GPS with multiple stop and route optimization

[Randolph Kinney]

Global Positioning System is satellites. Does your phone actually use a satellite (which are designed as surveying instruments) whereas the cell tower triangulation seems much less accurate. My phone often shows my location about 2 miles away, on a good cell signal day, it might be within 300 yd of my house.

I use my iPhone 5 and Google maps all over the county of San Diego. There are times when I have no service detected from the carrier however, the GPS still shows me tracking on the map in memory and still navigates without the cell tower connection.

All iPad models (iPad with Retina display, iPad2, iPad mini) that have 3G or Cellular also have GPS chip and therefore behave like an iPhone for mapping purposes.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Interesting.... I popped up my Intellicast weather app on my tablet and sure enough it popped up the locator in my front yard. But my not-so-smart LG phone is hitting 2 miles to the south and appears to be homing in on a single tower in that area. I doubt it has GPS and I am far enough out in the country, I don't have many towers to triangulate from.

 

[JTip]

I spent a small fortune going up and down toll roads,

That's why you make the BIG BUCKS there GK.

I usually map them out at the office and have a pretty good idea on the proper route to take through the neighborhoods (90% of the time) for comp viewing/photos, geo-competency and all . The other 10% I put my comp addresses in the Garmin and it tells me the closest (by miles) and compass arrow.

 

[Riick]

If your iPhone can't find an address by voice, either dump it for a good android phone, or buy yourself a used android phone (samsung s3 going for $125 for example) that will be used for GPS purposes - no phone or data service. With a GPS chip, and one of the better Mapping programs ($10-$20), where the maps are downloaded to the phone, you have a great, constantly upgradable GPS system.

Sometimes you can't depend on the GPS system to take you on most efficient route, I had one that would consistently route me *into* subdivisions, saved me 20 -30 -40 yards of travel each time, at the cost of 15 minutes.
==Threw it down a sewer==

 

[Digger88]

Well for instance, I had an appraisal in SW Chicago suburb of C-store, had land sales in two counties, and Competitors within a two-mile radius, then the improved sales scattered throughout the Chicago Metro market. I think total I had 21 stops. I spent a small fortune going up and down toll roads, when the stops often were a mile or two as a bird flies apart. There has to be a more efficient way. Also, if I have the blue tooth on - I don't get voice directions from my Iphone. Since I spend wo or three days a week behind the windshield, I use the hands free option religiously while driving. That is why I want a dedicated GPS unit. Probably something like truck drivers, or delivery companies use that will hand many stops. The other limitation I run into is ten stops

you mean to tell me you had 21 stops for 1 appraisal? that could be a huge part of your problem. you need to pare that down. if i have an appraisal that requires 3 comps i leave the house with 3 comps to shoot. my MLS is incredible though and helps me immensely choosing the best comps.

 

[Elliott]

An old salt told a newbee appraiser to go to the furthest inspection first and work your way back to the office. Always worked for me.

 

[TRESinc]

you mean to tell me you had 21 stops for 1 appraisal? that could be a huge part of your problem. you need to pare that down. if i have an appraisal that requires 3 comps i leave the house with 3 comps to shoot. my MLS is incredible though and helps me immensely choosing the best comps.

commercial is not the same as your cookie-cutter residential orders.

 

[Digger88]

commercial is not the same as your cookie-cutter residential orders.

ok, makes sense though i have seen other posters state they shoot 10 comps or more per report. thought 21 sounded excessive.

 

[Vermonter]

Best route app on my smartphone worked pretty well when I used it, but haven't in a few years. Occasionally steered me wrong, but that's not uncommon with GPS in my neck of the woods. Allowed up to 10 stops on the free version.

 

[dobie]

Magellan has it hands down. I've used for 6-8 comps. Enter the addresses hit "optimize route" you're done. Very intuitive interface. My wife has a Garmin and I could never figure out how to do a multiple stop route