[bhw]

I'm a bit confused about GPS. I have location enabled, but the MAPS program does not locate my location when I open the maps. I have to enter an address.

Is there no way to uyilize the gps chip? What is it for, then?

Thanks,
Bruce

[ezrunner]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

You need a gps service to use the gps chip

[mckinneycm]

You need to have a bluetooth gps receiver connected to your 8130.

[mckinneycm]

I believe the 8130 has a GPS reciever built in, but I don't think that Verizon enables it.

[bhw]

If I purchase a bluetooth GPS receiver, will it work better than VNAV by Verizon?

Will it utilize the BB maps in the device?

What is best unit and cost?

What is involved.

Will phone still work while GPS is functioning?

Thanks,
Bruce

[Miro47]

I think that you will find that vz navigator is very good. That being said, it costs 10/mth. I think it will be a preference thing money aside. Do you want to use 3rd party apps you like when you like or just vz nav. It costs 2.99/day if you want to test it out. Good luck

[candiacmadrid]

I am with the Telus network up here in Canada...and my internal GPS is working. It was able to find my location....and as was driving the icon was moving along on the map. I have not subscribed to the Telnav offered by Telus.....i am not sure why it is working..but it is.
i see two possiblities......1) the internal GPS is in fact working
OR
2) maybe Telus is givng us the Telnav for free as a promotion. i am not aware of this..
does anyone else on the Telus network have any more insight.

[obeythelaw]

doesn't the gps chip or whatever is in the pearl, have to be working to have vznav work? it's my understanding that gps is enabled but software retricts vznav as the only software that will run.

[Want8130]

Not to hijack the thread with another question, but does anyone have experience with adding/canceling vznav within a month?

rather, I want to use it for just one week, and add it in the beginning of the week/cancel at end, would they charge me $9.99*7/30 or a whole month fee?

[Grizzld]

Verizon doesn't offer the $2.99 option of VZNavigator on the Pearl .

[obeythelaw]

Originally Posted by Grizzld

Verizon doesn't offer the $2.99 option of VZNavigator on the Pearl .

yeah, i checked too. overall, its not bad for 9.99 if you use it often. it works better than when i had my razr and it sometimes beats using my portable garmin in terms of setting it up.

[candiacmadrid]

Why is everyone complainig about the GPS not working. I am with Telus and the internal GPS is working....but who care...because i still get charged for the date that is coming down for the maps....i just learned this yesterday. I was under the impression that the map was already downloaded on my PEarl....but it is not.....is there any way we can dowload maps on the Pearl...especially now that the 8130 has the micro card?

[msingewald]

With Verizon, the internal GPS will only work with VZNav. This is done intentionally by Verizon. Apparently, Telus has allowed the internal GPS to work with any software on the BlackBerry.

So, you can spend $120/year on VZNav, or buy an external bluetooth GPS and use any software on your Pearl. However, the internal GPS uses tower triangulation to help determine your location when you don't have a clear view of the GPS satellites, so that is a small advantage to VZNav. You also have one less thing to carry around and possibly lose.

The disadvantage with using your phone for GPS, using either internal or external GPS puck, is that you cannot be on the phone and still using the GPS. Fully external GPS is the best solution for that.

I haven't tried any other programs, so I am not sure, but do any of the others give you turn by turn driving directions?

[candiacmadrid]

When you say "use any software on your PEarl" do you mean that i can buy a map from lets say TomTom and dowload it on my Pearl. This way i would not be incurring any data charges on the map since it would already be installed on my pearl?