Razr Maxx vs. Galaxy Nexus: GPS and outdoor visibility

[HankB]

Many thank for all of the informative replies! That's a huge help.

best,
hank

 

[jntdroid]

Many thank for all of the informative replies! That's a huge help.

best,
hank

Now you know you have to report back what your final choice is.

sent from my phone

 

[imconfused]

exactly what i needed

This post was EXACTLY what i needed to see. I'm in the exact same predicament (DroidX ready for upgrade) and was stuck between the MAXX & GNex. Thanks for all of the opinions on here I've finally made up my mind to go with the MAXX :biggrin:!! I wanted to wait until the new models come out in a few months but my battery is beat to hell (no more than 45 minutes on a charge :icon_evil thanks to all the streaming I do and overcharging as a result. I have to keep my juice pack on hand at all times in case of emergency, which really blows. I had already pretty much decided on the MAXX for battery life reasons obviously, but I can't in good conscience buy a new phone without looking at what other wonderful goodies are on the market ATM.

My buddy has the RAZR and that seems to work pretty awesome, but I haven't had much playtime with it. Motorola's antennas have done me good in the past with this phone so the only things I was struggling with was the screen viewability and responsivness between processors which doesn't seem to be a large difference at all when looking at the battery length of the MAXX. I wish Moto would fix up their crappy MOTOBLUR UI though. I was hoping to go with an HTC this go around as I love Sense UI, but the Galaxy Nexus can't touch the battery life to make it worth it for me.

Anyone have any good references for rooting my soon to be new toy? I haven't done much with my X because I was always worried about bricking it with Motorola's bootloader lockdown, but I'd like to dable just for experience unless it's advised against?

Anyways, thanks for the help guys! After a night of countless video comparissons and spec sheets, i've come to the conclusion that the MAXX is right for me to replace my dying DroidX.

 

[Yo_Mama]

I can't comment on the Nexus, but I've had the maxx for two weeks. So far GPS performance has been excellent. I've used it both for navigation while driving and for recording bike rides with Endomondo (app similar to Cardio Trainer). Finds location quickly every time. The big battery on the maxx is nice for using GPS on long bike rides. I used to have a Droid X. On the X the battery would be almost dead after a three hour ride using GPS and playing music. With the maxx, I've still got at least 50% left.

You may have just sold me upgrading from Thunderbolt to the maxx now that 1YR contract is expired. I was previously considering the Nexus but I need decent battery life in a small package. The TB is difficult at best to see outside, battery is almost dead after a 3 hour ride and GPS takes a minute or so to lock after it's switched on and starting Endomondo. Curious to know which case is good for riding placed in a handlebar mount. Currently Using Sedio rugged case rubber banded into the mount but thinking about Otterbox. Thanxx for the info!

 

[TisMyDroid]

You will not be disappointed with the Maxx. I just heard another thumbs down for the Gnex. Friend got hers about a month ago after having the og Droid. She was in-love with it and showing off all the great things on her new Gnex when she first got it. Yesterday she was telling me how she hates it, the worst phone she's ever had, can't keep a phone call, gets dropped signal all the time, camera was horrible and now no longer works and has spent the last week arguing w Verizon to let her get a different phone. I told her to just keep getting refurbished Gnex-es until she gets one that works the way it is supposed to or until they give up and let her get a different phone. And to think I almost got a Gnex myself. Love my Maxx!

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using DroidForums

 

[Hail]

I drove 6 hours on my Maxx and still was pumping 40%.... didn't need it just was testing battery! !!!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using DroidForums

 

[todroid]

Just in case you're still looking for the decision kicker, just know that Razr/Maxx operates on two sattelite networks, ours (GPS) and GLONASS, so essentially the lock comes from more satellites, way quicker. So far only Razr and Galaxy Note have this feature. Nex gets his lock from GPS network only.

 

[TisMyDroid]

Just in case you're still looking for the decision kicker, just know that Razr/Maxx operates on two sattelite networks, ours (GPS) and GLONASS, so essentially the lock comes from more satellites, way quicker. So far only Razr and Galaxy Note have this feature. Nex gets his lock from GPS network only.

Wow, I didn't know this. Is that why I surprisingly get my GPS so fast in the must unlikely places...places I never was able to with my other phones?

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using DroidForums

 

[t35rk]

Just in case you're still looking for the decision kicker, just know that Razr/Maxx operates on two sattelite networks, ours (GPS) and GLONASS, so essentially the lock comes from more satellites, way quicker. So far only Razr and Galaxy Note have this feature. Nex gets his lock from GPS network only.

Didn't know this. I just downloaded GPS Test. Fun app. GLONASS satellites are numbered 60-68. I'm jealous.

Sent from my ADR6300 using DroidForums

 

[nadav64]

You are more than invited to check my thread about my GPS problems. I know people won't like hearing this but from experience and trust me I have played with tons of phones, the best GPS has to go to iPhone.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using DroidForums

 

[Terrigno]

My experience with the nexus was good. Even though Samsung is notorious with GPS. But the Max has always been spot on.

sent from my Droid Razr Maxx using Tapatalk 2

 

[jntdroid]

Didn't know that about GPS + GLONASS - pretty cool.

 

[HankB]

Now you know you have to report back what your final choice is.

Today I pulled the trigger on the MAXX. My decision was based on reported build quality, radio quality and that honking huge battery.

I went for a run this morning and Cardio Trainer on my DX got no GPS signal. I did a factory reset recently to hopefully resolve GPS issues. That and the possibility of the unlimited plan going away pushed me toward making a decision now.

I haven't spent much time with it yet, but it sure is fast compared to my DX! And it's a lot more visible outside. And it takes a long time to charge. It's cool that the wall wort has 2 USB ports.

Now I can give my dock to SWMBO so she doesn;t have to take hers to work every day.

Now to wait for ICS.

 

[Bang Pow Boom]

Congrats! I'm sure you will enjoy it. I had the GNex, iPhone and Maxx. I'm sure you won't regret it. There is a lot of help on the forums for the Maxx. Any batter questions, search Foxkat's posts, he's the man

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[KayIslandDrunk]

Both should have better viewing in sunlight than your X however its far from perfect.

As for the GPS I have an odd issue with my RAZR. On my old HTC incredible when my 3g would drop my phone would still navigate fine with whatever map data had saved, however on my RAZR when my data drops it stops navigating and says searching for signal. At first i thought it was Google navigation but I have found it to do the same thing with all navigation apps. Its rather odd to me and frustrating as it always seems to happen when I need it most.

Other than the above issue GPS is rock solid. I have a smart action setup that only has GPS turned on when its connected to my car's Bluetooth which is great, and it seems to lock on to my location almost instantly.

Edit: didn't see the dates on the original question.