Track Speed & Location on Android

Tracking Location and Speed on the Go

When traveling or simply being mobile, determining your precise location can be valuable. This extends beyond knowing your current position or destination; it includes recording where you have previously been.

For athletes, accurately tracking movement can present challenges. Attempts to integrate dynamos with equipment like skis, for example, often prove unsuccessful.

Traditional methods like radar and dedicated outdoor GPS devices can be prohibitively expensive.

However, a viable alternative exists. Android phones equipped with GPS capabilities can utilize numerous free applications to pinpoint location and measure speed. A significant benefit is that GPS usage itself is free, though it can impact battery life regardless of location.

GPSTracker Lite

While many free GPS tracking applications are available, only a select few deliver reliable performance. Some applications have been observed to provide inaccurate readings, even reporting speeds exceeding 460 kilometers per hour (around 285 miles per hour). While potentially flattering, such speeds are unrealistic for activities like skiing.

GPSTracker consistently emerged as a leading option. It comprehensively records data typically provided by GPS systems, including speed, altitude, and location.

Recorded data can be viewed in various formats: raw numerical data, graphical representations, or as an overlay on Google Maps.

Upon launching the application, users can initiate a new GPS log by specifying a filename, description, and the relevant activity type. During tracking, checkpoints can be added with a simple gesture.

These checkpoints delineate new segments of the journey and are displayed on graphs and the map overlay.

Accessing GPS Tracking Data

As mentioned, Android users have multiple ways to visualize their tracking data. A comprehensive overview is accessible through the State button, displaying real-time information such as GPS coordinates, altitude, speed, GPS accuracy, distance traveled, and orientation (with turn-by-turn GPS enabled).

Exporting the data unlocks access to even more detailed information, with nearly a thousand GPS points recorded each hour. These GPS logs can be easily exported directly from the main screen.

The speed and altitude graphs offer a more readily accessible visualization. These graphs display speed fluctuations over time, including minimum, maximum, and average values. Checkpoints are indicated as yellow dots and can be added directly on the graph.

However, the map view arguably provides the most compelling visualization. GPS data is overlaid onto Google Maps, offering various display options. The altitude and checkpoint notations are particularly insightful, with checkpoints connected by segments of differing colors.

It’s important to remember that while GPS usage is free, utilizing mobile internet for map viewing incurs data charges. Exercise caution when using maps with limited data plans or while traveling internationally.

Have you utilized GPS applications on your mobile device? Share your experiences in the comments below!