Does anyone use Nokia S60 platform (Symbian) with GPS Really it is shit. Isn't it

I use MotionX on the iPhone mostly, but I've tried just about everything. MotionX is by far my fav. I use it on short hikes only (3-4hours) and even then I'm running a risk of running down the battery.

Now that I've also got an Oregon 450 I rarely use the iPhone GPS except for spot checks. I've found that the maps the MotionX uses often have pretty good trails marked on them, but you can find the same maps at:
http://www.openstreetmap.org/

For tracking my runs or short hikes the iPhone is great, especially since I pop in headphones and only carry one device. If you're going longer than 4 hours (even with an extended battery), get a dedicated GPS. You won't be sorry.

Well, I suspected the phone battery life would be bad if the GPS were tracking. For comparison, I can typically get 4 days of 7 h/day tracking on a single set of Li metal AA batteries in my Garmin 60csx, and Li AAs do well in the cold. I use rechargeable NiMH for most day trips; but if I spend $30 on gas to drive somewhere special, I figure I can spring for a pair of Li metal AAs.

No I have not tested any phone GPS - it's hard enough keeping up with the regular recreational and professional grade receivers!

However, there was a search on our local ski hill and the phone company offered up the coordinates from a call he made, but there were issues - it did not plot correctly. I wasn't there, so I don't know all the details.

Diego Sahagún wrote:Does anyone use Nokia S60 platform (Symbian) with GPS Really it is shit. Isn't it

Friend of mine is a lead developer on the Symbian platform. I'll tell him it's shit
Next time, go Android .

Shane R. wrote:I've used the GPS feature in my iPhone quite a bit for tracking runs, hikes, etc.

Does not matter on the phone, your battery won't last, guaranteed.

I do still use "MyTracks" by google on my Droid for bike rides and short hikes near the city. I especially like it mounted on my bike, MP3 player, Pandora, google maps, camera, its great for all that. I have 6 batteries for my Droid so battery life is not a huge problem, just the small annoyance of changing it every 3 hours. If you do not use a protective case, and the Droid does not need one, changing the battery is fairly fast.

I use my iPhone all the time as GPS while cycling. The weak point is the battery. It lasts about 8-10 hours if you just use the GPS and make no calls and view the screen only a few times.

WouterB wrote:

Diego Sahagún wrote:Does anyone use Nokia S60 platform (Symbian) with GPS Really it is shit. Isn't it

Friend of mine is a lead developer on the Symbian platform. I'll tell him it's shit
Next time, go Android .

Well, probably its GPS is not shit. I think that the problem is that many Nokia phones haven't an antenna capable of using them on the streets. They sell units saying that the GPS works in a town but an only 5 floors building doesn't permit the use of the GPS. Even they work better at night that during the day hours, but I think that is a problem in all the GPS units, in mobiles or not

Irrespective of the receiver, satellite geometry is always the main driver of position precision (after clock accuracy). So if you have a sketchy antenna and don't make sure it has a clear view of the sky (and it is decent weather - rain really kills precision), then I would think a phone GPS is about like using one of those cheesy 3$ Silva compasses when you should be using a Suunto MC10....

Moni, I have a Garmin Vista HCx. So I prefer to use it than the Nokia. Sometimes when I haven't got the Vista I use the mobile GPS but as I've just said its antenna is shit

Diego - one of my GPS receivers is the one you have and overall I have been pleased with it. It's barometer doesn't seem to work correctly, despite one software upgrade.

I think you are correct that the GPS antenna - as well as its clock - are of low quality. That should make sense, since it's a phone with GPS capability and not a GPS with phone capabilities.

Yep Moni, Vista works really well. I've learnt a lot about it from you and other SPers. And my mobile with GPS is a like kid's present that is rarely useful

Just got iPhone 4 and I'm learning some new tricks. Besides MotionX, anybody have any recommendations for favorite or most useful GPS app? Also open to recommendations for other great climbing/hiking apps.