GPS Offline? - Free GPS program found! - Treo Forum

Thadanator · 03-11-2008, 04:22 AM

Having no data plan, bluetooth GPS seems tricky.
I will be getting the WIFI card, so I'll have internet BEFORE I leave the house.
Can GPS be used offline? - Free is very preferred.

I can think of a few things:

1. Is there a GPS program out there specifically made for offline maps?

2. I remember reading about a program for PPC that is made to save the cache of some GPS program for use offline. I cannot find it. Does anyone know of it?

3. I also just found this, it's some free GPS program by nokia, but apparently navigation is not free. Some guy says you can use the cache to map a small area before you leave your WIFI area. I dunno how small that area is, or if maybe I could find the cache and save it. But I really want navigation, and I don't want some 2 block mapping, what's the point!?
msmobiles.com - Review: smart2go - FREE off-line GPS mapping for Windows Mobile

Any thoughts guys? I'll report back if I find anymore info.

LotusLord · 03-11-2008, 07:48 AM

If you get a GPS reciever and software (I belive Tom Tom is what's recommended usually) you should be fine without a data plan.

TazUk · 03-11-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thadanator

Can GPS be used offline?

GPS uses satellites to triangulate your position so not only do you not need a data plan to use it you don't even need a cellular connection

The only exception to this is if the GPS software you're using doesn't have it's own maps and downloads them in real time from the internet. If you use TomTom Navigator, Garmin Mobile, Route 66, etc. you wont have any problems

flagflyer · 03-11-2008, 05:15 PM

I now have a Treo 755p with a unlimited date plan from Alltel.

I am looking for a way to get free semi accurate free (or course) GPS.

Any idea's?

Thadanator · 03-11-2008, 10:27 PM

Oops, Taz, I didn't mean is GPS itself free, just a mapping program with offline maps. Thanks for the info though. I'll purchase a copy when I get a chance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flagflyer

I now have a Treo 755p with a unlimited date plan from Alltel.

I am looking for a way to get free semi accurate free (or course) GPS.

Any idea's?

Just use google maps, it can get a pretty close location via signal triangulation.

skoenig · 03-11-2008, 11:05 PM

Thadanator, for now, forget notions of Free GPS anything. The best you can do is use services like you mention or My Location from Google to approximate your position.

Since these services are online even though you can combine the service with a GPS signal you still need to be online - the mapping data is streamed to your handset and cached locally (about 500k's worth) as pointed out.

If you're serious about GPS and want a solution that doesn't require a cellular signal or data package you'll want a to buy a package that includes software, maps and a GPS receiver.

The software installed on your phone combines the maps data with GPS data to tell you where you are. It also includes routing and points of interest data. It's usually stored on a sd card since your phone can't hold the approx 800MB of data (for the US alone).

They've come down in price a lot and you can pick up a good bundle on Ebay of less than $100.

But really, if you wait around you might as well buy a dedicated solution like the TomTom ONE. You can pick those up for $99 during holiday specials and such like. Then you can use your phone and still get navigation.

The online solutions are useful if you're walking about but way too inaccurate if your driving most don't offer routing for free (as you've pointed out)

Have a flip through these posts

Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Review

GPS with google maps

For a bit of extra reference.

Regards,

~ Steph

Thadanator · 03-13-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skoenig

If you're serious about GPS and want a solution that doesn't require a cellular signal or data package you'll want a to buy a package that includes software, maps and a GPS receiver.

The software installed on your phone combines the maps data with GPS data to tell you where you are. It also includes routing and points of interest data. It's usually stored on a sd card since your phone can't hold the approx 800MB of data (for the US alone).

But really, if you wait around you might as well buy a dedicated solution like the TomTom ONE. You can pick those up for $99 during holiday specials and such like. Then you can use your phone and still get navigation.

Tom Tom ONE? Will Tom Tom 6 not work for this? My master plan right now is to get that gps keychain and a mapping software that I can put on my SD card.

Thanks for the info!

skoenig · 03-14-2008, 12:43 AM

TomTom6 is fine.. TomTom One is a dedicated device, meaning less hassle if you get a call whilst driving...

Your Master Plan is destined for success! And there's a sale on a the Palm Store as you might have read in the blog

~ Steph

flagflyer · 03-15-2008, 07:48 PM

I have an Alltel 755p

Has anyone been able to get the beta Google Maps to show their location?

