which gps receiver is working on iPad mini
I like to use my iPad mini (WIFI only) with offline maps with a bluetooth gps receiver.
Technical this could work. but ..
Apple seems to have blocked GPS receiver bluetooth use on the newest iPads. WHY ??
Is there a bluetooth GPS receiver that works ?
Hope to get some good answers.
iPad mini-OTHER, iOS 6.1, wifi only model
Posted on Feb 12, 2013 9:55 AM
There are several Apple-approved external Bluetooth GPS receivers for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Check out the Bad Elf GPS Pro, Dual XGPS150, and Garmin GLO. They work with any generation of the iPad and add GPS functionality to Wi-Fi only iOS devices. Many pilots use them even with their WiFi+Cellular iPads to ensure they have a rock solid GPS lock at altitude and high speeds.
The GPS Pro has some additional features including a 100+ hour standalone datalogger, LCD display with backlight, and 16-32hr battery life. It also supports up to 5 iOS devices simultaneously.
[ disclaimer: I’m the lead engineer at Bad Elf ]
Only in the Wi-Fi models. Wi-Fi + Cellular models have a GPS. In the Wi-Fi model, it’s not «blocked,» it’s just not there.
Bluetooth on the iPads is only used for connecting speakers, headphones, keyboards, or interfacing with your car. The BT protocols for interfacing with a GPS receiver do not exist in the iPad.
If you want to use GPS, you’ll have to upgrade to a cellular model.
My issue is, that an external GPS is blocked.
I understand , on the older iPads (wifi only ) , external GPS’s were not blocked.
the newest ( mini iPad and iPad 4) they are.
The only reason I can think of is a commercial reason.
orbje wrote:
I understand , on the older iPads (wifi only ) , external GPS’s were not blocked.
the newest ( mini iPad and iPad 4) they are.
The only reason I can think of is a commercial reason.
I do not believe that is correct. As far as I know, no Wifi-only iPad, regardless of model, was ever able to use GPS in the way you describe, much less interface with a separate unit via Bluetooth.
There are several Apple-approved external Bluetooth GPS receivers for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Check out the Bad Elf GPS Pro, Dual XGPS150, and Garmin GLO. They work with any generation of the iPad and add GPS functionality to Wi-Fi only iOS devices. Many pilots use them even with their WiFi+Cellular iPads to ensure they have a rock solid GPS lock at altitude and high speeds.
The GPS Pro has some additional features including a 100+ hour standalone datalogger, LCD display with backlight, and 16-32hr battery life. It also supports up to 5 iOS devices simultaneously.
[ disclaimer: I’m the lead engineer at Bad Elf ]
I’m definitely interested in GPS for my wi-fi only iPad Mini. And I’m very interested in the Bad Elf. Maybe not the Pro model, but there’s a cheaper one, I believe that still provides a GPS signal to the iPad.
But I’ve got a couple of questions, especially targeted at Brett if you’re still out there!
Mainly, my question is: does this device provide «location information» generally, to all apps that use location services? Or does it only supply GPS location information to apps custom designed for it?
Garmin’s GLO seems to be promoted for use with Garmin apps, for instance, and you can’t get a clear idea of what else, if anything, could get position information from it.
I’ve got a trusty old Garmin Mobile 10 Bluetooth GPS. My Mac’s bluetooth can recognize it and pair with it, but niether of my iOS6 devices (iPhone 4 & iPad Mini) can see it. So it must have an older BT protocol? My understanding is that it puts out NMEA protocol position data, and only certain apps can use that. But I can’t find any technical info on either the Bad Elf OR the Garmin GLO about what format(s?) the position info is in or what apps can use it. Makes me a bit nervous about laying out my $99.
Hello! Yes — both the Bad Elf and GLO provide the raw NMEA data to iOS, which then distributes the location data via Location Services to any and all apps that request it. Assuming the user has granted permission to the app of course.
Only GPS accessories that are MFi approved will work with iOS devices — that is why your older Garmin unit doesn’t appear in the Settings>Bluetooth dialog.
