GPS logger app on Android Samsung Galaxy S21 5G mobile phone versus GoPro Max GPS data

On a recent bike ride (see map) I decided to test of the GPS logger app available on Android the gps in the GoPro Max. The GoPro Max wins by a long shot but if you don’t have gps in the GoPro (some lower cost models don't) you really don’t have any choice other than using an app with a mobile phone.

Overall I think the GPS logger app is more than sufficient for mapping out the trail. It’s only when you zoom right in do you notice the difference. I think the real limitation is the mobile phone gps device, not so much the app. The mobile phone in this case was a Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, which you'd expect to have the latest GPS technology.

The above image is the start of the trip at the end of Hawtin Street, Templestowe near the tennis courts. I have to say I do like the precision of the GoPro Max. It actually looks like I’m on the right or left of the path or road. The very tight corner at Fitzsimons Lane and Porter Street near the car wash shows how the pole there forces you go down the centre of the path. This doesn’t show up on the GPS logger app.

The GPS logger app has the advantage it produces a single file that can be manipulate easily. The GoPro Max data takes quite a bit of time to generate. There's 10 files that need to be created from the videos, then these 10 files combined to create the single file required. A lot of work to get to the point that I could use the data. I’d be happy with either if I didn’t have a choice.

The GPS logger provided the following interesting stats which the GoPro Max doesn't.

Distance = 19.9 km
Duration = 01:14:17 | 01:10:59
Altitude Gap = -6 m
Max Speed = 39 km/h
Avg Speed = 16.1 | 16.9 km/h
Overall Dir = SSW
Track Stats based on: Total time | Time in Movement

Overall, depending on your needs, I feel both the GPS logger app and the GoPro Max produce quite reasonable GPS data. The GoPro Max is more precise, but getting at and using the data from the GoPro Max is far more time consuming. For my needs which is to produce a route shown on a map, as long as you don't zoom in too far, both are sufficient.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au