GPS and Use of Data

[evperry]

Does anyone know if using GPS heavily affects your data use? Also Im gonna assume that the GPS has nothign at all to do with the network that you are on. Just wanna confirm this.

Thanks.

 

[Andrew Martonik]

Does anyone know if using GPS heavily affects your data use?

Well you need to define what you mean by "GPS" first.

If you mean opening Google Maps and simply locating your device precisely, no that hardly uses any noticeable amount of data.

If you mean loading large maps in new areas, that'll start using data, in the 10's of MB's at most if it's caching an area of tens of square miles.

If you mean loading and using Google Navigation for turn-by-turn navigation, it'll use the same amount of data. It has to both load the maps and load the driving directions. Still, hardly any amount of data.

Also Im gonna assume that the GPS has nothign at all to do with the network that you are on. Just wanna confirm this.

What do you mean by this? Do you mean which carrier you're on? Or which data type (2g/3g/WiFi)?

As far as carrier, no, not really. CDMA phones (Verizon, Sprint) often use network triangulation to supplement actual hard GPS fixes, whereas GSM phones are more likely to rely on the actual GPS chip.

As far as network type, that doesn't really matter either. Whether you're on EDGE, 3G, HSPA+ or WiFi, the GPS will load the same with assistance from the network. The only thing that will change is the time it takes to locate you. On a slow connection, if you don't have a good view of the sky for the GPS chip itself to pick up satellites for the location, it'll rely on the network more and it'll take longer if you have a slow connection.

 

[anon(847090)]

Nope. it wont take a use a lot of data. usually the app caches maps to save bandwidth but you can save more bandwidth if you make your location offline.

after that the data used will be in mere Kb's like 300kb if you travel like 10 miles.

log press on the map and adjust the slider to make maps offline

 

[evperry]

So If Im traveling and I loose the signal for every not and again that shouldnt afftect the turn by turn navigation? Is that correct?

 

[Andrew Martonik]

So If Im traveling and I loose the signal for every not and again that shouldnt afftect the turn by turn navigation? Is that correct?

If the map and directions have already been loaded, it won't matter.

 

[markabele]

Not sure if it's been said yet, but pre-caching maps on area you are going or go to a lot can save you data. (pre-caching on wifi)