One more important issue with using a smartphone as a GPS is that it gets
the maps over cellular data (They're usually not stored on the phone). That
means that you lose your maps when you don't have signal.
I mentioned before that the cord for one of our older units failed. It
happened to me as I was leaving the track to come home. I thought, "No
problem, I'll just use my phone." I take a very rural route home from this
particular track. It's a beautiful drive down a lot of old country roads.
Unfortunately, I got 15 minutes from the track and into the middle of
nowhere when I found myself without cellular signal and without navigational
aid. I got home alright, but I definitely didn't take the most efficient
route. Instead, I had to just work my way toward home driving in the right
general direction until I finally came to a 'major' road.
I'd wager that shop-talkers are more likely than most to find themselves
beyond the pale, so that's one more thing to consider.
-Paul
On Tue, Jun 7, 2011 at 6:42 PM, Rich White <rlwhitetr3b at hotmail.com> wrote:
> We had our son using his phone for several months...
> In down town Chicago it could not update fast enough to be of any help.
> The monthly charge was such that it cost more than a dedicated unit and
> that
> did not include the data usage.
> It was not a "smart" phone and we have not tried his dedicated unit in
> similar
> locations.
>
> If think your phone will do it for you, check the cost and try it like you
> will use it.
>
> Rich White Central, IL USA
> '63 TR3B TCF###L
> That ain't a scrap pile, that is my car!
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