Cheap phone for what 3 words (or gps device of some kind?) 1 June 2021 at 9:22AM in Mobiles 8 replies 194 views

hdh74

I'm after a cheap smartphone, or another device if there is one, that will run what 3 words for when we're out walking. Hubby and I are getting on now and need a bit of safety-back-up for our walks. My current Nokia is on its last legs and never finds the signal anyway. I also have a brick, which actually has good signal - but ofc won't run what 3 words.  I'd be happy to buy some kind of gps, but they seem complicated to use and I think what 3 words is becoming more popular anyway.  Seems a waste to spend bucks on a smartphone just for this.
I'm sight-impaired so bought the brick for its accessibility - and would only use the smartphone, or whatever, in an emergency—with a magnifier. Any suggestions, please?

Neil_Jones

Yeah you might want to rethink about what3words:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-57156797

Note that in an emergency situation if you call 999 or 112 the networked locked status of the phone becomes irrelevant, and it will use whatever network it can see, doesn't matter if you're on it or not, for the emergency call.

wongataa

what3words has issues and I would probably avoid but every smartphone has GPS built in and you can easily get apps that tell you your position in latitude & longitude of British National Grid format.

A basic GPS unit isn't that complicated.  You would set it up so it just displays your position and nothing else.

will-he-payitoff

You could put google maps on any smartphone and it will show you exactly where you are.

bubieyehyeh

google maps will also generate a pluscode for a point on the map, that's the open standard created by google that provides what looks to me a better solution than what3words. Whether the operator can use them I've no idea.

I remember calling a breakdown firm when I broke down in a forestry car park. They asked for a postcode, which I don't think it had, I had a GPS and a map, and could give them latitude and longtitude or a OS grid reference but they could use neither. In the end I talked them through where we were by pointing out features on the map.

EssexExile

If you have WhatsApp you can send a Google map of your location by clicking on the paperclip and tapping "location".
What3Words seem to be having a major publicity campaign at the moment for something that is really just another of many location systems.

theonlywayisup

I am a user of What3Words but I don't use the APP, I just use it on a browser page. 

macman

Just buy the cheapest Android smartphone you can find, you need nothing more. Then get a suitable SIM only add-on with sufficient data allowance, or maybe PAYG.

glennevis

macman said:

Just buy the cheapest Android smartphone you can find, you need nothing more. Then get a suitable SIM only add-on with sufficient data allowance, or maybe PAYG.

You don't even need the SIM because finding your position uses the phone's gps sensor not data. Just install a GPS Tracking app and configure it to report OS Grid Reference. Assuming the OP will continue to use their Nokia/brick to make calls.