Question: We’re planning an extensive driving trip this summer and trying to decide whether we should get a dedicated GPS or use our smartphones.
Answer: As good as smartphone navigation apps have become, there are numerous reasons you may want to look at a dedicated GPS device. How and where you plan to travel will likely determine if spending the extra money makes sense.
Basic differences: GPS vs. cellphone maps
Anyone traveling to remote areas where cellular coverage is unavailable will get more accurate information because dedicated GPS devices connect to the satellite network. As a result, dedicated GPS devices also tend to be more accurate (to within 15 feet).
You can improve your chances for accuracy with smartphone mapping if you remember to download the area for off-line usage, but that may not be practical if you are a spontaneous traveler. If your smartphone storage is nearly full already, downloading extra maps can also become a problem.
There was a time when real-time traffic information was better with dedicated GPS devices, but the gap has definitely closed, especially with crowdsourcing apps like Waze.The downside to Waze in remote areas is that unless there are other users on the same path, you won’t get any updated information.
Recalculating routes will also tend to be faster on a dedicated GPS, especially if you are out of cellular range.
If your smartphone is on a limited data plan, that may be another reason to consider a dedicated GPS unit as your smartphone will be constantly downloading portions of the map as you travel.
Battery usage is another consideration, as real-time navigation apps can drain your smartphone battery quickly.Dedicated GPS devices typically plug into a cigarette lighter in your vehicle, allowing you to use the battery in your smartphone for other purposes.
Using smartphones to navigate roads
If you decide to use your smartphone as your navigation device, make sure you have the proper power adapter in your car to keep it charging.
Another consideration is where the device will be while you are driving so you aren’t fumbling around with your smartphone while you’re driving. Dedicated GPS devices generally come with suction cup mounting brackets, which you can easily get for your smartphone as well.
Whichever way you go, be sure you put the device in your field of vision while you are driving.
Vehicles that have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto built in allow you to mirror your smartphone’s navigation screen to the car display, but you’ll still be using your smartphone as the actual navigation tool, so plan accordingly.
Special considerations
If you’re an avid backcountry hiker, you may want to consider a portable GPS that can be used in your car and on your hikes.
If you are traveling in an RV, you can get more specific alerts such as low clearance bridges through add-ons from LowClearances.com or you may want to consider one of the RV specific devices that allow you to avoid certain roads based on the length and height of your vehicle from companies like Garminand Rand McNally.
Why a dedicated GPS (DGPS) is far better than any SmartPhone ever will be! Anyone traveling to remote areas where cellular coverage is limited or unavailable will get more accurate information because dedicated GPS devices connect to the satellite network more consistently and more frequently.
But you might want to reconsider trusting your little technological best friend in case you venture to some more complex terrain. Research suggests that in that case, it's better to use a specialized GPS navigation system.
In addition to pure GNSS positioning, current smartphones use inertial sensors (such as gyroscopes, accelerometers, and barometers) and network-based positioning (which rely on cellphone networks and Wi-Fi). These different technologies help compensate for the lack of GNSS satellite signals.
If your data isn't unlimited, using your smartphone to navigate a road trip can be a costly mistake. On the other hand, with the one-time purchase of a GPS device, all your navigational needs will be met. Garmin navigators also include map updates with no extra hidden fees.
Your phone is continuously tracking these signals to get an estimate of your location even when you are offline. Phones can connect to GPS signals without depending on cellular companies or data plans. Even older, retired models perform very well as GPS navigators. Offline performance for every hunt.
Smartphones are not built specifically for outdoor activities. Humidity, rain, harsh terrain, drops, and other wear and tear from the trails may be enough to render one useless.
Conclusion. Now it's clear that Standalone GPS hiking trackers emerge as the winner. The reasons are simple: durability, simplicity, and reliability. Hiking terrain is often tough and rugged.
Based on open sky conditions, the Google Pixel 6 has the best position accuracy at 2.7 m, followed very closely by the Samsung Galaxy S21 at 2.77 m. The Motorola One 5G comes next at 3.22 m, and the Apple iPhone 13 trailing that at 3.95 m.
To enable GPS on an Android phone, access Settings, navigate to Location, toggle it on, and select high accuracy for optimal performance. If you own an Android phone, you'll likely need to use the GPS at some point. GPS is a powerful tool that allows you to navigate, find your way around, and even track your fitness.
As to whether GPS units themselves will ever become obsolete, even then the answer is “unlikely.” While smartphones make it convenient to tap into the GPS network when no dedicated unit is available, a dedicated GPS unit offers benefits beyond navigation—including an emergency power supply, stronger signal strength, ...
While state-of-the-art navigation has become a must-have these days, not everybody is a big fan of Google Maps, so stand-alone GPS units like those from Garmin still have a very successful niche of their own.
When your phone is turned off, whether due to battery depletion or manually switching it off, location determination services also are disabled. These services rely on power to function. GPS, Wi-Fi, cellular data, and other location-based sensors need your phone to be on to gather and process location data.
The Garmin Explore ecosystem lets you use your mobile device for outdoor navigation, trip planning, mapping and more — with or without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
GPS does not require any form of internet connectivity. GPS depends on signals from satellites. Anyone can harness these signals using a GPS receiver. You can test this fact by turning off the internet connection on your phone and using Google Maps.
GPS satellites broadcast their signals in space with a certain accuracy, but what you receive depends on additional factors, including satellite geometry, signal blockage, atmospheric conditions, and receiver design features/quality. For example, GPS-enabled smartphones are typically accurate to within a 4.9 m (16 ft.)
Your phone's accuracy will be LESS than the watch when running or otherwise engaged in an activity. There are plenty of people who use their phones as a GPS recorder in my running group and all of them have FAR worse accuracy and tracks than my Fenix. It's not even a close comparison.
A dedicated GPS device can afford to make more intelligent tradeoffs between computational complexity of its algorithms, their power consumption, real-time behaviour and accuracy than a smart phone ever can.
Based on open sky conditions, the Google Pixel 6 has the best position accuracy at 2.7 m, followed very closely by the Samsung Galaxy S21 at 2.77 m. The Motorola One 5G comes next at 3.22 m, and the Apple iPhone 13 trailing that at 3.95 m.
Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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