smart phone GPS

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isailsmith

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Jan 5, 2012
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hi there,

i've been investigation iphones and marine navigation apps.

would you trust your smart phone as a offshore GPS device ?

do you trust marine nav apps

any comments welcome
 

Mikeaaron777

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Jan 7, 2012
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Golden Valley, Mn. 55416
Phone app or gps

My smart phone uses a simpler Navigator program not as good as my TomTom Navigator. It is online but niether unit is good enough for use on the local lakes. I also have a >agelan GPS which can be used on lakes, rivers and unmarked roads. I recomend you check with a shop that specialises with outdoors activities to see what is available and fits your needs. Save the phone app, they are ok but just not accurate for lake use.
 

SlyFerret

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Dec 19, 2002
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Delaware, Ohio
Many smartphones use something called aGPS, or assisted GPS. They use the cellular network and the GPS radio together. If you are away from land, and a cell signal, the GPS my not work well, if at all.

-SF
 

Gator596

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Sep 4, 2009
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Niagara Region - Canada
From the Apple site: " iPhone pinpoints your location quickly and accurately using a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular towers."
A buddy really recomends an app called Navigon. It isn't cheap, but he uses it on land and water. He isn't crossing the Atlantic - just fishing in local lakes.
 

Mikeaaron777

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Jan 7, 2012
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Golden Valley, Mn. 55416
My Magellan hold two penlight batteries and works 4-6 hours on them. It will do topagraphical information , which I haven't seen on my phone. I have wo wonder though with all the comparrisons this app does, it wold go dead earlier if it weren't plugged in to another power sorce. I also have an early modle fish locator by Eagle. I don't want you thinking that I think I have all the answers because I rarely cath anything, but a cold. Still, my choice is a GPS. Just because it leaves my phone to be there for an emergany.
 

cacherjoe

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Oct 2, 2010
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Beaver Bank, NS
I have been using GPSs since before they were available to the public. For quick routing, etc I would use my iphone, however if I were out in the woods, I wouldn't rely on it. I typically have my Garmin Oregon and as a back up my Garmin 60CSx. And never go anywhere out of the vehicle without the tried and true, map and compass. Technology can fail.

That said, I have found that the gps accuracy on my iphone is excellent. I'm not sure about out on the water, but I have used it geocaching where there is no cell signal and relying only on the GPS portion itself. The mapping programs are not always the best so I would research them first. Also keep in mind that most of the programs do not have on-board maps and rely on a wireless signal to download the maps as you move along.

J
 

Mikeaaron777

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Jan 7, 2012
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Golden Valley, Mn. 55416
My smartphone is the G1 by Google for T-Mobile and at first there were only a few for people to get and try out. I too would like to check out the choices out there today. My G1 has limited memory so if I load it up iit will slow down. What all of you mentioned sounds good.
 
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