Mark72658

Q: GPS data not available to apps after iOS 8.3 update

I'm using a Wi-Fi only iPad with remote GPS connected via bluetooth (Bad Elf GPS Pro).  Following update to 8.3, the GPS position data from the Bad Elf receiver is not available to other apps on the iPad that require it (in particular, Seattle Avionics FlyQ efb).  Bad Elf bluetooth connection is good, and the GPS position data is displayed on the iPad using the Bad Elf accessory app, but it appears to not be available to the FlyQ app.  Spent hours with tech support and other paths trying to fix this problem, including reloading iOS 8.3 update and applications, and even bought a new Bad Elf GPS receiver.  I think this is a fairly common hardware/software combination (Wi-Fi only iPad, Bad Elf GPS, FlyQ app) for private aircraft pilots, so would expect others to be seeing the same problem (unless they were smarter than I was, and delayed updating their OS).  Have others experienced this problem or found a solution?  Quite frustrating, as navigation is the primary use for my iPad.

iPad (4th gen) Wi-Fi, iOS 8.3

Posted on Apr 12, 2015 5:31 PM

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Q: GPS data not available to apps after iOS 8.3 update

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  • by petermac87,

    petermac87 petermac87 Jun 5, 2015 7:38 PM in response to kislingj
    Level 5 (7,402 points)
    Jun 5, 2015 7:38 PM in response to kislingj

    Most of the Macs are non retina. I never said you were alone. Just that it must be a very rare complaint.

     

    Good Luck

     

    Pete

  • by kislingj,

    kislingj kislingj Jun 6, 2015 7:38 AM in response to petermac87
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 6, 2015 7:38 AM in response to petermac87

    No worries, I didn't intend to sound defiant or something. Good to know it's not broken for all - but still, it's unsatisfactory for me personally that something that used to work properly on my MBP (which is supposed to be compatible with Yosemite according to Apple) now doesn't, and is not being fixed.

     

    Difficult to gauge how many people are affected. What makes you so sure it's a very rare complaint?

  • by jefffromrich ton,

    jefffromrich ton jefffromrich ton Jun 7, 2015 7:27 PM in response to buff.flyer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 7, 2015 7:27 PM in response to buff.flyer

    Buff.flyer

    hi can you help me get ISO8.2 back on my ipad mini

  • by PilotDon,

    PilotDon PilotDon Jun 7, 2015 7:36 PM in response to jefffromrich ton
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 7, 2015 7:36 PM in response to jefffromrich ton

    Not sure anybody would want to be attempting to go back to 8.2 when 8.4 is very close and could be out this week.

  • by clam45,

    clam45 clam45 Jun 7, 2015 9:17 PM in response to PilotDon
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 7, 2015 9:17 PM in response to PilotDon

    Sure it makes sense baecause we ALL KNOW that our external gagets work with IOS8.2

    We do NOT KNOW that they will work with 8.4, 8.5,  or whatever will come with great music. I KNOW that music is not going to make my GPS WORK. -:((

  • by PilotDon,

    PilotDon PilotDon Jun 7, 2015 11:02 PM in response to clam45
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 7, 2015 11:02 PM in response to clam45

    OK, understand that clam45.

     

    I can afford to wait until the end of June and beyond if I have to because I have one iPad with Cell + WiFi and one WiFi only. And an iPhone backup.

     

    After my new Sling LSA is delivered early July, the Garmin G3x Touch and one iPad may provide the redundancy that is so necessary.

     

    I certainly couldn't give a tinkers cuss about a new music app.

  • by PHXwings,

    PHXwings PHXwings Jun 8, 2015 11:31 AM in response to PilotDon
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2015 11:31 AM in response to PilotDon

    I would go back to 8.2 if I could. Not sure why anyone experiencing this issue would NOT go back to 8.2, even if 8.4 comes out this week (and from the latest news reports it doesn't appear it will). I know my iPad-mini wifi was working perfectly fine under 8.2. And there's no guarantee Apple will fix this issue in the final public release of 8.4. So why wouldn't anyone who flies and is hobbled by this issue not want to revert back to 8.2? I've flown old-school style since this issue occurred and while I'm happy to report that I've sharpened my skills considerably flying VORs and via ground reference points, the bottom line is that these modern devices bring an element of safety to GA flying. Instead of tinkering with NAVCOMS and continually checking ground reference points, you actually spend more time flying the airplane and looking for hazards, e.g., other traffic. It's better for ATC as well since routes are flown with more precision. I've flown over PHX via the VFR transition corridor, which is in Class B, and when my BT device was working I could fly it with far more precision, which I'm sure ATC appreciated when there was other traffic in the area.

