Related
Yes, the Athena has built-in GPS. But compared to other phones and stand-alone units, the GPS receiver is weak (and not sirf star). My old Palm with a wired external sirf star GPS receiver is way better - locks on in seconds from the middle of the first floor of my house.
So, has anyone here tried a bluetooth or USB GPS receiver?
Yes, I tried Holox Bluetooth GPS receiver, it works just fine and as this is 44 channels it is more powerful (It connects faster and better quality reception), I don't think you will have any problems with that, you just have to make sure that you change settings in you navigation software so that it connects the bluetooth one rather than the built in GPS receiver.
Thanks, I'm thinking of getting the Holux. That's what my wired GPS is. Then again, I might just get the 4-in-1 cable and try to use my wired Holux that I already have.
The built-in GPS failed me twice this past weekend when I really needed it, which is why I'm thinking of using an external receiver for road trips from now on.
I have the Dell BT332 (Globalsat) paired with the 7501 and it works
as well as it did with my Axim51v.
techntrek said:
Yes, the Athena has built-in GPS. But compared to other phones and stand-alone units, the GPS receiver is weak (and not sirf star). My old Palm with a wired external sirf star GPS receiver is way better - locks on in seconds from the middle of the first floor of my house.
So, has anyone here tried a bluetooth or USB GPS receiver?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another device to bring with you? Let's pray that when thief steals the phone, they take both devices with them so that your WIMP could still tell you where your phone is
A BT GPS receiver would stay in the car - plug it in, pair the BT, and forget it. When I'm in the car it would automatically connect. I would still use the built-in GPS (when it works) when walking.
I could still set WIMP to use the internal GPS...
techntrek said:
A BT GPS receiver would stay in the car - plug it in, pair the BT, and forget it. When I'm in the car it would automatically connect. I would still use the built-in GPS (when it works) when walking.
I could still set WIMP to use the internal GPS...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right. I did'nt think of that.
eaglesteve said:
so that your WIMP could still tell you where your phone is
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is WIMP?
...
cktlcmd said:
What is WIMP?
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where Is My Phone. http://www.wimp-software.co.uk/
techntrek said:
Where Is My Phone. http://www.wimp-software.co.uk/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks. WOW. that's one piece of software.
...
cktlcmd said:
thanks. WOW. that's one piece of software.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are also other similar products, such as the Phone Theft Alarm by Carty Studio.
An even better alternative, doing a bit more than WIMP, is spb sprite terminator. Easy to google this. I like this the most.
eaglesteve said:
There are also other similar products, such as the Phone Theft Alarm by Carty Studio.
An even better alternative, doing a bit more than WIMP, is spb sprite terminator. Easy to google this. I like this the most.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks. I'll look them up.
Err,
Sorry, it's Ultimate Theft Alert, not Phone theft alarm.
I was wondering if I could use the Nexus as an external GPS receiver for my laptop? Would it work in conjunction with Microsoft Street & Trips? This would be great for me to have offline maps if needed when I didn't have cell signal.
The N1 doesnt have a built in GPS receiver. It uses a A-GPS which uses data.
futango said:
The N1 doesnt have a built in GPS receiver. It uses a A-GPS which uses data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how does it work with using co-pilot then without a "GPS receiver" ? It has offline maps capability, so doesn't that mean it has a GPS receiver to be used without data?
Sorry, I retrack my answer before, just looked at the HTC site. The N1 DOES have an internal GPS Antenna.
Yeah - N1 quite obviously DOES have a GPS module.
so is there not a way to use it as a GPS receiver?
There are apps that perform that function, use a pc based market browser such as androidzoom to search and start trying them out.
There are full fledged gps apps which use maps on the sd card.
(coplilot, motonav, igo etc.
It should be possible but the number of people who want an app that this is very small.
One way to do this is a log parser app on your pc which filters out lat/long values from the logcat text.
i have a jbl touch/nav headunit in my car, and u can plug your N1 into the "GPS" usb slot in the back of it (u have to get a mirco/mini adaptor) and if u just turn on maps, it works
yeah, I was just looking for something as a back up for when I didn't have cell signal. Any one of you using like the co-pilot or other GPS apps? any of you get it to work by installing it differently other than off the market?....
Hi.
I had a thoughts here... It's possible to use the N1 as bluetooth GPS.
phuongpham said:
Hi.
