[Redwing137]

For me to record all my moves, tacks, changes etc, iNavX has to be on/open? I can't keep track of my track while I check a text message, or look at the weather on a different app? It won't run in the background?

And so when I read about guys crossing the Pacific with this app, they kept their iPhones on, and this app open for the entire trip? They never let their screen come off of this app - it never went to sleep?

Or am I doing something wrong?

[GPSNavX]

Unless one has an external power supply, no iPhone or iPad or iPod will run for more than about a third of a day.

I think this quote from the iOS programming guide sums up the philosophy of apps ..

"The strength of iOS–based devices is their immediacy. A typical user pulls a device out of a pocket or bag and uses it for a few seconds, or maybe a few minutes, before putting it away again. "

The intent with iNavX was never to be left running endlessly. Not that it can't, but the design is to use it for a short period of time to see where you are and where you are going.

The iNavX track log is limited to the last 50nm so it would not be the device I would choose to log 1000's of miles of travel.

Just now with the introduction of iOS 4 on iPhone 3G and 4 (not yet iPad) is it possible to have limited back ground tasks including logging position. If one were to leave an app running in the background logging position, speed, course the device battery life would be significantly reduced. Of course the app can also be terminated any time by iOS 4. Background logging is an option that will be supported in a future iNavX release. The next release (pending Apple approval) of iNavX does support quick apps switching which allows iNavX to remain in memory, but be suspended. That being said iNavX on any device and even the older iOS 3 restores its state back to the last opened chart upon re-launch.

This is the very early days of these mobile devices. So in time more functionality and power will be available.

[GPSNavX]

It should be noted iNavX 3.1.0 is now available as a free update to all iNavX users. It includes support for iOS 4 Fast App Switching on devices that support multi-tasking (i.e. iPhone 3Gs and iPhone 4 and hopefully soon iPad).

[GPSNavX]

INavX 3.3.1 will support track recording in the background. Of course the downside to enabling this is a quicker battery drain because the GPS receiver remains powered up even when iNavX is not in use.