Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Ipad 3 GPS Issues?

  1. #1
    BushCaddy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Marshfield, MA
    Posts
    17

    Ipad 3 GPS Issues?

    Finally bit the bullet and purchased an Ipad 3. I got the 16 GB version and I did not sign up for the 4G service (yet). I also purchased and installed Foreflight. Love Foreflight.

    I'm aching to get a flight in to check everything out but the weather hasn't been cooperating.

    Right now I'm a little bummed out that the gps within the ipad is not going to be up to snuff...I have had trouble keeping a fix driving around in my car, even with the ipad on top of my dash with a clear view of the sky. Ditto at home leaving it on a window sill. It hasn't been sunny so the device is not overheating or anything like that.

    I'm hoping it will be different in flight but I'm not sure how??

    Has anyone with the ipad 3 also added one of the external gps devices that are available? Is this even possible with the ipad 3 since it already has a gps?

    Any advice?

    I have ordered the invisishiled by Zagg as recommended in some other ipad threads.

    thanks.
    Don...
    BushCaddy N2C
    http://www.donsbushcaddy.com

  2. #2
    danielfindling's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    S.E. Michigan
    Posts
    152

    iPad 3

    I have both an iPad 1 and 3. The internal gps is at times not accurate at altitudes above 2000 agl in my area. I use the the dual external gps. I favor the iPad 1 battery life over the 3. The iPad 3 battery takes a long time to charge and the battery life is significantly less than the iPad 1. I was instructed at the apple store to turn the brightness down to improve the battery life on the iPad 3 and it worked. When I researched the external gps at oshkosh last year, the dual GPS seemed to be preferred by vendors selling both the dual and elf (and a foreflight rep) but I have not used the Bad elf. A clear advantage of the elf appears that it does not require charging (I have forgotten to charge the dual GPS on more than one occasion), but i would guess it degrades battery life of the Ipad. I also fly with foreflight and prefer it over the competitors I have tried. With the dual gps, foreflight is laser accurate at altitude. Hope this helps.

    Daniel
    Last edited by danielfindling; 06-08-2012 at 08:48 PM.

  3. #3
    BushCaddy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Marshfield, MA
    Posts
    17
    Daniel...great info.

    Amazingly after I read your post I was at the airport and ran into another pilot and gave him my tale of woe regading the ipad 3 on board gps chip. He said hold on, I have an extra gps you can try to see if you like it...he came back out of his hangar with the Dual XGPS 150!!!. I brought it home, turned on my ipad, they mated and then I got the free APP that gives satellite status and I'll fly with it tomorrow!! GPS fix is locked in from anywhere in the house!! SWEET.

    Thanks for the heads up...I already ordered my own from Aircraft Spruce.
    Don...
    BushCaddy N2C
    http://www.donsbushcaddy.com

  4. #4
    Larry Lyons's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Stockton, IL.
    Posts
    50
    Is there an app to use a smart phone or a Kindle Fire instead of the iPad. I will not be flying IFR or even going any place crowed just dinking around in rural parts of the mid-west. Larry
    No matter how far you push the envelope; its still stationary!

  5. #5
    Jim Hann's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Ballwin, Missouri, United States
    Posts
    425
    Larry,

    Just saw this. The XGPS 150 will bluetooth with a computer or android product but I don't know if they have a program for Android like the Apple version. It does not appear they do from their website http://xgps150.dualav.com/ but that won't affect your ability to use the GPS, you just won't be able to see the "raw" data, i.e. what satellites it is using, speed, altitude, etc. I have a freebie map program on my iPad I use with it for driving around, works great!

    Jim
    Jim Hann
    EAA 276294 Lifetime
    Vintage 722607
    1957 Piper PA-22/20 "Super Pacer"
    Chapter 32 member www.eaa32.org
    www.mykitlog.com/LinerDrivr
    Fly Baby/Hevle Classic Tandem


  6. #6
    Jim Rosenow's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Smithville, OH
    Posts
    237
    Quote Originally Posted by Larry Lyons View Post
    Is there an app to use a smart phone or a Kindle Fire instead of the iPad. I will not be flying IFR or even going any place crowed just dinking around in rural parts of the mid-west. Larry
    Larry if your smart phone is Android based, the GaminPilot app will work on it. Works great on my Droid X (also the Xoom and one subscription for both).

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Satsuma, AL.
    Posts
    13
    Anywhere maps works on iPad, Android, and PC. I have used it on an win & tablet and laptop.
    I just bought a used ATC ( IPAQ w/ GPS ) as an add on.
    I don't know how it compares with any of the others, but it has worked OK for me in the short time I have used the system.

  8. #8
    Jim Hann's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Ballwin, Missouri, United States
    Posts
    425
    Want to be an early adopter and try the GLO by Garmin? It came out just after I bought my XGPS 150. (Tongue is firmly in cheek.)
    Jim Hann
    EAA 276294 Lifetime
    Vintage 722607
    1957 Piper PA-22/20 "Super Pacer"
    Chapter 32 member www.eaa32.org
    www.mykitlog.com/LinerDrivr
    Fly Baby/Hevle Classic Tandem


Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •