Using an Ipad for SatNav

dipper17 · 9 Jul 2011 at 10:45

Hi

I want to buy an Ipad that I want to use for SatNav in my Mercedes Sprinter Van. I have plenty of room to set up the iPad and am not concerned about the size. What I want know is what to get?

I think the Ipad 2 3G comes with GPS receiver built in so is it just that simple to buy the Ipad 2 and then some software.

Do I need to take out a subscription to a mobile phone company as well to get it to work.

Can I buy an external GPS receiver and connect it to the Ipad 1 or Ipad 2 wifi and achieve the same thing?

Does the Ipad 1 3G have a GPS receiver built in.

Has anyone else done this, any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

cokecan · 9 Jul 2011 at 12:07

I think the iPad uses aGPS (assisted GPS) rather than standalone GPS which I believe requires a data connection?

GibFire · 9 Jul 2011 at 12:30

Cokecan72 is correct, the iPad's use Assisted GPS, and therefore you can only use SatNav on a 3G + WiFi model. you would need a SIM with a data subscription, either contract or Pay as you go.

The iPad 3G + WiFi and the iPad 2 3G + WiFi both have Assisted GPS

you cannot use an external GPS receiver as the iPad is actually using your mobile signal to determine your location.

Skully · 9 Jul 2011 at 12:56

http://gigaom.com/apple/wi-fi-ipad-2-gets-gps-with-iphone-4-connection-sharing/

Have a look at that, not sure how true it is though!

dipper17 · 9 Jul 2011 at 13:11

Hi all

Thanks for the replies. Does that mean that I can buy an external bluetooth GPS receiver and then connect via bluetooth to get the sat info into the navigation software?

Cheers

Vonhelmet · 9 Jul 2011 at 13:38

AGPS does not require a mobile connection - the mobile connection helps, but is not essential. AGPS uses your mobile connection to triangulate your rough location, to give it a better idea of which satellites to look for and which signals to expect, so that it can get a lock on more quickly. The GPS will still work without an active connection, but it will be slower.

Tesla · 9 Jul 2011 at 21:43

I guess the benefit of having a 3G connection are things such as traffic updates and the ability to browse the web whilst out and about would likely be beneficial.

whitecrook · 9 Jul 2011 at 21:49

How are you mounting the ipad in your vehicle?

dipper17 · 9 Jul 2011 at 22:38

Hi

The dashboard is large on this vehicle, there is an open topped box on the top of the dash which fits the ipod when it is laid on it's back. I am going to make an acrylic stand with the velcro idea from above. This will do I think. Cheers.

JennyXT · 1 Feb 2012 at 15:16

I have a bluetooth gps receiver.

Can someone please help confirm. Can I buy a IPAD 2 WIFI only and connect to the bluetooth gps and use as wifi?

Thanks

POB · 1 Feb 2012 at 16:06

JennyXT said:
I have a bluetooth gps receiver.

Can someone please help confirm. Can I buy a IPAD 2 WIFI only and connect to the bluetooth gps and use as wifi?

Thanks

I had to jailbreak mine to do this, but it was a year or so ago, so Apple might have improved things since.

But there might be other Bluetooh GPS devices designed for this now like :http://xgps150.dualav.com/how-it-works.html#code

waso_dude · 1 Feb 2012 at 16:34

Tomtom do really good iphone software and a GPS reciever, not sure 100% if its compatable with the ipad though. Might be worth looking into atleast.

EDIT:

The app is ipad compatible: http://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/products/mobile-navigation/tomtom-app-for-iphone/

Few ideas: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=912798

peter · 1 Feb 2012 at 18:48

Have tomtom on the ipad 1 works fine, the iPad version is even better than the phone one . If you have it on the phone you do not need to pay for the hd iPad version.
We have the non 3G version, gps is just as good as the iPhone 4.

jkkc313 · 1 Feb 2012 at 19:26

its gonna be huge, but will work, but make sure you have a power adaptor going to it otherwise you won't get to many places.