Ipad & Memory Map

[Symo]

I have an Ipad and just loaded memory map onto it and i must say that i am impressed. I run memory map on my VMS 500S so I am fimiliar with it - not overly powerful but very simple.

As I own the Vic Itops 1:25K maps I "thought" i could load them onto the memory map for the ipdad but alas, this licence for the maps was locked to the VMS. The good news is that it cost me only $66.00 USD to buy the licence for all of Victoria 1:25k for the ipad.

The Ipdad GPS is fast and accurate (not sure what chipset it runs), the ipad MCU is fast and pwerful so the app runs smoothy and I have heaps of memory. Better yet, the 10" screen is beautiful, zoom in and out and plot routs so easily.

Also, as my ipad is 3G, i can surf the web, get emails and the kids play games and watch movies etc when camping. I have a defender and the Ipad cover slips into the dash next to the winsdcean and holds there well.

I sill have the VMS and its fine for when i sort of know where Im going - as soon as i get lost or whan to look at more arround me - out comes the ipdad.

There is my 2c

Cheers

[mikehzz]

Yes its an excellent GPS. I have Memory Map as well but prefer Bitmap which reads all my Ozi Explorer files without conversion no problem. One small annoyance, you have to go into settings to stop the screen blacking out even when its on the charger. It seems to happen once the charge is 100%. While it is charging, the screen stays on. Do you have this problem?

[Symo]

One small annoyance, you have to go into settings to stop the screen blacking out even when its on the charger.

This has never happened with me, whether the Ipad is 10% charged or fully charged, as long as its on power (charger pluged into cigarette lighter) the ipad stays on. Maybe a setting someplace ?

what version memory map are you using? maybe there is an update.

Cheers

[mikehzz]

I'm thinking it might have something to do with the charger. Not all of them (iphone chargers) charge the ipad very well. Funny thing is that the screen stays good until it hits 100% then starts to black out as if it wasn't on a charger. Not sure what version of Memory Map. I just let itunes take care of that stuff. :)

[zuno555]

Let me get this right - Ipad - Topo Victoria 1:25k for only $66!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why does it cost $250 for the same maps for PC then? What a jib.

I have played with the PC version a bit and love it, prefer it over ozi (simpler and faster), but I can't quite cough up $250 for vic and another $200 for AusTour maps, but if it were more reasonably priced I wouldn't hesitate.....

Cheers

[Symo]

I was surprised also.

How all this happened was one rainy afternoon playing with the ipad i found memoy map. I use it on the VMX and lap top and it was free on the ipdad so why not downloaded it.

When installed I found I could not copy maps into it unless i upgraded to the full version. As i have all the maps on memory card (for $200+) in the VMS I thought why not. so I pated the $35, loaded the maps only to find out the maps on the VMS were licened to the VMS & 1 laptop.

Buggerit i though, so just for curosity I logged onto the digital map store to find it was $66 USD for the maps for all of victoria 1:25K same as those on the VMS. I payed the $66.00 and downloaded all of the victoria maps (took a day) so now they are all there.

All I can do is load memory map on your ipad and try yourself... nothing to loose..

I have tried to add a picture of the section of the digital map shop. $65 for a single licence (just on the ipad) $130 if you want to run it on the lap top as well. Given i already have the maps on the lap top the $65 was all i needed.

Enjoy!!!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/05/447.jpg

I like the fact that i can plot a day on the laptop, save the route, email the route to the ipdad, click on the link and the route is transfered to the ipdad and visa versa... so simple.

Cheers

Peter

[RVR110]

I recently sold my Hema 5 and bought a 3G iPad2 which I run with Memory-Map. The iPad is an absolutely brilliant GPS! I plan my routes on the PC then transfer them to the iPad. I'm extremely happy with the setup.

If MM could fix a few issues then it would be perfect: accept .mmo format on the iPad/iPhone; preserve route colours & icons when transferring from PC to iPad (and back); add "undo" to the iPad/iPhone app, update their NSW 1:25k maps and slash their prices.

Now, if only I could find a bluetooth 12v reversing camera...

I'll keep a lookout on the digital map shop :eek:

[land864]

Symo , 2 questions please if I could.

How many GB is the iPad2 ?
Would you post a photo of how you mount it please? Jammed between the dash and screeen? Would that be okay in the rough stuff bouncing around?

Pete

[Symo]

I have 64 Gb in the iPad but you don't need anything like that for the map app. I think Vic maps are about 1 Gb.

A bigger iPad is better for me as I have it loaded with movies etc to keep the kiddies happy in the back of the car our out camping. I also have a 3G version so I can get my mail etc in the car.