I have been unable to do so.

Ed

LotusLord · 03-16-2008, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flagflyer

I have an Alltel 755p

Has anyone been able to get the beta Google Maps to show their location?

I have been unable to do so.

Ed

It doesn't work for Palm OS yet.

03-11-2008, 04:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
Thadanator A Few Questions.... Join Date: Mar 2008 My Treo: Treo 700w My Carrier: Verizon My OS: Vista Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	GPS Offline? - Free GPS program found! Having no data plan, bluetooth GPS seems tricky. I will be getting the WIFI card, so I'll have internet BEFORE I leave the house. Can GPS be used offline? - Free is very preferred. I can think of a few things: 1. Is there a GPS program out there specifically made for offline maps? 2. I remember reading about a program for PPC that is made to save the cache of some GPS program for use offline. I cannot find it. Does anyone know of it? 3. I also just found this, it's some free GPS program by nokia, but apparently navigation is not free. Some guy says you can use the cache to map a small area before you leave your WIFI area. I dunno how small that area is, or if maybe I could find the cache and save it. But I really want navigation, and I don't want some 2 block mapping, what's the point!? msmobiles.com - Review: smart2go - FREE off-line GPS mapping for Windows Mobile Any thoughts guys? I'll report back if I find anymore info.

03-11-2008, 07:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
LotusLord Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI My Treo: Treo 750 My Carrier: Cingular/AT&T My OS: Vista Posts: 2,871 Thanks: 153 Thanked 308 Times in 268 Posts	If you get a GPS reciever and software (I belive Tom Tom is what's recommended usually) you should be fine without a data plan. __________________ Treo 650>Treo 750 running WM6 In the process of selling my 650s. It hurts but at least they'll be getting used.

03-11-2008, 11:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
skoenig Administrator Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Los Angeles My Treo: Treo 700p My Carrier: Sprint My OS: XP Posts: 1,665 Thanks: 98 Thanked 116 Times in 79 Posts	Thadanator, for now, forget notions of Free GPS anything. The best you can do is use services like you mention or My Location from Google to approximate your position. Since these services are online even though you can combine the service with a GPS signal you still need to be online - the mapping data is streamed to your handset and cached locally (about 500k's worth) as pointed out. If you're serious about GPS and want a solution that doesn't require a cellular signal or data package you'll want a to buy a package that includes software, maps and a GPS receiver. The software installed on your phone combines the maps data with GPS data to tell you where you are. It also includes routing and points of interest data. It's usually stored on a sd card since your phone can't hold the approx 800MB of data (for the US alone). They've come down in price a lot and you can pick up a good bundle on Ebay of less than $100. But really, if you wait around you might as well buy a dedicated solution like the TomTom ONE. You can pick those up for $99 during holiday specials and such like. Then you can use your phone and still get navigation. The online solutions are useful if you're walking about but way too inaccurate if your driving most don't offer routing for free (as you've pointed out) Have a flip through these posts Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Review GPS with google maps For a bit of extra reference. Regards, ~ Steph __________________ IIIe > V > [wilderness] > 650 > 700p \| Sprint \| Subscribe to the newsletters!

03-14-2008, 12:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
skoenig Administrator Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Los Angeles My Treo: Treo 700p My Carrier: Sprint My OS: XP Posts: 1,665 Thanks: 98 Thanked 116 Times in 79 Posts	TomTom6 is fine.. TomTom One is a dedicated device, meaning less hassle if you get a call whilst driving... Your Master Plan is destined for success! And there's a sale on a the Palm Store as you might have read in the blog ~ Steph __________________ IIIe > V > [wilderness] > 650 > 700p \| Sprint \| Subscribe to the newsletters!

03-15-2008, 07:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
flagflyer A Few Questions.... Join Date: May 2007 Location: West Michigan My Treo: Treo 700p Posts: 6 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Google Beta "GPS" I have an Alltel 755p Has anyone been able to get the beta Google Maps to show their location? I have been unable to do so. Ed

03-11-2008, 05:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
flagflyer A Few Questions.... Join Date: May 2007 Location: West Michigan My Treo: Treo 700p Posts: 6 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I now have a Treo 755p with a unlimited date plan from Alltel. I am looking for a way to get free semi accurate free (or course) GPS. Any idea's?

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