Does iPad 2 WiFi Really Have No GPS???

Level 7

20,737 points

Mar 13, 2012 8:26 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

Additional elaboration:

GPS signals are separate from and completely unrelated to both the Internet and the cellular telephone network. GPS signals come directly from the GPS satellites. They provide latitude and longitude information to GPS receivers. Navigation software then takes that latitude/longitude info and converts it to land mass, roads, bridges, highways, buildings, etc.

Most navigation software stores the maps right in the iPad/iPod/iPhone but a disadvantage is that the maps must be periodically updated (perhaps once every two years). The Internet is not required to use the system but it is required to update the maps.

Some navigation software gets the maps from the Internet and requires an Internet connection to function but an advantage is that the maps are always up-to-date.

The WiFi+3G iPad and the iPhone both have a GPS receiver. The WiFi-only iPad and the iPod do not and these devices require an accessory.

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Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,737 points

Mar 13, 2012 8:27 AM in response to richfromberkley

richfromberkley wrote:

Unless you have an external GPS unit attached via bluetooth like a Dual XGPS150 !! Works great when the wifi connections are lost.

It should also work just fine when you do have WiFi. In fact, the location info from the GPS device should override that from WiFi as it is more accurate.

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Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Mar 13, 2012 8:44 AM in response to richfromberkley

richfromberkley wrote:

Unless you have an external GPS unit attached via bluetooth like a Dual XGPS150 !! Works great when the wifi connections are lost.

Note that there are two things going on.

Location data - The iPad only wifi gets location data ONLY from wifi routers (and external BT receivers if used). iPad with 3G will get location from GPS satellites, cell towers (assisted = A in A-GPS) and wifi.

Map data - In order to use the location data in a map, the map data must be loaded. Some apps will download the is data and can be used with no internet/data connection. This is good for wifi only iPads with an external BT receiver and iPads with 3G (which have GPS) but no data connection.

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skydogzz

Level 1

4 points

Mar 19, 2012 12:03 PM in response to Stasis88

I have an Ipad 2 wifi only, I dont know how, but it DOES know my approx location when I go to mapping, and Aero maps.

It is not too accurate, about within 200' or so from my location shown on the satelite map......

Message was edited by: skydogzz

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Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Mar 19, 2012 2:01 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Philly_Phan wrote:

skydogzz wrote:

It is not too accurate, about within 200' or so from my location shown on the satelite map...

That, in itself, is evidence that it does not have GPS.

Maybe

Civilian GPS is accurate to +/- 30 meters, so a maximum inaccuracy of 60 meters (180ft approx) would be possible with GPS, "about 200'" out is possible with a GPS system.

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Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,737 points

Mar 19, 2012 2:22 PM in response to Csound1

Csound1 wrote:

Philly_Phan wrote:

skydogzz wrote:

It is not too accurate, about within 200' or so from my location shown on the satelite map...

That, in itself, is evidence that it does not have GPS.

Maybe

Civilian GPS is accurate to +/- 30 meters, so a maximum inaccuracy of 60 meters (180ft approx) would be possible with GPS, "about 200'" out is possible with a GPS system.

Naah. It's better than that.

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Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Mar 19, 2012 2:33 PM in response to Csound1

Csound1 wrote:
Maybe

Civilian GPS is accurate to +/- 30 meters

SA (selective Availability) was turned off May 1, 2000.

If civilian GPS was accurate to only 30+/- meters, there is no way it would be FAA approved.

The only limitation is the quality/accuracy of the equipment.

Most commercial, low end GPS receivers (such as hand helds and auto) are accurate to ~3-10 meters.

Higher end survey equipment and such can go down to a centimeter.

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Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Mar 19, 2012 3:53 PM in response to Chris CA

Chris CA wrote:

Csound1 wrote:
Maybe

Civilian GPS is accurate to +/- 30 meters

SA (selective Availability) was turned off May 1, 2000.

If civilian GPS was accurate to only 30+/- meters, there is no way it would be FAA approved.

The only limitation is the quality/accuracy of the equipment.

Most commercial, low end GPS receivers (such as hand helds and auto) are accurate to ~3-10 meters.

Higher end survey equipment and such can go down to a centimeter.

