I checked the Navionics web site & found that there app won't work without a wifi or 3g connection. It won't work off of an independent external gps which is what I need in remote areas.
kaal wrote:
I checked the Navionics web site & found that there app won't work without a wifi or 3g connection. It won't work off of an independent external gps which is what I need in remote areas.
Your reading found something I missed, then. What I found was the following:
* +iPad - Wi-Fi+3G model operates similar to iPhone with regard to GPS capability ....+
which means the iPad is capable of GPS functioning without cellular data. What being in the network does give you is A-GPS, which will enable a lock on more quickly than trying without it. Others have reported that the iPad can maintain very good position and track accuracy absent any network input, but that's something that I've not played with enough to add anything to the discussion. I do know that you don't need to have either wifi or 3G running to get GPS to work.
This is what I've found out. Please correct any errors.
To use the GPS function on the iPad, you will need an iPad 3G with Wi-Fi. This is the only model of iPad that uses an internal GPS receiver. This will allow you to determine your location without a cell or Wi-Fi signal.
If you do not have a 3G, then a 3rd party Made For iPad gps will work. I found 2 gps devices certified for the iPad:
Bad-Elf gps accessory &
GNS 5870 MFI gps bluetooth receiver.
Not all apps work on either device.
Here is what Navionics (the leader in electronic charts) relied to my questions.
Sent: Wed 1/12/2011 6:16 PM
To: NI Sales
Subject: ipad question for recreation marine application
I'm having difficulty in finding out what ipad is required. (What I'm trying to say is that I'd like to use an ipad as a portable chartplotter.)
I'd like to use an ipad that is capable of capturing satellite signals while in remote locations without the use of wifi or cell phone.
Can you also tell me what 3rd party gps are compatible with your software & charts? How much memory for charts & application is required.
Reply from Navionics
To use the GPS function on the iPad, you will need an iPad 3G with Wi-Fi. This is the only model of iPad that uses an internal GPS receiver. This will allow you to determine your location without a cell or Wi-Fi signal.
At this time there are no 3rd party GPS receivers that we have tested with our apps. This hardware may or may not be compatible with our app, but we cannot guarantee either way as they have not been tested by Navionics.
The Navionics Mobile app is generally around 100-200MBs, but can be as much as 525MB. Please make sure that you have enough space on your iPad before proceeding with the download.
Also, please be aware that the Navionics Mobile apps are created for recreational use only. For serious navigational purposes, we recommend using our Navionics Plug-And-Play cards for use on GPS chart plotters. This is because the internal GPS receivers on mobile devices are not as reliable as those found on a GPS chart plotter, as well as the fact that you will not be able to access all functions that are available on GPS units. (For instance, chart rotation or “course-up” is not available on the iPad app).
If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to ask.
