Netbook vs. iPad...

[targa88]

From my practical perspective (currently running AAO +BU353+Mapsource+Nroute) the netbook set up works fine total cost less than $400.
Although the Ipad looks appealing (especially GUI, tactile screen) the cost is significantly more and not seeing the advantages.
Maybe down the road when there are better topo solutions available...

 

[DrMoab]

Pick any 1 droid phone and compare it to the iPhone. The iPhone is 1 phone on 1 carrier, once it hits vzn it's going to pull so far ahead. There are what 15 droid phones to 1 iPhone?

Back on topic, what about the new MacBook Air???

I own an iphone now. I have picked up several android phones and absoloutly love the OS. I WILL be buying one shortly.

To keep this on topic... Android has tablets that will be hitting the market soon. Since it is not such a locked down system, the programs that will hit the market for them in the gps world are likely to be much better than anything for the iPad. Something to keep in mind.

 

[PAToyota]

Back on topic, what about the new MacBook Air???

You're talking half again as much for the base MacBook Air as the base 3G iPad. But only $150 to compare a 3G 64Gb iPad to a 64Gb Air. Plus the Air has more flexibility (ability to run actual programs and an actual keyboard) and connectivity (USB and video output). Downsides in a vehicle would be the clamshell design and keyboard - not as clean as mounting an iPad if you're talking about using GPS from the driver's seat and such.

 

[Dave Bennett]

To keep this on topic... Android has tablets that will be hitting the market soon. Since it is not such a locked down system, the programs that will hit the market for them in the gps world are likely to be much better than anything for the iPad. Something to keep in mind.

This is what I'm waiting to see. Android is very impressive.

Also, I'm sure that the V2.0 iPad will have USB ports and some of the other "weak links" addressed to keep it competitive with these new android offerings.

 

[targa88]

I own an iphone now. I have picked up several android phones and absoloutly love the OS. I WILL be buying one shortly.

To keep this on topic... Android has tablets that will be hitting the market soon. Since it is not such a locked down system, the programs that will hit the market for them in the gps world are likely to be much better than anything for the iPad. Something to keep in mind.

GAIA is beta testing for Android as we speak - looks pretty good

 

[grntrdtaco]

the built in gps in the iphone and ipad sucks. never rely on it or expect it to actually find where you are when you are way out of cell range for days. a few weeks ago in southern utah/western colorado i only took my iphone. it took 45 min for it to lock in a location for me when i was parked. it also regularly tells me i am in boulder when i drive through grand junction colorado on i70, there is one spot in junction that triggers it EVERY time.

i have an ipad (wifi 32gig), bluetooth gps and the topomaps app and it is an absolutely unbeatable. i use my iphone set up as a wifi hotspot when i need to connect the ipad.

there are also bluetooth keyboard and mouse solutions for the ipad. i use the apple trackpad and a bluetooth keyboard with mine sometimes and it works great.

i seriously doubt the ipad will ever have any inputs. its a consumer device made entirely to consume (ie. buy) stuff.

the otterbox case is also a must. its only 50 bucks on amazon (80+ retail)

this is the app that i use.
http://topomapsapp.com/

 

[grntrdtaco]

My comment is being taken out of context here.

The iPad GPS is a standard GPS device. It will work in wide open spaces or in the bush as well as any standard GPS device. If it can get satellite locks, like any other GPS setup, then it will work. If any GPS device is in a canyon deep enough to block view of the satellites it will not work regardless of what chip is in the device. This includes the SirfIII.

To be clear, the iPad does not need cell tower access in order for the GPS to work.

That said, depending on where you are the iPad may work better than a dedicated GPS receiver because it can augment its location via cell. Yes, this is a specious argument.

Will it work as well as the SirIII? Satellite acquisition times? Sensitivity? I don't know. I'd like to see benchmarks on that.

For in vehicle usage an external antenna makes sense regardless.

the gps in an apple products are not the same as a normal gps. turn the wifi and cell off on your phone for a few days and then try to launch a topomap app. you will be absolutely shocked on how long it takes to find you and the lack accuracy when/ if it does (1000'+)

if you use the ipad/iphone while camping etc in areas that you occaisionally get cell signals you should be fine. if you are in areas that you are a day+ from cell service it really does not work.


this is from a gps review site:
Like smartphones, the iPad is designed to use as little power as possible to preserve battery life. With that in mind the GPS in the iPad 3G is “A-GPS” meaning “assisted” GPS. This means that the GPS chip gets “assistance” finding your location by first approximating your location based on nearby wifi signals as well as nearby cellular towers. Since it will typically be getting this assistance the GPS chip itself is of lower power than those found in a dedicated GPS device and thus isn’t quite as good at pulling in weaker GPS signals

I’ve turned off wifi as well as turned off cellular data on my iPad 3G and it can still find and track my location… just not nearly as quickly as it can with “assistance” from wifi and cellular data. So while it does work without the data plan, it might not meet your expectations in how fast it can get a fix, how well it keeps the fix, and how accurately it tracks your location.