GPS for Android

On 10/02/2012 09:27 AM, John B. wrote:
On Tue, 02 Oct 2012 08:06:08 -0400, Duane Hébert
wrote:

On 10/01/2012 08:05 PM, John B. wrote:

Yes, I know that GPS uses batteries, which does become a problem on an
8 hour ride but if I have the on board maps there is no real necessity
to having the GPS on all the time. My main reason for having it is
when I get lost.

I've got one of those "power Packs" thingies. It works well.

MotionX, as someone mentioned would probably work well for you then. I
use it for pretty much the same thing as you describe. You can load a
route at home over wifi to save downloads. You can turn it on at any
point and it will find your relative to the route. I'm not sure what
the maximum distance is but I've used it to plot a driving route from
Montreal to Halifax which is about 1500km.

I don't remember anyone mentioning it but I took a look at it. It
appears to be a iPhone sort of thing, at least it mentions syncing
with iTunes. There may be an android version but the web site seemed
real strong on using it with twitter and facebook, none of which I
care much about.


I'm using iPhone. I assumed it was available for android but didn't check.

To track a route as you ride it, you may try Strava. It doesn't seem to
use up too much battery as long as you have the screen off. I've tried
using it as GPS and while it sort of works it only shows where you are
relative to the saved route. It doesn't direct you.

Tracking a route is not really a large consideration. If it does it,
fine. If not and the other capabilities are useful then I'll do
without.

So far I've pretty well settled on MapDroid as it has a good selection
of world charts, although they are in the local language, but I can
probably get by. "Go down that road until you come to the second big
road and turn left" :-)

So it sounds like you're all set.

On Tue, 02 Oct 2012 09:55:01 -0400, Duane Hébert
wrote:

On 10/02/2012 09:27 AM, John B. wrote:
On Tue, 02 Oct 2012 08:06:08 -0400, Duane Hébert
wrote:

On 10/01/2012 08:05 PM, John B. wrote:

Yes, I know that GPS uses batteries, which does become a problem on an
8 hour ride but if I have the on board maps there is no real necessity
to having the GPS on all the time. My main reason for having it is
when I get lost.

I've got one of those "power Packs" thingies. It works well.

MotionX, as someone mentioned would probably work well for you then. I
use it for pretty much the same thing as you describe. You can load a
route at home over wifi to save downloads. You can turn it on at any
point and it will find your relative to the route. I'm not sure what
the maximum distance is but I've used it to plot a driving route from
Montreal to Halifax which is about 1500km.

I don't remember anyone mentioning it but I took a look at it. It
appears to be a iPhone sort of thing, at least it mentions syncing
with iTunes. There may be an android version but the web site seemed
real strong on using it with twitter and facebook, none of which I
care much about.


I'm using iPhone. I assumed it was available for android but didn't check.

To track a route as you ride it, you may try Strava. It doesn't seem to
use up too much battery as long as you have the screen off. I've tried
using it as GPS and while it sort of works it only shows where you are
relative to the saved route. It doesn't direct you.

Tracking a route is not really a large consideration. If it does it,
fine. If not and the other capabilities are useful then I'll do
without.

So far I've pretty well settled on MapDroid as it has a good selection
of world charts, although they are in the local language, but I can
probably get by. "Go down that road until you come to the second big
road and turn left" :-)

So it sounds like you're all set.

Well, until the next Technical Innovation comes along :-)
--
Cheers,
John B.

On Wed, 03 Oct 2012 07:27:23 +0700, John B.
wrote:

So it sounds like you're all set.

Well, until the next Technical Innovation comes along :-)

You won't have long to wait for the next mapping nightmare
errr...technical innovation. Please fasten your seat belts.

Helmet mounted heads up GPS display
http://zeptotools.wordpress.com/2009/09/12/21th-century-chonmage-rider/
http://zeptotools.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/further-research-of-arider/
Well, it's "hands free" which should make the authorities temporarily
happy. When you see bicycle helmets with built in smartphone slots,
you'll know that it's time. Note that bicycle helmets are a popular
mounting system for wearable computahs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wearable_computer

Another innovation that I mumbled something about in a past rant was
GPS augmented visualization. It comes in many forms, including
driving aids, landmark identification, automobile vehicle windshield
displays, heads-up displays, etc. The one that I suspect will be most
useful to cyclists is where you use your smartphone to record a video
of a common bicycle commute or ride in the daytime under good visual
conditions (i.e. Google Street View). When you return later, under
not so ideal conditions (rain, fog, darkness, headlight glare), you
display will show the current position view from the video. Your
position would be located by GPS, and your head position by something
like a gamers headpiece. Look in any direction and you'll see what
the recorded video sees with map details added. (I was involved in
prototyping a similar system during the 1970's for maritime harbor
entrance approach under foggy conditions, which went nowhere due to
the costs).

It's also possible that the smartphone of the future will be
modularized (or Balkanized) by splitting it into individual functional
modules interconnected with Bluetooth. The camera would go on your
helmet. The display would fit nicely on the handlebars or on a HUD
(heads up display). The cell phone section would fit into a headset
or attach to the helmet. The map database and cell phone storage
would be on an NAS (network attached storage) device in your pocket.
The RFID and NFC (near field communications) devices would be on your
wrist or finger. All would communicate with each other as needed via
BT or other RF protocol. Welcome to the wearable "Transformer"
smartphone.
http://www.eprice.com.hk/fun/talk/19/2378/


--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On Wed, 03 Oct 2012 08:30:32 -0700, Jeff Liebermann
wrote:

On Wed, 03 Oct 2012 07:27:23 +0700, John B.
wrote:

So it sounds like you're all set.

