GPS performance on ipad 3G without a data plan

Question

GPS performance on ipad 3G without a data plan

I am interested in the 3G ipad but may not want to pay the monthly connect fee of $15. I am wondering how the GPS works if one does not have the data plan? i.e. might it work as well as a Garman for instance, setting aside voice turn by turn etc. So, will it acquire satellites as fast, will it update and stay locked as well?

Finally, does the assisted feature of the GPS chip require a data plan to perform its assisted duty

Thanks,

Shannon

imac 27", Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Oct 22, 2010 4:12 PM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,789 points

Oct 22, 2010 4:21 PM in response to Shannon Coffey1

The GPS chip does not use 3G data. Therefore, you do not need to pay to use the GPS that comes with the iPad 3G/wifi model. Without 3G it does take longer to lock on to the satellites but one locked it tends to stay locked. To use if for navigation without 3G service you have to get apps that allow pre-downloading maps that work with GPS.

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Answer 2

celliott147

Level 6

12,758 points

Oct 22, 2010 4:28 PM in response to Shannon Coffey1

you will need an app like TomTom, Magellan, or Navigon, and patience as a signal lock will take some time. I have a 3G iPad, but I have struggled to get TomTom to work (it doesn't recognize the GPS chip), although I have not tried with the most recent update.

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Answer 3

deggie

Level 10

167,847 points

Oct 22, 2010 7:45 PM in response to celliott147

You may have a hardware problem, TomTom worked for me without a problem on both the old and new versions. In fact it worked better on my iPad than it did on the iPhone 4.

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Answer 4

celliott147

Level 6

12,758 points

Oct 23, 2010 12:40 PM in response to deggie

tried tomtom on both iPads... no luck on either... it kept thinking it didn't have a gps chip, but i have a 3G iPad (i've had it replaced twice for hardware issues... one of which was the graphics processor failing).

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Answer 5

Oct 23, 2010 6:55 PM in response to Shannon Coffey1

iPad has no native gps. If it did and was like gamin I'd get it right now if no need for data.

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Answer 6

Oct 23, 2010 7:51 PM in response to Daniel Moilanen

Daniel Moilanen wrote:
iPad has no native gps. If it did and was like gamin I'd get it right now if no need for data.

You need to review the specs for the iPad, especially the 3G iPad. It does have native GPS. A data plan is not needed.

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Answer 7

Oct 23, 2010 9:40 PM in response to Shannon Coffey1

I was talking about apps.

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Answer 8

celliott147

Level 6

12,758 points

Oct 23, 2010 11:42 PM in response to Daniel Moilanen

though there are no iPad specific apps, native iPhone apps work in 2x mode... like i said, i've struggled with TomTom, but others have had no issues... I have seen success with Navigon, but never personally tried it.

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Answer 9

Oct 24, 2010 1:36 AM in response to Shannon Coffey1

iPhone gps apps I have heard don't work well on the ipad. I contacted navigon and they said it's not gauranteed to work on the ipad. So I am guessing none would work well until the apps are made for ipad.

I would try an iPhone app but none are free trial and no refund if it didn't work. So I myself don't know what to do.

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Answer 10

Oct 24, 2010 7:23 AM in response to Daniel Moilanen

CoPilot Live HD and GPS Drive HD are two apps designed for the iPad. Have you looked at them?

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Answer 11

Oct 24, 2010 3:50 PM in response to Shannon Coffey1

I highly recommend GPS HD Drive. $2.99 for the App and then $19.99 a year for the Live Voice Guidance. You can use it without the Live Voice but you have to keep an eye on the screen for upcoming turns. I also have the TomTom App on my iPhone but wasn't overly impressed with it on my iPad because I couldn't get it to go into landscape mode.

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Answer 12

Oct 24, 2010 8:25 PM in response to Shannon Coffey1

Both bad apps. No maps for the $2.99 one so it needs data. Not.
Copilot gets crummy ratings so I wouldn't go anywhere near it without a free trial or refund.

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Answer 13

Oct 25, 2010 8:50 AM in response to Daniel Moilanen

Daniel Moilanen wrote:
Both bad apps. No maps for the $2.99 one so it needs data. Not.
Copilot gets crummy ratings so I wouldn't go anywhere near it without a free trial or refund.

I've used Copilot Live for years on other mobile devices and laptops. I've never had any problems with it. My experience and the reviews I read say it is a superior product. It is used by the transportation industry and consumers alike. Where are these "crummy ratings" to which you refer? I would like to know before getting it for an iPad.

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Answer 14

Oct 25, 2010 2:16 PM in response to Shannon Coffey1

The bad ratings and reviews are in the appstore

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Answer 15

deggie

Level 10

167,847 points

Oct 25, 2010 3:49 PM in response to Daniel Moilanen

Copilot US gets 3 stars which is average not "bad". And you can read "bad" reviews on about any app so I guess you don't have any.

You really expect to get downloaded maps for $2.99?

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