iPad experiment

...and not techno geek what's it do? The iPad has a gps built in such as for Maps. It's a lot heavier than my 5 ounce nuvi. So what does it accomplish on a practical level?

Wondering in Wilmington, NC

You'll need the iPad 3G models to have the GPS built-in.

I have an iPad and have yet to find a good use for it. It seems to do a lot of things poorly and this looks like another one. If I hadn't won it in a door prize I would be really disappointed.

Mike107 - I'll take it off your hands for $100.

turns my iTouch into a portable GPSr or will just enhance the Google maps (for instance) application...looking forward to your review

I am waiting to see what the iPad II brings to the table. My office offered to get me an iPad when they first came out but I declined citing the historical trend that the second and third devices tend to be better than the original.

This device will also work with an iPod-Touch as well - will provide the GPS that the device does not have internally... the thing with the apps - you can buy once, and use on compatible devices you own - the Navigon app is said to work on an iPod touch with OS 3 or better.

On ebay, craigslist, or other places.

WiFi iPads do not have internal GPS.

On a practical level, this device gives it an external one, and allows you to make even greater use of an app purchase for an iPhone... and will allow one to make even better use of a Wifi iPad on the go - they could be riding with someone who has no navigation device...this will be one.

Yeah, but we're POI Factory brothers from another mother. Why sell it to some stranger!

I do not own an iPad but I do have a laptop that I use for navigation. (ALK Copilot) Why can't you use a bluetooth gps receiver instead of hanging a receiver onto your iPad. You can get a great bluetooth a heck of a lot cheaper.

I did plenty of reading up on available options and chose not to go the bluetooth route.

So what did you find to come to your decision? Just asking. I have been ponding the idea of switching to an iPad instead of the laptop. Seems the iPad would be more convenient.

http://bad-elf.com/products/gps/

The form-factor is one thing about it I like... and the specs seem better than those of the Bluetooth ones I looked at.

http://www.amazon.com/QSTARZ-BT-Q818XT-10HZ-EXTREME-BLUETOOTH/dp/B003YCZINA/

This is the one I use which has the same spec's as the one you are looking at. But it seems the Bad Elf is more then just a GPS receiver.

I will be ready for your review. :)

I just noticed that the XT has increased by $40.00 since Christmas. So what I said about cost difference is a bunch of hog wash.

What I like about this receiver is that it has a USB connection as well as being bluetooth.

Positive.

On power-up, it locked on as fast at turning on my Nuvi. Of course one will need an app that has full maps - and I have Navigon... I'm still getting used to that app. Seems to work similar to a Nuvi. Will need to use it some more for a better idea of how it's going to work. It should make for a suitable back-up to a Nuvi.

Keeps us informed. Thank you.

Didn't go far as it's extremely foggy... but I like what I saw... tracked well, auto-zoomed in & out with speed, voice directions were timely.

When the next iPad comes out - it might be easy to pick up a first generation one at a reasonable price, and turn it into a 'big screen' GPS with one of the devices I picked up, or a bluetooth GPSr and an app with full maps onboard.

whose guiding program are you using?

Navigon - it loads a full set of maps.

I would like to do a side by side comparsion with Navigon and http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/copilot-live-hd-north-america...

http://www.alk.com/copilot/ipad/

$100:01

Is a great device - works great on wifi iPad - also supplements iPhone's GPS capabilities.

It's all about the app.

Was not thrilled with Navigon so I got TomTom's app as well - They're both OK... but I wish Garmin would load their full maps to the device, and run the app as a subscription/software as a service model. I'd gladly pay $60 a year for maps refreshed up to 4 times a year, and ongoing updates of the program.

I would give you $50 cash for it! Any version... lol. Ipads do alot more than you might think... wander over to www.quickpwn.com for more info. They can even act as nav devices when they don't have a gps... they use wifi over a cell phone to get position info.

It's not clear as to how Navigon will provide map updates.

I have a Nuvi 5000 and the the Navigon software's functionality on the iPad is similar or the same.

I do not know if the Navigon will allow the addition of custom POIs. If it is not possible, this would be a major flaw.

For me, the larger screen is important.

See

http://tinyurl.com/3uspctr

for a very cheap way to mount the iPad.

Also, I have the 3G iPad.

Mike