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Using Galaxy S5 Android as a GPS questions
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DBM_imp Offline
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Using Galaxy S5 Android as a GPS questions
#1

I am a long time Samsung Android user. I recently upgraded from a Galaxy S5 to a Note 8. Love the new phone, and the horsepower increase has been amazing. I am looking for advice on using my old phone as a redneck GPS on my new street bike. Here is my plan, let me know if this will work or what set up/free apps would work better. I want to use Goolge Maps as my app if possible. I want to hang my old S5 from my bars using a secure RAM mount The S5 no longer has a SIM card, so l need WiFi and/or Bluetooth to connect. I would like to use my Note 8 as a hot spot for my S5 when on the bike to allow Google Maps to work. Is this possible? What wireless connection works best between 2 phones? Wifi or Bluetooth? What say you?


09-27-2018, 07:29 PM
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jedd_imp Offline
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RE: Using Galaxy S5 Android as a GPS questions
#2

the s5 & note 8 each has its own protocols for tethering. so you don't need wifi or bluetooth, you just need to invoke the respective command on each phone to connect the two. Here's a link on how to do:

https://www.androidcentral.com/how-use-y...le-hotspot

The battery drain is very rapid when using this tethering feature. SO this presents its own set of problems on a USB 12v system.


09-27-2018, 11:26 PM
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chync_imp Offline
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Using Galaxy S5 Android as a GPS questions
#3

I’m an iPhone user so forgive me if I’m missing a detail here. If this setup requires using two phones, one for display and one as the WiFi source, why not just use the single working phone for gps?


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09-28-2018, 12:36 AM
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KiowaEagle_imp Offline
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RE: Using Galaxy S5 Android as a GPS questions
#4

(09-28-2018, 12:36 AM)chync_imp Wrote: I’m an iPhone user so forgive me if I’m missing a detail here. If this setup requires using two phones, one for display and one as the WiFi source, why not just use the single working phone for gps?


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Good point. Plus you get the added feature of seeing if someone is calling you.


09-28-2018, 02:28 AM
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tuareg_imp Offline
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RE: Using Galaxy S5 Android as a GPS questions
#5

I'm sure you know that you can download maps of any area you want over wi-fi and use them offline for 1 month? In this way, even if you don't have a SIM card&data plan you only lose the live traffic data, otherwise most other aspects are the same. I use my old Sony Xperia Z5 for Google Maps all the time on the CB as a standalone GPS. I installed a USB socket on the upper fork leg, to power it and that was it, after (down)grading to BlackBerry Classic as main phone. It even reminds you when to update the offline maps.


09-28-2018, 03:02 AM
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LongRanger_imp Offline
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RE: Using Galaxy S5 Android as a GPS questions
#6

I'm a dinosaur.


09-28-2018, 04:07 AM
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DBM_imp Offline
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RE: Using Galaxy S5 Android as a GPS questions
#7

(09-28-2018, 03:02 AM)tuareg_imp Wrote: I'm sure you know that you can download maps of any area you want over wi-fi and use them offline for 1 month? In this way, even if you don't have a SIM card&data plan you only lose the live traffic data, otherwise most other aspects are the same. I use my old Sony Xperia Z5 for Google Maps all the time on the CB as a standalone GPS. I installed a USB socket on the upper fork leg, to power it and that was it, after (down)grading to BlackBerry Classic as main phone. It even reminds you when to update the offline maps.

Awesome. So l can download a map or route on my S5 at home over my wifi connection, then use that download offline on the bike?


09-28-2018, 08:19 AM
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Cormanus Offline
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RE: Using Galaxy S5 Android as a GPS questions
#8

Yes. Or install an app like Sygic and buy the map you want once and it will work without a network connection.

You’ll need to power the phone though. Using GPS maps sucks the juice out of them.


09-28-2018, 01:35 PM
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tuareg_imp Offline
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RE: Using Galaxy S5 Android as a GPS questions
#9

Right. Even the Xperia with its huge battery is drained after 1 hr.
One more thing to be careful about is, to lock(or disable) the screen rotation, otherwise sometimes the map flips when leaning into a curve and does not flip back on the straight. I don't think a real GPS would do that. Can be a real pain in the neck Big Grin


09-28-2018, 04:39 PM
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DBM_imp Offline
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RE: Using Galaxy S5 Android as a GPS questions
#10

(09-28-2018, 04:39 PM)tuareg_imp Wrote: Right. Even the Xperia with its huge battery is drained after 1 hr.
One more thing to be careful about is, to lock(or disable) the screen rotation, otherwise sometimes the map flips when leaning into a curve and does not flip back on the straight. I don't think a real GPS would do that. Can be a real pain in the neck Big Grin

Thanks fellas for the help.


09-28-2018, 06:47 PM
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