Author Topic: nextel phone used as a GPS? (Read 866 times)

rickyp · « **on:** January 08, 2005, 02:59:37 AM »

I just got a nextel I730 and looking at the downloadable software they have for it I found they have something called Trimble Outdoors Silver.
It turns the phone into a handheld GPS unit.
does anyone know about the Trimble outdoors silver?
the ad looks good (but you know how that works) and at $20 may be a good deal

Siskiyou · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2005, 07:48:57 PM »

You got my attention so I went and looked it up on the net. There is a website describing the service. It appears there is a monthly fee for the service. Does this mean you have to be in a service area for it to work?

If you learn more let us know.

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2005, 04:26:08 AM »

Yes I can almost assure you that you'll need to be in a coverage area for it to work. AND in my experience so far if you get very far from an Interstate Highway you're out of any Nextel coverage areas. I got mine mostly cuz that's what my two boys have and I can two way them at no charge to any of us locally here. But out on the road traveling it works fine along major highways but get even 10 miles off one and you're generally without a phone.

The Feds now require ALL new cell phones to have a built in GBS locator. This is part of their war on terrorism so they can locate you if you're using the phone or even if it's just on.

rickyp · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2005, 10:45:48 AM »

http://nextelstore.cellmania.com/web/categorylist.jsp?FE=Yes&X=902839088&CAID=GPS
They have a few GPS aps The one I am looking for is the simple one and is listed as $20.00 for unlimited use.
I have to agree with graybeard the nextel system is great if you are close to a tower and no good when you are out of range. This may get better soon I heard sprint bought out nextel.
Most of the places around me are in a system so I don't have to worry much.

Reading the instructions for the Trimble Outdoors Silver it says it works best while connected to the service but it will also work while not connected to the network. but it will be slower

rickyp · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2005, 01:06:56 PM »

I bought the app. for my nextel phone.

I have not used it in the field yet but I have played with it in my yard some and it works fine.

Some times it is slow to pick up the satellites but once it is locked on them it stays locked on.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2005, 05:12:37 AM »

It will be interesting to here how it works out. I would also be interested in how the combination impacts battery life in the field.

rickyp · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2005, 05:31:52 AM »

I have not used it more then 20 min. at a time yet but I keep the back light on most of the time and that eats up the battery faster then anything. I started wiith a full battery and in the 20 min. the battery went down to 3/4. Trimble tole me that I can switch the battery's out with out loosing any information.
I always have a extra battery for my phone in my truck but I am now looking for some of the extended battery's for when I am hunting.

I have now gotten a phone call while the GPS was in use. the phone just suspended the GPS app. then when I was done I just had to go back and restart the GPS App. and it picked up right where i was.

the little I have played with this App. it looks like it should be great for an entry level GPS or someone not needing all the bells and wistles.

all I need a GPS is mostly for when I am hunting in a new area that I have never been in before I cant stand getting turned around in a new tract of woods

rickyp · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2005, 11:52:42 AM »

well this afternoon I went out squirrel hunting but it was more to play with the phone's gps.

I started off with a batter that was between 3/4 and 1/2 charged.
I was out for about 2 hours when I got to my truck I stilled had 1/3+ of battery

I thought today would be a good day to play with it. it was about 40* outside and we just got about 2 " of snow Sunday. I knew I would be able to follow my foot steps.

I marked a way point "Car" then went trough the thickest part of the woods on the park. when I got to where I normally place my tree stand I marked a way point "tree stand", Then I went off for about a mile or so. When I wanted to go back I hit "go to" way point tree stand. this brought up the compass with a red mark with the word tree stand on it. as I walked the mark would move around all I had to do was keep the red mark on top of the screen and it took me right to the tree stand and my tracks.
So now that I got back to this point i wanted to try the Bread crumb trail.
This was a little harder to follow but I only looked up to make sure I was not going to hit anything I was able to follow the bread crumb trail right to my car almost dead in my foot steps it would let me get about 10 steps off then the arrow would show I was off and show what way to go to get back.

What I think about this GPS App?
I will not want to use it to go out in in the darkest woods with just this.
but for the hunter that hunts on small tracts of land and wants to keep from getting turned around this would be great and at $20.01 this is a great way to get into a GPS and find out if they will work for you.

the down side of it is you have to be moving for 5 seconds for it to take a reading and 5 seconds is a long time in thick woods and you have to keep a steady pace

Siskiyou · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2005, 04:36:17 PM »

Sure sounds like a workable unit in your area. I know they have used the gps/cellphone signal tracking feature in Cal. to rescue a woman who drove off a cliff.

I believe we will see a lot of gps uses over the next year or so.

rickyp · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2005, 02:26:11 AM »

Quote from: Siskiyou

Sure sounds like a workable unit in your area. I know they have used the gps/cellphone signal tracking feature in Cal. to rescue a woman who drove off a cliff.

I believe we will see a lot of gps uses over the next year or so.

All new cell phones must have a GPS unit in them. when you dial 911 the call taker will hit a button and he/she will know your position. they will be able to track you as you are moving.

I don't know about other cell phones, but next el has a service for businesses. It lets the employer track his next el phones ( and employee), he/she will know where it is how long it is there, how fast it is going. it runs about $20 a month per phone.
I have heard of a person catching his wife cheating on him using this service. he just put his next el phone in the car under the seat and was able to tell just where his wife was.
I can see this working great for parents with teenage kids.
all this new stuff is great, but what price are we really paying for it?