Question: Explanation on the GPS

[debonairone]

Gotta love me...



I'm such a party pooper...

[QuiXilver]

My cousin managed to get me the Tom Tom .cab app with the SA maps

Question, when the GPS is in use it doesnt connect via GPRS or HSDPA. There was talk of getting a data bundle as it eats up data. But I dont see it connecting through any protocol.

Can anyone explain how its done?

[Bassey]

The only reasons it would use a data connection are;

Traffic alert updates;
Speed Camera location updates
If you needed a map of a different area

Once you have the right maps and assuming you aren't bothered about the traffic or camera updates, there is no real need for a data connection. The GPS signal itself comes from satalites, not over a mobile data connection.

A system like Google Maps requires large volumes of data because the maps are not stored on the device. They are on Googles servers. Each time you move, it needs to download the next bit of the map. For a product like TomTom, where the maps are already downloaded to the device, it should be entirely data-free.

[QuiXilver]

Awesome, thanks for the info. I didnt even check if Tom Tom checks for cameras. Those would def come in handy

[bydandie]

Originally Posted by Bassey

The only reasons it would use a data connection are;

Traffic alert updates;
Speed Camera location updates
If you needed a map of a different area

Once you have the right maps and assuming you aren't bothered about the traffic or camera updates, there is no real need for a data connection. The GPS signal itself comes from satalites, not over a mobile data connection.

A system like Google Maps requires large volumes of data because the maps are not stored on the device. They are on Googles servers. Each time you move, it needs to download the next bit of the map. For a product like TomTom, where the maps are already downloaded to the device, it should be entirely data-free.

For me, the traffic updates is the point of using a GPS. When you drive on busy roads, it can pay for itself in time quite quickly!

[JamesA]

Yep i use the traffic update thingy on tomtom, cant go wrong really for only £30 a year and it really doesny use much in the way of data that i can see. For speed cameras i use the database from pocket gps world which is only £20 a year i think, regular updates which you just download and copy to your memory card.

Pocket GPS World

[boz]

Yep, I also subscribe to Pocket GPS World for the speed cameras, money well spent in my opinion.

[windows]

I think most of us use Pocket GPS. Now speakign of their system I'd be interested in knowing which POI files one uses with TomTom. I tend to go for the ones sorted by type.

[JamesA]

Yep i use the by type files. One day i'll get round to setting up all the speed zone ones!

[windows]

Yeah it's a pity that TomTom cant just auto-assign POI distance warnings.