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sat nav or using a mobile phone maps


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Old 05-10-2016, 18:34
innes_calan
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Hi there. off to Florida next week and the last time we went we had a Sat nav already loaded with maps for there, but don't have it now, we do have a Garmin Sat Nav with free maps but I've never been able to link up for that service regardless how much times I try. My mobile has maps and used iot for the first the other week thats how much I experiment with tech! Daughter seems to think she can use her phone over there for this, I think we need to download something for this, don't know the best way to deal with this! would my phone pick up GPS over there and be supplied with map detail, I think not but just don't know.

Thanks in advance
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Old 05-10-2016, 18:44
chrisjr
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You do know what the G in GPS stands for don't you?

The same satellites that tell you where you are in the UK also tell you where you are in the US or anywhere else on the planet for that matter.

The satellites don't actually supply any map detail. You have to do that. But something like Google Maps should do the job. Though it is best to download the map data when your phone is connected to WiFi unless you really want to chew into your mobile data allowance.
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Old 05-10-2016, 18:55
Thine Wonk
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As per the above comment the GPS system isn't a 2 way data connection at all, the satellites are always sending time code information constantly, a bit like a radio transmitter broadcasting radio 2. Your device never replies to the satellites and there's no actual data connection other than the phone passively listening.

The whole system purely works on a GPS receiver listening to the information in order to lock on to your physical location, which is can do based on the data it receives from multiple satellites using triangulation and time data.

GPS works irrespective of any data service or other connectivity, but the actual map application itself must have the images either downloaded, or be able to download them ahead of time (offline maps).

So in short if it's google or apple maps or similar on a smartphone then it will work anywhere in the world using the GPS signal as long as you have a data connection for the map images or alternatively if you're pre-downloaded the map images in advance.
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Old 05-10-2016, 18:55
innes_calan
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You do know what the G in GPS stands for don't you?

The same satellites that tell you where you are in the UK also tell you where you are in the US or anywhere else on the planet for that matter.

The satellites don't actually supply any map detail. You have to do that. But something like Google Maps should do the job. Though it is best to download the map data when your phone is connected to WiFi unless you really want to chew into your mobile data allowance.
Geo-stationary
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Old 05-10-2016, 18:56
Thine Wonk
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It's actually Global.
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Old 05-10-2016, 19:01
chrisjr
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The satellites are anything but stationary.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System
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Old 05-10-2016, 19:28
innes_calan
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Aren't they in a fixed orbit!

Anyway I can't set up a google play account on my phone have tried in the past but it won't let me, it suggests options for user name and so on then says its not available!
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Old 05-10-2016, 19:33
Thine Wonk
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Aren't they in a fixed orbit!

Anyway I can't set up a google play account on my phone have tried in the past but it won't let me, it suggests options for user name and so on then says its not available!
No you can actually track them, here's a live map all the ones listed as Navstar are US GPS, you can even track the International Space Station.

http://www.n2yo.com/

The circles are the orbit, there's some check boxes at the bottom of the map to untick the draw orbit and just see the satellites.

In terms of the play account try your own very unique name and make sure you give it everything it's looking for on the registration information, make sure you've got internet when registering. I'd also suggest googling the exact error as if you're getting it, then it's likely many have before and there will be a solution.
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Old 06-10-2016, 08:11
innes_calan
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Right, I did find Garmin free maps butt het wern't suitable for Lifetime models, found another free map site called 'Openmaps' they had a version that could be loaded onto the SD card when the file is unzipped, Well, upon looking at the sat-nav it doesn't have a port for a SD card so doubt if the file will transfer! if I can find the USB lead to do this! little do I know.

Thanks so far
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Old 06-10-2016, 10:40
tdenson
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Aren't they in a fixed orbit!
Yes but that is totally different from Geostationary. Geostationary means they orbit at the same rate the earth turns, so stay overhead the same spot on earth.
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