iPad4 GPS options?
- Thread starter cosmic88
- Start date
RobRed
Explorer
It's true that cellular equipped iPads have assisted GPS, your explanation is incorrect.
Assisted GPS augments the normal GPS hardware by using cell site location to narrow position geography quickly and provides initial position error correction to the native GPS hardware. Basically it can speed up positional acquisition.
Cellular connectivity is merely an augmentation to GPS hardware. A GPS equipped iPad can acquire and update as well as any dedicated GPS device available. No cellular connection needed.
To answer your proposal... The iPad is extremely fast and accurate in the boonies.
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off-roader
Expedition Leader
I concur that a 3G ipad does include its own gps chip which does not rely on having a 3G connection whatsoever. It can take advantage of using cell tower triangulation to assist the GPS in triangulating your position quicker.
As for the Dual GPS, I have one that frankly I wasn't that impressed with. It would usually connect to my ipad fine but there were many times that the ipad couldn't see it and this was with the xgps150 was wired to power and supposedly running. I also had to get support from dual a couple of times for this issue.
I recently gave mine to Grasscat who I'm hoping will have better luck with it than I did.
Its also a classic example of why you MUST HAVE redundant solutions (in my case i also have a netbook w/its own wired GPS receiver plus others in my party will have their own GPS)...
As for the Dual GPS, I have one that frankly I wasn't that impressed with. It would usually connect to my ipad fine but there were many times that the ipad couldn't see it and this was with the xgps150 was wired to power and supposedly running. I also had to get support from dual a couple of times for this issue.
I recently gave mine to Grasscat who I'm hoping will have better luck with it than I did.
Its also a classic example of why you MUST HAVE redundant solutions (in my case i also have a netbook w/its own wired GPS receiver plus others in my party will have their own GPS)...
hmfigueroa
New member
Take a look at the Bad Elf website. I have been using their Bluetooth GPS and it had been great.
Just watch out that you don't leave the back light on unnecessarily.
Nice that you can sync it with multiple iOS devices. Sucks that you cannot sync it to non iOS devices.
Just watch out that you don't leave the back light on unnecessarily.
Nice that you can sync it with multiple iOS devices. Sucks that you cannot sync it to non iOS devices.
RobRed
Explorer
If you plan to do GPS activities with an iPad you should just buy the Cellular version that includes the GPS chipsets - they are $129 premium over non cellular. Spending 80-120 on an external GPS puck seems pointless and annoying to have to fiddle with.
I understand if you have an install that occludes the ipad GPS antenna or you already have an iPad WiFi model, but seriously, if you are buying new, Cellular model all the way.
I understand if you have an install that occludes the ipad GPS antenna or you already have an iPad WiFi model, but seriously, if you are buying new, Cellular model all the way.
G_fresh
Adventurer
I am considering this route next since I am unhappy with the Dual...
FYI, I do use the iPad2's built-in GPS as a back-up. It is not as good of a GPS - it takes a while to sync-up and looses satellites occasionally since it is in the cabin and not on the dash like the external GPS.
We also unmount the iPad from the RAM mount and stow the iPad when we leave the car in populated areas. Or, if we don't want to attract eyes while driving (think Tijuana). The external BlueTooth GPS still communicates to the iPad so we don't loose our tracks. I have no doubt that the internal GPS would loose the satellite connection when stowed...
syncroluvr
New member
As someone has already stated, the Garmin GLO was designed for Ipad (says so on the box). I just received mine this morning and it works great. For $99, a good buy and you wont need any cell towers or 3G networks!
off-roader
Expedition Leader
Also wasn't happy with my Dual XGPS150 because occassionally it wouldn't stay connected. When I eventually upgraded to a newer ipad I got a refurb'd 3G ipad 2 64g for less than my ipad 1 wifi 16g.
Werrea
Observer
I wanted to update a little since I've been using my iPad. I have downloaded topo maps for use without data connection. I haven't had a need to start my data plan and probably don't plan to. What I thought was pretty nifty and thought I'd share, is that my wife just got her new Samsung SIII. With our plan she is able to create a hotspot. So I decided to play around with it a little this weekend. I was rather impressed. For those maps that I didn't have downloaded in areas where she was able to get cell reception, (Verizon), it tracked us perfectly. I just hadn't seen much about hot spot tethering mentioned here, so just food for thought. For those that have wifi only pads this would work good for you. Maybe I've just restated an obvious connection type. But, eh...still feel good for sharing.
FastCarGuy
Member
So, without using any Garmin Glo, or BadElf, etc. etc.,you can still follow a track even when there is no cell signal?
Correct, you just need to download the map before you lose signal. Some apps will let you download a range of area. Some apps such as google earth, you need to zoom in and out and along your path to cache the information. Let me know if you have any other questions.
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