I will take a pic and post shortly but regardless of what I like. You can now buy iPad mounting brackets for a car.

[Roadrunner]

You have to be a bit careful with the ipad version. I just got a 16GB WIFI and the WIFI only versions don't have GPS inbuilt. It looks like the GPS part is in the 3G chip. They say you can tether it with your iphone ant it will use the GPS unit of the iphone but that works very patchy for me. I can get rid of my WIFI ipad and buy a 3G version. Even so I won't put a 3G card in it at least I get the GPS part. Also this will set me back another $200.

Matt

[Symo]

Good info. I was not aware of that. I have a 3G iPad 1. When I purchased the 3G iPad II I just keep the old one in the car.

Thanks for the info. I though the only difference was the sim.

[RVR110]

If you have a Wi-Fi only iPad then there's 2 approaches that I know of to add GPS capability:

Bluetooth GPS Receiver
You can get an external GPS receiver that connects to the iPad via Bluetooth, such as the GNS 5870 MFI (http://www.gns-gmbh.com/index.php?id=194&L=1). These are available on eBay for about $120. I don't have personal experience with one, so I can't give you an opinion on the actual device. There's also an advertising video on youtube.

From personal experience I can tell you that not all bluetooth GPS receivers are recognised by the iPad/iPhone unless you're prepared to jail break it (I'm not).

Tethering with an iPhone
There are conflicting reports about GPS performance when a wi-fi only iPad is tethered to an iPhone. One source says it works (http://www.iphonehacks.com/2011/03/wi-fi-ipad-2-gets-gps-when-tethered-to-iphone-using-personal-hotspot.html) and another says it doesn't work. (http://johnmarshall4.tumblr.com/post/4061084217/debunking-the-wi-fi-only-ipad-tethered-iphone-4-gps). Either way, the reported refresh rate (or patchy performance as reported by Roadrunner) is no better than one update per minute which IMO isn't good enough for navigation purposes in a car.

advertising video on youtube

[Roadrunner]

For me tethering to an iphone4 had very bad results. I've tried it twice with good GPS reception on the iphone and it would load google maps fine on the ipad so tethering was working. Tried google maps and memory map and had about 20KM with no gps update. Sometimes you get an update and the map jumps again. All devices are on the latest iOS. I've read about the one minute update as well. Might work for some but not me.
Hope the tests are correct that you just need a 3G model and even with no sim inserted the GPS works as the functionality is in the same chip as the 3G.

Matt

[land864]

As you say Symo , horses for courses. My lot are nearly all grown up so movies and stacks of memory probably isn't such an issue. The capacity to store a map software and say 16MB of music for sending to a digital radio via bluetooth would be good thing though.
I think my ideal would be to have a 3-4" built in display GPS for using in the small car around town with the ability to bluetooth connect up the iPAd in the 4WD when necessary.
I get a 3G Android phone through work but don't often need internet access


Pete

[RVR110]

Hope the tests are correct that you just need a 3G model and even with no sim inserted the GPS works as the functionality is in the same chip as the 3G.

Hi Matt,
Mine is a 3G iPad2. I've used it on several trips now and have been happy enough with the performance of the built-in GPS chip in off-road situations that I am no longer thinking of adding an external receiver. The absence of a sim shouldn't make any difference in this respect.

[land864]

Having watched the video , does the GNS hook up to android phones like HTC?

The phone would obviously be the display unit around town then

That would be okay I guess so long as the phone can connect to 2 Bluetooth devices at once.

[alexturner]

I have an Ipad and just loaded memory map onto it and i must say that i am impressed. I run memory map on my VMS 500S so I am fimiliar with it - not overly powerful but very simple.

As I own the Vic Itops 1:25K maps I "thought" i could load them onto the memory map for the ipdad but alas, this licence for the maps was locked to the VMS. The good news is that it cost me only $66.00 USD to buy the licence for all of Victoria 1:25k for the ipad.

The Ipdad GPS is fast and accurate (not sure what chipset it runs), the ipad MCU is fast and pwerful so the app runs smoothy and I have heaps of memory. Better yet, the 10" screen is beautiful, zoom in and out and plot routs so easily.

Also, as my ipad is 3G, i can surf the web, get emails and the kids play games and watch movies etc when camping. I have a defender and the Ipad cover slips into the dash next to the winsdcean and holds there well.

I sill have the VMS and its fine for when i sort of know where Im going - as soon as i get lost or whan to look at more arround me - out comes the ipdad.

