Sprint Overdrive with GPS

Sprint Overdrive with GPS

I haven't posted much for some time now. This is due to larger work load and became a moderator on a wireless forum.

Anyway, I've been using the Sprint Overdrive 3G/4G MiFi and decided to really try out the GPS function on some long trips. For starters I've been using the Deluo Navstick with USB cable(for better signal). I started by unplugging the Navstick with Garmin Mobile PC running, there was no interruption. I didn't have any programs or utilities run etc. as it automatically recognized the Overdrive's GPS com.

The Overdrive sits on the dash with or without a car charger plugged in. It connects via WiFi to my notebook.

The first trip was some 100+ miles outside of major metro area where I live. There was 3G coverage the entire trip. The second trip was some 100 miles west of my city to the Oregon coast (Seaside, OR.). Now this trip had about half of it with no Sprint 3G coverage but the GPS worked flawlessly.

I tried to monitor the GPS signal as much as I could on the second trip to the coast(no data coverage). I must say it showed a much better lock than the Deluo Navstick the entire trip. I'm looking at using it in conjunction for data and GPS for a smartphone.

Question, I was curious if the device needed a data connection to even function but it appears it does not. Does this mean it has it's own GPS chipset inside? I can't find any reference as to what chipset it may be.

Edit: According to the user manual it references satellites for a fix. I've been under the assumption that with smartphones and such cell towers or 3G data would be needed. This is the case for some smartphones unless a bluetooth receiver was used of course.

Specs show:

GPS capable: Built-in Wi-Fi GPS capability (on 3G) allows you to pinpoint and map your location

Must have been working due to possibility of roaming on another network? (Verizon)

My full review of the Sprint Overdrive can be found here:

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1608946

Any device that advertises itself with built-in GPS has an actual GPS receiver built in and works from the GPS satellite signals. The only reason it might need a cellular connection is if you are with one of those neanderthal bandit cellular companies that locks certain capabilities of your device unless you have an outrageously priced contract with them.

Sometimes you can go ahead and use a device's built-in GPS receiver by simply having the necessary software. E.g. Garmin makes a Mobile XT product that's exactly like Mobile PC for your smartphone. They make it for Blackberrys and Win Mobile devices and maybe others. When you add it to those devices, along with the maps, they work just like a Nuvi, frequently without any special permission or data package from your cellular provider.

If the Overdrive has a GPS receiver in it, it's probably using the wifi connection to send the signals to your laptop. Did you install some software on the laptop that came with the Overdrive? If so, it probably included a driver that pulls the GPS data off the wifi connection from the Overdrive unit and sticks it on a COM port. That's what Mobile PC is finding. Just a guess.

It would be interesting if you could test it with your cell phone turned off and see if Mobile PC still works with it.

...ken...

Thanks Ken!

There wasn't any "driver disks" just that website admin login page(very cool). I don't yet have a Blackberry to use with it, just have been using it with my notebook and Garmin Mobile PC. Clear/Sprint WiMAX broadband has been my only ISP for just over a year now. 3G is capped @ 5GB and WiMAX (4G) is unlimited use, the monthly cost is $59.99 USD. Typical speeds are 4 - 9Mbps, not the fastest or best latency but 100% portable.

Your explanation has to be correct. I finally found via search in the online help guide:

Question/Help

I now also have a Netbook running Windows 7 Starter, latest Garmin Mobile. I can't get it to recognize the Overdrive's GPS signal. Google Maps does locate it, the Overdrive communicates via WiFi to my Netbook. There wasn't any issues before, however that was on an older machine running Windows XP.

I did get the Netbook to recognize the Deluo Navstick I was using prior to the Overdrive on the other machine. No luck yet with the Overdrive unit.