Well, until the next Technical Innovation comes along :-)

You won't have long to wait for the next mapping nightmare
errr...technical innovation. Please fasten your seat belts.

Helmet mounted heads up GPS display
http://zeptotools.wordpress.com/2009/09/12/21th-century-chonmage-rider/
http://zeptotools.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/further-research-of-arider/
Well, it's "hands free" which should make the authorities temporarily
happy. When you see bicycle helmets with built in smartphone slots,
you'll know that it's time. Note that bicycle helmets are a popular
mounting system for wearable computahs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wearable_computer

Another innovation that I mumbled something about in a past rant was
GPS augmented visualization. It comes in many forms, including
driving aids, landmark identification, automobile vehicle windshield
displays, heads-up displays, etc. The one that I suspect will be most
useful to cyclists is where you use your smartphone to record a video
of a common bicycle commute or ride in the daytime under good visual
conditions (i.e. Google Street View). When you return later, under
not so ideal conditions (rain, fog, darkness, headlight glare), you
display will show the current position view from the video. Your
position would be located by GPS, and your head position by something
like a gamers headpiece. Look in any direction and you'll see what
the recorded video sees with map details added. (I was involved in
prototyping a similar system during the 1970's for maritime harbor
entrance approach under foggy conditions, which went nowhere due to
the costs).

It's also possible that the smartphone of the future will be
modularized (or Balkanized) by splitting it into individual functional
modules interconnected with Bluetooth. The camera would go on your
helmet. The display would fit nicely on the handlebars or on a HUD
(heads up display). The cell phone section would fit into a headset
or attach to the helmet. The map database and cell phone storage
would be on an NAS (network attached storage) device in your pocket.
The RFID and NFC (near field communications) devices would be on your
wrist or finger. All would communicate with each other as needed via
BT or other RF protocol. Welcome to the wearable "Transformer"
smartphone.
http://www.eprice.com.hk/fun/talk/19/2378/

I can see the future cyclist with the integrated helmet, heads up
display visor and neck brace (added mass to helmet requires additional
protection against whip-lash injuries), pedaling along there, towing
the trailer with the ten pound battery used to power it all :-)

--
Cheers,
John B.

On Thu, 04 Oct 2012 08:25:03 +0700, John B.
wrote:

I can see the future cyclist with the integrated helmet, heads up
display visor and neck brace (added mass to helmet requires additional
protection against whip-lash injuries), pedaling along there, towing
the trailer with the ten pound battery used to power it all :-)

Already been done by Steve Roberts:
http://microship.com/bike/
The 1990 version had 105 speeds and weighed 580 lbs total (including
the trailer).

I disagree that the helmet mounted display will require a neck roll.
With much of the bulk and weight of the smartphone moved away from the
display and helmet, the added weight of the panel, microphone, and
earpiece would be minimal.






--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:27:30 -0700, Jeff Liebermann
wrote:

On Thu, 04 Oct 2012 08:25:03 +0700, John B.
wrote:

I can see the future cyclist with the integrated helmet, heads up
display visor and neck brace (added mass to helmet requires additional
protection against whip-lash injuries), pedaling along there, towing
the trailer with the ten pound battery used to power it all :-)

Already been done by Steve Roberts:
http://microship.com/bike/
The 1990 version had 105 speeds and weighed 580 lbs total (including
the trailer).

I disagree that the helmet mounted display will require a neck roll.
With much of the bulk and weight of the smartphone moved away from the
display and helmet, the added weight of the panel, microphone, and
earpiece would be minimal.

Well, if you are going to have a heads up display there has to be
something to project it on and somewhere to put the projector.

And I suppose there will be a word war between those who extol the
advantages and those who would rather ride naked :-)

--
Cheers,
John B.

On Monday, October 1, 2012 6:32:44 AM UTC-4, John B. wrote:
I'm trying to find a GPS application for Android that will use stored

maps and display the position and possibly the route taken.

I like NavFree (a free app)http://www.navmii.com/, available from Google Play Store. It worked well for turn by turn walking directions in Europe, and okay for turn by turn driving directions (although sometime preferring the slow route). I havn't tried it yet in the U.S.A.
I took the SIM out of my android phone, and used it as a GPS with NavFree.

Best,
Larry

On Wed, 10 Oct 2012 03:28:11 -0700 (PDT), LF wrote:

On Monday, October 1, 2012 6:32:44 AM UTC-4, John B. wrote:
I'm trying to find a GPS application for Android that will use stored

maps and display the position and possibly the route taken.

I like NavFree (a free app)http://www.navmii.com/, available from Google Play Store. It worked well for turn by turn walking directions in Europe, and okay for turn by turn driving directions (although sometime preferring the slow route). I havn't tried it yet in the U.S.A.
I took the SIM out of my android phone, and used it as a GPS with NavFree.

Best,
Larry

I had a look at it and it apparently doesn't have any maps for SEA so
won't work for me although the description sounds like exactly what I
was looking for :-(
--
Cheers,
John B.

John missed 'GOOGLE GLASS'

The concept 'isnot without merit'....eg I carry a cellphone and Mace
for protection based on experience for person and area.

Many parents cannot allow kids riding out into the countryside today...depends on where you are..there's a broader application here than Cambodia or Yemen.

AS for vision design, the 2008 Ford Van I drive does not light up the road when turning. Tho designed for suburban delivery, a 110 degree or less turn goes unlit.

On Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:18:57 +0700, John B.
wrote:

I like NavFree (a free app)http://www.navmii.com/,
Larry

I had a look at it and it apparently doesn't have any maps for SEA so
won't work for me although the description sounds like exactly what I
was looking for :-(

Maybe make your own custom maps?
http://www.custommapsapp.com
http://www.custommapsapp.com/tutorial
I haven't tried it (yet).
--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558