There is my 2c

Cheers

Hey mate, I'm doing something similar at the moment. I've got all the VMS maps and such, though in my car i'll have a carputer running. Which is essentially just a desktop computer built for a car. I was going to build a mirror for all the OpenStreetMap.org maps so I have them locally available in my car. They are fairly comprehensive for what it is and will work without 3G coverage. The entire set up is costing my under $200 so it may be worth a look :P

It would be nice if VMS had a little more trail detail :/ Ahh well.

[Mick-Kelly]

Hey mate, I'm doing something similar at the moment. I've got all the VMS maps and such, though in my car i'll have a carputer running. Which is essentially just a desktop computer built for a car. I was going to build a mirror for all the OpenStreetMap.org maps so I have them locally available in my car. They are fairly comprehensive for what it is and will work without 3G coverage. The entire set up is costing my under $200 so it may be worth a look :P

It would be nice if VMS had a little more trail detail :/ Ahh well.
Tell us more about your carputer please.

[Awest]

Hi Matt,
Mine is a 3G iPad2. I've used it on several trips now and have been happy enough with the performance of the built-in GPS chip in off-road situations that I am no longer thinking of adding an external receiver. The absence of a sim shouldn't make any difference in this respect.

Any chance you could show us how you mount it? Pics?

[Symo]

A mate of mine purchased a portable windows pc on eBay about a month or so ago. It cost him about $500 I think and he uses a USB gps. It works ok for him but is frustrated by boot up times for windows, occasional crashes and poor battery life ( not that battery is a problem with a cig adapter in the car).

I showed him my iPad 1. We took it for a spin around the block in flight mode (to prove the the "A" in agps does not make a difference) on Monday. He called me a few hours ago. He just bought a new iPad 2 and he is on his way here for me to help him set it up. He was that impressed.

I know the iPad 2 with 3G is about a $k. It's a few hundred more than the hema or VMS but it's soooooooo much better.

Land864. The maps use only 1Gb so even with a 32Gb iPad you will have more memory than you will know what to do with, however the iPad has a habit of filling up. Mine 64Gb ipad has about 20Gb of movies, 10Gb of music (100's of hours) 10Gb of pictures ( have a backup of all my albums) and still have 15+Gb of room left - even after I have all my apps and maps and other junk on the thing.

For the extra cost and if you can afford it I would suggest you get the big iPad. I'm currently looking for a way to directly connect my digital camera to the iPad so I can back my photos straight to it without going through iTunes. This will no doubt chew up storage.

If you get the 3G version you can also keep up to date on this forum while in mobile range.

Cheers

[Symo]

Here is a link Navigator pictures by smarttemp - Photobucket (http://s1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb404/smarttemp/Navigator/)
to some pictures of the inside of my dusty car showing the ipdad - in my defence the flash from my camera phone makes it look "dustier" than it rally is.... errrr yeah thats it - its the flash... its not really dusty.. :angel:

I have the VMS in the centre and the ipad on the "navigators" side. The Ipad cover tucks down bewteen the dash and the glass and holds on the bumpiest road. If i need to i can place it in the centre but not sure how good that is on the bumpy stuff.

When not using the Ipad it sits on the left of the drivers seat next to the centre cubby box.

If interested the other stuff is my cruise control and the holder for my iphone (plugs into the alpine car radio with Blue tooth hands free and ipod player)

Cheers

(hope the link works )

[land864]

Dumb question I know but can an iPad 1 or 2 communicate with more than one bluetooth device at once.
Question is could an iPad 1 or 2 send music to a radio with Bluetooth at the same time as being used as an external monitor with map software hooked up to a GPS with Bluetooth

[RVR110]

Any chance you could show us how you mount it? Pics?

It took a while, but here's some pics. The camera was below the driver's line of sight when I took the photos so the iPad appears to block more of the view than it really does - the actual impact is minimal. The iPhone is mounted next to the A pillar in a TomTom enhanced GPS cradle and serves as a backup in case anything happens to the iPad.

http://lawrences.id.au/defender/ipad_b.jpg

The second photo shows the RAM mount (purchased from Camzilla). Despite being marked as being iPad2 compatible it is really an iPad1 mount so I had to add the 5 white spongy bits of padding to prevent it from slopping about in the holder. The RAM mount is fixed to the windscreen with a very strong suction cap. I have also put some thick double sided tape on the bottom edge of the RAM mount to reduce vibration and to protect the top of the dash from scuffing. Power for the iPad & iPhone is controlled via the "Australia" switch (second from the left in the row of 6 switches) so it operates independently from the ignition. The switch operates a relay which is connected to a cigarette lighter style triple power socket that is mounted inside the dash. The iPad and iPhone each have their own 2.1 amp adaptor.

