Will DCharge GPS work without data signal (3g/4g)?

[Plucknbach]

I'm wondering if the GPS will work in the absence of Cell Tower signal.

When we turn on the 3 GPS modes, is the phone actually receiving satellite signals?

 

[richardpandy]

My GPS loads without data but if you are using a map you won't see anything.

 

[rorkin]

My GPS loads without data but if you are using a map you won't see anything.

There are some maps that can be loaded onto the phone that will work on the gps without data

 

[trifecta]

My GPS loads without data but if you are using a map you won't see anything.

I think mine shows the map ok. It tells me where I am, but won't figure out directions without the data. Not too handy if you are in one of the many places Verizon and this phone don't play well with the network. Guess I should find a map to load.

I use Google Maps usually and it is great when it works.

 

[BrianTX]

Google maps will work without data as long as you are in an area that is cached on your phone. No directions, nav, or searching though.

 

[doctrbob]

To further the above information....go to google maps...click on the menu button...then 'More'....click on 'Labs' and activate "Pre-cache map area'......put into the address locator the place you will be in without a data connection while you have a connection.....Long press on a spot on the map and then tap on the flag that pops up......you should have a choice to 'Pre-cache map area'....click on that and your phone will pre-load the mapping data for that area.

Hope that helps

 

[Plucknbach]

Thanks Drtrbob.

Learn something new everyday.

 

[MaxBuck2]

Google Maps can also obtain area maps via WiFi. Was able to use the GPS and Google Maps with excellent fuctionality in Paris, France, though not in the other locations we visited in France. I think that's because there was enough free WiFi around that the phone could pick up signal to update its maps.

 

[Plucknbach]

I guess what i'm trying to figure out is if the DCharge receives GPS satellite signals like a dedicated Garmin does. Or does the DCharge GPS function work through cell tower transmitter/receivers to triangulate your position. Sometimes it seems that as a GPS it has difficulty acquiring sat. signals.

 

[Sta11i0n]

I guess what i'm trying to figure out is if the DCharge receives GPS satellite signals like a dedicated Garmin does. Or does the DCharge GPS function work through cell tower transmitter/receivers to triangulate your position. Sometimes it seems that as a GPS it has difficulty acquiring sat. signals.

There is a dedicated GPS chip in the phone, but it also tries to use network/wifi location services to get a faster lock. For example, if I'm on my wifi network at home, it will first poll the location of my IP address, then narrow down further with the GPS's satellite triangulation. The GPS itself will still work without a data connection, but lock times may be slower and you may have trouble getting map and other data for a GPS app to work fully. There is a certain portion of the GPS that is always on (for E911) and that will work even without any cell signal or on a deactivated phone.

 

[FribbleToe]

The GPS will work without a data link. It uses the satellite signals, however it depends on the AGPS data download to get a quick lock on the satellites. My car GPS downloads this directly from the satellite. Unfortunately, the Samsung Charge downloads the AGPS data only over the Verizon data link. No data link = no download.

I found a workaround for this and was able to use my GPS in Italy where there was no data link. At first I could not get a satellite lock no matter how long I waited. Then I used another program to download the AGPS.

See my posting at http://forums.androidcentral.com/verizon-droid-charge/111717-help-trouble-gps-italy.html