Seeking advice on GPS-enabled phone
Hi, I plan to map some health facilities in Mandera and I need advice on your experience with mobile phones in getting GPS co-ordinates/locations. I am assuming mobile phones depend on the infrastructure of say Safaricom to get the GPS locations. What happens in areas where there is no network, how will I get the GPS co-ordinates? Finally, in your experience, what particular phone model has worked for you; what would you recommend? Thanks James
You may need to create an application on your phone that will save your position data to a local db (on your phone) for later syncing when you get back to network or just plain writes to a text file on the local filesystem that you can transfer onto your main database An android phone should be able to do this even when there is no network (a quirk I'ved experienced is that GPRS must be ON for the thing to work) I would recommend a phone with Good battery life and some good internal storage (depending on where you save the data) Android version >= 2.3.4 Regards On Tue, Feb 12, 2013 at 2:36 PM, James Gathogo <james.lists@gathogo.co.ke>wrote:
Hi,
I plan to map some health facilities in Mandera and I need advice on your experience with mobile phones in getting GPS co-ordinates/locations.
I am assuming mobile phones depend on the infrastructure of say Safaricom to get the GPS locations. What happens in areas where there is no network, how will I get the GPS co-ordinates? Finally, in your experience, what particular phone model has worked for you; what would you recommend?
Thanks James
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Those who are skilled in combat do not become angered, those who are skilled at winning do not become afraid. Thus the wise win before the fight, while the ignorant fight to win.
I think the issue of Network comes with phones on assisted GPS (A-GPS). Not sure though, read up on the same and its implications.
GPS does not need the mobile phone networks. Only A-GPS needs that and that is usually for use in dense urban areas where the view of the sky is obstructed. If you will be in open spaces the the GPS without the gprs on will work fine though as I said it will take some time to get a fix. There are many GPS apps on the Android market and they have many capabilities including picking points, tracks, geocoded pictures etc. On Wed, Feb 13, 2013 at 10:00 AM, Dennis Kioko <dmbuvi@gmail.com> wrote:
I think the issue of Network comes with phones on assisted GPS (A-GPS). Not sure though, read up on the same and its implications.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Regards, Mark Mwangi markmwangi.me.ke
GPS is not dependent on the mobile phone network All it needs is a clear view of the sky and some seconds. I would go for an android based phone with good battery life because GPS drains the battery rather fast. I find the GPS essentials app to be the best GPS tool in the android market. On Tue, Feb 12, 2013 at 2:36 PM, James Gathogo <james.lists@gathogo.co.ke>wrote:
Hi,
I plan to map some health facilities in Mandera and I need advice on your experience with mobile phones in getting GPS co-ordinates/locations.
I am assuming mobile phones depend on the infrastructure of say Safaricom to get the GPS locations. What happens in areas where there is no network, how will I get the GPS co-ordinates? Finally, in your experience, what particular phone model has worked for you; what would you recommend?
Thanks James
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Regards, Mark Mwangi markmwangi.me.ke
You could contact the guys behind http://ehealth.go.ke. They have mapped *most* of the health facilities, and have the data you seek. MB// On Tue, Feb 12, 2013 at 2:36 PM, James Gathogo <james.lists@gathogo.co.ke>wrote:
Hi,
I plan to map some health facilities in Mandera and I need advice on your experience with mobile phones in getting GPS co-ordinates/locations.
I am assuming mobile phones depend on the infrastructure of say Safaricom to get the GPS locations. What happens in areas where there is no network, how will I get the GPS co-ordinates? Finally, in your experience, what particular phone model has worked for you; what would you recommend?
Thanks James
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- //when i say "honey", i mean the sweet, sticky stuff that bees make... -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark, Mula, Dennis and Motor Baridi - Thank you so much for your advice on this. An Android-powered phone it is. Mark, I'll trust what you've said about GPS not needing the mobile network...its a problem there. Thanks. MotoBaridi: That was actually the first place I checked but I didn't contact them, just looked at the data they have. Will contact them, this could save me big time. On Wed, Feb 13, 2013 at 10:28 AM, MotoBaridi <motobaridi@gmail.com> wrote:
You could contact the guys behind http://ehealth.go.ke. They have mapped *most* of the health facilities, and have the data you seek.