Thank you Brett! That is EXACTLY the information I needed!! Since I’m not the OP, I can’t give you a «Solved My Problem» Badge, but you deserve one for that! And a VERY quick response! I appreciate that!!
I have just purchased an Ipad 2 Wifi + 3G.
I am currently confused as to whether I can actually get a gps receiver to pair with the Ipad 2.
If the answer is yes then can someone please advice on the best combination of gps receiver and mapping software to allow me to use the ipad as a satnav on a trip across Europe, through Belarus and into Ukraine. Then travelling within Ukraine before driving back through southern Europe (including Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia etc)
I am looking for a set up that does not require a cellular connection.
Per the posts above, and the info supplied by the Bad Elf engineer, I looked into the Bad Elf and Garmin options for a Bluetooth gps for my wi-fi only iPad. Based on my assessment of the available info, I have ordered a Bad Elf GPS Pro model. I chose that primarily because of the location support available to more than one device at a time. The Garmin MAY provide that, but I was unable to verify that on their website and was deterred by user reviews that complained about the overly sensitive on/off switch on the Garmin, since that issue occurs also with my old (and non MFi approved) Garmin 10 (which does work fine with my Mac Book Pro).
The Garmin unit does have the advantage (perhaps especially in E. Europe?) of also accessing the Russian gps satellite system, but plenty of pilots give user reviews lauding the accuracy of the Bad Elf Pro in N. America and W. Europe, which is the only place I will use mine. I did not look into the Dual very far, as it’s been around awhile and seemed like perhaps it wasn’t quite as state of the art as the other 2, although I could be wrong. Somehow, being as how the DoD is the supporter of the US GPS system, I suspect that it’s performance in E. Europe and Asia will NOT be inferior to the Russian alternative, which was set up, after-all, to give the Russians a system that they could not be denied access to under certain contingencies.
My Bad Elf GPS Pro hasn’t arrived yet, but I will post an impression based on U.S. automobile under-way use once I’ve had a chance to get it running.
iPad как GPS навигатор
Как всем известно, компания Apple выпускает две версии своего планшета iPad, и это версия просто с Wi-Fi, и версия с Wi-Fi и 3G модулем. Также вторая версия iPad имеет в наличии еще и одну очень интересную и полезную функцию. И этой функцией является GPS.
GPS – это спутниковая система навигации, позволяющая нам в любой части Земли определить наше местоположение и скорость с которой мы движемся.
iPad как GPS навигатор
Как уже было сказано выше, iPad версии Wi-Fi+3G имеет встроенный приемник GPS сигнала. И соответственно мы можем использовать его для навигации, будь то пешая прогулка по незнакомым улицам маленького городка, или же автомобильная навигация по большому мегаполису. Также если вы используете iPad как ваш персональный деловой помощник, и часто ездите в командировки очень удобно будет найти любой адрес в незнакомом городе. Имея в арсенале 9,7 дюймовый экран и хорошую автономность для этих функций он едва ли не идеален.
Да действительно пользуясь iPad-ом в роли GPS навигатора я очень доволен. Находясь в автомобиле, который движется со скоростью около 100 км/час iPad находит спутники буквально за несколько секунд, при этом точно определяет координаты. Ну, это уже в большей степени зависит от программ, которые вы используете для GPS навигации и карт, которые в них есть.
iPad. GPS и bluetooth
Теоретически можно GPS сделать и для обычного iPad Wi-fi. На зарубежных форумах я часто сталкивался с тем, что человек покупал bluetooth gps – подключал к своему iPad “с бубном” и у него был работающий GPS на обычном iPad Wi-Fi. На практике двое моих знакомых пытались такое проделать, но iPad не хотел работать в связке с bluetooth GPS. Ту ещё нужны определенные модели, которые планшет Apple готов принять.
В последующих обзорах я расскажу вам о некоторых программах, которые использую для GPS навигации на iPad. Оставайтесь с нами.
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