iPad as a gps

 

Can the iPad be used as a gps with google maps and poi's like my Garmin gps does? I am wondering if the iPad updates your location as you drive along like gps's do?

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Yes and no...

Yes if you have a 3G iPad, and data connectivity - but the Google maps with custom POIs are a NO.

If you have a Wifi iPad, you would need an external bluetooth GPS device, or, a BadElf GPS dongle to plug into the charging port on the iPad for GPS data.

It's all about the apps on the ipad... There are hundreds. If you display them in the app store by 'most popular' - you'll see the ones that are getting the most use, because they work the best.

It's my opinion that the best apps to use put a full map on the iPad rather than rely on a data connection to get maps as needed... and with the latest update, the Navigon app is about as close to the experience of a Garmin Nuvi you can get - about all it does not do is custom POIs and routes.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

My IPAD 3g has GPS without any issue.

k0129rwv wrote:

Can the iPad be used as a gps with google maps and poi's like my Garmin gps does? I am wondering if the iPad updates your location as you drive along like gps's do?

iPad makes a great GPS unit

I have an iPad and I use it exclusively as my nav device. There are several GPS applications you can run. I use one called GPS Drive http://drive.motionx.com/ipad/overview/

You can use Google's aerial photo maps that let you see the buildings and roads around you as you drive. Along with that you can use the company's maps in 2D or 3D. They are every bit as good as Garmin's or Magellan's maps.

As mentioned, you need a 3G iPad. Only the 3G model comes with a built in GPS receiver. (The wifi models don't). Also, the GPS drive application downloads maps live from the internet as you drive. This means your maps are always up to date.

You can also drive around using Google's aerial photo maps and see the buildings and roads around you move by as you pass them.

What I like about the iPad is that it has a nice 10 inch display. But... One thing to consider is the size. I have enough room to mount it in my car and in my truck, but if you have a small vehicle, you might not be able to place the iPad in a convenient location.

The other bad thing is that you can't use the custom POI's from this site.

But.. I love mine anyway smile

I have a separate GPS for

I have a separate GPS for turn-by-turn and voice. That said, the iPad works fine if you remember to locate yourself if you scroll around manually on the map. The iPad traffic also seems to be relatively accurate too.

yesyou can i have verizon

yes
you can i have verizon and have great coverage

Only an opinion

I love the iPad 3G's ability to locate you and how it interfaces with location specific apps. Weather radar for example will pinpoint your location on a the map and show the storms tracking around you. That is way cool if you are traveling and want to keep up with what you might get into in otherwise unfamiliar territory. There are some road and topo map apps available that preload that mapsets into the iPad so that you don't need an active 3G connection to use the maps, and they are spot on.

Since I already have a fully functioning nüvi, I'm reluctant to spend $35 for the StreetPilot app just to try it out. I'm sure it's capable and the screen shots look typical to most I've seen on the nüvi. Similarly, TomTom and Navigon have apps in the $40+ price range. I suspect none of these have the ability to preload custom POI files but don't have firsthand knowledge of that.

I've tried a few of the free and under $5 GPS apps and for the most part I've found them functional, but disappointing. The user interface is clumsy compared to a standalone GPSr and if folks thought their nüvi took some odd turns, they would really be entertained with the routes some of these lower cost GPS apps generate.

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"There's no substitute for local knowledge" nüvi 750, nüvi 3597

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StreetPilot doesn't do iPad.

Navigon's iPad app is the best one I've used, but does not do custom POIs.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

iPad and 3G

It's the data plan that is holding me back. I hate to commit for a full month at a time. If I could just commit for five days, pro-rated from the $20/month, I'd be thrilled.

Navigon seems very expensive. I like the graphics as illustrated in iTunes better than Garmin. I'll wit until I MUST have it or prices drop.

I use my iPad 2 from time to

I use my iPad 2 from time to time for "psuedo" navigation. I have directions on it, with google maps highlighting where I am. It's pretty useful to have a large map view, rather than a small directional view, sometimes.

However, for regular navigation, I would use a dedicated Navigation app or service / device.

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http://www.poi-factory.com/node/21626 - red light cameras do not work

iPad is same as a smartphone

With an app that includes a full map locally stored on the device, you don't need the 3G. You can turn off the 3G on the iPad and have a fully functional navigation tool as long as your app provides the full map.

And occasionally, Navigon will run a deal in the iTunes store - you just need to keep an eye out for it. I got it on sale... smile

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

i alos like the Navigon

i alos like the Navigon

Ipad as a gps

I have an ipad, but it seems to be to big and heavy for use while driving by myself.

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Alan-Garmin c340

WiFi iPad2 & GPS

I love gadgets which may explain what I've done.

I bought a Dual XGPS150 Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver and I've been using it with my iPad2 and TomTom Mobile and it really works great. Don't have any idea how to mount it to use on a regular basis, and the only way I've used it in the car so far is to have my wife hold it. The iPad that is. LOL

http://goo.gl/x4Tai

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If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else. - Yogi Berra

Mounting options

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

Thanks

This is very helpful.

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RKF (Brookeville, MD) Garmin Nuvi 660, 360 & Street Pilot

I Bought iPad 2 Just for the GPS

I have no intention of activiating the Data Plan, but bought an iPad 2 because it had the GPS functionality.
Since then, I've installed both Tom Tom and CoPilot Live (both iPhone versions) and they work great! The best part is that the data is already on the device, so I'm not dependent on being tied to data while traveling.
As previously noted, apps like google maps require being connected to data in order to update.
I will then use wifi for data as needed at a public location that offers wifi access (work, mcdonald's, Starbucks, Hotel, etc.)

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And now, back to your regularly scheduled forum - already in progress . . .

Great!

Airbrushed wrote:

I have no intention of activiating the Data Plan, but bought an iPad 2 because it had the GPS functionality.
Since then, I've installed both Tom Tom and CoPilot Live (both iPhone versions) and they work great! The best part is that the data is already on the device, so I'm not dependent on being tied to data while traveling.
As previously noted, apps like google maps require being connected to data in order to update.
I will then use wifi for data as needed at a public location that offers wifi access (work, mcdonald's, Starbucks, Hotel, etc.)

Great info, I have an Ipad2 w/o data plan for the same reason. CoPilot Live is under $10 and looks very promising. Is the Tom Tom app worth that much more? (around $40)?

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Nuvi 760 (died 6/2013); Forerunner 305 bike/run; Inreach SE; MotionX Drive (iPhone)

Working on mount myself

I still have not bought the BadElf or the other GPS antenna as of yet. But for a mount I took an aluminum camera tripod that I had. It was missing the "shoe" for the bottom of the camera. Beside my son bough me a new one. Anyone I mounted a few pieces of wood to the remainder of the camera mount. I have it on the floor of a Ford Ranger. One I put a cloth or other type of cover on it I'll use a couple pieces of velcro to hold it in place. Currently it is not the most stable mount but I only use it when I'm standing still. It is even sturdy enough to set a laptop on for better surfing.

Currently in the truck I have with me:
1) Blackberry 9700, personnal full data
2) HTC EVO Shift, work, full data
3) Ipad Wifi only, personnal can tether to HTC for internet
4) Mac book, work can tether to Blackberry or HTC

The Mac also dual boots with XP. All I need in the truck is a printer. I had an old dot matrix years a ago that I used to print my service and toner delivery tickets. If they get me a van for work I will have a printer in the truck.