Thread: Is it possible to turn a mobile phone into a GPS?

Howdy, all!
I am curious about if it would be possible for me to chuck a phone into a LifeProof case and download the nz topo map and use it as a GPS for when I'm out hunting?
Does anybody have a similar setup?
Cheers,

It's entirley possible, you can use the phone without mobile data using just the gps function however you will be limited by the gps antenna built into the phone and the amount of power the phone can output. I wouldn't trust my life to a phone gps setup, but it would suffice as a backup.

This is quite a common practice @Wintrr however I have noticed some discrepancies between bearings to a landmark on my compass and the phone GPS/topo50 combination. This could be down to they way I use it though and I'm interested to hear other member's thoughts.

My experience is that topo50 is not a replacement for a purpose built GPS, but can provide enough direction to get you roughly in the right place.

Always carry a compass though.

Chur

sure is..loads of guys do it now...nz50 I THINK the map programme is,best bit is the boundaries of DOC controlled land are on it. will show where you are on map...perfect.IM about to get a smart phone just to do this with....my current brick wont do it but most touch screen jobbies will.

If you have an iPhone, MapToaster is a good app.

gps doesnt output. its basically a clock that receives signals from different satellites with a time stamp. it then works out where you are from the differential.
a gps "tracker" then transmits that data thru cellular etc

Nztopo app on my phone slays my Garmin inreach mini for GPS lock. It's a bit of a sad joke IMO just how slow the small inreach unit is. Still, I didn't buy it for navigation.

Somebody pointed out the new(?) Nz hunting app recently. Has maps etc on it.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

It works perfectly well. Download a app, nz topo or topo50 and away you go. Topo50 you download the island map north or south and the maps in your phone. Put your phone on flight mode and the battery will last days as it's not constantly searching for a cell signal.

Topo 50 . South Island seems to work really well on my cell phone.

I use my phone for navigation all the time now. It seems very reliable and you can get better/cheaper maps than a traditional GPS. Topo50, satellite, aerials and plenty of useful overlays. I seldom even carry my Garmin any more.

Originally Posted by Shearer

I use my phone for navigation all the time now. It seems very reliable and you can get better/cheaper maps than a traditional GPS. Topo50, satellite, aerials and plenty of useful overlays. I seldom even carry my Garmin any more.

This.

Took me a long time to quit carrying my jeepers (64s) in favour of my phone as part of carried weight reduction, given phone is in pack anyhow. Maps are way better as is battery life on Android, But, those of us who have been around awhile learned to navigate A to B, and fix pos with map and compass and counting. Never ever RELY on your electronic device. Don't ever sit in deep bush arguing with your compass either, bloody thing is always right.......

Have tried various map apps on iPhone, the best so far are NZ Topo50 followed by iHike. Can be discrepancies of up to 20degrees compass bearing if you don’t calibrate phone/compass before taking bearing same as you do for some dedicated gps units. On iPhone I seem to have to recalibrate compass every time I open app. Always check accuracy against handheld compass or known landmark for peace of mind.

Flight Mode, iPhone 12 and NZ Topo50 + Garmin Fenix 6x watch seems to work well

I have Avenza maps app on my android (free download) and you just download appropriate maps on to the phone . Only used it on a private block so far but seemed pretty accurate . Don't know what other little tricks it can do if any , I only used it for position on block and to know where we were in relation to block perimeter so as not to upset the neighbors by going on to their property by mistake.....

I have used my iPhone with MapToaster for the 6 years with 100% reliability, sold my Garmin about the same time. I hunt at least every fortnight and have never wished I had my old Garmin- difference is like night & day! And map of South Island cost $6.99 compare that to a Garmin map.