Hopefully someone knows - have asked this question alot

[episodic]

I dont' want a contract phone.

I want a GPS bike computer like what Iphones and android phones can do.

I can get an ATT Android GO phone for around 100 bucks. If I just go with the 25$ talk n text (which would be perfect for me) - do I have to have active 'data' to do the GPS software? If you are not familiar you don't have to have data on a gophone plan.

Basically, I just want to know how popular GPS apps for android would react to no 'data' connection.

This is what I was looking at.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.endomondo.android&hl=en

Thanks!

 

[dguy6789]

The only reason you would need a data connection to use the GPS is if the maps are streamed from the web and not stored locally. Google Maps and navigation uses the web.

All you need to do is buy a 3rd party navigation app from Google Play that stores the maps locally on the phone and then you'll be able to use GPS navigation without a data connection all you want.

 

[Joseph F]

Most GPS apps need a data connection of some sort to work.
However, I'm pretty sure that there are some that you can get that allow you to download maps beforehand.

BTW, if you like AT&T's network, and don't want a two-year contract, you should get this: https://www.h2owirelessnow.com/pageControl.php?page=plans&category=W
$10 for them to send you a card, and activate it, and I'm pretty sure that you can use any AT&T phone.

Edit: I can try that app out, myself and tomorrow I can tell you whether it requires data to work.
(Or what features of it require an internet connection)

Edit 2: It requires an internet connection for you to view maps, but I'm not sure whether or not it actually requires them to track your workout.
(I'd bank on "no".)

 

[pm]

You don't need to have a data plan to use an iPhone or an Android phone as a bicycle computer using the GPS. Where I bike, there's usually no cell signal and definitely no data connection. I am absolutely certain I'm correct in this. You can just ride around with it in airplane mode and it will record the route, speed, elevation, grade, etc.

I use Endomondo Pro for cycling, and about all it wants for data is to be able to upload my stats to their website when I'm done, and you can use WiFi for that. Or skip it.

If you want maps, you can get offline maps using apps like Gaia (for both Android and iOS) and they work without a data connection too. http://www.gaiagps.com/ It's nice to have topo maps for cycling (particularly mountain biking). But personally I usually go with the cycling computer app instead of the maps... unless we get lost.

By the way, Endomondo Pro is totally awesome while cycling. I love that it will give lap times while I'm going, and then it can compare real-time using audio how I'm doing versus previous rides of the same route. And it goes back to whatever MP3 player I'm using. I've never used the basic version, just the Pro, so I'm not sure what you lose using the free version, but for me a ride isn't really a ride if I'm not using Endomondo on it.