How to turn on GPS in i pad with cellular

[wunderluster]

I bought an I Pad without a sim card so I took it to Verizon to get a sim and was told the GPS will not work unless it is on a plan. I don't think that is right. But, how can I turn on the GPS without the data plan? I did get the SIM card. I have an I Pad Air 1t Generation.

David

[Stumble]

Turning GPS on my tablet on or off - Apple iPad Air (iOS8) -...

[wunderluster]

Thanks Stumble. I did that so now I will remove it from my data plan and see if the GPS works.

[meridian28]

I also have an iPad without a SIM card. I haven't been able to get gps to work either. Reading online there are plenary of threads from broken internal antennas to software upgrades that cause problems.

[pcmm]

It will work. I've had a cellular enabled ipad for years (sim chip but no data plan) The only reason I keep a SIM chip in it is to stop the incessant notifications you get without the chip! But the GPS has worked flawlessly for years. The only issue I have with using an Ipad for navigation are the following 3 things. battery life isnt very good when you have the screen on 100% of the time, 2 not waterproof 3. easily overheats when you use it in the cockpit (in the sun) duringthe summer.

[kas_1611]

Try putting your iPad into Airplane mode then switching the GPS or Location Services on. You should still be able to receive the GPS fix but you won't get the "assisted" data from the cell service.

Basically GPS is totally separate from the cell/mobile signal so should not have anything to do with a SIM card or cell signal.

Depending on the receiver in the iPad you may be able to receive signal from the US GPS system and the Russian GLONASS system along with the European Galileo system as it increases. With all these satellites the extra accuracy gained from "assisted GPS" becomes less important.

I do this with my Android phone all the time on planes so I can see where I'm flying over, how high and at what speed using just the GPS.

Hope this helps

Keiron

[Emouchet]

Provided the Ipad is a 3G model, the GPS will work even without a chip.

Beware that GPS in those cellular chip are not WAAS capable. So precision of positionning is not as good as from a WAAS capable GPS chip.

[Henk Koornstra]

My GPS on the iPads (with cellular option only) work flawlessly when not in cellular range. To combat the waterproof issue of the iPad, you should look into purchasing a Lifeproof cover for the iPad. They are waterproof. There is also a holder on eBay that will attach the iPad to the 1" stainless steel handhold that may be installed on top of the steering pedestal to protect your compass.

[barnakiel]

It is amazing someone will build a device where gps availability depends on a sim card. I am stunned.

b.

[dlymn]

We've been using a gsm capable ipad without a chip for years and its fine. The GPS operates instantly and simple eyeball testing suggests that it is within 3 metres of the indicated location.

[meridian28]

I guess mine is broke

[bruce v]

Originally Posted by pcmm

It will work. I've had a cellular enabled ipad for years (sim chip but no data plan) The only reason I keep a SIM chip in it is to stop the incessant notifications you get without the chip! But the GPS has worked flawlessly for years. The only issue I have with using an Ipad for navigation are the following 3 things. battery life isnt very good when you have the screen on 100% of the time, 2 not waterproof 3. easily overheats when you use it in the cockpit (in the sun) duringthe summer.

I have a 7.5 watt solar charger and a 10' cord to charge my iPad for day use. The iPad itself has a 10 hour battery life if I need to use it at night and I can also plug it into a cigarette lighter with the appropriate set up and run off my battery bank (the approximate 4.5 watts/hour draw is inconsequential in the grand scheme of things). I normally do not sail too much at night so the solar charger is great for my uses (it only cost $40 too). Oh, by the way, the charger can also work on my phone if I want to go Bluetooth and use the phone as a mobile hotspot but that does require a data plan. Finally, I never use my iPad GPS as my primary. It is, however, a great backup.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

It is amazing someone will build a device where gps availability depends on a sim card. I am stunned.

b.

Who did that? Never heard this.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

It is amazing someone will build a device where gps availability depends on a sim card. I am stunned.

b.

What device depends on that? The Ipad GPS works with or without the sim card being installed. However without the sim car you get thse pop up telling you there is no simcard installed each time you wake it up. that part is a bit annoying! but you DO NOT need the sim card for the GPS to work.

What's more annoying is that you need the Cellular enable version of the ipad just to get the GPS functionality! most android devices have some sort of GPS functionality without the need for a cellular option!

[Redpcx]

Some of the software for iOS is THAT good.
I use iNavx.
And without dataplan, just turn on location services, possibly have to enable for your individual software.