How to optimize energy consumption during GPS tracking?

Question

Very often I use my phone and the app MyTracks or GPSTrackerLite to track my hiking/biking tours.

This really works great and I'm thrilledy by the lot of possibilities in combination with google maps, facebook etc.

However there is one problem: If I'm tracking the battery lasts only a few hours. This is enough for most hikes, but for daytrips, it isn't sufficient. Do you have any tips how to save energy? For example using plane mode? Would this decrease the energy consumption? Are there any other functions I could disable?

I'm using HTC Desire.

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:18

2

See my answer here on some ways to save battery power on your phone.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:18

Community

1

answered Jan 14 '11 at 16:17

Bryan Denny

21,906
20
78
98

Thanks, I read it. Do you have experience with underclocking in combination with tracking? How many CPU power is necessary to ensure that GPS tracking is working correctly? – RoflcoptrException Jan 14 '11 at 16:20
@Roflcoptr I have no experience with it, but I would think that so long as the app doesn't become unresponsive then it should be OK. – Bryan Denny Jan 14 '11 at 21:20
Ok thanks, I'll try it the next time I'm going on a tour. – RoflcoptrException Jan 17 '11 at 09:10

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 15 '11 at 12:57

2

I never used those tracking apps, but maybe you can decrease their polling frequency?. This will decrease the accuracy of the tracking, but generally you don't need the app to track every meter you move.

answered Jan 15 '11 at 12:57

Lie Ryan

19,073
6
65
83

Thanks for the suggestion, but the accuracy is bad engough without decreasing the polling frequency ;) However, if the weather is very nice (and the GPS signal better) the polling frequencey could be increased. – RoflcoptrException Jan 15 '11 at 12:59

How to optimize energy consumption during GPS tracking?

2 Answers2