come up with an external GPS antenna?

I do a lot of off road hiking and running. A better antenna would give me a more accurate mileage and pace report.

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**MikeLip** · 08-13-2012, 05:58 AM

Wouldn't it be better to use a GPS designed for that purpose? Anyway, the GPS on the Maxx can get you to within 30 feet pretty easily. How much closer do you need? Even geocaching doesn't need much closer than that.

I think putting an external GPS antenna on the Maxx would be an interesting hack though.

**laparker150** · 08-13-2012, 06:20 PM

It would work if it didn't keep losing the signal. It loses it out in the open when I'm running on the road!

I like to run as light as I can so the less I take with, the better.

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**Minacious** · 08-13-2012, 07:56 PM

Your best bet is probably to use a dedicated BT GPS puck.

**MikeLip** · 08-14-2012, 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by Minacious

Your best bet is probably to use a dedicated BT GPS puck.

Good idea. I have one from Garmin (which I never use - I bought it for use with my Blackberry, back when Verizon was blocking GPS) and it's REALLY close. WAAS enabled. The Garmin BT GPS receivers are really good.

**laparker150** · 08-14-2012, 09:20 AM

Garmin bt doesn't appear to be compatible with a razr maxx

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**bradenfontaine** · 08-14-2012, 09:24 AM

what's an Amtenna? is that an AM signal booster?

if you keep losing GPS signal make sure your Smart Actions are not enabled to do so. also turn on your wifi and believe it or not you will get a better GPS lock. mine gets me within 1-3 meters usually.

**MikeLip** · 08-14-2012, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by laparker150

Garmin bt doesn't appear to be compatible with a razr maxx

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I'm not sure how it could not be, but I will try mine when I get home. In any case there are a million GPS BT gadgets, ranging from the Garmin to no-name keychain sized jobs.

**laparker150** · 08-14-2012, 02:50 PM

Braden- amtenna is a blatant mis-spelling of the word "antenna". I wish I had the capability of editing either on the forum or on my app.

The garmin site says it's bt gps works on devices with windows os.
.

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**laparker150** · 08-14-2012, 02:52 PM

Oh, and I'll try having my wireless on next time
..
Thanks

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**bradenfontaine** · 08-14-2012, 03:00 PM

laparker150 if i cant pick on you then what's the fun. all in good humor. but yes, try having wifi on, helps me a ton. 5 points goes to who can tell our OP why.

**MikeLip** · 08-14-2012, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by laparker150

Braden- amtenna is a blatant mis-spelling of the word "antenna". I wish I had the capability of editing either on the forum or on my app.

The garmin site says it's bt gps works on devices with windows os.
.

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Idk why it says that. It works fine with Blackberry OS6.

**cubetop** · 08-14-2012, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by bradenfontaine

laparker150 if i cant pick on you then what's the fun. all in good humor. but yes, try having wifi on, helps me a ton. 5 points goes to who can tell our OP why.

ME ME ME!

Most mobile GPS rely on an "assisted" lock first in case gps satellites aren't in view. A-GPS uses tower triangulation to acquire position with an accuracy of approximately 30 meters. During that time, the phone should have sufficient data from the gps satellites to then switch to a "true" gps bearing. If not, it can remain on a-gps.

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**bradenfontaine** · 08-14-2012, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by cube_top

ME ME ME!

Most mobile GPS rely on an "assisted" lock first in case gps satellites aren't in view. A-GPS uses tower triangulation to acquire position with an accuracy of approximately 30 meters. During that time, the phone should have sufficient data from the gps satellites to then switch to a "true" gps bearing. If not, it can remain on a-gps.

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Also, get this, your wifi can pick up on known locations, tagged by the IP address. even if you cannot connect to these known locations, there GPS coordinates are visible, allowing your wifi to do the same as your cell radio and triangulate your position. of course if you are 50 miles from any civilization this will do you no good. but interesting info none the less.

**carracerz14** · 08-14-2012, 04:54 PM

Having wifi on won't help you much if you're hiking in the middle of no where, just gonna drain your battery more than using GPS by itself. Have toy tried flashing the .215 leak? It locks on right away and I have never lost a signal even in thick buildings

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**MikeLip** · 08-14-2012, 05:07 PM

I just found the problem with the Garmin, or any external GPS. While my Maxx can connect to it and see it's there, there is no way to tell the Maxx to use the data from an external GPS receiver, unlike my Blackberry which allowed you to select your source of GPS data. Sorry