iPad Mini: Can the iPad Mini use GPS without 4G/WiFi?

[FuNyuN]

I want to install an iPad Mini in my car and use it as a Navigation System and Music Library. But do I need the 4G LTE version to have navigation? I saw a video of a normal iPad that has Navigation without internet, but is the mini the same? Thanks for any help.

[Intell]

Only the cellular versions have a GPS chip in them.

[FuNyuN]

Originally Posted by Intell

Only the cellular versions have a GPS chip in them.

So even if I use an app with the maps already in it, it's a no go?

[MrXiro]

Originally Posted by FuNyuN

I want to install an iPad Mini in my car and use it as a Navigation System and Music Library. But do I need the 4G LTE version to have navigation? I saw a video of a normal iPad that has Navigation without internet, but is the mini the same? Thanks for any help.

What you're seeing is data based location... it's nowhere near as accurate as GPS and can't handle turn by turn.

You will not only need the LTE version for the GPS you'll need the monthly data access to generate maps. Or you can pay 100 bucks for one of the Navi system software that stores you maps on your iPad.

[Intell]

Originally Posted by FuNyuN

So even if I use an app with the maps already in it, it's a no go?

It'll work as long as there are WiFI networks nearby that it can use for location data. But that isn't as accurate and it doesn't work where there aren't any WiFi networks.

[FuNyuN]

So how about if I tether the internet from my iPhone? Will that work?

[brand]

Originally Posted by FuNyuN

So how about if I tether the internet from my iPhone? Will that work?

Internet is not the issue, the GPS chip is.

[xraydoc]

Originally Posted by FuNyuN

So how about if I tether the internet from my iPhone? Will that work?

The iPad and iPad mini is able to access the GPS chip within the iPhone if tethered via wifi.

[FuNyuN]

Originally Posted by xraydoc

The iPad and iPad mini is able to access the GPS chip within the iPhone if tethered via wifi.

Awesome. How can I do this?

[xraydoc]

Originally Posted by FuNyuN

Awesome. How can I do this?

If you have the wifi hotspot available to you on your iPhone's data plan, just turn on hotspot mode and connect your iPad. The wifi indicator on the iPad will change to a couple of chain links when tethered. Then just launch Maps or any GPS-using app and it'll just work.

[FuNyuN]

Originally Posted by xraydoc

If you have the wifi hotspot available to you on your iPhone's data plan, just turn on hotspot mode and connect your iPad. The wifi indicator on the iPad will change to a couple of chain links when tethered. Then just launch Maps or any GPS-using app and it'll just work.

I have a jailbroken iPhone. So I would just use TetherMe or some other Cydia App. So will the iPad be able to access my iPhone's GPS chip this way?

[sneaky butcher]

Originally Posted by FuNyuN

I have a jailbroken iPhone. So I would just use TetherMe or some other Cydia App. So will the iPad be able to access my iPhone's GPS chip this way?

heard it doesnt work very well if you tether gps from your phone. ipod touch users seem to say that.

wifi n7 has gps or pay more for 3g ipad mini with gps

[djdover]

Originally Posted by FuNyuN

I have a jailbroken iPhone. So I would just use TetherMe or some other Cydia App. So will the iPad be able to access my iPhone's GPS chip this way?

Don't listen to people who don't know what they are saying. You will get a location signal when you tether to your iPhone, however it won't be real time. It doesn't update in near-real-time as a cellular model iPad would. Hardly useful for turn by turn.

[xraydoc]

Originally Posted by djdover

Don't listen to people who don't know what they are saying. You will get a location signal when you tether to your iPhone, however it won't be real time. It doesn't update in near-real-time as a cellular model iPad would. Hardly useful for turn by turn.

I can't say that it doesn't work well for turn-by-turn as I've never tried it from the iPad. If that's your main purpose, may as well just spring for the cellular model. But I can tell you that it seems to work quite well otherwise. GPS locks seem just as fast as if done on the phone.

As for jailbroken phones, I can't say if it'll work the same way. My only experience is with the official wifi hotspot tethering.

[takeshi74]

Originally Posted by MrXiro

You will not only need the LTE version for the GPS you'll need the monthly data access to generate maps. Or you can pay 100 bucks for one of the Navi system software that stores you maps on your iPad.

Depends on the nav app. There are certainly options with locally stored maps (discussed very frequently on MacRumors) for much less than $100.

[MrXiro]

Originally Posted by takeshi74

Depends on the nav app. There are certainly options with locally stored maps (discussed very frequently on MacRumors) for much less than $100.

Last time I looked they were still around 100 bucks with them going on sale for about 70 once in a while... I stopped looking after I saw those prices.

[xraydoc]

Originally Posted by MrXiro

Last time I looked they were still around 100 bucks with them going on sale for about 70 once in a while... I stopped looking after I saw those prices.

Navigon is only $39 or so for US maps.

[MrXiro]

Originally Posted by xraydoc

Navigon is only $39 or so for US maps.

Just checked its 60. There are 30 dollar options for US regions, too rich for my blood.

I used the apple navigation in LA, which has worked for me the last few times I had used it. For free.

[FuNyuN]

Now I'm confused again. So if I use a Nav app with stored maps, I don't need the LTE iPad? Or I can use it with tether from my iPhone?

[Hendu98]

Originally Posted by FuNyuN

Now I'm confused again. So if I use a Nav app with stored maps, I don't need the LTE iPad? Or I can use it with tether from my iPhone?

I believe they're saying that even with stored maps (that don't need an active data signal) it'll still be spotty at best. No GPS chip any way you look at it, giving delayed and potentially inaccurate updates.

You can use stored maps with an LTE ipad/mini and not have the cellular activated and I believe the gps will still work fine with those.

[poloponies]

Originally Posted by FuNyuN

Now I'm confused again. So if I use a Nav app with stored maps, I don't need the LTE iPad? Or I can use it with tether from my iPhone?

Knowing where you are requires 2 things:

1. A receiver to lock in on satellite locations AND

2. Maps that can visualize your location

Knowing where you are isn't especially useful if you don't have a visual reference of your location so unless you have an active data stream supplying real-time visualization then you need pre-loaded maps for the area in which you're then located. Works the same way for a dedicated GPS device, you need to have maps installed for the are in which you're using it.

[stormingjoe]

These are authorised for use with iPads, designed for pilots they are available cheaper but not passed for aviation use,
http://proviationshop.co.uk/shop/art...%3DH-SP-GLO%26 can be used with most satnav programs.

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Just to clarify, iOS 6 (Apple's new) Maps (and yes I've seen the gripes about it not being quite ready for prime time yet) won't do the offline (no wifi/cellular) maps for OPs purposes? A wifi or 4G/3G connection will absolutely be required for Apple's new Maps to draw accurate maps?

There are many reviews that talk about iOS6 Maps working very well for these purposes, downloading fine detail for some amount of territory around the current location. For example: http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/...or-a-wide-area Does it not work like that? Is there no "store (maps) locally" (on the iPad Mini in this case) option for iOS6 maps?

I thought I would need something like Navigon for this purpose too until I read various reviews of the new Maps app. They made me think that as long as I fired up maps while within reach of free wifi, the LTE version of the Mini would be able to draw accurate (GPS-driven) maps for much of the surrounding territory even when the Mini was disconnected from wifi or 4G/3G. Could someone clarify with certainty one way or the other?

And if it does work, does anyone have a sense of the reach of that surrounding territory? 100 miles? 200 miles? Region? State?