I had a thoughts here... It's possible to use the N1 as bluetooth GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should be do-able i think, we can access both (BT&GPS) but i think pretty useless
Use mytracks, record ur tracks then stop when ur finished and save the file n send it to ur self. There u go
Hi guys! Thanks for the feedback.
The reason i'm asking this is I have an iPad (yes it's a Apple gadget )
the Ipad doesn't have build in GPS. But I can use iPhone apps on the iPad.
So if i mount a bluetooth GPS device i can use TomTom on the iPad.
I have manage to pair a external bluetooth GPS to the iPad and TomTom works fine.
But it's easier for me to use N1 as an GPS modul.
Maybe this made more sense
phuongpham said:
Hi guys! Thanks for the feedback.
The reason i'm asking this is I have an iPad (yes it's a Apple gadget )
the Ipad doesn't have build in GPS. But I can use iPhone apps on the iPad.
So if i mount a bluetooth GPS device i can use TomTom on the iPad.
I have manage to pair a external bluetooth GPS to the iPad and TomTom works fine.
But it's easier for me to use N1 as an GPS modul.
Maybe this made more sense
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to flame, just curious! How is it more convenient to use the ipad as a gps unit? Why not just use google nav? I could see it being super useful if you have say a nice sturdy car mount for your ipad but thats about all i can think of.
Oh, just noticed youre not in the US :\ is google nav not enabled in your country?
Hi Mike.
The reason i want to use tomtom is i like tomtom
The second reason is it support offline maps, local POI etc. etc. etc.
My plan is not to use the iPad as a main GPS unit in my car
But I like to explore new stuff.. so it would be nice if that was possible to do.
phuongpham said:
Hi Mike.
The reason i want to use tomtom is i like tomtom
The second reason is it support offline maps, local POI etc. etc. etc.
My plan is not to use the iPad as a main GPS unit in my car
But I like to explore new stuff.. so it would be nice if that was possible to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh i see that screen would make an awesome nav unit hehe. You would probably need a developer to make an application to use it as a bluetooth gps. Since it will probably need root to run it might be harder to find a developer since these things are harder to sell :\
Has anyone experience with the connection of the galaxy with a bluetooth GPS ? My car's windows are provided with a heat shield made of a metal film, i can only use a bluetooth GPS in my cars GPS windows.
I would use Sygic.
I'm now using a HTC Touch Pro WM6.5 and it works fine with a Bluetooth GPS
I contacted Samsung with my question but the only answer i got was that i had tot contact route 66 ???
The bluetooth GPS is for me the point to buy a galaxy or not<;
Don't buy any android phone, far as I know, bt gps not supported on android. May be some workarounds for specific programs.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Bynar010 said:
Don't buy any android phone, far as I know, bt gps not supported on android. May be some workarounds for specific programs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a pity that android does not suport external gps.. I'd like to use that too. (I just got a Galaxy S).
I think the galaxy S has a socket for gps antenna on the back (under the cover).. so you can at least try to plug in one of those 5€ ebay gps 1.5ghz antennas to improve signal. Just put the magnetic box on the roof of your car.
As I've replied in the GPS Poll thread, I believe TrekBuddy supports external GPS just fine, so I wouldn't think it's Android limitation rather than a choice of the programmers of most apps - IMO they just don't bother supporting external GPS when there's not a single Android device that doesn't have internal...(I guess).
I guess you got a point when you say that all Android devices have a gps chip embedded. But I sill think it's an Android limitation not supporting an external gps.
On Symbian devices, you just have to say 'use bluetooth gps' in your application once you've paired it.
In WinMo the internal gps has a com port, so does the external when you hook it up. Again you tell the gps software which com port it has to use.
This kind of association does not exist inside Android. You can hook up a external GPS, but no program will access it. The OS itself doesn't have access to it.
BTW I looked this up, but I could not find what chip goes inside the SGS. Is it SirfStar III? Can anyone confirm?
guibao said:
BTW I looked this up, but I could not find what chip goes inside the SGS. Is it SirfStar III? Can anyone confirm?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a Broadcom BCM 4751 chip. Designed on a friday afternoon, after a long, well-wined lunch. Or so I heard. But I hear a lot of nonsensical rumours.
Beowulf_pt said:
It is a Broadcom BCM 4751 chip. Designed on a friday afternoon, after a long, well-wined lunch. Or so I heard. But I hear a lot of nonsensical rumours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beowulf_pt did you manage to redirect data from external GPS?
