GPS for Ipad wifi only

Submitted: Monday, Apr 09, 2018 at 17:14

ThreadID: 136524 Views:4128 Replies:8 FollowUps:4

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THOMMO59

Hi All,
What have you used as a GPS for your wifi Ipad running the ExploreOz app?
I hear of Bad Elf being good but what's your experiences?

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Reply By: Jackolux - Monday, Apr 09, 2018 at 18:50

Monday, Apr 09, 2018 at 18:50

Yep Bad Elf is really good , picks up the GPS sats really quick .

AnswerID: 618180

Reply By: THOMMO59 - Monday, Apr 09, 2018 at 19:23

Monday, Apr 09, 2018 at 19:23

Hi Jack
What model did you get as there are a few including the one that plugs directly into the lightning socket?

AnswerID: 618183

Reply By: Member - J&A&KK - Monday, Apr 09, 2018 at 20:06

Monday, Apr 09, 2018 at 20:06

Thomson

I use a Bad Elf GPS Pro+ with an iPad using Memory Map. So can’t comment on usability with Explore Oz app.

Connectivity with the iPad is always via Bluetooth. GPS is attached to the rear of the interior rear vision mirror. The GPS signal from the Bad Elf is used by Memory Map. I have used the BE for about a year. No problems at all. Battery life if track logging to the BE Memory is about 30hrs. This is extended to about 48hrs if not logging.

Not a cheap unit but to date 100% reliable. Generally have around 20 sats in view with 15+ used for the position solution. The addition of this GPS has solved all of my previous track logging problems on Memory Map.

You need to download the BE app that allows the BE to provide the GPS inputs into the mapping software. If you read the ExploreOz info carefully you will see a reference to using an external GPS ( Bad Elf) with the app.

The only downside I have is that the iPad stays connected, and actively logs positions, when stationary. So some track logs need serious editing. Also iPad is power hungry and in a 10 hour day will lose 50% of its battery life when plugged into a USB charging port for the 10hrs.

Trust this helps

Cheers John

AnswerID: 618184

Reply By: Member - Cyberess - Monday, Apr 09, 2018 at 22:00

Monday, Apr 09, 2018 at 22:00

Sort of pointing out the obvious.

If might be just cheaper to buy an Android Tablet, than to purchase Bad Elf GPS Lightning Connector.

e.g.
Lenovo Tab 7 7" 16GB Tablet $96.00
https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/lenovo-tab-7-7-16gb-tablet-black-syl7tab7b

Bad Elf GPS for Apple Lightning Connector $179.95
http://www.flightstore.com.au/bad-elf-gps-for-apple-lightning-connector

Also running external devices on your Apple Device will cause it to have shorter battery life, plus it would be so easy to misplace the separate device.

AnswerID: 618186

Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Tuesday, Apr 10, 2018 at 07:27

Tuesday, Apr 10, 2018 at 07:27

Not just cheaper but more reliable too.
As you could expect, Apple don't like products like Bad Elf or other bluetooth GPS tethering because they interfere with sales of higher margin versions of the IPAD that have the GPS.

Every time Apple release a major or minor release, they reblock Bad Elf. Then some time after that Bad Elf find another workaround. Sometimes it takes months to get the GPS working again after a new release of IOS.

Bad Elf recommend that you don't update IOS and have a process to try to get the Bad Elf working as quickly as possible after each IOS release. For example Bad Elf recommend that you use 11.2.6, not the current 11.3 So if your IPAD has automatically updated you will have to wait till Bad Elf release their next patch. To bad if you are going away before then. No reliable GPS till you get back.

Given the IPAD defaults to auto update you can get stuck.

IMHO the whole think is a kludge. Imagine that you don't use your IPAD for a while turn it on, and it updates just before you go on your trip. Then you go to use our Bad Elf Nothing! Bingo Bongo.

Invest in a GPS friendly product, not one where the manufacturer is actively and constantly trying to stop it working. We're talking about remote navigation possibly saving your life here, not having facebook down for a month or two.

FollowupID: 890109

Follow Up By: Life Member - Rob 49 - Tuesday, Apr 10, 2018 at 07:55

Tuesday, Apr 10, 2018 at 07:55

I use a Lenovo tablet running ver 5 for Exploroz and find it to be faultless for the app. Had this combo for about 12 months.

Regards,

I took the road less travelled........ and didn't see any-one.

Lifetime Member
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FollowupID: 890110

Follow Up By: Member - Penski - Tuesday, Apr 10, 2018 at 11:48

Tuesday, Apr 10, 2018 at 11:48

Plus the cost of re-purchasing required apps from Google Play. Switching between or running multiple platforms isn’t always economical.

FollowupID: 890116

Reply By: maurice b - Monday, Apr 09, 2018 at 22:01

Monday, Apr 09, 2018 at 22:01

You can also tether gps from your other device using an app .https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.wired.com/2011/04/airlocation-sends-gps-data-from-iphone-to-ipad/amp

AnswerID: 618187

Reply By: Member BarryG - Tuesday, Apr 10, 2018 at 08:32

Tuesday, Apr 10, 2018 at 08:32

I use a BadElf for Lightning on my iPad. I use ExplorOz Traveller, Memory Map, Melway, MapOut and NavMii.

All work well and IOS updates do not cause a problem at all. Perhaps, because I don't use the BadElf app at all. (I think the instructions said that you should start the BadElf app, wait for satellite lock, then load your own nav app if required. I have found that that is not necessary!)

Incidentally, the price of the BadElf is about the same as the price difference between a WiFi-only iPad and a GPS-enabled iPad. In hindsight, I should have purchased the latter for overall reliability, but the BadElf DOES work well and quickly.

Regards
Barry

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AnswerID: 618194

Follow Up By: Member - J&A&KK - Tuesday, Apr 10, 2018 at 14:27

Tuesday, Apr 10, 2018 at 14:27

Hi Barry

I agree with you regarding the IOS updates. I have never had a problem with either the Bad Elf app or using the Bad Elf GPS input alone. I usually update the IOS about a week after it’s release. There are more than 50 specialised mapping, surveying, navigation( including aviation and marine) IOS apps using Bad Elf inputs so I doubt that there will be many major disruptions from IOS updates.

Regards John

FollowupID: 890124