This topic contains 5 replies, has 5 voices, and was last updated by 
Mister Greenthumb 14 years, 3 months ago.
-
Posts
-
My gps on my phone is usually like 20 feet off and my wifes is usually real close we have the same phone the samsung gem. Is there any way to recalibrate the phone??? Thank you
All opinions, comments, and useless drivel I post are mine alone and do not reflect the opinions of the WGA BOD.
20 feet is actually not too bad, especially with a phone. I don’t think there is a way to recalibrate a phone GPS.
Phone GPSr’s are notorious for not being the most accurate. They are designed more for navigation on roads/sidewalks rather then geocaching in wooded areas.
I know several people who cache with phones and they’re happy to get within 40′ so you are doing good. I found two caches today with a Garmin Etrex and had a reading under 5′ on both of them. Your problems couls also become compounded if the phone was used to hide the caches. When you try to start hiding with a phone it usually leads to buying a gps’r.
I’ve even seen variations between identical real GPSr’s in the field. Keep in mind this isn’t an “exact” science. If you’re within 20′ you’re there just start looking.
BUT – Please don’t hide caches with your phone. It’s just not reliable for that. Also please use online maps (google and/or bing) to verify the coordinates when hiding a cache. The maps are just another check that you’re in the right spot and didn’t make a data entry error.
@codejunkie wrote:
I’ve even seen variations between identical real GPSr’s in the field. Keep in mind this isn’t an “exact” science. If you’re within 20′ you’re there just start looking.
Sunshine and I both have the same model and we have had them vary by as much as 40′. The only way we get them to match is if we stand in the same spot and turn them on at the same time. How much fun would it be if you were within a few feet every time. You would be in and out so fast there would be no time for ticks, poison ivy, bushwacking scratches, trips and falls and all of the other fun things. Also mud, but CJ is more of an expert on that than me.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.