Using an Ipad as a GPS

[pop058]

Has anyone done any homework on this. From my understanding, the Apple product will not function as a stand alone GPS as it uses phone tower location information to work. You DO NOT require a SIM card as it does not use the data as such to achieve this, just the basic tower location info. This means that if you are in a rural area that may only have 1 or 2 towers (or none :( ), then the triangulation required for accuracy is not going to happen

To be able to function as a stand alone (using satellites) GPS, an external (Bluetooth ?) GPS adapter and antenna would be required.

So a couple of questions, are there any other options to use an Ipad as a GPS other than an add-on GPS receiver and if not, what external/add-on units are available that people have had first hand experience with.

TIA

[jarrods]

Apple 3G and 4G iPads and all iPhones have built in Stand alone GPS. Wifi only iPads do not and require a Bluetooth GPS. On most Apps the map data is downloaded as required using the mobile data connection. There are apps that have built in Maps or allow you to download map data in advance.

Jarrod

[Bundalene]

We have a Tom Tom app on our iPad2, which we use around town. We also downloaded Tom Tom Europe app when we toured last year, works very well.

Having an iphone allows the app to be downloaded on both devices for no additional charge.



Erich

[pop058]

Apple 3G and 4G iPads and all iPhones have built in Stand alone GPS. Wifi only iPads do not and require a Bluetooth GPS. On most Apps the map data is downloaded as required using the mobile data connection. There are apps that have built in Maps or allow you to download map data in advance.

Jarrod

Does this mean if you are nowhere near any cellular coverage, the Ipad will talk directly to satellites. ?


We have a Tom Tom app on our iPad2, which we use around town. We also downloaded Tom Tom Europe app when we toured last year, works very well.

Having an iphone allows the app to be downloaded on both devices for no additional charge.



Erich

I believe your location info is coming through the cellular network (not as down loaded chargeable data though) and not from satellites.

I was on the receiving end of (what I believe to be) an Apple support phone call at the local Good Guys store and they stated that an external additional device was required for an Ipad (mini 32Gb WiFi & Cell in my case) to operate as a GPS in areas where there is NO cellular coverage.

My dilemma is that I have heard both sides of the story from what I believe are reliable sources. :confused:

[Steve223]

As Jarrod stated any iPad with 3G has a stand alone GPS I'm using it as my only navigation device in many areas without phone reception for the past 2 years. Any Apple wifi only device has NO stand alone GPS and will require a external unit.

Some mapping software like Hema Explorer, MUDMAPS the Map does require mobile coverage to download maps but that has nothing to do with the units GPS capabilities.

[Rok_Dr]

X2 steve223's post.

I regularly use my 3G ipad2, 100’s of Kms from a phone tower. Ditto the iPhone.

Cheers

Steve

[pop058]

Thanks Gents. I might have to go shopping tomorrow.