GPS Anomalies on iPhone

[philhul]

I have an iPhone and use the b.icycle app. I get some results which are obviously wrong such as 40mph on my route to work. Whilst 40mph may be achievable on certain downhill routes it isn't on my particular commute. Further, climbed altitude on 5th August was 869 feet. Today, same route was 377 feet.

Basically my question is, do dedicated units such as a Garmin provide a better quality of results? I did a search and saw that they too are prone to obviously incorrect figures from time to time, but overall are they likely to be better? Better quality receivers or whatever goes into them?

Thanks!

 

[StuAff]

I've had an Edge 705 since March, and generally the results have been accurate, with the odd spike admittedly- though on the last day of Pedal to Paris it reckoned I did 60 miles in 15 mins (er, no...)- think that was down to the dodgy 3.2 firmware (which Garmin have now pulled) & I had no such problems with 3.1, which I've now put back on.

 

[CopperBrompton]

Yes, all GPS units will give the odd bizarre reading, but a Garmin is far superior to the very crude GPS in the iPhone (very puny chipset and tiny antenna).

 

[PpPete]

Yes, all GPS units will give the odd bizarre reading, but a Garmin is far superior to the very crude GPS in the iPhone (very puny chipset and tiny antenna).

I've seen a couple of "divergences" on my Etrex Legend in the 2 years I've owned it. Both when walking though, not cycling. One, my GPS track wandered off by about 100 mtrs from where I was actually going and then jumped back at 30 mph (yeah, like I can run that fast) on another occasion on the South Downs Way it had map position right, but thought the altitude was 31 mtrs below sea-level. On the whole though it has been exceptionally reliable and has this former "map/compass luddite" thoroughly converted.

 

[philhul]

Thanks, looks like an upgrade could be on the cards!

 

[Road_Rubber]

Ive used Both for years, Phone GPS and Stand Alone, i have also been selling them in the Industry for as long as i care to remember!

One thing you have to remember is the Garmins etc are dedicated to doing Just GPS, and your Phone well even if it is an Iphone its a phone first!

However, I have been using the Map my ride on my Iphone 4 and its just as good if not better than then Garmins i have! infact i find the Iphone to be much more accurate with the AGPS CHips in than my Garmin.....

Its been most helpful using cross country as well! I would put it down to chosing the better 3rd Party Application!

i'm waiting to test the new Garmin Edge 800 though

 

[CopperBrompton]

your Phone well even if it is an Iphone its a phone first!

Unless it's an iPhone 4, of course, when it's a phone about 6th or 7th if at all ...