i Pad and gps

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gregship

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I am getting conflicting information about the i pad from various people and looking for an answer to this question. does the new generation of ipads have a built in ,stand alone GPS for marine navigation or does the boats position always have to go through the wifi system.Am i right in thinking that the navionics app always has to have wifi to work. Many thanks in advance for all useful information
 
I have an iPad with 3g and WiFi. The GPS facility is on the 3G chip so, if I turn off the WiFi the GPS embedded within the 3G chip still works. If I activate the WiFi then the GPS works a wee bit quicker initially but it's not very noticeable for me so far.

I would think that the Navionics app does not necessarily need the WiFi activated for the GPS to function but it would probably be a little faster so long as you could receive a WiFi signal...
 
Ensure you get an iPad with 3G capability and wifi. (3G gets you the internal GPS antenna) No need to get a sim card; I don't have one.

My new Mini works well and is used for "aircraft" navigation as well as sailing the boat. My old full size iPad was not as accurate as the present Mini... product evolution I suppose.

Position accuracy in an aircraft is always within 30 meters of Flight Management System generated position using the internal antenna only... looking through electrically heated cockpit windows.

Also bought a Yoobao charger to ensure long life use. Mini gives about 7 hours stand alone use but the duration is extended to almost infinity with Yoobao. In boat use, I turn off the system when not needed. Charge it every 5-7 days.

Works for me. :-)
 
gregship said:
I am getting conflicting information about the i pad from various people and looking for an answer to this question. does the new generation of ipads have a built in ,stand alone GPS for marine navigation or does the boats position always have to go through the wifi system.Am i right in thinking that the navionics app always has to have wifi to work. Many thanks in advance for all useful information
Click to expand...
It's not wi-fi it needs; it needs a 3G signal to get a position if it doesn't have true GPS capability.
 
I'm astonished how many times this question comes up.
If you have a wifi only model it does not have GNSS
If you have a wifi + cellular model it has Assisted GPS and Glonass.

Assisted GPS is normal GPS + the ability to locate itself and download satellite data via wifi/cellular but that only helps speed up the startup and to correct for signal bounce in built up areas. It will work perfectly well without "assistance".
 
Buck Turgidson said:
I'm astonished how many times this question comes up.
If you have a wifi only model it does not have GNSS
If you have a wifi + cellular model it has Assisted GPS and Glonass.

Assisted GPS is normal GPS + the ability to locate itself and download satellite data via wifi/cellular but that only helps speed up the startup and to correct for signal bounce in built up areas. It will work perfectly well without "assistance".
Click to expand...

Yes - exactly this.

To the OP - Navionics might need wi-fi (or 3G) to download (for example) previously undownloaded chart areas, GRIB files, and so on.
 
elton said:
What's wrong?
Click to expand...

1) The assisted data comes from servers, it can be accessed either by wifi or cellular connection.
2) You either have enough GPS signals or not. If not, your position is not GPS but Cellular location. The term "True GPS capability" is meaningless.
 
Buck Turgidson said:
I'm astonished how many times this question comes up.
If you have a wifi only model it does not have GNSS
If you have a wifi + cellular model it has Assisted GPS and Glonass.

Assisted GPS is normal GPS + the ability to locate itself and download satellite data via wifi/cellular but that only helps speed up the startup and to correct for signal bounce in built up areas. It will work perfectly well without "assistance".
Click to expand...

+1 There seems to be a lot of confusion over this.

1) Only the 3G iPad models have GPS

2) You do not need any kind of data signal (wifi or 3G) for the GPS to function.

3) Wifi only iPads do not have GPS
 
mrming said:
+1 There seems to be a lot of confusion over this.

1) Only the 3G iPad models have GPS

2) You do not need any kind of data signal (wifi or 3G) for the GPS to function.

3) Wifi only iPads do not have GPS
Click to expand...


I have an iPad mini without gps. Is there any way to add it?
 
PhillM said:
I have an iPad mini without gps. Is there any way to add it?
Click to expand...

Yep - three ways that I know.

1) Bluetooth GPS unit such as the Garmin Glo. Advantage - relatively cheap. Disadvantage - having bluetooth on makes the battery run out quicker.

2) Wired GPS dongle such as the BadElf. Advantage - uses less power. Disadvantage - doesn't fit on with a waterproof case, more expensive.

3) WiFi multiplexer such as Brookhouse iMux, DMK Box, ShipModul etc. Advantage - connects via wifi which is power efficient and you can still use a waterproof case. Disadvantage - very expensive, although if you know what you are doing with electronics a DIY version can be created.
 
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I have an iPad 2 with no GPS. I use a GNS 5870 MFI Bluetooth GPS receiver. It is a fantastic wee piece of kit.


Having a separate GPS receiver means the receiver can be positioned elsewhere and the iPad will fit in a waterproof case if that is what you want.

- W
 
iPad and Navionics wifi / GPS query.........................

gregship said:
I am getting conflicting information about the i pad from various people and looking for an answer to this question. does the new generation of ipads have a built in ,stand alone GPS for marine navigation or does the boats position always have to go through the wifi system.Am i right in thinking that the navionics app always has to have wifi to work. Many thanks in advance for all useful information
Click to expand...

I bought a Apple iPad 4th Generation with Retina Display 64GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular specifically for the use with the Navionics application, I don't have a simcard in it, when abroad I use any local wifi to download weather info, emails/messages etc, but on the boat and out of range of Wi-Fi, the GPS works for navigation

The GPS signal denotes my position on the chart, and when under sail I just connect it to the 12v system using a multi charger with a USB port to connect the iPad (having charged it to 100% capacity prior to departure, using shore power)

One tip I will give on extended passages in the SETTINGS under GENERAL change the AUTO LOCK feature to close down 2 mins after use. It just makes the machine sleep, when not in use, but the Navionics app is working in the background and your route track/passage info (SOG/COG etc) continuous too.
By doing this I found that the battery life lasted much longer and by just tapping the Navionics app on the home screen, when you 're-opened' the ipad, all info is current and up to date for your log info. recently in 5 weeks only had to boost the battery on an overnight charge 3 times and we were using it 24/7.

I even bought and downloaded a new chart area when sitting in a café in the Med area, without any problem. (Using a local Wi-Fi connection.)

I use it as a backup and an extra to the boats nav system and never take it into the cockpit as its just sits on a non slip mat on the saloon table, in its protective swivel leather case.

So basically NO you do not need Wi-Fi to be able to use Navionics, but your iPad must have the 'Cellular' spec not just wifi.

Hope this helps

janeK
 
I had an iPad, bought Navionics, then discovered this small issue with lack of GPS. Rather than buy a 3g dongle, my solution was to buy a opurpose made GPS receiver and, after taking advice, I plumped for a Dual XGPS 150E, £90 from Amazon. Absolutely marvellous when combined with Navionics on the iPad. Both last most of a day's sailing in continuous use (the iPad dies first), but both are rechargeable from the fag lighter/USB. Happy days!
 
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