[Q] Why is google maps requiring my gps to be on? topic

Is this normal? In google maps, when I touch the icon to find my location, I am being forced to turn on GPS for <ahem> higher accuracy, or should I say, higher battery use? It will not search my location based on just wifi and mobile data. I have 2 other Samsung/Android devices, also on 4.4.4, and have tried various others, including the new A5, and this is not the case. If gps is off, I can still get maps to locate my position on those devices and save my battery. What to do? I tried uninstalling maps to reinstall it, but it only removed the last update of the app.