Is this Bad Elf better than the built-in GPS in an iPad Air 2 with cellular service? I'm planning to use it with downloaded nautical charts. Thanks.
813430
I bought the Bad Elf for navigating beyond cellular range. It works very well when there is no cell coverage available. I live in Alaska and our network is limited.
813431
HelloBuilt-in GPS is better as ipad is more compact without external device. On the other hand, it may be cheaper to buy ipad without gps + bad elf.
725486
I just got my phone, I was curious to see the offline gps but so far I couldn't get it to work. It always shows Germany. It wouldn't locate the current position. I tried it in open Air facing the sky.Another annoyance, or may be there is a setting or something, the keyboard works like regular old cell phones. For example to type 'C' I need to tap on the key 3 times. To type number it's 4 taps. That is completely not acceptable in a smartphone.Will do more research before deciding to return it back.
1156829
Thanks! I will check out the bad elf gps receiver, maybe it would be worthwhile for my ipod 4g.
1568351
I believe if you have an IPAD2 with AT&T; or Verizon 4G service, it may have GPS. I do know that if it is WIFI only, it will definitely will not have GPS. Go to settings and see if GPS is listed.
1399332
great question, and I am an "old" ipad iphone developer. No, it is a usb device meant to be plugged into mac, or pc, or linux usb port. the ipad iphone doesn't have this. ALSO, once plugged into the usb device, you need software running on the mac, or pc or linux to interpret the GPS data. I am using three on linux and have tested on pc and mac. they are absolutely great, but no ipad support.
422989
I use this in a wifi only ipad. I use this device as a backup to a Garmin 430 while flying. I use it with a garmin application for flying. The app has all the charts preloaded and the bad elf just provides the positioning coordinates via GPS signals and overlays your position onto the chart(map). It works great, but it is only designed the receive GPS signals which only requires power and no data connection of any sort. A main point is that your maps need to be up to date before you disconnect from wifi or else you might find yourself being represented by a nice moving blue dot over a blank grey background. I use this in a wifi only ipad. I use this device as a backup to a Garmin 430 while flying. I use it with a garmin application for flying. The app has all the charts preloaded and the bad elf just provides the positioning coordinates via GPS signals and overlays your position onto the chart(map). It works great, but it is only designed the receive GPS signals which only requires power and no data connection of any sort. A main point is that your maps need to be up to date before you disconnect from wifi or else you might find yourself being represented by a nice moving blue dot over a blank... » Read More I use this in a wifi only ipad. I use this device as a backup to a Garmin 430 while flying. I use it with a garmin application for flying. The app has all the charts preloaded and the bad elf just provides the positioning coordinates via GPS signals and overlays your position onto the chart(map). It works great, but it is only designed the receive GPS signals which only requires power and no data connection of any sort. A main point is that your maps need to be up to date before you disconnect from wifi or else you might find yourself being represented by a nice moving blue dot over a blank grey background. « Show Less
1377481
Yes at least usually. I used to like this unit but mine got stolen so I went out and tried all three of the leading brands and came to the conclusion that none of them are as good as the built-in one in the iPhone. That is to say the Google map which is great compared to the Apple map app which is inferior. Unfortunately none of the GPS know about the hills of San Francisco so once in a while it'll send your over a "mountain" instead of around it. some of the hills around here actually big enough to be called mountains like Twin Peaks for example.
2024428
I can only share my experience with this device. I used it as a back-up to a Garmin 696 that was our primary navaid in flying from Orlando to Anchorage and back via the AlCan Highway (see floridaaviators.blogspot.com). This GPS antenna was employed with an iPad 2 running Foreflight software that was also geosynched to show real time aircraft position, airspeed, altitude and course. It worked flawlessly. When new the Garmin 696 cost as much as $2000, and the software easily cost that much a year. The iPad was about $400, the Dual 150 was $99 delivered, and the Foreflight software (including Geosynch) was $150 a year. At no time did the Foreflight differ more than a few feet of altitude, a knot of airspeed or a degree of true course; position was essentially identical to the Garmin (which uses Jeppesen software, which is also quite expensive). The dual antenna will work in a jet if you have a window seat. The further you sit from a window, the poorer the possibility of reception. It has a rubber suction cup that was designed to be used to attach the antenna to a windscreen. Ours was set atop the glareshield of the Cessna 172 we flew; it wasn't necessary to stick it to the windshield. It should work with the iphone6, but of course that already includes its own GPS antenna. I will tell you that a good friend uses his every time he flies in the cockpit of an A-320 just as a precaution...and it works flawlessly. Hope this is of some value to you. Best of luck!
1890082
It is a GPS unit made specifically for iPads that do not have cellular wifi access (and thus no GPS). There are many programs available on the app store that are compatible. Everything from vehicle navigation to boating and flight as well as a host of location specific apps for engineering, hiking, etc.. It also contains a stand-alone data tracker that allows a person to download where the unit has been and overlay on a map. I have one and use it all the time both with the iPad and stand alone. I charge it up, throw in on the dashboard and at the end of the day or week I download the data to keep track of where I've been for business miles. It is a GPS unit made specifically for iPads that do not have cellular wifi access (and thus no GPS). There are many programs available on the app store that are compatible. Everything from vehicle navigation to boating and flight as well as a host of location specific apps for engineering, hiking, etc.. It also contains a stand-alone data tracker that allows a person to download where the unit has been and overlay on a map. I have one and use it all the time both with the iPad and stand alone. I charge it up, throw in on the dashboard and at the end of the day or week I download the data... » Read More It is a GPS unit made specifically for iPads that do not have cellular wifi access (and thus no GPS). There are many programs available on the app store that are compatible. Everything from vehicle navigation to boating and flight as well as a host of location specific apps for engineering, hiking, etc.. It also contains a stand-alone data tracker that allows a person to download where the unit has been and overlay on a map. I have one and use it all the time both with the iPad and stand alone. I charge it up, throw in on the dashboard and at the end of the day or week I download the data to keep track of where I've been for business miles. « Show Less
1244054
There are IOS specific apps such as Gaia that work mon iPads have free maps and are much cheaper.
