GPS - battery impact?

[neocryte]

Has anyone run any tests or just seen anything on this topic?

I enable/disable GPS a lot on my phone when using Maps. I am curious if I just left it on the entire time, how much of an additional drain it would be.

Also thinking of trying some GPS locator/finder apps (for my family to keep track of each other), has anyone had experiences with these? Google Latitude just doesn't seem to work well enough, very delayed and inaccurate.

 

[gabbott]

I always leave GPS enabled on my phones and I find it is only used when an app needs it find it has minimal drain. However I don't use latitude or an app that might need it a lot as a tracking app.

Maps only uses it when you have the app opened.

 

[icebike]

GPS battery drain is virtuall nil, because

A) its only a receiver,
B) even the receiver is only powered when needed.

 

[Mtn_Scott]

While all the above is correct, numerous FROYO devices were plagued with bugs that caused abnormal power drain with GPS on. Lets just say it can be device specific.

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

Froyo devices like what? I've done this test on virtually every phone I've owned, and one of them showed any negligible difference with it on vs off. It definitely shouldn't make a significant difference. If it does, then something is causing it to continuously call for location.