WiFi Ipad / Navionic HD app / Bluetooth GPS

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Abraxas33

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I appreciate that using an Ipad as a plotter has been well covered but does anyone have experience of using a WiFi only Ipad (without the 3G/GPS chipset) and a Garmin GLO Bluetooth GPS paired with the Ipad?

I have asked Navionics and they came back with 24 hours to say their App will only work with the 3G ipad and “WiFi only Pads do not provide a location service with our apps.” This is clearly untrue as the app does get position data from local WiFi (i.e. the app will indicate your position if within wifi range). Navionics went on to say the app will only work with the internal GPS, but after the WiFi comment I suspect a lack of product knowledge here.

I have paired the Garmin Glo with the Ipad (Ipad4) and the GPS data is being read by the Apple Maps app but I can’t tell if the Navionics app is seeing it or not.

So, does anyone use a WiFi only Ipad with Navionics app and get GPS data via a Bluetooth device?

Thanks
 
i pad

Abraxas33 said:
I appreciate that using an Ipad as a plotter has been well covered but does anyone have experience of using a WiFi only Ipad (without the 3G/GPS chipset) and a Garmin GLO Bluetooth GPS paired with the Ipad?

I have asked Navionics and they came back with 24 hours to say their App will only work with the 3G ipad and “WiFi only Pads do not provide a location service with our apps.” This is clearly untrue as the app does get position data from local WiFi (i.e. the app will indicate your position if within wifi range). Navionics went on to say the app will only work with the internal GPS, but after the WiFi comment I suspect a lack of product knowledge here.

I have paired the Garmin Glo with the Ipad (Ipad4) and the GPS data is being read by the Apple Maps app but I can’t tell if the Navionics app is seeing it or not.

So, does anyone use a WiFi only Ipad with Navionics app and get GPS data via a Bluetooth device?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Ive been using this : http://www.amazon.com/GNS-5870-MFI-...4523&sr=8-4&keywords=blue+tooth+gps+for+i+pad

coupled to a wifi only i pad and using the navionics app without problems, although I hasten to add (before sextant users jump in) I use it as a back up and for preplanning passages , I also use it at work as coxswain to monitor our location, its easy to use and so far 100 per cent reliable from Uk to OZ, the reason I went for this over the bad elf, was the connectivity as i wanted my much loved i pad in a water proof case, with no cables or "elves" hanging out !..... (so far a happy customer)
 
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I use the iPad4 WiFi paired with the Garmin GLO bluetooth GPS. It works perfectly. No problems at all, though I'm not sure I would wish to rely on it as a primary means of navigation.
 
Thanks all,
The comment re Navionics is right on the money. My question to them was thought out and required a technical answer - what I got was a quote out of the sales leaflet. Medic has the exact wifi only ipad4 / Garmin Glo set up and confirms it works fine.

My main nav is SeaPro with ARC's charts but the Amiralty are pulling the plug on ARC's charts in November. I'll be OK this year but if the Ipad works I'll go back to paper charts with Ipad as the back up.

Thanks again
Abraxas
 
Sorry if I come over a bit thick, I have downloaded the Navionics app to my iPad 4 wi-fi only three days ago, are you saying that the GPS that you have works with Navionics directly?
 
Consider getting a cheap, used 3G ipad from ebay, has to be cheaper and more convenient than a wifi one with added external gps. I have one and it is amazingly accurate and quick to get a fix even inside the boat
 
Binman said:
Sorry if I come over a bit thick, I have downloaded the Navionics app to my iPad 4 wi-fi only three days ago, are you saying that the GPS that you have works with Navionics directly?
Click to expand...

If you have an iPad with a Sim card slot for mobile telephony then it will have GPS built in and it will work directly with Navionics. If you have a wifi only iPad you do not get the GPS chip.

Virtually all Android tablets have a GPS chip included and you pay less.

I don't know why always Apple rip off their customers so blatantly ..... but I'm not one.

Richard
 
RichardS said:
If you have an iPad with a Sim card slot for mobile telephony then it will have GPS built in and it will work directly with Navionics. If you have a wifi only iPad you do not get the GPS chip.

Virtually all Android tablets have a GPS chip included and you pay less.

I don't know why always Apple rip off their customers so blatantly ..... but I'm not one.

Richard
Click to expand...
I have iPad and android. They both work but I think Apple products are superior, you pay a lot but they are great products.
 
In reply to Stewartwineberg, I would rather exchange my 2012 ipad4 wi-fi only with Game in your local high street, they give you a years guarante, with out looking at my iPad they would give me £90 for a grade C as they class them or £135 for a grade B, they sell same 3/4g for £265 pounds, but I would have to buy a sim and enter into a contract,where I wouldn't have to with the bad elf.So on balance I think a device is cheaper, when you have to buy a new iPad it would save you money.
FWB I checked out the bad elf you referred to although I would need to get the one with lightening connector, bad elf work closely with Apple and there device is approved by them, reading further they say it works up to ISO 8 we are up to ISO 10 now, so I don't know.
Looking further into GPS I found this one by Dual Electronics XGPS 150A Universal works with other devices no connection required so I assume it would work if iPad in waterproof case.its like a small brick 2x2x1/2"" thick. I have one like this to enhance my wi-fi connection when at sea.also other devices,from T Mobile .
Looking at the Dual Electronics one on Amason you can get a holder for the brick. What I'm going to do now is make sure the bad elf works with ISO 10 then I'm sorted.Very interesting this subject,almost as good as discussing the colour of paint.as long as you get a satisfactory finish at the end.
 
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