trailertrawlerkismet":1ta9bgqm said:
Hi Denny:
We used our iPad2 in Lake Powell, Utah in the depths of the canyons and up to 80 miles from Paige Arizona, the areas largest small city. We used it with the Navionics app and we did not have the internet connected as we do not need to because of the built in GPS and the reception was detailed and accurate. Here's my question back to Denny or someone else that may know the answer and or have experience. Based on what I've stated would an additional plug in GPS antenna, like the Bad Elf, really be needed? I ask this because I'm not using my phone link and the iPad2 has its own GPS that seems to work just fine. Maybe we just got lucky in Lake Powell.
Jim F
No, you weren't lucky, you were using a device with a built-in GPS chip. Really. No "triangulation" necessary. Really. I've been doing my best to explain that when people ask (and I guess you didn't really ask) that the 3G/4G model iPads (NOT the wifi only iPads) ABSOLUTELY DO HAVE a built-in GPS chip.
We use our original iPad 3G/wifi model all the time as our back-up GPS chartplotter. Have been doing so for over 2 years. To hook up to the internet, we use our Droid phone as a hotspot for all our devices, but don't generally do that while underway. Our cell carrier is Verizon. I bought the iPad BECAUSE it had the 3G (which was the only way to get the built-in GPS chip), but have never connected it via AT&T. Really, no cell connection whatsoever. And the GPS and apps that we have all work. Never had an issue or a time where they didn't work. As in: off shore, out in the wild West, in National Parks (where there was no cell coverage), and in Canada (where we turn our phones off or put them on "airplane mode"). The 3G/4G models really do have a built-in GPS chip. Really; I'm not joking. :lol:
The (2 1/2 year old) iPad is every bit as accurate as our (6 year old) Raymarine E-80 and acquires the satellites faster. No gain in hooking an external GPS to it... did I mention the 3G/4G models have a built-in GPS chip??
😉
We also have the Navionics app on Joan's iPhone4 and my Droid Bionic. The iPhone seems to be less accurate (not much) and takes longer to acquire the satellites than the iPad or the Droid. Oh, and you don't have to be in cell range for either of those devices for the GPS and the Navionics app to be functional, as well. I use my Droid to navigate often while in "airplane mode" so I don't accidentally connect with a Canadian signal.
I think Apple confused some folks with their "A"GPS (the "A" stands for assisted) moniker, which means it uses towers to triangulate (like "old fashioned" cell phones) to make the GPS more accurate. Marketing hype which made a lot of people think the iPad NEEDS the triangulation; it doesn't. Well, maybe in a big city with a lot of tall buildings, where it might be tough to get a clear view of the satellites? I can't say for sure on that last one, 'cause I haven't navigated our boat through the middle of a big city.
😉
Best wishes,
Jim B.
