app for converting iphone into standard gps navigator?

Does anyone know of an App that turns an iphone into functional gps for the outdoors? i.e so you can enter and take coordinates and use it for navigating to a specific points, etc. Using google or apple maps is a pain and it seems like it would pretty easy to build this functionality but I haven't been able to find one. I realize that the iphone gps is not as accurate and as a conventional gps.

Thanks,

Jim

Have good experiences with the Gaia GPS app through TopoMap.

iPhone doesn't have a gps in it so if you don't have service you're kinda screwed.

Medic741 wrote:iPhone doesn't have a gps in it so if you don't have service you're kinda screwed.

I'll second MotionX-GPS, and most of what Nick said above. You can record waypoints, add waypoints via coordinates (decimal degrees or degree/minute/second), navigate to waypoints, etc. You can download maps ahead of time and save them for when you don't have reception and/or don't want to use cell data. It's not free, but I think it was less than $3.

GPS is hard on the battery but another factor is that when you don't have cell service the phone uses a lot of power searching for service. Unfortunately, the only way to disable cellular service is Airplane Mode, which also disables GPS. (Cellular data can be disabled from settings, but it will still try to find service for voice calls.)

There are a few ways around this: you can jailbreak your phone to allow disabling of cellular, or you can remove your SIM card. Also, I've read that if you set a PIN for your SIM card you can reboot your phone and press cancel when prompted for the PIN. I haven't tried this.

Turning off WiFi, Bluetooth, and turning down the screen brightness also help.

I'd be hesitant to use my phone in a situation where GPS navigation was important to safety.

jim.dangle wrote:Does anyone know of an App that turns an iphone into functional gps for the outdoors? i.e so you can enter and take coordinates and use it for navigating to a specific points, etc. Using google or apple maps is a pain and it seems like it would pretty easy to build this functionality but I haven't been able to find one. I realize that the iphone gps is not as accurate and as a conventional gps. Thanks, Jim

This page has bunches of information, very helpful (which apps, how to deal with battery life, etc...)

adventurealan.com/iphone4gp…

If you are going to do this seriously, get a GoPro Nomad 10 kit. Solar recharging for your iPhone that actually works on reasonable timeframes.

This is all really helpful. Thanks!

JIm

I can't speak for the iPhone but my Nexus will allow me to go into airplane mode and then turn on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and gps individually. Without turning on the network radio.

Ryan Huetter wrote:Have good experiences with the Gaia GPS app through TopoMap.