Google maps: reliable in storm chasing?

[Brett Roberts]

Surprised by some of the dogging of GM in this thread. I've found the data itself better and more reliable than either of the popular mapping applications most chasers use. The only current downside is the requirement of an Internet connection. However, with the recent option to download ~60x60 mi. "tiles" of data, I'm hoping that we'll eventually get the ability to cache much larger areas -- such as large chunks of Chase Alley. If I could cache the entire Plains on Google Maps, I'd have no use whatsoever for DeLorme or Streets and Trips. But that's just me.

 

[John Wetter]

I used Google Maps a decent amount this past year but found myself dropping back to Street Atlas a decent amount still, to the point where I'd say Google Maps are at the 'nice but not necessary' level for me when chasing. I agree with Brett's comment that once we can cache more of the data, say at least a state at a time, the fact that Google seems to manage to stay updated better than others would lean me over there.

 

[Steve Worthington]

We use "MS Streets and Trips" and would never leave home with out it it`s always on target.....

 

[Warren Faidley]

As others have noted, GM is great, but once the Internet signal is lost, you lose a lot of features, like active GPS tracking. With so many people using wireless, I've found bandwidth issues a constant problem, especially with carriers who throttle data volume, and /or on big chase days when there are many chasers using data. The only way to do it and have constant data is to use both GM and a map / radar unit that uses satellite data. Unfortunately, I believe XM has removed the "vacation" mode on their services so you have to either pay for the entire year, or re-activate / deactivate after the season.

W.

 

[Robert Edmonds]

As others have noted, GM is great, but once the Internet signal is lost, you lose a lot of features, like active GPS tracking. With so many people using wireless, I've found bandwidth issues a constant problem, especially with carriers who throttle data volume, and /or on big chase days when there are many chasers using data. The only way to do it and have constant data is to use both GM and a map / radar unit that uses satellite data. Unfortunately, I believe XM has removed the "vacation" mode on their services so you have to either pay for the entire year, or re-activate / deactivate after the season.

W.

Yes XM did away with the "vacation" mode much to my complaining as well.

I recently got a Nexus 7 and as many have mentioned you can now download segments of the maps so that you can use offline. I've been wondering if there is a way to download the maps outside of the google maps app. This way I can go about donwloading much of the plains. Still likely to remain using my laptop though, which I have mapping software on.

 

[ELY M.]

I am lucky to get S3 phone after it come out this summer and used it much in chasing in 2012.

I discovered that the GPS and google maps do works without any data services or wifi.
one of days, my phone had no sim card in it and I was only using wifi.
I was at downtown and I left some buildings with wifi. my phone lost wifi and google maps and gps still tracking me!
WOW........
I tested it few times later.
I think that S3 GPS uses satellite or something.

as I finishing this post.
I just retested it with disabling wifi and pull out my sim card before I started up google maps. my GPS and google maps works!

so to Samsung S3 phone users, let me know if you get same results as me.
pull out your sim card and disable wifi and try to run google maps.
make sure your gps is enabled.

 

[Bryan_Knitter]

I know this is an old thread, but the FREE android app CoPilot GPS uses offline maps that are downloaded to your device so you're not dependent on a data connection. I've tried it a few times and it works well. The initial map download takes a while though, even over wifi. I think the file for the whole US is just over 1GB.