Thinking of getting iPad to replace my TomTom

[WilliamG]

So the wifi ipad certainly does have gps capabilities without data.

I completely agree with this statement except for the "does have GPS capabilities" part.

 

[flynz4]

Hmmm I have a wifi ipad. Turned off wifi/ bluetooth. Drove around
NO INTERNET CONNECTION and my ipad was able to pinpoint my location.
Since I did not have DATA i could not search or street view etc.

But it new exactly where I was located. So the wifi ipad certainly does have gps capabilities without data.

You need to re-try your experiment away from WiFi signals (drive into the boonies). I believe you were using Wifi triangulation. Many people have verified this.

/Jim

 

[AppleFan360]

Let's be realistic here.

The typical family buys 1 portable nav unit, keeps it in the glovebox 350 days a year, and moves it from car to car to car the other 15 days.

A portable nav's biggest benefit is to be there, sitting quietly in the sweaty glove box, until that time that WHAM you're lost or need directions. You reach into the glove box, you mount the thing on a beanbag or a suction cup BOOM problem solved.

An unwieldy iPad can't be the Johnny-on-the-spot problem solver that a $120 Nuvi is. Though there are a million things the iPad can be, there are some that it shouldn't be and an in-car nav is one of them.

BJ

I would have agreed with you 2 years ago but not anymore. I will not be buying another portable nav unit for 3 main reasons:

1. Keeping the maps current is a hassle and expensive.
2. No google searches for POI's. I feel limited when searching for locations on a portable nav unit.
3. Phones especially the iPhone nav apps are at your fingertips just like a portable nav unit in the glove box.

Lets face it, with the existence of iPhone (and hopefully future iPad) apps, portable nav units will have to fight for their position. $400 is a lot to spend on a single nav unit when you can get so much more with the iPad or iPhone.

 

[brn2ski00]

I don't understand all these people who want 3G iPads as well as already owning a 3G capable mobile phone/iPhone?

Why are people paying for two data plans? 😕

And as for using the iPad instead of a TomTom... have you seen the size of the iPad. Where on earth are you going to mount it for viewing?

Disposable income I would say. But I agree, can't see the need to have two 3G enabled devices - especially an iPhone and iPad.

 

[boltjames]

I would have agreed with you 2 years ago but not anymore. I will not be buying another portable nav unit for 3 main reasons:

1. Keeping the maps current is a hassle and expensive.
2. No google searches for POI's. I feel limited when searching for locations on a portable nav unit.
3. Phones especially the iPhone nav apps are at your fingertips just like a portable nav unit in the glove box.

Lets face it, with the existence of iPhone (and hopefully future iPad) apps, portable nav units will have to fight for their position. $400 is a lot to spend on a single nav unit when you can get so much more with the iPad or iPhone.

A truly decent Nuvi can be had for $100 or less, not sure where you're getting a $400 price from.

My point here is that GPS units are quickly becoming inexpensive and disposable. Something you throw in the glovebox and forget about. Something that thieves no longer care to steal.

Besides, the iPad is the size of a cafeteria tray. Mounting that in the car is pretty silly.

BJ

 

[nuckinfutz]

Besides, the iPad is the size of a cafeteria tray. Mounting that in the car is pretty silly.

BJ

Doesn't look bad to me.

 

[stu.h]

Im going for the iPad 16gb wifi.

Already sorted the GPS and 3G

😀

 

[AppleFan360]

A truly decent Nuvi can be had for $100 or less, not sure where you're getting a $400 price from.

Read the OP's post.

My point here is that GPS units are quickly becoming inexpensive and disposable. Something you throw in the glovebox and forget about.

Until the maps need updating. Or, you try to search for something that is not in the outdated POI database.

I agree with you that the cheaper units are a good buy and excellent for what you suggest but my post was geared more toward the OP who spent $400.

 

[Hmac]

But it new exactly where I was located. So the wifi ipad certainly does have gps capabilities without data.

This has been discussed ad nauseum. It is clear that, although the wifi iPad does have some limited location-finding capability via wifi, it does not have GPS.