Android GPS apps that derives direction from position (no magnetometer)

[fredlomb251]

Hi,

I'm back to geaocaching with my young son after a long pause. I tried the Geocaching Android app which is fine, unless for the map that doesn't rotate to show me the right direction. Turns out my new phone doesn't have a compass. I know this will make using most augmented reality apps impossible but would not have thought it problematic for a geocaching app.

A few years ago, I strated geocaching with a cheap Garmin GPS that derived direction from GPS coordinates and it worked perfectly well. All you add to do was walking straight ahead a few meters and the GPS pointed the right direction.

The Geocaching app doesn't seem able to do that trick, nor do Google Maps. Do someone know an Android GPS app that is able to do that?

For now, the old Garmin is back. Maybe I'll try using a compass to turn my phone in the right direction too, but I would be quite happy to find an app that works like the Gamin (with all the eye candy that modern systems can add to it, like sky view or maps).

Thanks in advance for any recommandation.

[+Viajero Perdido]

Locus Map has a configurable setting: orient by GPS, by compass, or auto-switch above a certain speed.

 

It's a caching app too, feature-packed.  I use nothing else.

 

EDIT: That setting affects the map screen.  If you want it to affect the compass rose as well (I lost an argument with the developer), you'll need to tweak a config-file setting; see last post on this thread: https://help.locusmap.eu/topic/bearing-on-map-ok-wrong-on-compass

 

Edited April 20, 2021 by Viajero Perdido

[+kunarion]

3 hours ago, fredlomb251 said:

Hi,

I'm back to geaocaching with my young son after a long pause. I tried the Geocaching Android app which is fine, unless for the map that doesn't rotate to show me the right direction. Turns out my new phone doesn't have a compass. I know this will make using most augmented reality apps impossible but would not have thought it problematic for a geocaching app.

A few years ago, I strated geocaching with a cheap Garmin GPS that derived direction from GPS coordinates and it worked perfectly well. All you add to do was walking straight ahead a few meters and the GPS pointed the right direction.

The Geocaching app doesn't seem able to do that trick, nor do Google Maps. Do someone know an Android GPS app that is able to do that?

For now, the old Garmin is back. Maybe I'll try using a compass to turn my phone in the right direction too, but I would be quite happy to find an app that works like the Gamin (with all the eye candy that modern systems can add to it, like sky view or maps).

Thanks in advance for any recommandation.

 

You need to be moving (5 mph or more) to get a decent GPS compass indication.  Apps such as Google Maps are designed for driving.  A Garmin handheld can switch to GPS compass at a set speed, but the magnetic compass is required for proper indication when standing still.

[fredlomb251]

18 hours ago, Viajero Perdido said:

Locus Map has a configurable setting: orient by GPS, by compass, or auto-switch above a certain speed.

 

 

Yes! It works perfectly. Exactly what I was looking for. I may look into the config files but map orientation will probably be enough for me.

I was begining to think that maybe no developper bothered to implement the GPS orientation trick these days. Thank you very much.