ANDRIOD GPS WAYPOINT APPS.....

[ROI Outdoors]

Curious if anyone has tested the accuracy of the Andriod GPS Apps?  There's a gazillion apps out there and supposedly they are as accurate as most handhelds but that remains to be seen.  Could be some pretty sick fishing Apps coming down the pipeline if they are infact as accurate as they claim.......

[bob o]

http://oceanlines.biz/2010/08/heres-why-you-need-an-ipad-on-the-boat/

not just you droid but your ipad should be putting alot of electrobnics to shame once someone can figure out how to intergrate it to your depth/side image unit. kind of like this, plug you transducer cable into your ipad and record the whole fishing trip with all the info you want to add to it waypoints and discriptions of what you used at each waypoint, weather the list goes on, i think it's a lot closer then we think. all it would take is an idea and a programer oh and some cash to get this rolling.

[Genie]

I am currently developing such an app as a module to my logbook software.  I will have more updates and GLB member deals after the testing is done.

Stay tuned!

[motocross269]

My brother downloaded the GeoCaching app for his android phone...It isn't as accurate as my handheld Garmins....Signal strength in trees or bad weather was worse also...

[ROI Outdoors]

I am currently developing such an app as a module to my logbook software.  I will have more updates and GLB member deals after the testing is done.

Stay tuned!

Get er done!

[djkimmel]

My brother downloaded the GeoCaching app for his android phone...It isn't as accurate as my handheld Garmins....Signal strength in trees or bad weather was worse also...

That geocaching stuff is huge. I have one neighbor who is big into that. I'll have to ask if he has tried this yet.

[Genie]

Trying to get kimmel and lgmouth to beta test for me is like trying to fly to Brazil ....

[djkimmel]

Not in my experience... I did finally find my handheld GPS in a place I looked probably 5 times. Now I have lost it again in the brain damage I suffered from not making it to my Brazil flight. At least I know I put it somewhere in the house this time. If the brain damage isn't permanent, I will remember where I put it one of these days.

You  should probably try to find more reliable friends!

[ROI Outdoors]

Being elgible for an upgrade with VZW I decided to go with the Stratosphere Android 4G LTE Smartphone - has a slide out keypad which is crucial for typing emails with fat fingers.  Been trying to decide if I need to spend another $200+ on a handheld and from my research so far have come up with the following........ 

The Stratosphere use 3 different Location Based Services (LBS) to triangulate your position - each one can be easily turned on/off.  Ideally you want to use both a Network Location Provider (VZW Cell Tower & Google Wi-Fi) & the standalone GPS.  Below is a brief overview of the 3 LBS options.

1. VZW Location Services:  Uses Verizon cell towers to triangulate your position, pretty accurate in areas with good signal strength, doesn't burn up battery life, speed is relative to signal strength and internet coverage speed (4G coverage areas seem to load any where from 10-30 seconds faster than 3G coverage areas).   

2. GPS:  Uses GPS satellites just like all handhelds & graphs and is the most accurate, Eats up batteries because you're turning on a separate component in the phone (basically turning your phone into a handheld) which allows for location services without having any service signal or any coverage speeds - SMOKES THROUGH BATTERY LIFE THOUGH! Will require additional batteries, extended battery, or charging capabilities while on the water. 

3. Google Location Services:  Uses a combination of IP address and wi-fi access points to determine your location.  Least accurate, but usually reasonably close, and doesn't require any additional battery use.  Internet coverage speed & signal strength affect speed and accuracy.

The Apps I've looked at so far seem to have some good features but I've yet to see anything that could be categorized as a "Weapon of Bass Destruction" - I'm counting on GENIE to come out with the Crown Jewe!  Below are some screenshots with general info. on a couple Apps that I've downloaded & have been testing.  I will be venturing out on the ice to test GPS accuracy of Apps versus a couple different handhelds over the next few days & will report back with findings...

MY FISHING COMPANION - (Lite is Free, Pro is $1.99) This Apps biggest PRO & CON seems to be it's simplicity. It allows you to set everything up before you head out giving you one-click navigation to location/weather data - with slimy fish hands this is a major bonus.  Another Plus for this one is that the Apps Developer seems eager to add/update any User suggestions; Recent Updates include Moon phase calendar, Add multiple media files including existing media to a fish, Add images to saved locations, Location Details screen added, Saved Location sharing capabilities, Media Gallery view added to Fish and Location detail screens.



FISH LOGGER PRO - (Fish Logger Lite is Free, Fish Logger Pro is $4.95) Have only played with this one for a little bit but so far it looks to capture a whole lot more of the applicable information  & have WAY more user setup preferences/options (Weather Details that include Barometric Pressure, Multiple Fisherman Options, Detail Catch Displays, Map Zoom Level, Minimum GPS Accuracy, and a whole lot more)



GENIE let me know if you need another BETA Tester or if I can help in any way - it would be cool to see BTI blow the doors off the ordeal!!!!

[bob o]

ROI, that is exactly what i'm looking for, now all i need is an ipad my phone would work but it's to darn small

[ROI Outdoors]

So far the GPS accuracy has been pretty accurate........I drilled a few holes in the rain on Friday night then marked each of them in the Apps.  Went back out there today once it stopped snowing and found every hole I marked without too much difficulty.  Accuracy seemed to be spot on but battery was almost dead after an hour of continue use.

Testing continues..........................

[ROI Outdoors]

SUNNY SKIES = holy schnitzel sticks batman!