GPS

[mumfoau]

Is a cell signal required at all for GPS navigation? Was wondering if I would have a problem if out on the road and I get to a spot with a weak cell signal would my GPS go out.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dcreed]

GPS is GPS. I've had it work fine where I have no cell signal at all.

 

[mumfoau]

GPS is GPS. I've had it work fine where I have no cell signal at all.

Awesome! No new Garmin for me then!

 

[Nebrclimber]

I could be wrong, but I know that GPS will work, but without a cell signal you wouldn't be able to load any maps.

 

[mumfoau]

How about if I already had my route calculated and then went into an area with a poor signal?

 

[Rev2010]

Why not just test it? Put the phone into airplane mode and see if it works.


Rev.

 

[mumfoau]

Excellent idea! Should have thought of it myself!

 

[Zorro1]

It won't if you're in Google Maps. It will in other programs that don't require maps, like Maverick. There are others, I know.

 

[Brett]

for most gps applications you will need a cellphone signal or wifi. Most gps apps do not down-load the maps and instead they just kind of stream them as you are going and keep you updated on current road situations.

there are 3rd party gps apps that will download the maps prior to using it but it will not be able to update if there is a traffic jam, construction etc. if you do not have a way to connect to the internet.

 

[Menno]

The Google Maps app actually cache's your data on your device, so as long as you don't deviate from the route mapped, you'll be fine.

I don't have a lot of weak signal areas around me, but I have had to answer a call while using the navigator. I was on the phone for over 30 minutes, and the app never lost track of where I was, or what route I should take.

If don't have signal though, you'll be SOL if it tries redirecting you

 

[anon(19758)]

I was on the phone for over 30 minutes, and the app never lost track of where I was, or what route I should take.

I got off the phone after less than a minute. It kept screaming updates to the next turn in my ear.

Sent from my Droid X using Tapatalk

 

[mumfoau]

Cool. There are normally only brief periods of weak signal on the interstate or when I'm traveling so this shouldn't be a problem!

 

[takeshi]

for most gps applications you will need a cellphone signal or wifi. Most gps apps do not down-load the maps and instead they just kind of stream them as you are going and keep you updated on current road situations.

there are 3rd party gps apps that will download the maps prior to using it but it will not be able to update if there is a traffic jam, construction etc. if you do not have a way to connect to the internet.

It really just depends on the specific nav app. It's certainly possible to have a nav app that stores maps locally but pulls traffic data.

As for the OP's question, it's important to understand that the GPS receiver and the GPS app are distinct and separate entities. The receiver doesn't need data. The app might or might not. Again, it depends on the specific app.