GPS and iPads...

It has, as it's a 4G model.

 

The chip is only half the equation. Unless you have an app loaded on your iPad that contains maps of your current area, there's no way to visualize where you are. That's why your GPS only seems to "work properly" when tethered, because the tethering allows it access map data in real time. You can buy any number of map sets ranging from a couple of dollars to $50, $60 or more.

This is a free map set (just maps, not directions), not very elegant but it gets the job done:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/you-need-a-map/id415545903?mt=8

 

I'd suggest try NAVIGON, it's done wonders for me. Plus it's a universal app, if you ever get an iPhone no need to pay twice for it. It allows you to download only the maps you need to your device for offline use and it's just a great app IMO.

 

Navigon, Tom Tom, CoPilot etc. You might want to refer to some of the existing GPS threads for more suggestions on nav apps with locally stored map data.

Sometimes being too specific will keep you from finding what you're looking for. The above info applies to any GPS device. All the GPS receiver does is determine latitude, longitude, altitude and time. Everything else comes from the app/map data.

 

I also suggest navigon, a universal app in case you have a iPhone.

 

Try NAVFREE. As the name implies, it is free and you can choose what maps to download, as they take up alot of space. There used to be an app called NDrive, which I believe was the predecessor to NAVFREE that downloaded the entire US, but it was pulled from the AppStore and in some cases deleted from devices (I still have it). It works well, and because it doesn't need a data connection, you won't have issues with the map not updating if you're in an area of poor coverage. The downside is that there may be new roads that are not on the downloaded maps.

 

I agree with the Navigon choice. Over time I've purchased Navigon, TomTom and MotionX Drive. That's a lot of $ on their early pricing.

TomTom was a massive disappointment. It couldn't provide sane directions to save its life.

MotionX Drive requires a data connection. Yes, you can save route maps ahead of time but forget changing routes or searching or you'll need a data connection again.

I originally got Navigon because I had a hardware GPS of their and I liked their approach to navigation. I wasn't thrilled when they pulled out of the North American GPS market but the app did a nice job. It used to require that you download the entire map set (about 1GB) to use it. Now it allows you to pick regions. It has improved over time and is the best I've used thus far.

On the down-side, I specifically chose a Navigon GPS last over Garmin because I didn't like Garmin's business practices of putting a dozen GPS units out at a time and offering various features across different units with basically the same hardware. Then they don't provide firmware updates for the units even when issues exist in the operating system. They basically chuck out a GPS and then abandon it moving on to the next dozen releases. (I've had two Garmin units that weren't worth a damn at all but they promised to fix it with firmware updates. They didn't.) I've had 6 Garmins over about 9 years and I got tired of it. Now, after using Navigon last month, I see Garmin has bought Navigon out. So, based on Garmin's track record, I expect to see a half dozen mediocre apps with various functionality that expire and need to buy a new app.

 

Navigon works great on my iPad 3 4G... If you need gps, make sure the cell radio is flipped on.. Even if you don't have a iPad plan.