GPS help! - Motorola Q Forum

gstide · 05-07-2008, 12:51 AM

sorry for repost.
I got my new q9c days ago. I've seen a lot threads about TomTom or Garmin. But I am still working on how to get gm/wls/sprint nav work on my phone.

I tried all ways I can find. none of them helps.
This afternoon, I master reset my phone. then only installed wls, gm and sprint nav.
gm: set by windows. no satellite was found.
wls: gpsid. keep getting gps position. no further response.
Sprint Nav: report too weak satellite signal.

I went to a Sprint store. they told me I have to have data plan included in my plan to use gps function. I don't think so. GPS signal has nothing to do with cellular network, right?

For those whose GM/WLS runs correctly, do you all have data plan?

PacoJr67 · 05-07-2008, 06:30 AM

bingo!
*can't believe I missed that before*
all three of those programs need a data connection to download the maps. They only cache a certain area of map to the phone because of limited space.
Although there are some programs like Garmin Mobile XT Just make sure to get the version for phones with GPS.
The program comes with a micro SD card that has all the maps on it.

mountainwampus · 05-07-2008, 09:27 AM

Cancel yr account, free within 30 days or pay early termination. (it's worth it)
Start a Sprint SERO 500 plan for $30 a month (includes unlimited data)
Using a q9c without data plan is kinda pointless.
I paid early termination.
Got a q9c with $100 refund, but they screwed up and sent $350, which paid for my early term fee.

PacoJr67 · 05-07-2008, 09:44 AM

so, sprint doesn't enforce their rules anymore?
It used to be that you had to wait 90 days to be considered a new customer again.

mountainwampus · 05-07-2008, 10:03 AM

After I canceled my last Sprint account, I switch my number to a cheap Cricket plan. 20 days later, I went to the Sprint SERO website, ordered a q9c. Got it about 5 days later. When I called to activate, they told me I needed to wait 45 days to become a new customer, but it was no problem since I already ordered the phone. No other problems. Canceled Cricket, ported my number back to Sprint. EASY!

PacoJr67 · 05-07-2008, 10:10 AM

Awesome. all this talk of SERO makes me miss my old employee plan...

gstide · 05-07-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PacoJr67

bingo!
*can't believe I missed that before*
all three of those programs need a data connection to download the maps. They only cache a certain area of map to the phone because of limited space.
Although there are some programs like Garmin Mobile XT Just make sure to get the version for phones with GPS.
The program comes with a micro SD card that has all the maps on it.

Thank you.
But this data plan is for receiving data instead of GPS signal, right? which means I should be able to receive GPS signal even without any data plan. gm should be able to locate my position. the only problem is it cannot download map.
I called Sprint today. They didn't figure out what happened. just told me to go to a local repair center to do some test. I told them I have no data plan. They said ok.
I'll go to repair center tomorrow, anyway.

mountainwampus · 05-08-2008, 08:56 AM

If GM means Google Maps, NO, google will not work without a data connection. Neither will windows live. Whenever I'm out of cell service, both programs fail to locate me. Without a data plan GPS needs special software that yr going to have to pay for.

There is no free solution to your problem. It sounds like this Garmin Mobile XT will do the trick. But you should really consider the SERO "scheme" I mentioned above.

gstide · 05-09-2008, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainwampus

If GM means Google Maps, NO, google will not work without a data connection. Neither will windows live. Whenever I'm out of cell service, both programs fail to locate me. Without a data plan GPS needs special software that yr going to have to pay for.

There is no free solution to your problem. It sounds like this Garmin Mobile XT will do the trick. But you should really consider the SERO "scheme" I mentioned above.

thanks for your response.
I DO want to try SERO. BUT, my gf doesn't allow me to do anything on this. "just do nothing, ok?" sigh~~

Your response answered one of my question. This "built-in GPS" feature does need Sprint network support. The GPS signal received by Q9c is not from GPS satellites. They are from GPS satellites originally, but relayed by Sprint towers. That's why it can't locate you when you are out of the network coverage. It's not real GPS anyway.

So, now, the better choice for me actually is installing a gps software with the entire north america map and buying a bt gps receiver. such that I can use them whenever I need and the network coverage won't be a problem.

I have spent a lot of time on figure out how to use GPS. no happy ending. I guess real gps chip like SFiii(?) is too big or consumes too much power to be used in cellphone. I believe we'll see some combo devices in one or two years. but not now.

PacoJr67 · 05-10-2008, 06:57 AM

not to reopen a hornet's nest, but the phone does receive satellite signal directly (that's why it stops working if you go inside). Where the assist in aGPS comes in is that the assist servers basically tell the phone which satellites are visible at the time as well as filling in any fragmentary data. This is also why the Q9c generally gets a location fix much faster than the Q9h (which has a satellite only GPS but still needs network coverage for the maps) The reason you need network coverage is that the phone doesn't store the entire country map on board, those are downloaded from the internet (unless you have a program like garmin mobile XT)