I wonder if anyone can help me with this:

I have a 8310 curve that I have just recently received. My question is on the GPS. When I open the GPS software ( Vodafone sat nav ) it needs an active data connection - GPRS. I noticed with other makes of phones that the GPS device does not need an active data connection.

Is it the Vodafone sat nav software I am using? Or does the 8310 have to have GPRS active to use the GPS? Does the phone download software as it connects and navigates?

Thanks

Chad

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8800/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Needs GPRS in order to load maps without that it is almost useless! In short to have an effective GPS you need the data connection

Thanks xxx8211; the only problem is : what if you do not have GPRS reception in certain areas xxx8211; this wonxxx8217;t work then. Other question is: a lot of the other phones out there donxxx8217;t need an active GPRS connection to work ( I assume they install all the maps when installing the GPS maps ) is there an option for BB to install all the maps needed and not have to connect via Gprs every time to use it?

Thanks for the reply

Chad, I seem to recall one application out there (maybe here in our GPS/Mapping section) that included maps, but I think it had a large one time fee. GPS apps routinely include data download, which includes updated fresh data. Even if you don't have a GPRS reception, your GPS should still work to located where you are...

If you want a GPS that already includes the maps, I'll show you my 03 Ford Expedition with 2002 version maps that were outdated already when I bought the truck.

lol - thanks J, Makes sense!

I intalled the new Mapquest Navigator on my Curve 8130 and it works quite well. However I too was concerned about running into an area that had no data signal so I called Mapquest support and inquired about this. I was told that when mapquest downloads the map information for your route that it is stored on the BB and you do not need to access the network unless you venture off the routed "Corridore", upon which the app. will try to download more info.

Other than aMaze GPS (Using Turn by Turn only) this is the only Navigation app I know of that retains routing info on the device.

Hope this gives some insight that not all hope is lost.

Correction: I think I am partly dyslexic, I have an 8310 not 8130.

I believe Telenav does it as well.

I also have telenav installed and went to the website to do research. The website states that telenav needs access to data at all times for the downloading of maps. Hence it did not sound to me like telenav stores the information on the device.

It's possible that it's only a typo, and telenav does store all route info, but thats not my interpretation of what I read.

It's also possible that the customer service rep from Mapquest was wrong, those things do happen unfortunately.

A good description of the technology that MapQuest Navigator uses exists here. Not an easy thing to describe, but generally speaking it is an advantage over other navigation applications that do require a server connection to re-route, should you stray off your original route. (Telmap is the developer of MapQuest Navigator).