Icon: Nokia N95 internal GPS receiver guide Nokia N95 internal GPS receiver guide


Written by Adam Reece - 14th May 2007.

This page shows you how to use the internal GPS receiver with the built in maps program on a Nokia N95.

Thanks to Screenshot 2 by Antony Pranata for Symbian S60 phones. It came in very handy!

Contents

  1. Phone Settings
  2. Maps program
  3. Example usage: Trip to University
  4. Example usage: Trip home from University

Phone settings

Before you attempt to use the internal GPS receiver, you should disable searching for bluetooth GPS receivers to save you trouble in the maps program later on. If you do want to use an external GPS receiver, then skip this part.

Here are instructions for that.

Phone Settings - Step 1 From the main menu, select Settings....
Phone Settings - Step 2 ...then General...
Phone Settings - Step 3 ...then Positioning (scroll down)...
Phone Settings - Step 4 ...then Positioning Methods.
Phone Settings - Step 5 If Bluetooth GPS is ticked, you will need to turn that off.
Phone Settings - Step 6 Select it then select Disable from the popup menu.
Phone Settings - Step 7 The tick should go away. Leave Internal GPS and Network based switched on.

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Maps program

Now that you've turned off Bluetooth GPS, start up the maps program.

Wait for it to let you move around as normal.

Maps Program - Step 1 Once you're in the maps program, open up the menu (left function button). Ignore any messages about no network connection.

You WILL need a network connection if you have not already downloaded the maps you want to use. You should use the map loader program to preload maps from the Internet first unless you want to pay GPRS or 3G connection charges.

Select View...
Maps Program - Step 2 ...then Satellite info.
Maps Program - Step 3 If you're in doors or next to a building, you will probably see this.

You need to be in fairly open space for the satellites to reach your internal receiver as it's not that great. It should be able to see the sky.

If you're in doors, try moving near a window. It normally works then.

It normally works fine in cars, if the phone isn't too close to a door and isn't handheld (placed in a dock).
Maps Program - Step 4 Once you're in a suitable location you'll see some satellites trying to pin-point you, like this. The width of the bar on a satellite determines the signal strength. Stronger singal means quicker pin-pointing.
Maps Program - Step 5 It normally takes a minute max with the v11 firmware, it can take up to 10 minutes with the v10 and v12 firmware.

Once you see bars shaded like this, at least 1 satellite has found you. Press Back.
Maps Program - Step 6 Now you're ready to use GPS. Press the right function button when it says GPS pos, and then as you move around the phone should update with your position.

It's not quite instant, but it's good enough. Keep the phone as still as possible (avoid jerks) for faster updates. Place it in a dock in your car or something.

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Example usage: Trip to University

Here is my first example of the internal GPS receiver working.

James and I in James' Fiat Punto.
From: My house (although not shown to stop stalkers like you).
To: Glamorgan University.

All photographs taken with the same phone used for GPS.

Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 1 Approaching Caerphilly mountain just past the M4.
Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 2 Going up the mountain.
Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 3 Turning the corner by the Travellers Rest, apparently we drove through it!?
Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 4 James cut a big corner :D
Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 5 Back on the road <_< approaching the all famous burger van.
Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 6 Going past Caerphilly down the valley.
Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 7 Heading towards the A470.
Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 8

Photograph 8		 Past the petrol station.
Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 9

Photograph 9		 Going under the bridge on to the A470.
Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 10

Photograph 10		 Along the A470.
Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 11 Turning off the A470.
Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 12

Photograph 12		 Bit off road there, next to the B block enterance at University.
Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 13 Enterance to the student car park.
Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 14 Walking across the road to the B block enterance.
Example Usage: Trip to University - GPS Screenshot 15 Finally at the J block enterance.

Notice how GPS has disconnected, happened just as I went indoors.

Right then, exam time!

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Example usage: Trip home from University

Here is my second example of the internal GPS receiver working.

James and I in James' Fiat Punto.
From: Glamorgan University.
To: Sainsbury's, Thornhill (near-ish my house).

All photographs taken with the same phone used for GPS.

Example Usage: Trip home from University - GPS Screenshot 1 Walking back to the car.
Example Usage: Trip home from University - GPS Screenshot 2 There it is!
Example Usage: Trip home from University - GPS Screenshot 3 Leaving the student car park.
Example Usage: Trip home from University - GPS Screenshot 4

Photograph 4		 Jumping on the A470.
Example Usage: Trip home from University - GPS Screenshot 5 Going back down the A470.
Example Usage: Trip home from University - GPS Screenshot 6 Satellite status while driving at 75 mph.
Example Usage: Trip home from University - GPS Screenshot 7

Photograph 7		 Leaving the A470 at Caerphilly.
Example Usage: Trip home from University - GPS Screenshot 8

Photograph 8-1

Photograph 8-2

Photograph 8-3

Photograph 8-4

Photograph 8-5 		Back over Caerphilly mountain.
Example Usage: Trip home from University - GPS Screenshot 9 Ended at Sainsbury's, Thornhill car park near my house.

Notice how the petrol station is in completely the wrong place :D (should be at the enterance of the road we're at now).

Hopefully this guide has helped, you shouldn't have to buy a bluetooth GPS receiver or pay for network usage.

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