Using WiFi-only iPad as a mapping device

[qCzar]

Because it's actually 130 bucks more, not 30, plus at least $20 per month for the lifetime of my iPad. Assuming that's 5 years, your 30 extra become 1330 extra.

Not true. The GPS receiver you plan to purchase is already $100. It's just another $30 on top of that for a GPS enabled iPad, hence my "spend an extra 30" statement. There's not much to justify the extra 30 other than you loose the dock dongle (which you could possibly loose) and you keep that dock connection open for anything you may need; as some car FM transmitters and car docks require the dock connector to play your music but, most of us here have an iPod or an iPhone to accompany us on our travels anyways.

On top of that, the data connection is entirely voluntary. You don't pay, you don't get cellular service. The GPS isn't tied to any data whatsoever. To test, you can take your phone to the middle of nowhere (or disable Cellular Activity & WiFi) open up Google Maps, tap the "Locate Me" icon and it'll still find you.

To chuck in another pitch for Navigon, in version 2 it was updated so that you can download only the maps you need. I bought the United States version and prior to version 2 I was required to store all 2GB's of data. Now, I can download the maps I need when I need them. Bringing the 2GB's down to about 200MB's for me. If I plan to travel to another state or two, I download that map free of charge from Navigon and I'm set.

If you're hiking, I can't really speak for any topographical/trail maps unfortunately.

 

[GUCCIMAN]

Not true. The GPS receiver you plan to purchase is already $100. It's just another $30 on top of that for a GPS enabled iPad, hence my "spend an extra 30" statement. There's not much to justify the extra 30 other than you loose the dock dongle (which you could possibly loose) and you keep that dock connection open for anything you may need; as some car FM transmitters and car docks require the dock connector to play your music but, most of us here have an iPod or an iPhone to accompany us on our travels anyways.

On top of that, the data connection is entirely voluntary. You don't pay, you don't get cellular service. The GPS isn't tied to any data whatsoever. To test, you can take your phone to the middle of nowhere (or disable Cellular Activity & WiFi) open up Google Maps, tap the "Locate Me" icon and it'll still find you.

To chuck in another pitch for Navigon, in version 2 it was updated so that you can download only the maps you need. I bought the United States version and prior to version 2 I was required to store all 2GB's of data. Now, I can download the maps I need when I need them. Bringing the 2GB's down to about 200MB's for me. If I plan to travel to another state or two, I download that map free of charge from Navigon and I'm set.

If you're hiking, I can't really speak for any topographical/trail maps unfortunately.

I did not realize if u bought the lte/4g version and u don't buy data, u could still navigate and use google maps... Always wondered how my old iPhone could track me on map and follow My car when I didn't have a data plan.lf op is spending $100 on a gps attachment for the iPad I really do agree he should jus upgrade his iPad, however if he plans on buying like say a tomtom go, that's an entirely different story

 

[PhoenixMac]

That is wrong.

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

It displays the exact same info as my iPhone. Even when I'm no where near a router. I'm not sure why you are so angry about this?

I have the devices I can see what it is doing. The iPad just copies the iPhone map location.

Quote from the article

I tried this out on my 3G-capable iPads by turning off cellular network services and connecting to my iPhone via Personal Hotspot

The article you posted does not help your argument. He does this with 3g iPads. 3g ipads have GPS. So by turning off his data and then tethering which essentially gives him his data back he still has GPS in his iPad.

I am not stating whether this works or not with wifi only ipads but just stating this article is invalid.

 

[camfunction]

I plan on taking it out into the desert and use offline topographical mapping software. There are no cell towers anywhere near where i'm going, so the assisted GPS in the iPad+4g would not be useful. $100 for the module with no data plan is a lot cheaper than $130 for the 4g upgrade, then paying for a monthly data plan which wouldn't work for my application anyways.

 

[whtrbt7]

I plan on taking it out into the desert and use offline topographical mapping software. There are no cell towers anywhere near where i'm going, so the assisted GPS in the iPad+4g would not be useful. $100 for the module with no data plan is a lot cheaper than $130 for the 4g upgrade, then paying for a monthly data plan which wouldn't work for my application anyways.

Which desert are you going to if you don't mind me asking? The cell AGPS modules can still get TTFF in about 15 minutes or so even with no cell coverage. Only problem with the AGPS is that it's not exactly very accurate because it tries to calculate your position using the AGPS servers. At best, I would say you get accuracy of about 30 feet without the AGPS calcs. This is why having a real deal GPS would be really useful in a place like the desert or somewhere where you don't have any internet signal. In any case, have fun in the desert and bring lots of water.

 

[camfunction]

Which desert are you going to if you don't mind me asking? The cell AGPS modules can still get TTFF in about 15 minutes or so even with no cell coverage. Only problem with the AGPS is that it's not exactly very accurate because it tries to calculate your position using the AGPS servers. At best, I would say you get accuracy of about 30 feet without the AGPS calcs. This is why having a real deal GPS would be really useful in a place like the desert or somewhere where you don't have any internet signal. In any case, have fun in the desert and bring lots of water.

Deep into the Utah desert. Probably 2+ hours away from cell coverage.

 

[deeddawg]

nevermind

 

[appleii2mac]

I did not realize if u bought the lte/4g version and u don't buy data, u could still navigate and use google maps... Always wondered how my old iPhone could track me on map and follow My car when I didn't have a data plan.lf op is spending $100 on a gps attachment for the iPad I really do agree he should jus upgrade his iPad, however if he plans on buying like say a tomtom go, that's an entirely different story

Google maps wouldn't work, because the maps are downloaded over the air. But other GPS apps that include the maps would work.

 

[Tinmania]

That is wrong.

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

It displays the exact same info as my iPhone. Even when I'm no where near a router. I'm not sure why you are so angry about this?

I have the devices I can see what it is doing. The iPad just copies the iPhone map location.

That was triggered by the same clueless idiot I referred to in my first post. Your link proves nothing. This one used a 3G iPad... good gawd.

Not angry but ignorance gets on my nerves.

Again, I don't care what you want to believe in but believing that the iPhone is sending out GPS data while tethering to an iPad is about the same as believing in the Easter Bunny. By the way I can replicate exactly what the original video showed--but then can take it a step further and show why it was in fact wifi not true GPS.

I only asked that you don't spread that misinformation around to others. This thread was started for actual GPS solutions and WiFi location services does not cut it for that kind of usage.




Michael