1568353
If your iPad2 has WIFI and GPS capabilities already built into the system (the upgraded model of iPad2 - no external internet connection needed?), then you won't need the Bad Elf. If however, you have the basic model of iPad2 (...like I have on my iPad3, without GPS and WIFI built in), then YES! I use my iPad3 with Bad Elf connected, mainly for Geocaching and Wherigo's (...an outdoor sport using satilites, symilar to treasure hunting) and need the GPS capabilities, I also have to carry a small external wifi box along with me to stay connected to the internet. The Bad Elf uses satilites to track your exact location. It works GREAT with Google maps too!! If your iPad2 has WIFI and GPS capabilities already built into the system (the upgraded model of iPad2 - no external internet connection needed?), then you won't need the Bad Elf. If however, you have the basic model of iPad2 (...like I have on my iPad3, without GPS and WIFI built in), then YES! I use my iPad3 with Bad Elf connected, mainly for Geocaching and Wherigo's (...an outdoor sport using satilites, symilar to treasure hunting) and need the GPS capabilities, I also have to carry a small external wifi box along with me to stay connected to the internet. The Bad Elf uses satilites to... » Read More If your iPad2 has WIFI and GPS capabilities already built into the system (the upgraded model of iPad2 - no external internet connection needed?), then you won't need the Bad Elf. If however, you have the basic model of iPad2 (...like I have on my iPad3, without GPS and WIFI built in), then YES! I use my iPad3 with Bad Elf connected, mainly for Geocaching and Wherigo's (...an outdoor sport using satilites, symilar to treasure hunting) and need the GPS capabilities, I also have to carry a small external wifi box along with me to stay connected to the internet. The Bad Elf uses satilites to track your exact location. It works GREAT with Google maps too!! « Show Less
102039
Michelle, you ask a good question, here. Personally, I have used Google Maps on it (there are all kinds of Google applications available, since it's an Android device), but don't see how you can use GPS in another way (like in the car). I don't know if this kind of app is even possible on a tablet in a moving car. Hope I gave you food for thought, at least, but I have no definite answer for you. By the way, I love this device. The only drawbacks I have with it are a relatively short battery life and longer recharge time than an iPad (which I have owned before). But remember, this little beauty is less than $150, while iPads, like Apple products in general, are outrageously more expensive :) Michelle, you ask a good question, here. Personally, I have used Google Maps on it (there are all kinds of Google applications available, since it's an Android device), but don't see how you can use GPS in another way (like in the car). I don't know if this kind of app is even possible on a tablet in a moving car. Hope I gave you food for thought, at least, but I have no definite answer for you. By the way, I love this device. The only drawbacks I have with it are a relatively short battery life and longer recharge time than an iPad (which I have owned before). But remember, this little... » Read More Michelle, you ask a good question, here. Personally, I have used Google Maps on it (there are all kinds of Google applications available, since it's an Android device), but don't see how you can use GPS in another way (like in the car). I don't know if this kind of app is even possible on a tablet in a moving car. Hope I gave you food for thought, at least, but I have no definite answer for you. By the way, I love this device. The only drawbacks I have with it are a relatively short battery life and longer recharge time than an iPad (which I have owned before). But remember, this little beauty is less than $150, while iPads, like Apple products in general, are outrageously more expensive :) « Show Less
1506674
I purchased the GPS devise. It straps onto the top of your battery. It's a tight fit in there, I will say. It allows you touch a point on your IPAD screen, then hit take off. The drone flys to the speed and elevation you choose on-screen. You may change the course at any time, including speed and altitude. When you press the 'home' button at the bottom of your screen, the Drone turns and flys to home and lands itself. Works perfect most of the time, however, I have experienced a few cliches with the GPS installed. Very cool though.
376614
Thanks, Valdvogel...you gave me just the info I needed. Of course, the first inclination is to purchase an expensive NUVI, but it's good to know that an earlier hand-held works even better! We already have a GPS (Staples brand) that works great for road directions, but it uses wrong coordinates for geo-caching. It's just too difficult to"translate" the coordinates for every cache! Thanks again!
1245446
As Michael said, GPS is always available outside - wifi or not. I have used map software by Sygic on roadtrips on a wifi only tablet. I assume there are other similar products but have not used any other. You have to have a wifi connection to install the software and maps of course. Then, after the map is stored on your tablet, GPS navigation works fine.
556649
Siri says it does have built in GPS when it is connected to cellular. We currently only use the iPad with WIFI. Our cellular carrier doesn't service Apple products--go figure.
237348
I bought this for my wifi only iPad so it could be used as a GPS with the TomTom app (downloads all maps to device - big file, but requires no cel data) .. works great.