iPad pro bluetooth compatability

Question

Level 1

8 points

iPad pro bluetooth compatability

Hi,

I have a 10.5" iPad Pro (model number MQF02RK/A), and I'm trying to connect it via bluetooth to an old GPS receiver.

The receiver (Global Sat BT-338) is not showing on the iPad bluetooth devices (or my iPhone for that matter), so I can't connect it.

However, the receiver is showing under bluetooth devices on my late 2012 mac mini, and on a LENOVO laptop.

The bluetooth version of the receiver is 1.2, are the iPads & iPhones not compatible with this version?

Any other idea why it won't connect?

Thanks

iPad Pro 10.5-inch, Wi-Fi, Cellular

Posted on Mar 8, 2020 3:58 AM

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Answer 1

QuickPost

Level 10

103,455 points

Mar 8, 2020 2:53 PM in response to ankori

Hello,

To my knowledge, no GPS unit is compatible with iOS/iPadOS via Bluetooth. Just because it is compatible with a Macintosh does not mean it will work on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. The other problem is that you would then need an application and system drivers that would know how to use that GPS receiver. Since those do not exist on iOS/iPadOS, even if you were able to get the GPS unit to pair the system would not know how to use it.

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Answer 2

ankori Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 8, 2020 2:50 PM in response to QuickPost

Well, this is my question...

the GPS works with my Mac mini, works with other computers, but apparently not with iOS.

since the connection is based on Bluetooth, and as far as I know Bluetooth is backward compatible, I don’t understand why iPad and iPhone do not see the receiver.

Are there any limitations for iOS Bluetooth connection?

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Answer 3

ankori Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 8, 2020 3:21 PM in response to QuickPost

Hi,

I thought so too, until I realized there are GPS receivers that work with iOS, for example “Dual Electronics XGPS150A Multipurpose Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver“.

And there are apps as well.

This is why I’m puzzled with not being able to connect my receiver.

I suspect it is the old Bluetooth version (1.2) that iOS can’t work with, but this is just a guess...

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