MB//
On Tue, Feb 12, 2013 at 2:36 PM, James Gathogo <james.lists@gathogo.co.ke>wrote:
Hi,
I plan to map some health facilities in Mandera and I need advice on your experience with mobile phones in getting GPS co-ordinates/locations.
I am assuming mobile phones depend on the infrastructure of say Safaricom to get the GPS locations. What happens in areas where there is no network, how will I get the GPS co-ordinates? Finally, in your experience, what particular phone model has worked for you; what would you recommend?
Thanks James
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- //when i say "honey", i mean the sweet, sticky stuff that bees make...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
The data-set available for download has the geo codes stripped off, but these can be provided if you ask - nicely of course... disclosure: i'm, not in any way associated with the team, just find the resource mighty useful... //MB On Wed, Feb 13, 2013 at 12:13 PM, James Gathogo <james.lists@gathogo.co.ke>wrote:
Mark, Mula, Dennis and Motor Baridi - Thank you so much for your advice on this. An Android-powered phone it is.
Mark, I'll trust what you've said about GPS not needing the mobile network...its a problem there. Thanks.
MotoBaridi: That was actually the first place I checked but I didn't contact them, just looked at the data they have. Will contact them, this could save me big time.
On Wed, Feb 13, 2013 at 10:28 AM, MotoBaridi <motobaridi@gmail.com> wrote:
You could contact the guys behind http://ehealth.go.ke. They have mapped *most* of the health facilities, and have the data you seek.
MB//
On Tue, Feb 12, 2013 at 2:36 PM, James Gathogo <james.lists@gathogo.co.ke
wrote:
Hi,
I plan to map some health facilities in Mandera and I need advice on your experience with mobile phones in getting GPS co-ordinates/locations.
I am assuming mobile phones depend on the infrastructure of say Safaricom to get the GPS locations. What happens in areas where there is no network, how will I get the GPS co-ordinates? Finally, in your experience, what particular phone model has worked for you; what would you recommend?
Thanks James
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- //when i say "honey", i mean the sweet, sticky stuff that bees make...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- //when i say "honey", i mean the sweet, sticky stuff that bees make... -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Uy Sent from my BlackBerry® -----Original Message----- From: James Gathogo <james.lists@gathogo.co.ke> Sender: skunkworks-bounces@lists.my.co.ke Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:13:39 To: Skunkworks Mailing List<skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> Reply-To: Skunkworks Mailing List <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] Seeking advice on GPS-enabled phone _______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
There are many stock options for offline GPS points if you need. I use Gaia GPS ($$) or Offline topo maps (free) on my i-device and can create coordinates and even complete layers and export in standard format for use elsewhere.... it is what i would call a sledge hammer to kill a fly since even simple stuff like photos on most phones that have GPS will store coordinates of where the photo was taken.
Just use a GPS device. Cellphone GPS is useless without a network connection. Cellphones were never intended for GPS mapping. They take forever to a lock and are as accurate as a map and a compass. Get a decent outdoor GPS device from here: http://www.titangroup.co.ke/mapping-handhelds/and you won't have have to worry about the battery life, network connections, accuracy etc They start from around 15k. Same price for a decent Android phone. PS. I am a non-interested party in Titan group. They just happen to be the ones I know who have a multitude of GPS devices in stock On 17 February 2013 20:26, Areba Collins [ @BrainiacKE ® ] < arebacollins@gmail.com> wrote:
There are many stock options for offline GPS points if you need.
I use Gaia GPS ($$) or Offline topo maps (free) on my i-device and can create coordinates and even complete layers and export in standard format for use elsewhere....
it is what i would call a sledge hammer to kill a fly since even simple stuff like photos on most phones that have GPS will store coordinates of where the photo was taken.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
participants (8)
-
Areba Collins [ ＠BrainiacKE ® ] -
Dennis Kioko -
James Gathogo -
Mark Mwangi -
MotoBaridi -
Mula G Njira -
Silas Savali -
susan.ngunyi＠gmail.com