GPS receiver to iPad

[MattS]

I’ve been looking at getting a Garmin GLO2 to link with my wifi only iPad. Do you find it works ok with all you sailing apps? I’ve heard some apps won’t work with an external GPS unit. In particular, I’d want to link it to my Imray Navigator app and Navionics.

I've used it on my iPad Pro and iPhone, with Navionics Boating, Imray Navigator, Boat Beacon, and Seanav

 

[RedFrog]

We wanted AIS on the boat and went for the Digital Yacht AIS solution which the NMEA integration and WIFI transmission. We also added a low cost batter/usb 4g MiFi device and networked everything to that rather than using the DY as an access point (retains internet connectivity). Anything on that WiFi network (phones, ipads, etc) then receive all NMEA2K data including GPS. Works an absolute treat. We also connected our chart plotter to the MiFi, turns out that Navionics can also pick that up with all the data (and update charts/depths) when connected to the same WiFi network.

 

[MattS]

We wanted AIS on the boat and went for the Digital Yacht AIS solution which the NMEA integration and WIFI transmission. We also added a low cost batter/usb 4g MiFi device and networked everything to that rather than using the DY as an access point (retains internet connectivity). Anything on that WiFi network (phones, ipads, etc) then receive all NMEA2K data including GPS. Works an absolute treat. We also connected our chart plotter to the MiFi, turns out that Navionics can also pick that up with all the data (and update charts/depths) when connected to the same WiFi network.

What Mifi device did you go for in the end?

 

[RedFrog]

What Mifi device did you go for in the end?

The Netgear Nighthawk M1:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B079H2LX8X?ref_=pe_2105081_77703951_E_Asin_Title

It has offloading which is handy so when you are in the marina it will offload all traffic to the marina wifi rather than use the 4g (which is pretty much non existent in our berth).

I got an unlimited vodafone data sim for about £17/month. Apparently the best for marine use according to DY.

That said, if I had my time again I would probably go for the Digital Yacht offering, their kit is extremely good and that has the option to put an antenna on the top of the mast (it would be possible with the Netgear too, but I figure the DY is designed for the environment).

 

[SAR]

Thanks for your helpful advice. I nearly pressed the order button on the same unit, but reminding myself I only set out to obtain a secondary gps capability, went economy and bought one of these with an antenna unit and usb power converter: QK-A012 WiFi GPS Receiver & GPS Repeater - NMEA 2000 Multiplexer, Marine NMEA 0183 multiplexer, NMEA 2000 converter in UK

They seem to offer a great product range, so if all goes well, my Tech confidence may take me back for more.

That does look good to be fair. Although that link description is misleading as I don’t believe it does NMEA2000?

Having left in a dash, with plotter working, it inevitably went on the blink the morning of our departure from Weymouth, bound for Dartmouth . The QK-A012 was duly fitted in Dartmouth, hooked up immediately with the iPad and Navionics software on the iPad, and worked a treat. However, the Navionics software froze twice over the days we were using it, and we did have strange connectivity problems after overnighting with it powered up in Weymouth - the latter I suspect due to someone exploring an insecure wifi system. We’ll continue to use the system, but power off in marinas. The plotter meanwhile will be visiting the repair shop now we’re back.

 

[MattS]

Having left in a dash, with plotter working, it inevitably went on the blink the morning of our departure from Weymouth, bound for Dartmouth . The QK-A012 was duly fitted in Dartmouth, hooked up immediately with the iPad and Navionics software on the iPad, and worked a treat. However, the Navionics software froze twice over the days we were using it, and we did have strange connectivity problems after overnighting with it powered up in Weymouth - the latter I suspect due to someone exploring an insecure wifi system. We’ll continue to use the system, but power off in marinas. The plotter meanwhile will be visiting the repair shop now we’re back.

I've had Navionics freeze on occasion - rarely though. And connectivity on the iPads can be a bit temperamental when connecting to these NMEA Wifi gateways, because of the way the network works.

I was also told that Navionics has a bit of a bug around it's connectivity to the wifi NMEA repeaters that sometimes requires you to remove the app from your ipad, and reinstall it. Certainly that fixed my issues at one point.

I will continue to use my iPad / Wifi NMEA setup but am now convinced that it's not the answer to a reliable setup - and will be favouring wires wherever I care about reliability!

 

[Buck Turgidson]

I've had Navionics freeze on occasion - rarely though. And connectivity on the iPads can be a bit temperamental when connecting to these NMEA Wifi gateways, because of the way the network works.

I was also told that Navionics has a bit of a bug around it's connectivity to the wifi NMEA repeaters that sometimes requires you to remove the app from your ipad, and reinstall it. Certainly that fixed my issues at one point.

I will continue to use my iPad / Wifi NMEA setup but am now convinced that it's not the answer to a reliable setup - and will be favouring wires wherever I care about reliability!

I connected my iPad via bluetooth to my Garmin in reach+ and then sailed for 18 days and 5 hours with ZERO interruptions. How much more reliable do you need?

 

[MattS]

I connected my iPad via bluetooth to my Garmin in reach+ and then sailed for 18 days and 5 hours with ZERO interruptions. How much more reliable do you need?

To be fair my Garmin bluetooth GPS device is incredibly reliable and has worked fine with the iPad since I've had it.

The issues I've seen have been more related to GPS / AIS data over Wifi, and iOS randomly deciding that it can't see things on the network, or not all messages making their way through to the iPad (if you compare directly with the same NMEA feed over USB, for instance).