Bluetooth GPS Unit

[dickyjoe]

Hi,

I have a question regarding Bluetooth GPS units

My girlfriend bought me MudMaps2 for my birthday last year which has been been working great on my iPhone 5s.

For Christmas I bought her a iPad with Wifi only as we both have phones to tether from and have Internet at home.

One thing I forgot when I bought it was that the iPad with wifi only does not have a GPS unit inbuilt.

I also have a laptop with Oziexplorer and a bunch of maps which could be useful when out and about.

We need to purchase a bluetooth compatible GPS unit. Whats the experiences of others on here as to what works well and whats useless.

I think something we can take from vehicle to vehicle would be ideal, but something with strong reception would also be worthwhile.

I am not really sure what to look for.

Cheers

Richard

[TeamFA]

I've been running an external bluetooth GPS for years now. Bought a long time ago, one of the ones that also allows for (and came with) an external antenna. My external antenna sits out on the bullbar, and gets exceptional satellite coverage from that spot. I've never lost signal, even in the thickest scrub and forest.

They seem to have dried up now. Used to get them thick and fast on eBay, now I can't find a single one there - a couple of units, but nothing without an external antenna.

Other than that - they are very easy to use. I connect mine to our Android tablet.

I'll take some pics this arvo, if you're interested in my setup.

[stuee]

I bought one of these:
https://www.ja-gps.com.au/Garmin/glo-bluetooth-gps/

I've been very impressed with its performance, particularly how quick it picks up satellites from cold. Battery seems to last a day but it charges from USB so it's easy to keep it plugged in. It's also very light so I'm eventually going to mount mine from the rollbar using some velcro.

[dickyjoe]

I've been running an external bluetooth GPS for years now. Bought a long time ago, one of the ones that also allows for (and came with) an external antenna. My external antenna sits out on the bullbar, and gets exceptional satellite coverage from that spot. I've never lost signal, even in the thickest scrub and forest.



They seem to have dried up now. Used to get them thick and fast on eBay, now I can't find a single one there - a couple of units, but nothing without an external antenna.



Other than that - they are very easy to use. I connect mine to our Android tablet.



I'll take some pics this arvo, if you're interested in my setup.


Thanks for the info. I am very interested in the setup. The idea of a optional external antenna mount is ace.

[dickyjoe]

I bought one of these:
https://www.ja-gps.com.au/Garmin/glo-bluetooth-gps/

I've been very impressed with its performance, particularly how quick it picks up satellites from cold. Battery seems to last a day but it charges from USB so it's easy to keep it plugged in. It's also very light so I'm eventually going to mount mine from the rollbar using some velcro.


Thankyou for this info. I had a look at this and like the idea because it is portable and can connect to four devices at once..

[TeamFA]

Thanks for the info. I am very interested in the setup. The idea of a optional external antenna mount is ace.

I'll try and remember to take some pics tonight.

The Garmin unit Stuee refers to looks good. Anything Garmin would have to be good...

I found the instruction manual for the unit I have. Of note is the listing of an "MMCX" connector type for the external antenna.
http://www.proporta.com/F03/pdf/GpsBT_UserManualV2_Eng.pdf

[PhilipA]

Be very careful if buying a bluetooth GPS to use with an Apple product.

There are AFIAK only two brands that will mate with an Ipad and they will specifically say approved by Apple in the literature.

I have an older Copilot which mated to my ALDI tablet but no go to Ipad.
Bluetooth GPS FOR Ipad Iphone Ipod Dual XGPS150A IN Australia | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bluetooth-GPS-for-iPad-iPhone-iPod-DUAL-XGPS150A-in-AUSTRALIA-/231488744106?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item35e5cdeaaa)

Regards Philip A

[dickyjoe]

Be very careful if buying a bluetooth GPS to use with an Apple product.

There are AFIAK only two brands that will mate with an Ipad and they will specifically say approved by Apple in the literature.

I have an older Copilot which mated to my ALDI tablet but no go to Ipad.
Bluetooth GPS FOR Ipad Iphone Ipod Dual XGPS150A IN Australia | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bluetooth-GPS-for-iPad-iPhone-iPod-DUAL-XGPS150A-in-AUSTRALIA-/231488744106?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item35e5cdeaaa)

Regards Philip A


Thanks Philip for the heads up. I'll definitely look out for a unit that works on iPad. I guess this is one of reasons to ask on here.

One thing I thought of this afternoon was would a street directory type GPS transmit Bluetooth to the iPad or is this too much to ask. Is a better approach to buy a street directory for the iPad / iPhone.

[austastar]

Hi, for the Apple, check out Badelf gps. They are a neat solution.
Cheers