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Want GPS app

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/4140007125

August 07, 2026, 11:17 AM
gjgalligan
Want GPS app
Looking for a GPS app that shows elevation.
Anybody have any suggestion for a SIMPLE EASY TO USE app?
Old man here, I need simple....

Thanks


Integrity is doing the right thing, even when nobody is looking.
August 07, 2026, 11:25 AM
tatortodd
The compass app built into the iPhone shows elevation, lat/long.

What accuracy do you need? The reason I ask is I haven't moved while typing this, but the app says my elevation changed 20 ft.

Does the app need to have GPS location overlayed on USGS contour maps?

One nice thing about iPhone 16 and newer, is that the GPS works even without cellular or WiFi. It came in handy 2 weeks ago when I was in Montreal, and Verizon's servers stopped communicating with the 3 Canadian cellular company so my international roaming didn't work for most of a day. I knew where my hotel was so I could use the downloaded map on Google map along with iPhone's built in GPS to self navigate.



Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.
August 07, 2026, 03:23 PM
Fredward
The obvious answer to the elevation increase while not moving is that you're getting high! Big Grin
August 07, 2026, 03:43 PM
Redleg06
I have "GNSS Status" on my Android phone. The map feature plots my house correctly but it says my altitude is ~888' when it's really closer to 870' (survey point on the manhole cover in front).


"Cedat Fortuna Peritis"
August 07, 2026, 06:40 PM
gjgalligan
Basically I just want to see the elevation of various points in my travels.

I have a Garmin GPSMAP64 but I haven't been able to master it.
An app on my android phone would be with me all the time. I will not be doing any hiking as the back problems prohibit it.


Integrity is doing the right thing, even when nobody is looking.
August 07, 2026, 06:49 PM
HRK
quote:
The compass app built into the iPhone shows elevation, lat/long.


Be sure you have location services toggled on for the Compass App, I didn't and of course the lat/long and elevation were not showing.

A quick check in location services in settings for that app and I'm at 30 ft...

No change while sitting here though...
August 07, 2026, 10:29 PM
BKile
Some newer vehicles have a compass that also shows elevation and exact latitude/longitude. This was a nice feature during our recent drive from St Louis area to Colorado. We maxed at just over 12,000 ft in the Rocky Mountain National Park.


Semper Fidelis
August 08, 2026, 05:40 PM
4MUL8R
The Garmin hndheld can be configured to show your position and altitude. Focus on the simple benefits of the device and don’t get overwhelmed by the number of features.


-------
Trying to simplify my life...
August 08, 2026, 08:42 PM
Paten
Have you looked at Geo Tracker in the Play Store? It seems some of the images show the app having elevation as well as Longitude and Latitude on some screens. I haven't used it myself but it has a good user score.


August 08, 2026, 10:18 PM
Gustofer
OnX.


________________________________________________________
It is long past time for a Convention of States. The Founding Fathers gave us this tool to fix an out of control government and we need to use it.
August 09, 2026, 09:48 AM
Scooter123
I have always had the Gramin Watches designed for exercising. Currently it's the Venu 3 because it will do an ECG. I can go for a nice walk around me neighbor hood and gain, or lose, up to 60 feet or so at my home.

Point is that GPS elevations are an ESTIMATE, they are not absolutely correct. Note I expect the military systems are within 5 feet but the civilian stuff isn't that accurate. Most likely due to restrictions from the FEDS we never hear about.


I've stopped counting.
August 09, 2026, 12:24 PM
V-Tail
quote:
Originally posted by Scooter123:

Point is that GPS elevations are an ESTIMATE, they are not absolutely correct. Note I expect the military systems are within 5 feet but the civilian stuff isn't that accurate.
Before I retired, many of the airplanes that I flew were equipped with standard civilian GPS navigation systems, Garmin was the most popular. When equipped with WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System), location information, including altitude, was very accurate. Accurate enough in many cases to use the GPS as the primary navigation system for flying instrument approaches in weather as bad as 200' ceiling and 1/2 mile visibility.



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