President Bill Clinton ordering Selective Availability to be turned off at midnight May 1, 2000, improving the precision of civilian GPS from 100 meters (330 ft) to 20 meters (66 ft).

Prior to that the accuracy was as I stated, thanks for the correction.

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Ptero32

Level 1

6 points

May 12, 2012 8:54 AM in response to tonefox

You guys have no ideas what your talking about. It has a gps chip. Apple in thier wisdom turns it off with no wifi connection. Which is totally lame.

WiFi models do have GPS. For some reason they turn it off when there is no wifi connection. I operate several boats and use iNavx, iRegatta and other apps with various iPads both 3G and WiFi only. I use a Toughbook in adhoc network mode to create a wifi connection. I can guarantee the Toughbook has no position information. When i connect my iPad to the onboard wifi created by this Toughbook the gps comes alive. It is absoluty as accurate as my Garmin hand held gps. I am out in the ocean, there is no land based connection and you guys want to tell me this data is coming from the the wifi, hahahahah.

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Dah•veed

Level 9

66,487 points

May 12, 2012 8:58 AM in response to Ptero32

Let us know when you have successfully circumnavigated the globe just using a wi-fi iPad. Take a sat phone and perhaps someone will come searching for you after you get lost on this fool's mission. Otherwise, we will all pitch in for a memorial wreath cast into the sea from the end of a long pier in honor of your ignorance.

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Ptero32

Level 1

6 points

May 12, 2012 9:11 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

This is not the first or last time specs are initially inaccurate vauge or missleading. You're naive if you think Apple provides complete disclosure. Tell me then where the data is coming from when

N I am 20 miles off shore? I guess I'll just have to take some videos for you'all.

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Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,737 points

May 12, 2012 9:11 AM in response to Ptero32

Ptero32 wrote:

You guys have no ideas what your talking about. It has a gps chip. Apple in thier wisdom turns it off with no wifi connection. Which is totally lame.

WiFi models do have GPS. For some reason they turn it off when there is no wifi connection. I operate several boats and use iNavx, iRegatta and other apps with various iPads both 3G and WiFi only. I use a Toughbook in adhoc network mode to create a wifi connection. I can guarantee the Toughbook has no position information. When i connect my iPad to the onboard wifi created by this Toughbook the gps comes alive. It is absoluty as accurate as my Garmin hand held gps. I am out in the ocean, there is no land based connection and you guys want to tell me this data is coming from the the wifi, hahahahah.

Don't take this personal but you're clueless. The WiFi-only iPads do not have GPS circuitry.

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Dah•veed

Level 9

66,487 points

May 12, 2012 9:16 AM in response to Ptero32

This is not the first or last time specs are initially inaccurate vauge or missleading.

Give us a link for the time Apple said that a device did not have a specific part in its specs and later admitted that it in fact did? Just one will do.

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Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

May 12, 2012 9:24 AM in response to Ptero32

Ptero32 wrote:

You guys have no ideas what your talking about. It has a gps chip.

You think Apple would spend millions of $$ putting something in a product that is not capable of being used?

The only comms chip on the wifi only iPad is for Bluetooth and wifi.

There is an additional comm board with an additional chip for GPS and 3G installed on the 3G iPads.

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May 12, 2012 9:20 AM in response to Ptero32

Ptero32 wrote:

You guys have no ideas what your talking about. It has a gps chip. Apple in thier wisdom turns it off with no wifi connection. Which is totally lame.

WiFi models do have GPS. For some reason they turn it off when there is no wifi connection. I operate several boats and use iNavx, iRegatta and other apps with various iPads both 3G and WiFi only. I use a Toughbook in adhoc network mode to create a wifi connection. I can guarantee the Toughbook has no position information. When i connect my iPad to the onboard wifi created by this Toughbook the gps comes alive. It is absoluty as accurate as my Garmin hand held gps. I am out in the ocean, there is no land based connection and you guys want to tell me this data is coming from the the wifi, hahahahah.

By the way, the ToughBook does have buit in GPS http://www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/ultra-mobile-rugged-toughbook-u1-ult ra.asp

Maybe yours does not but neither does the wifi-only iPad.

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