smartphone gps

[macnorton]

Is there any way to use a Samsung smartphone to send the GPS position to a laptop as NMEA via USB or even WIFI?

 

[lw395]

Is there any way to use a Samsung smartphone to send the GPS position to a laptop as NMEA via USB or even WIFI?

You could use the smartphone to buy a proper gps on ebay?
Some of the gps 'family tracking' apps might work over wifi as well as the 3g network?

 

[laika]

There appear to be a few apps in the google play store which might be worth looking at. Not seen one which will do USB, but more than one which will send NMEA over bluetooth and I've seen at least one which will do it over IP (e.g. over wifi). Search for something like "nmea gps" in the play store. I haven't used any of these myself. Writing my own is on the "TO DO" list, hence the market research.

 

[Mistroma]

I use a couple of dongles to send GPS data to a laptop via Bluetooth or USB. As far as I remember, the dongles just send NMEA sentences for things like Fix ($GPGGA), Sat. Data ($GPGSA), Vector Track ($GPVTG), etc.

OpenCPN accepts the data and works without any problems, so I can't see why a Smartphone app. sending NMEA via Bluetooth wouldn't work just as well. I might try to find one of the Apps. Laika mentoned, download it (assuming it's free) and let you know.

 

[macnorton]

Thanks for the reply's.

I thought about a dongle but I would only loose it and theoretically I know where the mobile is when aboard, I thought of using USB as it will keep the phone charged at the same time.
I have 3G on the phone but don't get a signal once a couple of miles out so ruled that out.

I navigate with compass and eyes so it would be used more as a bit of fun and not worth (to me) spending cash on something I would not really use much, I have all the bits but just looking for an "APP" to get them to talk to each other.

 

[Bru]

There are various apps as a search of the app store will reveal

I've used ShareGPS Beta successfully with no issues but there may be better

 

[Ruffles]

Not a bad idea. GPS chipsets in phones and tablets seem to be far better than those from 'specialist' vendors.
We have a Nexus 10 that will get a fix in less that five seconds downstairs, indoors.
I have a Garmin GPS sports watch that can take five minutes standing in a field.

 

[Sandy]

Thanks for the reply's.

I thought about a dongle but I would only loose it and theoretically I know where the mobile is when aboard, I thought of using USB as it will keep the phone charged at the same time.
I have 3G on the phone but don't get a signal once a couple of miles out so ruled that out.

I navigate with compass and eyes so it would be used more as a bit of fun and not worth (to me) spending cash on something I would not really use much, I have all the bits but just looking for an "APP" to get them to talk to each other.

Why not just use the GPS on the phone to check your position on the chart?

I have a wee handheld that I use to check my position with and log data for when I get home.