iPhone - How long to access GPS

[ncalcamper]

Hi, trying to use Everytrail with my iPhone vs. borrowing a friends (heave) GPS for a trip to the Trinity Alps. I've not had good success accessing GPS without cell service on the trail because it took so darn long! How long does this normally take? I'm assuming it would help to verify GPS access before unplugging, especially with the iPhone battery? Any advise greatly appreciated. NCC

[samatrix]

hi ncalcamper

Yesterday it took me about a full minute for the EasyTrail app to receive full GPS signal. I was outdoors in a park.

I've used about 4 different gps apps on my 3GS and have found that the battery never lasts long enough for a full day out. If I were going on a trip for several days I would not rely on my iPhone. Anytime the phone accesses gps data it's draining the battery.

You can put it in sleep mode but that seems to help just a bit. You could purchase a 3rd party iphone battery. You could purchase a dedicated gps device or borrowing is even better as you noted. If you just wanted to record the trip and have that gps data for later you might consider the less expensive units made for geotagging. They're around $50. Try "geotagging" in amazon.com and read some reviews to start. Small and can hang on your pants. Battery lasts for weeks, not hours. The one iPhone app that is supposed to last all day is actually for geotagging. GeoLogTag. You can set it to collect the gps data every 3 min/5min/10min/60' preserving your battery accordingly. I love using the iPhone for my bike trips but it's starting to feel very restrictive as I'm concerned about the battery draining away as I use it for other functions. Yesterday was my first use of the EasyTrails app. It's my favorite so far.

[hisashime]

You can set it to collect the gps data every 3 min/5min/10min/60'

I think such a feature will be most well come for the EveryTrail App as well.
During slow-going events such as hiking or mountain climbing, I only need my location recorded once in five minutes or so, and on the other hand it's hard to find electricity up there.

Please consider adding it to the iPhone App.
To be precise, I think the "GPS Settings" in "Settings" will be a good place to have it.

Forgive me if this has already been suggested.

[nicodemus3d]

Isn't this already built-in? The GPS Distance threshhold lets you set the minimum distance that must be travelled before a trackpoint is recorded.
Unless the time-based trackpoint recording saves even more battery because it's only using the gps at set intervals. If that's the case, ANY kind of battery-saving option would be appreciated.

[hisashime]

I am guessing that the distance threshold feature requires the device to receive GPS data constantly so as to know that the set distance has been traveled before recording a track point.
On the other hand, a time based feature will allow the device to receive GPS data far lesser times and should save the battery.

[jimm1909]

I am guessing that the distance threshold feature requires the device to receive GPS data constantly so as to know that the set distance has been traveled before recording a track point. Mobile Voip
On the other hand, a time based feature will allow the device to receive GPS data far lesser times and should save the battery.

Anyone know if the helpful features mentioned in this thread ever got added?

Thanks in advance,

-Jim