iPad and Navionics Question

[AirBoyzT]

Couple Question, looking at getting an iPad and the navionics app. Does anyone know if you can get the 3G iPad (because that is the only one with GPS) and still use the GPS without paying for a 3G subscription?

Also does anyone know if they make a solar power charger for the iPad?

Thanks!
-Aaron

[GaryMayo]

Originally Posted by AirBoyzT

Couple Question, looking at getting an iPad and the navionics app. Does anyone know if you can get the 3G iPad (because that is the only one with GPS) and still use the GPS without paying for a 3G subscription?

Also does anyone know if they make a solar power charger for the iPad?

Thanks!
-Aaron

Yes to both questions

No need to also pay for cellphone data plans, you can use a wireless modem, as I am doing.

Google solar iPad chargers, and lots of options pop up.

Three from amazon


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...AFSD0HMX42EXBF

http://www.amazon.com/Powertraveller.../dp/B004XNLLQM

http://www.amazon.com/iSolar-Portabl.../dp/B005HLCEEW

[AirBoyzT]

Originally Posted by GaryMayo

Yes to both questions

No need to also pay for cellphone data plans, you can use a wireless modem, as I am doing.

Google solar iPad chargers, and lots of options pop up.

Three from amazon


Amazon.com: Instapark 10 Watt Solar Panel Portable Solar Charger with Dual USB Ports for iPhone, iPad & all other USB Compatible Devices: MP3 Players & Accessories

Amazon.com: Powertraveller Power Monkey Extreme 9000mAh Solar Charger for iPad, iPad 2,iPhone,Nook,Xoom,Kindle,Playbook: Kindle Store

Amazon.com: iSolar Portable Folding Solar Kit for Ipad/tablets: MP3 Players & Accessories

do you have to be on the wireless network to use GPS on the iPad?

[SmartMove]

Thankfully not on the iPad 3 4G. Even though we did not have service, we had downloaded the charts. I forgot to pack our SD card for the chart plotter. With my iPad we were able to navigate from the BVIs to Puerto Rico.

[DisasterZone]

No, GPS does require wifi.

[GPSNavX]

The iPad 3G/4G models have a GPS receiver that works independently of a cell or WiFi service/subscription/connection. A 3G/4G model can be verified by launching "Settings" app, and seeing if "Cellular Data" is an available choice on the left hand column.

[AirBoyzT]

Originally Posted by GPSNavX

The iPad 3G/4G models have a GPS receiver that works independently of a cell or WiFi service/subscription/connection. A 3G/4G model can be verified by launching "Settings" app, and seeing if "Cellular Data" is an available choice on the left hand column.

ok....confused, so you have to have cell service or wifi service to use GPS on the ipad....so being off shore away from this, the GPS would not work?

[Finistere]

Originally Posted by DisasterZone

No, GPS does require wifi.

GPS DOES NOT REQUIRE WIFI,
GPS DOES NOT REQUIRE CELL CONNECTION,
ONLY 3G AND 4G IPADS HAVE GPS

[GPSNavX]

This question seems to come up weekly on various forums. Apple does a poor job of explaining the iPad (3G/4G) GPS functionality. Unfortunately folks go buy the WiFi only iPad and a navigation app. Works fine at home or in the office. Out on the water it fails because the lack of the GPS receiver. Pay the extra US$130 and get a GPS and 3G/4G connectivity.

[Jammer Six]

I was just down at the Apple Store here in University Village, and was told flat out that the GPS in all iPads requires cell towers-- that it will not work unless it can see a cell tower.

They told me quite specifically that many sailors have bought iPads for navigation, and found that they do not work offshore, because they could not see cell towers.

It does not require wifi, it does not require a cellphone connection, but that it works by triangulating cell towers, not off of satellites, and will, therefore, not work where it can't "see" at least two cell towers.

Now, I don't believe I'll respond to anyone who finds it necessary to yell, but I'd like to know-- I'd like to buy an iPad for primary navigation, here in Puget Sound, and I'd like to buy it once and use it for a while.

GPSNavX, does your app work out of sight of cell towers? I'm quite impressed with your app on my iPhone-- and I'd like to know that if I buy an iPad it's not using cell towers.

[Finistere]

Originally Posted by Jammer Six

I was just down at the Apple Store here in University Village, and was told flat out that the GPS in all iPads requires cell towers-- that it will not work unless it can see a cell tower.

It does not require wifi, it does not require a cellphone connection, but that it works by triangulating cell towers, not off of satellites, and will, therefore, not work where it can't "see" at least two cell towers.

DON'T BELIEVE THE APPLE EMPLOYEES!

[s/v Thea]

We have an iPad 1 and 2 on the boat. The navionics app and gps worked fine in northern BC where we were out of range of cell towers.

[AirBoyzT]

ok thanks for clarification....so it does work off of Satellites? I tend to trust GPSNavX for some reason, maybe it's because I am buying his product....

[GPSNavX]

Yes the iPad 3G/4G GPS receiver uses the GPS satellites to determine a position. The typical reported horizontal position error is 16'.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Jammer Six

I was just down at the Apple Store here in University Village, and was told flat out that the GPS in all iPads requires cell towers-- that it will not work unless it can see a cell tower.

They told me quite specifically that many sailors have bought iPads for navigation, and found that they do not work offshore, because they could not see cell towers.

It does not require wifi, it does not require a cellphone connection, but that it works by triangulating cell towers, not off of satellites, and will, therefore, not work where it can't "see" at least two cell towers.

Now, I don't believe I'll respond to anyone who finds it necessary to yell, but I'd like to know-- I'd like to buy an iPad for primary navigation, here in Puget Sound, and I'd like to buy it once and use it for a while.

GPSNavX, does your app work out of sight of cell towers? I'm quite impressed with your app on my iPhone-- and I'd like to know that if I buy an iPad it's not using cell towers.

iPad 3 (and 2) come in two network flavours: WIFI only, or 4G & WIFI. This second option includes a fully-functional GPS reciever. The GPS works independently of the cellular network. You do not need to be connected to the cellular data or WIFI network to use the GPS services of the iPad.

The "geniuses" at the Apple stores need to go back to Apple school.