     

    I use my iPad mini almost exclusively for flying. And while I'm not one of those who would say "I'll never use an Apple product again", I am seriously considering picking up a competitive Android device for my flying needs. At least with Android I can go back to previous versions or even tinker with the device to potentially fix any issues, whereas Apple strictly controls when I can revert and what I can or cannot do with the device. I love Apple products and that's all I use for my computing and personal device requirements, and I will stick with Apple for those requirements, but when it comes to flying this issue has blown a hole in my sense of security with regards to Apple and my flying requirements, and as such I will look to replace my iPad when the time comes with an Android device.

  • by firemediclex,

    firemediclex firemediclex Jun 8, 2015 11:37 AM in response to PHXwings
    Level 1 (19 points)
    Peripherals
    Jun 8, 2015 11:37 AM in response to PHXwings

    ^ this.  Well said!

  • by kislingj,

    kislingj kislingj Jun 8, 2015 1:12 PM in response to PHXwings
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 8, 2015 1:12 PM in response to PHXwings

    Well said.

     

    Unfortunately we won't see the public release of 8.4 until June 30th. Disappointed Apple didn't care to release an 8.3.1 'hotfix' for this issue when it was known for so long. It's just not important enough for them. But it is very important for us niche users who have gotten used to the incredible comfort and safety enhancements aerial navigation apps such as Skydemon in combination with iPads have brought along. Yes, we should not exclusively rely on such solutions, an external GPS could always fail, there could be a service outage, the iPad could fail, etc. etc. Therefore a well prepared pilot will always be able to revert to backup devices respectively have his pilot log and charts ready. But it's one thing to be able to revert back to traditional navigation in flight because of necessity, and another to be 'updated' out of a highly efficient, safe and comfortable navigational method for about three months. So this does leave a sour taste and there's some loss of confidence in the platform.

     

    Anyway, one never stops learning and next time there's an update I'll wait - 'if it aint broken don't fix it'. But Apple, if you break something that's important to (some of) your customers, you better do, and faster than you have demonstrated in this case. I'm reluctant to switch over to an Android tablet, but it's the first time I do consider this as an option.

  • by firemediclex,

    firemediclex firemediclex Jun 8, 2015 10:59 PM in response to kislingj
    Level 1 (19 points)
    Peripherals
    Jun 8, 2015 10:59 PM in response to kislingj
  • by James_On_Apple_Support_Communities,

    James_On_Apple_Support_Communities James_On_Apple_Support_Communities Jun 8, 2015 11:53 PM in response to firemediclex
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2015 11:53 PM in response to firemediclex

    Something I found on a pilot website, not sure if it works, but may bring back the external GPS functionality. Use at own risk: http://www.pprune.org/private-flying/560058-skydemon-malfunction-ipad-ios-8-3-ex ternal-gps.html

  • by Tsuma,

    Tsuma Tsuma Jun 10, 2015 8:03 AM in response to Mark72658
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 10, 2015 8:03 AM in response to Mark72658

    Has anyone tried the public beta iOS 8.4 and see if the Bluetooth to external GPS connection is fixed? More info how to get it can be found at the Appleseed Beta program FAQ.

  • by PHXwings,

    PHXwings PHXwings Jun 10, 2015 9:10 AM in response to Tsuma
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 10, 2015 9:10 AM in response to Tsuma

    Not sure how to obtain 8.4 Beta. I signed up for the Beta program but I've yet to find a way to access the Beta app on Apple's website. Even after signing in as a Beta user the Apple site just takes you from one Apple-self-gloss page to another. I was able to find the Mac El Capitan Beta but I don't need to Beta test anything on my Mac, especially since I use it for work.

  • by petermac87,

    petermac87 petermac87 Jun 10, 2015 1:32 PM in response to PHXwings
    Level 5 (7,402 points)
    Jun 10, 2015 1:32 PM in response to PHXwings

    May be better off concentrating on the beta of the soon to be released iOS9

     

    Pete

  • by PHXwings,

    PHXwings PHXwings Jun 10, 2015 3:21 PM in response to petermac87
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 10, 2015 3:21 PM in response to petermac87

    Just found out that iOS 9 beta won't be released until July. As for iOS 8.4 it is not available for public beta testing, only developer testing.

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