I can read data with "bluetooh GPS" aplication but i did not find any redirect software.
I have a Hollux receiver that say's 10 satelites in use rather then 8 of the galaxy.
jllb said:
Beowulf_pt did you manage to redirect data from external GPS?
I can read data with "bluetooh GPS" aplication but i did not find any redirect software.
I have a Hollux receiver that say's 10 satelites in use rather then 8 of the galaxy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You got me wrong. I'm not trying to use the BT GPS with the SGS as that is currently not possible in android. No native stack support nor navigation apps that use the units over the internal GPS. Only that little experimental app that reads NMEA data but has no real use. I hope Android gets this in 3.0 but I doubt it.
What I will try to do with the Samsung is to connect it to an external amplified GPS antenna (1.5 GHz) via the connector on the back of the samsung (net to the SIM card).
I have not recieved the antenna yet so I can't comment... but it should at least provide some better SNR results.
PS: I also have a Holux. It is quite nice, I use it a lot with my Nokia E72 and it works fine unlike the SGS
guibao said:
I guess you got a point when you say that all Android devices have a gps chip embedded. But I sill think it's an Android limitation not supporting an external gps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can understand their decision not to invest time in this as all android devices have an internal GPS... but time has proven that that is a bad idea as many units have really poor GPS. The Galaxy S is probably the worst of them all.
Without the ability to use an externa receiver you're pretty much screwed... no alternatives at all.
Guys,
Did any one try this app ?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=7703266#post7703266
jllb said:
Guys,
Did any one try this app ?
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=7703266#post7703266
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is the site of the developer :
mobile-j.de/snipsnap/space/start
wonder if it's works well, pitty it doesn't support sygic and others ....
Guys a new application is on the market and for free ...
Check Bluetooth GPS Mouse
Work but in my case a bir of lag sometimes ..
jllb said:
Guys a new application is on the market and for free ...
Check Bluetooth GPS Mouse
Work but in my case a bir of lag sometimes ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The free version is a trial, it disconnects every 10 minutes or so. The full version is 1.99€.
I tried the free version with two of my bluetooth devices (Holux M1200 and ncs-navi 150), seems to work fine with both.
BTW, with JM7+voodoo fix combination, the internal GPS has been quite satisfactory so far (touching wood...)
Has anyone experience with this application yet ?
Bluetooth gps seems to have a bug. It seems to update it's location and after that sgs will give its location, what happens is that it starts switches between the two locations every second
If you turn gps location service off from android settings, the lag is gone.
However, an app named "gps provider" does not lag in the same way. I think bluetooth gps mouse app will have updatea, where this problem will be fixed.
Other than that the location is very precise using an Nokia LD-W3 bluetooth gps.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
i'm using the bluetooth gps mouse with sygic mobile maps and it works perfectly. I did'nt hope it was working that nice.
rogo-1 said:
The free version is a trial, it disconnects every 10 minutes or so. The full version is 1.99€.
I tried the free version with two of my bluetooth devices (Holux M1200 and ncs-navi 150), seems to work fine with both.
BTW, with JM7+voodoo fix combination, the internal GPS has been quite satisfactory so far (touching wood...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you mean with "quite satisfactory"? Does the internal GPS get a fix without A-gps support? I mean without being online?
I use GPS Bluetooth mouse unlimited on a daily basis with Motonav , Sygic or Navigon.
Internal gps receiver AND Mobile networks( A-gps) are disabled on my sgs.
My external gps receiver got a sirfstarIII chipset . In a hot start I get a fix in less than 20 seconds. Otherwise 4 to 6 minutes in a cold start.
Once again no need for internal gps receiver and / or A-gps (celular network) for for a fast and stable satellite fix. Pure GPS navigation pleasure...
Offline GPS navigation = Freedom
And it rocks on my super-Amoled gs screen!!!
Guys,
I've implemented the external BT GPS for the CM7. Until now I only supplied a I9000 rom and source code. Since vibrant users with CM7 suffers from GPS performance (lack of it ;-) )
new build with android 2.3.7!
http://iloki.nl/2011/09/30/android-237/
Installation is the same procedure as the CM nightlies. Only rom file is different.
