michaelalanjone

I have waited a long time for this. I just downloaded a free BlackBerry app for my BB Bold, that logs your route, as you ride along. No more need for a separate GPS unit to do this. Basically, the only reason I had a handlebar-mounted GPS was to track/record my trails and road rides, so that I could map them on Google Earth.

All you do is install it, go to your riding place, and then start the app, then do "Start Recording". When you are done, you just do "Stop Recording", and it will create a GPX or KML file for you. Then you upload that file to Google Earth, and you can see an overlay of where you rode. This would also work for runners, but I am not going to tell them, because then they will start running on "my" trails. Just kidding.

Paranoid? This is not a people tracking app, it only records when you tell it to.

I don't know which BlackBerries actually have integrated GPS, but the website says that it has been tested on 8100, 8310, 8800, 8820, 9000 & 9500 models. I already carry my BlackBerry when I ride anyway, to call my mommy and tell her to come get me --no, in case I need to call my wife and tell her that I have broken my leg, on a trail, and to either call EMS or the life insurance agent, her choice.


https://bb.emacf1.com/gpslogger.html

chrys9989

I'll give this a try, thanks!

NoRacer

I use www.bimactive.com (not free, subscription through Verizon for my cell phone)

When you "save" it automatically uploads to a web log where you can further process the data and blog it.

There's also a "Live Tracking" feature where someone can follow you as you ride.

See my sig for links to my blog and to the last "live tracking" record I recorded. My next recorded ride will start at 3:30pm east coast time.

gypz

ok, i got the gps loaded in my bb/ and it works, now how do i get it into google earth, i cant find the saved file on my bb?

michaelalanjone

First you do Start Recording, then Stop Recording. Then you have a 'path' in there. Tell it where to save the file, in the Options menu. If you don't tell it where to save, it will probably save it in the same folder as the application. I would tell it a specific folder location to save to, just to make things easier.

Then just go to Manage Paths (prev. recorded), to show your path(s) that you traveled, highlight one, and choose Export Path to Filesystem. Then navigate to that place, with your PC, while connected via cable, and copy the GPX or KML file to your PC - or maybe just email the file to your PC.

Then go to File->Open... in Google Earth, and open your file. It will take you to the place you rode.

dclaryjr

Or you can get a G1, tap the screen where is says "Send to Google" and you're done!

mjdwyer23

Damn, GPS not supported on my BB!

Symtex

if you get the error message : GPS is not supported, it only means that you GPS is not enable to Location on. Go to option, advance option, GPS and change it from E911 to Location on

mjdwyer23

Apparently not with Verizon, they require you pay for their VZ navigator service to have any GPS functionality.

Symtex

if you search on the crackberry forums, there is quite a few workaround to make the GPS working.

mjdwyer23

sweet, on it!

Symtex

This software works great. I was able to import by run into Google Earth with no trouble.

CigarDad

This is not freeware but rather "Donation-ware". Well worth donating $10 bucks or so. This program is awesome. It even has a compass feature that brings up a compass to show the direction your are heading. This program is right up there with BBGPSGolf.

Core Features of GPSLogger
•Record your movement over time - the following values will be stored:
◦longitude / latitude
◦accuracy for longitude & latitude values
◦# of satellites
◦current altitude (in WGS84)
◦current course/heading
◦current speed
◦name of location (if specified)
•Display of the current data in various views:
◦Path View: Displays the traveled path in a x/y coordinate system (2D-View)¹
◦Elevation View: Displays the change of altitude over time¹
◦Speed View: Displays the change of speed over time¹
◦GPS View: Displays longitude, latitude, heading and speed in a large font (e.g. for your own navigation)
◦Timing View: Displays elapsed time, current speed and Ø speed in a large font (e.g. for runners and cyclists)¹
◦Compass View: Displays the current heading in a nice compass view² ³ ⁶
◦Direction View: Shows an arrow/line that points into the direction of stored location (according to your current heading)³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶
•"Guide me Home"-Function for people who easily loose orientation like myself ;-) (see 'Direction View')
To reach the destination you have stored, travel in the direction of the arrow on the device. If the arrow is pointing up, you are traveling in the correct direction to reach your selected destination. If the arrow is pointing down, you are traveling away from the selected destination. This makes GPSLogger also suitable for Geocaching!³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶
•Zoom IN & Zoom OUT for path, elevation and speed views
•"Distance Alerts/Signal" - the device can peep & vibrate after a user-specified distance (in meters or feet) was traveled (especially useful for runners & bikers)
•Night Mode in 4 different colors (yellow, blue, red and green)
•Save current location to use it later with the "Guide me..."-Function
•Store current location on the Clipboard (e.g. to paste it into a SMS or eMail)
•Load and display a previously recorded path
•Summarize information about a previously recorded path
•Export recorded paths into GPX and KML (GoogleEarth) formats (and send it via email if you wish)
•Import a path in GPX or KML format (e.g. that are recorded with other applications that support GPX-Export⁷

GTALuigi

there is another one that is also free and also for BB on https://www.instamapper.com/

michaelalanjone

I mapped this trail a few days ago, with GPSLogger. Very nice.

GTALuigi

i'm planning to do the same thing in my free time for my local park paths, as they never show up properly on Google map, or any map.

some areas as simply unpassable terrain even though on the photo radar view/map view they show as passable, and vice versa

GTALuigi

hey how do you manage to get the files out of the phone?

sending by email option doesn't work well, and export to file system, seems pointless as i can't find a proper way to retrieve the file from memory.

not using SD cards, just saving to phone memory.

michaelalanjone

I stuck my USB cable in, and downloaded the file ( after exporting the file on the BB), using Windows Explorer.

CigarDad

My mapped trails are in .GPL format on my SD card. Are yours the same? If so what mapping software do you use?

I normally use Virtual Earth which wants a .KML of .GPX file.

michaelalanjone

Did you export the data? That is when it creates the GPX file, (and KML file, if chosen). I think the *.GPL data is for use by the application while recording. After you export the data, I think you will find a *.GPX file in that folder.

CigarDad

Step 1: Go to options
Step 2: Path manager (prev. recorded)
Step 3: Click on the recorded file you want to export
Step 4: Export Path to Filesystem or via Email

If you export to Filesystem it will create the file(s) on your SD card and then you must connect your BB to your computer vis the USB cable to get the appropriate file(s).

If you have e-mail set up and sent it via e-mail it will export the file(s) and send them in an e-mail to the address specified.

seeker333

Someone who knows please enlighten me: generally speaking, how does the cellphone-based GPS compare to dedicated (garmin) GPS for accuracy, on a practical level?

SPlKE 

I have a verizon 8130 and the gps works great.

The vznavigator service is a pay service, but you don't need to use vznavigator to use the native GPS.

The 8130 picks up multiple satellites and can an accurate moving map with just the blackberry maps app.

I'm running the 4.5 version of the OS.

rha600

yep. Because Verizon wants to suck your wallet dry. if itweren't for their coverage I'd kick them to the curb so fast they wouldn't see me leave.

rha600

I have the navigator aspart of my service plan and I still can't use any of the GPS applications.

I havbe the 8330...