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Old 28-03-2015, 06:55   #1
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Best GPS Android App?

I don't really want to download and try them all. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good technical GPS app which will allow us to see screens like a regular handheld GPS gives, plus satellites in view, EPE, etc.?

Any other favorite non-mapping GPS apps in Android?
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Old 28-03-2015, 07:18   #2
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Re: Best GPS Android App?

Take a look at GPS Essentials. Been using it for a few years.
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Old 28-03-2015, 07:23   #3
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Re: Best GPS Android App?

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I don't really want to download and try them all. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good technical GPS app which will allow us to see screens like a regular handheld GPS gives, plus satellites in view, EPE, etc.?

Any other favorite non-mapping GPS apps in Android?
I downloaded 'GPS Test' which gives satellite data and basic lat/long position. I downloaded it ages ago as a simple backup for the handheld VHF in the grab bag so that if we have taken off in the RIB/come liferaft we can at least pass our position info to potential rescuers. I have not tested this other than locally but it was one recommended on one forum, maybe here even, a year ago. No doubt there are other better ones now? I also have 'Marine Navigation' the free version which has basic mapping like roadmaps included (at least for USA) but you can pay and get marine charts downloaded for many areas. Since then I haveaquired a notebook with inbuilt GPS and may put something more sophisticated on that as yet another on board backup. who knows if the trusty paddlewheel log might fail and we need to get STW and SOG info to keep to our ground track?
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Old 28-03-2015, 07:43   #4
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Re: Best GPS Android App?

Thanks. I use a Sony Xperia Z3 phone (it's my second Sony Z) which is completely waterproof, so quite a decent subsitute for a handheld GPS in a pinch, with the right app. On top of everything else, your phone is one of the things you are most likely to have on your person in case of a sudden emergency.

I like this phone so much that I have recently acquired the analogous 10" tablet, which is also completely waterproof. I'm using it with GoFree, but will add some other functions by and by. I'm also planning to get all my manuals and technical documentation onto it.

Thread drift, but one of the giant advantages of Android devices over IPlods is that you can actually put files onto them -- they have USB ports and you can simply transfer files from a PC.
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Old 28-03-2015, 07:48   #5
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Re: Best GPS Android App?

I use GPS Status (https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...sim.gpsstatus2) and I like it. It's clean and simple and seems to accelerate the initial fix.
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Old 28-03-2015, 08:03   #6
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Re: Best GPS Android App?

My phone is really a 'phablet' a Samsung Galaxy note 2 ( now a note 4 is the latest) I asked T mobil USA about a 4G device for internet access like wot we had when we lived on board but that ( from 'Clear')was taken over by Sprint and no longer affordable or even on a PAYG basis like it was from 'Clear'. T mobil gave us a deal with a new 'free' Samsung notebook that overall reduced our monthly unlimited talk text and data contract cost as well as giving us the notebook with the ability to use it as a wifi hub to all other nearby devices.

Sorry about the Fred Drift
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Old 28-03-2015, 09:34   #7
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Re: Best GPS Android App?

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I downloaded 'GPS Test' which gives satellite data and basic lat/long position.
+1

I have used it for a few years. Quite like it.
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Old 28-03-2015, 09:38   #8
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Re: Best GPS Android App?

I also recommend GPS status which gives you a compass and GPS stats.
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Old 28-03-2015, 15:14   #9
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Re: Best GPS Android App?

Another vote for gpsstatus: I liked it so much I bought the pro version. It displays all your sensor data, so will also show pressure if your phone has a pressure sensor.
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Old 29-03-2015, 07:44   #10
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Re: Best GPS Android App?

For charting in the US, I like MX Mariner Pro. Still looking for a good solution for Pacific Mexico.
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Old 29-03-2015, 07:55   #11
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Re: Best GPS Android App?

As a backup Chart Plotter, I use Plan2Nav by Jeppesen. I have been using it for about 4 years from Maine to Michigan to the Caribbean and it does a great job, and best of all, it includes both offline and realtime syncronization with Active Captain.
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Old 29-03-2015, 08:06   #12
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Re: Best GPS Android App?

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Another vote for gpsstatus: I liked it so much I bought the pro version. It displays all your sensor data, so will also show pressure if your phone has a pressure sensor.
This is great. I did not realize my SIII has a barometer.

If it only has a trend bar, it would be prefect.
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Old 29-03-2015, 11:40   #13
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Re: Best GPS Android App?

You might also like to try the Navionics app. It turns your phone into a Chart Plotter. I find this brilliant.
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Old 29-03-2015, 13:32   #14
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Re: Best GPS Android App?

I use GPS Status as well. What may not be known is that the various sensors need calibration to achieve their best accuracy (just like electronic compasses on a boat). GPS Status has calibration routines that allow that. It makes a big difference.

Also, many cases for tablets have magnets for holding the cover closed, and these can affect the compass a lot, so best thing is to calibrate and use without a cover with magnets.

Greg
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Old 30-03-2015, 00:48   #15
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Re: Best GPS Android App?

I second MX Mariner Pro, US and NZ charts free to download but about $8 for each of four UK chart regions. GPS Essentials is good for keeping a record of your travels (at sea or ashore)
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