GPS receiver to iPad

[SAR]

Hi folks, I’m trying to find the best way to exploit my iPad Pro (2nd generation, no SIM / inbuilt gps) to create a secondary / cockpit GPS plotter capability. I can find various portable Bluetooth GPS units, (e.g. Bad Elf) on the internet, but I wondered whether anything involving a second rail mounted antenna, (independent of the main Raymarine C80 plotter) feeding into a cabin based iPad compatible Bluetooth repeater, may be possible? Anyone got a suggestion / recommendation please?

 

[Buck Turgidson]

I have two options that I use.
1) I have a Garmin inreach explorer. I connect to the iPad via bluetooth.
2) I have a wifi dongle for my NMEA200 bus which includes a GPS receiver, I connect to my iPad via wifi.

I used to use a Bad elf about 8 years ago. Still have it but its the old style wide iPad connection. You can get adapters so if you want it pm me. It's gathering dust in a drawer somewhere so you can have it for free.

 

[MattS]

I’ve just bought a Garmin GLO2 Bluetooth GPS receiver to use with my iPad and it seems to work v well.

 

[dansaskip]

I use a bluetooth Bad elf with my iPad. It works well and keeps it simple. No wires or cables involved so I can use it wherever I want.

 

[MoodySabre]

No antenna needed but it needs to have a power source if on for some time.

 

[SAR]

Thanks folks for your ideas, all good systems.

I was hoping to learn of an example involving an above deck antenna feeding some electronics that hook up with the iPad via Bluetooth. The hope is the system will provide a back-up to the existing Raymarine plotter, and allow the iPad to be routinely used in the cockpit where I currently have nothing.

 

[Daverw]

I use a bluetooth Bad elf with my iPad. It works well and keeps it simple. No wires or cables involved so I can use it wherever I want.

+1 for bad elf

 

[Tranona]

Thanks folks for your ideas, all good systems.

I was hoping to learn of an example involving an above deck antenna feeding some electronics that hook up with the iPad via Bluetooth. The hope is the system will provide a back-up to the existing Raymarine plotter, and allow the iPad to be routinely used in the cockpit where I currently have nothing.

The current preference for many is to have the chart plotter in the cockpit and the tablet down below. Latest chart plotters have Wi Fi so the tablet can act as a repeater, but a C80 does not have that.

Otherwise get the Bluetooth GPS and run another charting system on the iPad in the cockpit - or move the C80 and use the iPad down below where it is easier to connect it to power and see what is on the screen. Depends really on how you want to use the plotter.

 

[SAR]

The current preference for many is to have the chart plotter in the cockpit and the tablet down below. Latest chart plotters have Wi Fi so the tablet can act as a repeater, but a C80 does not have that.

Otherwise get the Bluetooth GPS and run another charting system on the iPad in the cockpit - or move the C80 and use the iPad down below where it is easier to connect it to power and see what is on the screen. Depends really on how you want to use the plotter.

Taking the plotter above deck and the iPad below is an alternative I was considering too, but still with an independent feed to the iPad, so we maintain a back-up system.

 

[Bathdave]

I got one of these a few years ago

XGPS150A<br/>Universal GPS Receiver — Dual GPS Solutions

it works well to do exactly what you describe

I run it as a complete parallel gps/plotter with navionics on an iPad, alongside my ray marine MFD

I prefer the functionality and appearance of navionics on the iPad compared with the same underlying charts on the raymarine plotter at the helm

 

[Dino]

+1 for the Garmin Glo 2. Great bit of kit.

 

[SAR]

I got one of these a few years ago

XGPS150A<br/>Universal GPS Receiver — Dual GPS Solutions

it works well to do exactly what you describe

I run it as a complete parallel gps/plotter with navionics on an iPad, alongside my ray marine MFD

I prefer the functionality and appearance of navionics on the iPad compared with the same underlying charts on the raymarine plotter at the helm

Thanks again - another device I’ve been eying up. But really I’m still hoping to find a solution involving a high gain rail mounted antenna above deck, feeding a box of electronics that hooks up to the iPad via Bluetooth. No batteries to charge or plug charger leads, rugged, good gps signal performance, etc.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Have you thought of going WiFi instead of Bluetooth?

I used a NMEA 2000 Wi-Fi Router to get AIS and Depth info to a Navionics Tablet,it provides GPS too.

Expensive, but easily coupled with a stand-alone GPS smart antenna running NMEA2000 or NMEA0183.

For this kind of investment though, I'd just get an tablet with built in GPS - I've been using one for years without issue - it also works ashore, in other peoples boats, and in the tender/liferaft - and is probably cheaper than the kind of Smart Antenna you want.

Move the plotter to the helm, and mount a tablet below IMO.

How best to repair a hole left after removing an old chart plotter

Installed an NMEA2000 network and a WiFi Router on the boat last week.

 

[Gixer]

What about this,
QK-A026 AIS Receiver with NMEA Multiplexer + WiFi + GPS - NMEA 2000 Multiplexer, Marine NMEA 0183 multiplexer, NMEA 2000 converter in UK
might be a bit overkill but will defo do what you want.

 

[SAR]

What about this,
QK-A026 AIS Receiver with NMEA Multiplexer + WiFi + GPS - NMEA 2000 Multiplexer, Marine NMEA 0183 multiplexer, NMEA 2000 converter in UK
might be a bit overkill but will defo do what you want.

Looks promising - will investigate further, many thanks.

 

[SAR]

Have you thought of going WiFi instead of Bluetooth?

I used a NMEA 2000 Wi-Fi Router to get AIS and Depth info to a Navionics Tablet,it provides GPS too.

Expensive, but easily coupled with a stand-alone GPS smart antenna running NMEA2000 or NMEA0183.

For this kind of investment though, I'd just get an tablet with built in GPS - I've been using one for years without issue - it also works ashore, in other peoples boats, and in the tender/liferaft - and is probably cheaper than the kind of Smart Antenna you want.

Move the plotter to the helm, and mount a tablet below IMO.

How best to repair a hole left after removing an old chart plotter

Installed an NMEA2000 network and a WiFi Router on the boat last week.

Thanks - this is on the right tracks for what I had in mind.

 

[Gixer]

No worries, I actually have this model and use it to get GPS, wind data, AIS, depth, etc, to display on my ipad, works really well.

 

[bdh198]

I’ve just bought a Garmin GLO2 Bluetooth GPS receiver to use with my iPad and it seems to work v well.

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.

 

[SAR]

No worries, I actually have this model and use it to get GPS, wind data, AIS, depth, etc, to display on my ipad, works really well.

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.

 

[MattS]

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

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