How much battery power does having GPS on consume and when is it needed?

[Ringo123]

I'd like to know how much battery power is consumed by having the GPS service running (when not using the Navigator; just running in the background).

I'd also like to know exactly when GPS is needed. I do want the phone to know my location (I'm not paranoid!) so it can do things like show the nearest gas stations etc. wherever I am. Do I need to leave GPS running in order to do this, or does it do it over the network via what tower you are near or something like that?  And if that's the case would GPS be more accurate?

Thank you!

[curtterp]

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Ringo123 wrote:

I'd like to know how much battery power is consumed by having the GPS service running (when not using the Navigator; just running in the background).

I'd also like to know exactly when GPS is needed. I do want the phone to know my location (I'm not paranoid!) so it can do things like show the nearest gas stations etc. wherever I am. Do I need to leave GPS running in order to do this, or does it do it over the network via what tower you are near or something like that?  And if that's the case would GPS be more accurate?

Thank you!

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The most accurate way to know where you are, is using the GPS. Using the network is a lot less accurate.

The 3g radio takes the most power of the three. The wireless radio takes less power, and the GPS is only a receiver, so it takes the least amount of power.

I would invest in the car dock. That way, you can have the location up and running without worrying about running out of power. When you use the location app, or the navigation app, they both use the 3g radio for the maps. Thus you will use more power when using these apps. You can put power to the car dock so you don't use up your Droid battery while using the apps.

I use the car dock every day. I have been testing out the navigation app, and there is a small problem with the app going into the background, but it is an intermittent problem and it is somewhat easy to get the navigation app back to the foreground. Since I drive an hour to work, I have it ready to go if I need to take a detour because of problems or construction going on the interstate. its nice to know that I have the GPS on my phone and I trust it to make good decision.

[Ringo123]

I do have the car dock. although I don't have too much of a need for navi unless I go on a trip or something. I just like playing around with it! Like when I go for a walk or something. I know, I'm easily amused! But that answers my question. Thanks!