Howto install
cool will give it a shot
gekkekoe123 said:
Guys,
I've implemented the external BT GPS for the CM7. Until now I only supplied a I9000 rom and source code. Since vibrant users with CM7 suffers from GPS performance (lack of it ;-) )
I've decided to build a rom also for vibrant users. Give it a try: http://iloki.nl/2011/08/06/update-06-08-2011/
Beware, I'm uncertain if vibrant uses the same bootloader as the I9000. Changing bootloader isn't required for GPS support and is NOT recommended for vibrant users.
for more background information: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1170031
Please try to centralize feedback in the background topic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! I love my Vibrant but GPS is a deal-breaker for me.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
This does not improve the internal GPS radio in any way. This just gives us a switch to enable a external Bluetooth GPS receiver natively without buggy 3rd party apps. This causes apps such as Google maps or navigation to be much more accurate due to the dedicated GPS receiver hardware. Using my GlobatSat BT-359 I have managed a app reported 0 accuracy and almost always below a 5 foot area. This pretty much makes the internal GPS cry like a newborn baby...
SkOrPn
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
so you'll need something extra for this to work?
On the download page, you will find step by step instructions on how to use it.
Basically, flash the rom, pair your gps mouse and just enable/disable GPS (using power widget for example).
But read the instructions at: http://iloki.nl/2011/08/06/update-06-08-2011/
it has screenshots and stuff
My rom basically gives you a switch to use our BT gps mouse as if it were your internal GPS. So you will get maximum compatibility , less battery drain and so on. Normally external receivers are way better than the ones that comes with your phone. My gps mouse is giving me 0.8m-2.0m accuracy for example. I was happy if I had 10m on my internal one. Most of the time I could get a lock (already tried soldering and so on).
To use my stuff the requirements are:
Galaxy S I9000/Vibrant -> binary builds. Other devices can be built from source.
NMEA 0813 capable GPS Mouse with Bluetooth Serial Port Profile (SPP)
gekkekoe123 said:
NMEA 0813 capable GPS Mouse with Bluetooth Serial Port Profile (SPP)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it matter what chipset is being used in the mouse? By the way, I call it a GPS Receiver, "mouse" sounds strange to me, lol....
My unit has the SiRF StarIII chip and is also NMEA 0183.
GPS Protocol Default: NMEA 0183 (Secondary: SiRF binary)
GPS Output Data: SiRF binary >> position, velocity, altitude, status and control
NMEA 0183 MEA0183 V2.2 protocol, and supports commands GGA, GSA, GSV, RMC, VTG, GLL v2.2 (VTG and GLL are optional)
GPS transfer rate: Software command setting (Default : 38400,n,8,1 for NMEA )
Connection: Communication with host platform via Bluetooth Serial Port Profile
Using the 3rd party app "Bluetooth GPS Provider" from the market, it lets me actually select my chip type, in this case SiRF. Does this even matter in this case?
Nope doesn't really matter as long as they output nmea sentences (I haven't seen one that didn't. But it doesn't hurt to check before buying).
I myself am using a MTK2 chipset.
btw: google GPS Mouse ;-)
gekkekoe123 said:
Nope doesn't really matter as long as they output nmea sentences (I haven't seen one that didn't. But it doesn't hurt to check before buying).
I myself am using a MTK2 chipset.
btw: google GPS Mouse ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I already knew its called a mouse, I was just commenting that I do not like it. Its a GPS satelite receiver, or even a Wireless BT GPS puck would have been more appropriate I think... Come to think about it, mine is slightly smaller than a ice hockey puck but rectangled and very heavy for its size. I could easily play ice hockey with it, LOL....
Ok, so good NMEA support is all we need to worry about then. Most excellent...
EDIT: I hear MTK is better than SiRF, but not sure myself...
Synced with the low power mode patches.
new vibrant rom available.
This post is just asking for more clarity.. ..
gekkekoe123 said:
Guys,
I've implemented the external BT GPS for the CM7. Until now I only supplied a I9000 rom and source code. Since vibrant users with CM7 suffers from GPS performance (lack of it ;-) )
I've decided to build a rom also for vibrant users. Give it a try: http://iloki.nl/2011/08/06/update-06-08-2011/
Beware, I'm uncertain if vibrant uses the same bootloader as the I9000. Changing bootloader isn't required for GPS support and is NOT recommended for vibrant users.
for more background information: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1170031
Please try to centralize feedback in the background topic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your developments and this post, seems to have a great feature for the Vibrant users like my self, if I could understand your post....
External BT GPS...... If I had an external GPS, why would I use my phone....
