GPS without cellular service

[XStroX]

I would like a way to use the GPS on my Thunderbolt when I do not have cell coverage. Is this possible? What I am picturing is before climbing a mountain I open Google Maps, Google Maps downloads the local map information and I then lose cell phone service. However, I would still have GPS so would Google Maps continue to show my location as I climb the mountain?

Do I need a different program or App perhaps to do this?

Thanks.

 

[blueyzfr6]

I can't even get GPS with service.

 

[Randomhero180]

Test it by turning off your radios and leaving gps on.

Not sure if you can do that but that's how you would test it.

Or look into backcountry maps in the market. I would assume that has something that would help you out.

 

[Jux]

You should be able to do this. Just be aware that some apps may keep giving you errors, while other programs like MyTracks should work fine. The lock can take longer though because you lose the A-GPS.

As Randomhereo stated, test it out by going into airplane mode and seeing if you can get a lock.

 

[bjboucher]

Put your phone in Airplane mode and enjoy whatever GPS app you want to use. The GPS doesnt rely on cell service. If you don't put it in airplane mode, it'll eat up battery even faster once you are out of cell range.

Edit: Forgot about one thing though, you won't get very good google maps without data service since those maps load off a server and are not preloaded. If you can find an app with pre-loaded maps that uses GPS, that would probably be best.

 

[Jux]

I just tested this outside and Maps and MyTracks were fussing and not pulling a signal while I was in Airplane mode, even with GPS satelites enabled. I didn't fully troubleshoot it, so it could be that I was just missing other settings, or it may be that another app is required.

 

[bjboucher]

I just tested this outside and Maps and MyTracks were fussing and not pulling a signal while I was in Airplane mode, even with GPS satelites enabled. I didn't fully troubleshoot it, so it could be that I was just missing other settings, or it may be that another app is required.

I got a google maps lock no problem while in airplane mode just now. But like I said before, if you don't have data, you're going to get a very blurry looking map of your location if its not already in the cache of the phone once you lose data.

 

[XStroX]

I'll try testing this out as well. I have feeling software that doesn't download the map data constantly like Google Maps will be needed.

 

[KJ78]

i've seen screenshots of other phones taken from airplanes where the phone has data via wifi showing altitudes of 30,000+ ft w/ speeds of 500+mph. that would be an ideal application of this mode.

 

[Randomhero180]

I'll try testing this out as well. I have feeling software that doesn't download the map data constantly like Google Maps will be needed.

If you are not doing a huge area Google maps has a new feature where you can download a 10x10 mile section of map to use if you know you won't have service.

 

[XStroX]

If you are not doing a huge area Google maps has a new feature where you can download a 10x10 mile section of map to use if you know you won't have service.

This is exactly what I want to do. Do you know how you implement this? Or is it automatic?

 

[Randomhero180]

This is exactly what I want to do. Do you know how you implement this? Or is it automatic?

If you have the latest version of Google maps open it up.

Hit menu>more>labs then choose 'download map area'

There are some other cool features you can choose to use under labs as well.

 

[XStroX]

If you have the latest version of Google maps open it up.

Hit menu>more>labs then choose 'download map area'

There are some other cool features you can choose to use under labs as well.

Awesome! Thanks. I like both the other features there as well. Seems like all 3 of these should be part of the standard package.

 

[Randomhero180]

Awesome! Thanks. I like both the other features there as well. Seems like all 3 of these should be part of the standard package.

They are just testing them. Probably a few bugs they are working out.

Also it can clutter the screen a bit I like having the option to turn off the ones I don't use a lot.

 

[Accrete]

i took my Tbolt to eastern oregon on a road trip and was glad i had my garmin 60csx on hand as the Tbolt was nearly useless once signal was lost. The route had been pre-flown from my house and still no assistance in showing anything but fuzzy maps as mentioned by others. In fringe no-coverage areas i'll stick to a real gps until there is a workaround.

 

[hmfoster]

here is the site and info for the map download very cool thanks for the notice
http://www.androidcentral.com/how-download-maps-data-google-maps

 

[worwig]

I use my TB as a GPS on my motorcycle all of the time. I use an app called CoPilot. That puts all of the maps on the SD card. I can ride in the mountains all day with or without a signal and it works fine. I seldom get my old Garmin out any more.

 

[dms76]

I have the same problem in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. If your looking for an offline GPS ROAD navigation application you can use Co-Pilot live and download maps for the entire country to the phone. I have researched this option pretty extensively and co-pilot is the best cheap option! If you want anything decent or better for offline navigation for the price you pay your better off just going out and buying a GPS. Another app you can use is MapDroyd and BackCountry Navigator are both good and allow you to download different kinds of topical or geographical maps. Google maps is pretty much strickly street navigation while the other two I mentioned are for off-road nvigation.