Manual start does not mean typing in kilometres
In Kmlog, you start a trip yourself and GPS records the active journey's distance, timing and route. You stop it on arrival. This is different from estimating a distance later or entering kilometres into a spreadsheet.
Automatic-detection apps aim to recognise the beginning and end of a journey for you. Their detection methods and settings vary. Check the specific app rather than assuming every automatic tracker works the same way.
Compare the daily workflow
| Question | Manual start, as in Kmlog | Automatic detection |
|---|---|---|
| How does a trip begin? | You tap Start before driving. | The app detects a journey using its supported settings or hardware. |
| What must I remember? | Start before leaving; stop after parking. | Keep required permissions enabled and review detected journeys. |
| What should I review? | Route gaps, places, distance and work purpose. | Those details plus whether detection captured and classified the intended journeys. |
| What if a trip is missed? | A journey not started was not GPS-recorded by Kmlog. | Recovery or manual-entry options vary by app. |
| What controls location use? | Kmlog records location during the trip you start. | Background detection and recording depend on the app, permissions and settings. |
When manual start may suit you
You want a record of selected work journeys, not a list of every movement. You are comfortable making Start and Stop part of your parked-car routine. You may alternate between driving, walking and travelling as a passenger, and prefer to decide which journeys to record yourself.
The trade-off is important: forgetting to start means Kmlog has no recorded GPS route for that journey. Do not assume the app can reconstruct it afterwards. Keep any separate supporting evidence and ask the reviewer how to handle a missing record.
When automatic detection may suit you
You make many short drives and remembering a start button is the main obstacle to keeping records. Compare detection reliability, classification tools and any hardware requirements, then test the workflow during your actual working day.
For example, Driversnote describes automatic trip logging and an optional iBeacon. That is a different workflow from Kmlog's user-started recording, not evidence that one approach is universally better. This guide contains no head-to-head accuracy or battery testing.
Background recording is not automatic detection
With the necessary permissions, Kmlog can continue an active trip while the screen is locked. That does not mean it starts recording whenever your phone moves. Location use during an active trip consumes battery; we do not claim a measured battery advantage over another app.
Kmlog stores active trip data on the device first. Temporary network loss and weak GPS are different problems: local storage helps with the former but does not guarantee a complete route when location signals are poor.
Check the output before committing
Try a familiar journey, review its start and end points, then export a report. Check whether the recipient can use its fields and format. Also compare the free-plan allowance, paid pricing, platform availability and privacy information.
Start with the Kmlog sample PDF and field guide. If you travel between care appointments, see the support-worker workflow.
Try it with your own work trips
Kmlog is available on iPhone. Android is in testing. New users receive a 14-day free trial, followed by 10 free trip starts per month. Optional KmPro subscriptions offer unlimited trip recording; check current prices in the app.
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