tower based gps

**traicer** · 12-26-2008, 09:07 PM

So I know using the regular gps taxes the battery but I was wondering if using the tower based gps drains the battery too, do you guys keep ur gps on? And which one do you use?

**tengtengvn** · 12-26-2008, 09:21 PM

I leave cell location service on all the time. Most of the apps doesn't need the precision of the real GPS. My battery life remains the same when i turn on/off cell location GPS.

**mrapplegate** · 12-26-2008, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by traicer

So I know using the regular gps taxes the battery but I was wondering if using the tower based gps drains the battery too, do you guys keep ur gps on? And which one do you use?

The GPS is only in use when an application "uses" it. For example, when taking a picture and the GPS option is on, then it is used. Switching to the calculator for example turns off the GPS. Move back to the camera and it activates again.

Ignore the above answer. I can't read tonight. Assisted GPS, which is what you mean by "tower based GPS", should use the same amount of battery. I keep the GPS on the time and see normal battery use, ie keep charger close, lol

**rynosaur** · 12-26-2008, 10:59 PM

Exactly. Unless you're driving around with Google Maps up, keeping GPS on all the time is rarely an issue. Unless you see the GPS icon come up on your task bar, the GPS isn't using battery but yes, when it is on, it's a hog.

**momentarylapseofreason** · 12-28-2008, 11:00 AM

Except the GPS will be in standby mode... though it is using LESS power, it is still sitting there at idle. Saying it is off is misleading.

**Crashdamage** · 12-28-2008, 11:19 AM

rynosaur had it right - if the satellite GPS icon is not in the taskbar, it is using NO power and has no effect on battery life. The satellite GPS has no "standby mode". It's either being used (on) or it's not (off). This can be verified by checking running processes.

The tower-based GPS has relatively little effect on battery life since like the satellite GPS, it's only active when needed by an application that uses it but it uses less power. Besides, your phone is always searching for a tower with a good signal anyway.

So battery life is determined mostly by what apps you use and how much you use them, not so much by what your GPS settings are. If you use maps a lot and are really concerned about battery life, disabling the satellite GPS will help some 'cause it is a hog when active.