External BT mouse . . . . this is not clear to me....
This post is just asking for more clarity.. ..
serendipityguy said:
Thanks for your developments and this post, seems to have a great feature for the Vibrant users like my self, if I could understand your post....
External BT GPS...... If I had an external GPS, why would I use my phone....
External BT mouse . . . . this is not clear to me....
This post is just asking for more clarity.. ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He has enabled this phone to take advantage of the common GPS Pucks you see around the world. They do not have a screen of their own, all they do is have the high quality GPS chip like MTK or SiRF StarIII or something similar, and they have their own antenna and they connect via Bluetooth to computers, laptops and smartphones. Smartphones are given very cheaply made low quality GPS systems, but some people like myself included would prefer a much higher quality GPS result on their phone.
Advantages:
1. MUCH higher quality GPS accuracy down to 1 foot or less.
2. Uses less power since Bluetooth is MUCH more power efficient. I had my GPS on over 8 hours yesterday and when I went to bed I was still at 54% battery left, using the built in GPS system my phone would have died long long before then.
3. Lets people use their current GPS puck/mouse. Now I can use my GlobalSat BT-359 GPS mouse. My Samsungs built in GPS system is non-existant and has never worked properly. Now I finally have real GPS, so props to the OP.
This OP in my opinion was very very clear in the first place... You shouldnt roll your eyes or wink like you know what your talking about unless you truly know what your talking about. All you did was show how much you are lacking up stairs. Figured I get to now roll my eyes at your stupid post.
A GPS Mouse is a GPS unit made for smartphones and laptops and they DO NOT have a screen of their own, there are hundreds of them made and have been for many many years. This is what he is doing, letting us use these awesome Bluetooth GPS devices so we can have much more accuracy and bettery battery savings. I see no harm in this.
@the OP, thanks for your great efforts as this was long over due...
new vibrant build available http://iloki.nl/2011/08/24/update-24082011/
gekkekoe123 said:
new vibrant build available http://iloki.nl/2011/08/24/update-24082011/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The new Vibrant build still has flashing according to Skitz.... he broke it Im sure, lol....
Thanks SkOrPn for the explanation, this helped greatly.
SkOrPn said:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks SkOrPn for the explanation, this helped greatly.
serendipityguy said:
Thanks SkOrPn for the explanation, this helped greatly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why certainly your most welcome....
I'm using this via Trigger - works BEAUTIFULLY on my BT 359 receiver. Although it was pretty confusing at first - after pairing initially it just said "paired but not connected" - needed to switch to the external first, then reboot, then turn on both BT and GPS (sometimes they turn on together in tandem, sometimes they don't..) before the light on the receiver indicated it was connected to the phone. And even then, it's still reported as not paired.
But that aside, this is ROCKING. I would tell you how accurate of locks I'm getting but GPS Test is freaking out (which seems to have been fixed and needs to be implemented in Trigger)
What are the odds of getting this into CM7 mainline?
strictlyrude27 said:
And even then, it's still reported as not paired.
What are the odds of getting this into CM7 mainline?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It reports itself as "Paired but not connected", not as not paired. I mentioned this somewhere else I think in the Trigger thread but now I cant find it. I believe it cant report itself as connected because it does not use a constant on connection similar to that of a BT Headset would. I believe the puck sends data at on/off intervals to short for the phone to display a connection. Just my theory though... My BT Headset on the other hand causes the phone to report as connected, but I think that's because its a constant connection, as obviously an on/off connection would be detrimental to transmitting voice... lol
I can't wait to get this in cm7 source myself, but I wont hold my breath. I wonder if there is anyone we can email to get this pushed along quicker?
Don't worry about paired but not connected message. The most important thing is that is it paired.
Connected is represented by the GPS icon.
flashing -> connected and waiting for fix, or temp lost a fix
solid -> connected and fix
none -> no connection.
Just pay attention to you gps icon and you should be fine. The connection should be there all the time, a fix can be lost temporary if you're going through a long tunnel.
It's generally best to first turn on gps and then enable it on your phone (handshake attempts are initiated from the phone). The first handshake attempt might failed otherwise and you have to wait a little bit for the retry. But eventually it will connect.
New vibrant rom is being build, should be up shortly.
This removes the reboot requirement when switching gps sources. Yes it means no more rebooting
http://iloki.nl/2011/09/08/reboot-requirement-removed/