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My trip to KL was fully depend on my Nokia N82 GPS! I have proven it works. Actually, before collect my N82, I have prepared necessary GPS software and maps ready. Once got the phone, I install them and get ready for the places to visit.

Heard some friends said GPS on mobile phone is inaccurate. The GPS won’t respond you in real time during driving speed. After research, I found N82 has improved its accuracy and time of respond with its new GPS chipset.

How N82 GPS Works?

I was confused before use the GPS on phone. The salesman tell me that I have to pay for the GPRS or 3G connection fees when I’m using GPS. But he was wrong!

Basically, N82 build in with Sirf Star III GPS chipset and A-GPS. A-GPS or Assisted GPS is useful to enhances the startup performance of a GPS system. For example, under a clear open air environment, you might get GPS up in a minute (some time even faster). But with help of A-GPS, it is even faster maybe within 30 seconds or less! A-GPS utilise your Internet connection to check with position server and narrow down the search for your position. It can be a GPRS, 3G or Wifi. Hence it make the search faster.

To start using GPS navigation, you will have to get your current location. Turn on your GPS software and wait for satellite positioning detection. Until you got your current location, tell GPS where you want to go. After calculate the routes, it will lead you to the destination.

My two cents

As conclusion, navigation using GPS on mobile phone not necessary need a A-GPS via GPRS/ 3G/ Wifi. You can choose to turn it off. Anyway, it does not charge you along the way. You may just spend few cents for the first 30 seconds during GPS startup since it is quite fast. It will auto turn off after found your position.

In my experience, N82 GPS direct me to 5 places of interest correctly. But nothing is perfect, GPS has defect too. It took few minutes to search my position under cloudy sky at night on my way back to Tune Hotel. Not sure whether it works if heavy rain?

My Nokia N82 comes with Nokia Maps. By default it is for viewing only. To use Nokia Maps voice navigation, you have to pay a fee for daily, monthly or yearly. I didn’t use Nokia Maps. So can you guess which software I use?

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Tags: A-GPS, free maps, Global Positioning System, GPS chipset, GPS maps, N82 GPS, nokia gps, Nokia Maps, Sirf Star III GPS