Sprint Location Based Services – Online GPS
I have been using EvDO for a while and the Rev.A speeds rock putting most EDGE/GPRS networks to shame. Recently came across the GPS feature in the EvDO Novatel-S720 card, a new software/firmware update makes the GPS function more easier to access. On older Sprint connection manager software you had to be disconnected from the network and type ##GPS over the Go button to bring the hidden GPS window. With the new connection manager for S720 it is all right there in the menu.
Location Based Search(LBS) enables you to do queries against google maps, yahoo maps, live maps and mapquest for places/businesses near your current location. There seems to be two modes for the LBS operation:
1. Using triangulation from Sprint towers; this mode works even when indoors, something most GPS’s cant do.
2. Using the built in GPS in S720.
Real time GPS: Triangulation using Sprint towers is restricted to 30 minute intervals, however the realtime GPS updates (NMEA protocol) can be used with any real time mapping software like MS Streets and Trips, Tom Tom or better yet using realtime server based direction from google earth (need the $20 pro version). The GPS operation works simultaneously as live map data is being downloaded over EvDO network.
Forget map updates, TMC traffic over FM —- Welcome online GPS!!
To use the real time GPS, find the GPS port# from the GPS menu and use that as your COM port in the GPS software thats it, it is that simple!!
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This is great information! Thanks! Is GPS included in the $59 unlimited MB plan?
The chipset based GPS is free and AFAIK Sprint has not decided to charge for the tower based GPS.
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I’ve been using the GPS feature of these cards for a couple weeks now with a software app that tracks my cars and places them on a map for real time vehicle locators. The problem is that I’ve found the software has a 1 hour time out feature that makes you click a dialog box to continue the connection or it turns off the GPS. I’ve been working with Sprint to get rid of this but no luck so far. Have you had any experience with this? I’m just looking for a way to keep the GPS on as long as the Connection Manager is running.
Darin, I have noticed the dialog, it does have a option to not show again in the dialog. I would change the values in the registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Novatel Wireless\Sprint\Sprint PCS Connection Manager\3.00.000\Modules\Sprint PCS Vision - Novatel Wireless
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Novatel Wireless\Sprint\Sprint PCS Connection Manager\3.00.000\Modules\Sprint PCS Vision - Novatel Wireless
and see if one of those parameters controls the timeout. If you figure it out let us know how you did it. Good luck.