Talk:GPS navigation

Topics to cover

From Wikivoyage:Requested articles:

• Satellite navigation / GPS‎ — this would cover the use of satellite positioning systems (GPS is by far the most well-known, but units may also rely on Russia's GLONASS or the E.U.'s Galileo). Topics would include navigating with such units, types of receivers, use of such devices, & restrictions (some countries ban the import of such devices by foreigners). This topic should be coordinated with the Orienteering article, which covers map/compass navigation. This would be a great page to link from various activities which often rely on GPS receivers to navigate.

--LPfi (talk) 14:03, 8 June 2014 (UTC)

There was also a request for geocaching, which currently is a pointless redirect to a general list of travel activities. Is that topic worth a mention here? K7L (talk) 16:42, 9 June 2014 (UTC)

Shortest route warning

I do not like the warning for shortest routes. In semi-familiar regions they often suggest very nice routes – if you like to avoid the thoroughfares. It is like sneaking in by that hole in the hedge in your grandparents' garden as child. I'd imagine that some foreigners would like to use the feature as well, to see some hidden away aspects of the countryside.

The real issue is that you should not choose "shortest route" and trust the navigator. The suggested route should be checked as thoroughly as if you had noticed that possible route by yourself. If you have the time to turn back when the road is transformed into a tractor road or unmaintained in winter, no problem. Just do not get stuck with a tight schedule or unprepared in the middle of nowhere.

I'd think that many shortest routes are viable, but if they more often than not are blocked or too rough for a normal car, then people should be able to take that into account. The risks are probably seldom severe, unless getting stuck would be life-threatening.

--LPfi (talk) 07:53, 29 June 2017 (UTC)

Privacy

Perhaps it should also be mentioned that when using GPS it is not only you who has access to data on where you are. Philaweb (talk) 17:03, 18 December 2018 (UTC)

This was denied by Inas: "It's simply not the case that you have to give away privacy in general to enable a gps app". I do not know enough about the issue. My impression is that many apps on install require that you allow access to position data, and on my phone you cannot deny them access later without uninstalling. If this can be handled through phone settings instead of at installation time in most modern phones, then that is very good. --LPfi (talk) 06:04, 21 March 2019 (UTC)

I'm certainly not trying to say that privacy is not an issue. But the text seemed to imply that by installing a GPS app on your phone you suddenly exposed your location to all apps on the phone. That's simply not the case. If you want to use a navigation app, then obviously that app needs to have access to your location. And you need to trust that particular app enough, to be comfortable that it isn't doing something with the location data you don't like. I'd certainly be happy with text that said you have to trust the GPS app you install to do the right thing with your data. --Inas (talk) 07:02, 26 March 2019 (UTC)

Waze routes and offline use

I do not understand the current wordings about Waze. Not recommended for offline used was changed to not recommended for offline use when driving. Does that mean it is still usable offline when you move slower, such as when hiking in backcountry without data connectivity? I also do not understand "Initial Wi-Fi route setup can eliminate about 95% of online usage." I suppose that sentence means that route setup eliminates about 95% of later Internet traffic. If I understand correctly whether you are connected via Wi-Fi or GSM data is irrelevant (and total traffic may be less or more), but that routes should be set up before driving, if the connection along the road may be week or expensive.

--LPfi (talk) 06:26, 21 March 2019 (UTC)

Thanks for the change about the second issue.

I am still puzzled about what offline use it suits. Not while driving, but is it suitable for navigating offline while walking or biking? As it concentrates on the road, I suppose it is not good for the backcountry, but you may be visiting a city where roaming is expensive or unavailable. Is it suitable for that kind of use?

--LPfi (talk) 07:38, 25 March 2019 (UTC)