Omnia - GPS - Download XTRA data then disable does it work?

[Guest myth_au]

Hey guys,

I have the omnia with taril's latest rom together with TOm Tom 7.

I got it working without using any port splitter or any of that stuff but it takes me a good 5-10 min to get sat readings.

Everyone says if you enable and download xtra gps it is instant, and u can download xtra gps when you have it connected to the computer via activesync. But since i dont want xtra gps to be on when i'm not connected to the computer, because i don't want to be charged data download from 3G, i disable it.

I.e. i enable xtra gps and download data and then i disable it.

my question is. does the downloaded data still work and make the gps lock faster???

Note: i've removed the log information in the registry, to be null.

[Guest Omnian]

in the latest official ROM upgrade, xtra has the feature to automatically update when you are on Wifi or Activesync. So whenever you sync your PPC calender/contacts with your PC, in the background the latest xtra is also updated.

If you go to xtra and update it manually without connecting to activesync, then GPRS will kick in.

[Guest ahmar]

just one question.

do you need to be under the open sky when downloading XTRA. or can you do it from inside a room as well?

[Guest Jimmy X]

downloading XTRA is simply that. It downloads details containing the predicted locations of the satellites. It doesnt actually do anything with the GPS. Open sky is only needed to lock on (which should be faster with XTRA - I find about a minute to 5 mins depending on snow conditions).

[Guest blert596]

Hi all,

I hope this isnt deemed as taking over the thread but really need some advice on the whole GPS side of things, and hopefully some kind soul can point me in the right direction.

I have my Omnia set up OK with SPB etc and have no problems with all the other functions. I just really need to know if its really worth me getting a GPS package - and if so wha one. The whole XTRA etc worries me a bit as I only have a 1 Gig download limit per month. Although I only use it for getting footy scores mainly I'm a bit worried that using the GPS would involve quite a heavy useage - is this correct?

I understand the theory of GPS, and understand hat the phone comes with that facility. But how do I actually use it correctly?

I tried the googlemaps that came installed but the nearest I can get to my exact location is approx 1k. How do I use the GPS in conjunction with googlemaps, and if its running then is it downloading data to continually update?

For my work its quite handy for me to be able to bookmark a location that I'm currently at and save it. I presume I'd need some dedicated nav software for this. I've had a look at Igo8(?) but am not sure where to get it from, (cant select the UK from the main site) and if it will be able to do what I need. I'm not really that worried about driving directions and voice but some sort of walking around direction stuff for cities etc would be good.

Also I beieve there is a street view type of thing on the go, where it gives you a 3D view of where you are. I think this is only for a few cities at the moment, but does anyone know what the software is called.

So really, I need to know the following before I even start:

How much damage turning the XTRA on will have on my download limits? Do I need to turn it on just once (via wirelessly connecting to my broadband) and let it run. Or do I have to turn it on regularly?

How do I know when to turn the XTRA off? When its done its job so to speak.

If I get an app, be it Tom Tom or another pack, how does this affect my download limit when I'm walking about following directions from it?

Sorry for what is probably simple qustions but I cant seem to find a complete set of answers anywhere. I'm keen to use the GPS facility, but a little wary.

Edited February 12, 2009 by blert596

[Guest js3339]

I'm a bit worried that using the GPS would involve quite a heavy useage - is this correct?

No. GPS itself does not use any cellular data.

I tried the googlemaps that came installed but the nearest I can get to my exact location is approx 1k. How do I use the GPS in conjunction with googlemaps, and if its running then is it downloading data to continually update?

There should be 'Use GPS' option in menu. Google Maps uses internet all the time to download maps.

How much damage turning the XTRA on will have on my download limits? Do I need to turn it on just once (via wirelessly connecting to my broadband) and let it run. Or do I have to turn it on regularly?

It's up to you. Xtra.bin is a 38.8 kb file and it is valid for about six days. So you might have about 200 kbytes of data transfer in a month when XTRA enabled. But you can turn XTRA off or prevent it using GPRS connection. GPS still works but getting the fix might be slower.

How do I know when to turn the XTRA off? When its done its job so to speak.

If you turn XTRA off, gps might not use the downloaded data at all but I'm not really sure about that. Better to keep XTRA enabled but allow it to use WiFi or ActiveSync connections only. That is possible in later firmwares.

If I get an app, be it Tom Tom or another pack, how does this affect my download limit when I'm walking about following directions from it?

Those softwares won't affect your download limit because maps and everyting else is stored in the phone. Only some traffic information, weather etc. could be downloaded but that usually requires user to turn on these features.