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Thread: A suitable GPS Receiver that will work on both Android and Apple Devices??

  1. #1
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    Question A suitable GPS Receiver that will work on both Android and Apple Devices??

    Guys.....

    I'm hoping someone can advise me in regards to Tablets/iPads and GPS's..... I currently have a non-cellular(ie: no internal GPS) 32GB Apple iPad and I'm wanting to find a GPS device that I can utilise with my iPad and turn it into a mapping system for when we going touring. I know about the Bad-Elf gps unit which would suit, but it's apple specific and I was hoping to find one that can be used for both Android/Apple devices..... Does anyone have any knowledge/ideas in this area that might help us out?

    Rob

  2. #2
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    I have an android phone and an iPad (I won the iPad, I always said I wouldn't own an iAnything).

    The iPad is WiFi only. When I travel I turn the phone into a wireless hotspot and connect the iPad. When I do that the iPad uses the phone's location to show maps of the surrounding area. If you have a smartphone and a tablet try it to see if it works...

  3. #3
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    Hi Rob

    I'd start looking at Bluetooth GPS receivers. Pairing one up to an iPad et al shouldn't be an issue, but I would check that the mapping software you use would cope with this set-up.

    Steve's comment above is certainly another option, I'd be curious to see how that works in off line mode away from mobile coverage though.

    However additional hardware comes at a cost and if your iPad or android device is more than a few years old you're likely to be upgrading in the next year or 2. If so perhaps hold off and if staying with Apple get one with the cellular option. You shouldn't need to have a phone card inserted to use the GPS. Non cellular android tablets though, almost always have integrated GPS and are cheaper.

    Cheers

    Steve

  4. #4
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    Hi,
    I've just got one of these...

    QStarz just announced a new GPS travel recorder called Q1000XT. Q1000XT looks similar to some of their previous GPS data loggers but it seems like they've upgraded some of the specs and included their newest software with this product ? namely QTravel. One of the highlights is of course the 66 channel tracking ? more than any other GPS tracking device out there.

    Here are some of the hardware specs:

    • MTK II latest chipset with high sensitivity -165dBm and 66 channel tracking
    • ultra lower power consumption up to 42hrs operation
    • less than 15 seconds AGPS fix support: download almanac data to realize faster TTFF and positioning under warm start
    • stand alone travel recorder to log up to 400,000 records
    • POI button design to record your point of interest immediately
    • 3-level Switch for easily switch Travel Recorder to LOG or NAV (Navigation + Log) mode
    • integrated vibration sensor for smart power management and waypoint saving
    • time schedule function to automatically start logging and stop logging by setting multiple time interval
    • speed alarm function to prompt over speed status by beeping sound
    • update Rate 1~5Hz changeable by utility provided (receiving 5Hz update rate only, logging only 1Hz maximum)
    • G-Mouse + Bluetooth in one: wired and wireless GPS receiver
    • Fast Position Fix ,Cold start 35s, Warm start 33s,Hot start 1s

    Q1000XT is already available for USD $129 / Euro ?129.
    UPDATE: QSTARZ now ships worldwide.




    • It has a common phone battery, easily recharged by usb.
    • Will run as a bluetooth gps or you can also turn on its logging mode.
    • Comes with useful software for storing and viewing your tracks.
    • Easily export your tracks and waypoints as a GPX file to import into other mapping soft ware.
    • You can pre-set the functions with the device tethered to the computer and control stuff like the time gap wanted to separate the log into numbered tracks or what speed is minimum recording speed or what is the minimum track point recording interval you want.
    • Very sensitive - I was amazed how much cover I could still record under.
    • Put it in your pocket and go for a walk - see where you have been later.
    • It will NOT (by itself) tell you where you are.
    • It MUST be set up by the software and the data viewed on a computer as it has no display for that.


    I'm very happy with mine, it just runs in the back ground all day logging where we have been.

    Usual disclaimer - no association other than happy customer - I bought it on ebay.

    Cheers

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by theresanothersteve View Post
    I have an android phone and an iPad (I won the iPad, I always said I wouldn't own an iAnything).

    The iPad is WiFi only. When I travel I turn the phone into a wireless hotspot and connect the iPad. When I do that the iPad uses the phone's location to show maps of the surrounding area. If you have a smartphone and a tablet try it to see if it works...
    Yep, I understand that but that's only good when u have a phone signal.... I'm after something that does not rely on the phone network

  6. #6
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    Hey Steve....

    Thanks for that.... The iPad we have is fairly new as it was a school requirment, but this year they have changed and are now using chromebooks, so we are left with this iPad. I'm not a real fan of apple as it can be a PITA to do/transfer, etc stuff to it.... I'd android but as we have this and I use it to monitor the kids iPads; family sharing, etc. So I thought if I could put it to good use and get a gps receiver that suits both ios & android devices that would be a bonus. I've got a kogan tablet and the gps sensor in it is hopeless, so thats why I'm after something that caters for both.....

    Quote Originally Posted by Rok_Dr View Post
    Hi Rob

    I'd start looking at Bluetooth GPS receivers. Pairing one up to an iPad et al shouldn't be an issue, but I would check that the mapping software you use would cope with this set-up.

    Steve's comment above is certainly another option, I'd be curious to see how that works in off line mode away from mobile coverage though.

    However additional hardware comes at a cost and if your iPad or android device is more than a few years old you're likely to be upgrading in the next year or 2. If so perhaps hold off and if staying with Apple get one with the cellular option. You shouldn't need to have a phone card inserted to use the GPS. Non cellular android tablets though, almost always have integrated GPS and are cheaper.

    Cheers

    Steve

  7. #7
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    Just a bit of an update to this thread.

    I recently was blessed an old Wi-Fi only iPad2, which I am setting up as general test device for geological logging/mapping.

    I also had an old Globalsat BT359 Bluetooth GPS and thought it would pair up easily?. Wrong!

    Long story short if you want to pair a Bluetooth GPS to an iPad then you have to either:

    • Buy a Bluetooth GPS which is Apple compatible or


    • Jailbreak your iPad and purchase/install a new Bluetooth stack App. Unfortunately this may not be possible for earlier iPads with 32 bit versions of IOS, depending on what version of IOS you have installed. Not something I wanted to do either.

    As to compatible Bluetooth GPS units, iPads are popular in the aviation industry for flight planning and chart storage, so there are a number of compatible brands/models available from specialist aviation supply shops. The following link to an online Melbourne supplier gives a good selection to choose from.

    GPS - Avionics - Headsets - Mendelssohn Pilot Supplies Australia

    I like the idea of not having to use the my iPAD or phone as a data logger and flogging the battery, so I'm getting a Bad Elf GPS Pro+. Fingers crossed it will arrive next week

    Cheers

    Steve

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rok_Dr View Post
    so I'm getting a Bad Elf GPS Pro+.
    Steve
    Hi,
    I think you will be very happy with it.

    Cheers

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