The only thing I don't like about this set up is that the clock is no longer visible.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[markb]

A bit off the topic but can you get a reversing camera that you can view via bluetooth on your iphone or ipad?

[twr7cx]

Yes its an excellent GPS. I have Memory Map as well but prefer Bitmap which reads all my Ozi Explorer files without conversion no problem.

So you reckon Bit Map is better than Memory Map? Interesting as it is only 11% of the price of Memory Map, so significantly cheaper. I also notice that the screen shot in the iTunes store is of a section of Tasmania.
The reason I am asking is because I have an original iPad 3G model, and I would like to be able to use it for topographic GPS maps etc. So trying to determine what program to run.

I guess the next question then is what maps to run on it?

[Didge]

What software/ adaptors would I need to use a laptop Core 2 duo(yeah I know it's getting a bit long in the tooth - hence being available to use in the car) as my off road GPS. Do I buy a plug in GPS adaptor and software and would Memory Map or BitMap work on a windows based laptop? Thanking you in advance for any advice
cheers Gerald

[RVR110]

Hey Gerald,

This should help, at least for memory-map: USB GPS | Bluetooth GPS | GPS Dongle (http://memory-map.com.au/products/accessories/usb-gps-1.html)
Remind me next time before we go for a drive and I can bring a spare TomTom adaptor for your iPhone to try out. :)

[Bushie]

What software/ adaptors would I need to use a laptop Core 2 duo(yeah I know it's getting a bit long in the tooth - hence being available to use in the car) as my off road GPS. Do I buy a plug in GPS adaptor and software andwould Memory Map or BitMap would on a windows based laptop? Thanking you in advance for any advice
cheers Gerald


Gerald I'm assuming the laptop has bluetooth ? I use one of these (or very similar) sitting on the dash
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/06/315.jpg
hooked up to OziExplorer ( Official OziExplorer Web Site - GPS Mapping Software for Tracking and Navigation. Supports Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance and GPS (http://www.oziexplorer.com) )
1:250k maps of Aus can be downloaded from the GeoscienceAustralia site for free - well we've already paid for them :o.
It worked fine over our 8 week 12000km Cape trip (I'm running a $300 10" netbook).



Martyn

[WhiteD3]

Just watched the vid on the memory map site (so sloowwww) but the vids are very impressive. It appears you can only buy it with maps (which I already have).

[Didge]

Thanks John and Martyn. John, sometimes I need to sit back and have a good, hard look at myself. I opened this thread and up came some pictures of a nice ipad and iphone setup and I'm thinking "wow, someone else has the same sort of setup as John" and then I noticed the background. As Homer would say "D'uoh!" Yes, I'll try to remember to ask you about the Tomtom adaptor. I just saw the price of them in JB hifi was $160 and is now $118. Thanks for the links
And yes Martyn the laptop has bluetooth. I didn't think about one of those cheap $300 jobs but I'll definitely look at the bluetooth adaptor.I just bought myself a new Macbook and the existing 16.4" laptop will become redundant (a bit big though isn't it!!?) As you mentioned Oziexplorer have you been here?? - http://maps.festy.org/ full of maps that I can't yet open. I'm sure plenty of people will find it interesting. Also lots of talk about "shonkymaps".
Martyn, I know you're more into doing long range trips than just 4wdriving but John (RVR110) and I went out with a bunch of others last Sunday and I, at least, had a ball. John also invited me to Hill End at Easter and that also was a blast. I think finding out what these Defenders will do before heading off on a long trip is invaluable experience. And you did 12000kms up to the cape and back?! That must've included some sizeable side trips, did it? I'm gonna go have another look at your trip report which I might add, I remember had some really good photos in it. You should take photos for a living!!
Thanks guys
cheers Gerald

[twr7cx]

I use a Ram Mount RAM-A-CAN and Tab-Tite setup for my iPad ( Apple iPad Holders & Mounts (http://www.ram-mount.com/NewProducts/AppleiPadMounts/tabid/2614/Default.aspx#appleipadtabtitecradle) ):

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/571/img0866h.jpg/)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/41/p1000033a.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/690/p1000034k.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

My only complaint lies with the quality of the Land Rover cupholders being a bit loose and wobbly, so therefore the iPad wobbles too!
But I do like the low position of the iPad, in that it doesn't block any of my view out of the front window and the holder is easily removable when not required or being used.