Can anyone comment on how accurate My Location is in Google Maps is, not using the GPS?

The HTC Dash, the Samsung BJII, the RIM 8700 have all have shown my location within ~1/2 a mile of where I am at home.

The iPhone 2G and the Nokia E71x have said my location is within a hundred feet of where my house is.

Where applicable in these scenarios, I've had the GPS off.


The blue accuracy circle covers my home in all scenarios, so the phone somehow knows if it's more or less accurate.


I think some phones are using triangulation while others are simply specifying the nearest tower... which does the 8900 do?

I'm indoors 98% of the day, so I'm not fond of using the GPS since it would only drain the battery.

I appreciate the help.
-Phil

The 8900 uses GPS, if you have it enabled, and will show you within 10 meters (a few yards) of your true location.

Those other devices are apparently using cell tower location as you stated.

The BlackBerry GPS will show you within less than 10 meters. I regularly get 3 meters with a good GPS lock.

Google maps uses cell tower triangulation to locate you until GPS locks on. That is typically 1700-2500 meter accuracy. If you see anything 100 meters or less, then that is a GPS position.

That's no good, but you're the first person across multiple forums to answer that - thank you Dubdub!!

Why do some phones get 100 meter accuracy while others get 1700-2500 meter accuracy? It's not GPS related. I was wondering what the specific technology utilized is, cause my location isn't changed, and the carrier (AT&T) isn't changed, but I've seen huge differences in accuracy. Heck, the Nokia E71x with no SIM and GPS off got under 100 meters... must have got the tower IDs and submitted the data via wifi.



My original question could also be asked as, "How accurate is Google Maps "My Location" on either the 8120, 8220, or 8320?".

Mine is much accurate and is pinpointed to where I am at (inside of my house).

Actually it is GPS related. Google maps uses cell tower triangulation UNTIL gps kicks in (actually it may not be triangulation, but Its something to do with cell towers, triangulation is the only thing that makes sense to me, someone else let me know if I am incorrect). As an example, when I load my Google maps, it always starts off within 1200 meters of my current location and then once the GPS locks on it goes right down to 3 meters. My google maps is extremely accurate with GPS (~3 meters) and not so much without (~1200m). So it would depend if you have GPS or not as to which accuracy you will achieve. Also yes, as loves said, it depends on the coverage and how many cell towers are in your particular area so this number will also be quite subjective.

when i had my 8320 i would get around 900-400 meters,
but also as much as 1700. its all based on the cell towers, and depending on how good the coverage and how many cell towers are in the area, you will get better accuracy