which gps receiver is working on iPad mini

There are several Apple-approved external Bluetooth GPS receivers for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Check out the Bad Elf GPS Pro, Dual XGPS150, and Garmin GLO. They work with any generation of the iPad and add GPS functionality to Wi-Fi only iOS devices. Many pilots use them even with their WiFi+Cellular iPads to ensure they have a rock solid GPS lock at altitude and high speeds.

The GPS Pro has some additional features including a 100+ hour standalone datalogger, LCD display with backlight, and 16-32hr battery life. It also supports up to 5 iOS devices simultaneously.

[ disclaimer: I'm the lead engineer at Bad Elf ]

I'm definitely interested in GPS for my wi-fi only iPad Mini. And I'm very interested in the Bad Elf. Maybe not the Pro model, but there's a cheaper one, I believe that still provides a GPS signal to the iPad.

But I've got a couple of questions, especially targeted at Brett if you're still out there!

Mainly, my question is: does this device provide "location information" generally, to all apps that use location services? Or does it only supply GPS location information to apps custom designed for it?

Garmin's GLO seems to be promoted for use with Garmin apps, for instance, and you can't get a clear idea of what else, if anything, could get position information from it.

I've got a trusty old Garmin Mobile 10 Bluetooth GPS. My Mac's bluetooth can recognize it and pair with it, but niether of my iOS6 devices (iPhone 4 & iPad Mini) can see it. So it must have an older BT protocol? My understanding is that it puts out NMEA protocol position data, and only certain apps can use that. But I can't find any technical info on either the Bad Elf OR the Garmin GLO about what format(s?) the position info is in or what apps can use it. Makes me a bit nervous about laying out my $99.

Hello! Yes -- both the Bad Elf and GLO provide the raw NMEA data to iOS, which then distributes the location data via Location Services to any and all apps that request it. Assuming the user has granted permission to the app of course.

Only GPS accessories that are MFi approved will work with iOS devices -- that is why your older Garmin unit doesn't appear in the Settings>Bluetooth dialog.

I hope that helps!

Hi Andrew,

Your iPad will work with any of the external GPS receivers listed in my earlier post. However, since you have the cellular ipad, you may be OK with the internal GPS. I'm assuming that you do not want to have an active cellular data plan during your travels, which may impact your ability to get a fast or solid GPS lock using just the internal GPS -- just depends on your iPad, cellular towers in range, roaming agreements, etc.

The other piece you'll definitely want is a good satnav app that has cached maps and route guidance. Take a look at CoPilot - they have various regional apps and I believe their Europe edition covers the countries you'll be visiting.

Hope that helps!
-Brett

BatiArb wrote:

I have just purchased an Ipad 2 Wifi + 3G.

I am currently confused as to whether I can actually get a gps receiver to pair with the Ipad 2.

If the answer is yes then can someone please advice on the best combination of gps receiver and mapping software to allow me to use the ipad as a satnav on a trip across Europe, through Belarus and into Ukraine. Then travelling within Ukraine before driving back through southern Europe (including Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia etc)

I am looking for a set up that does not require a cellular connection.

With gratitude

Andrew

Since you have a wifi+3G iPad, you do not need an external GPS. Youir iPad has GPS built-in. You can use your iPad without a 3G connection for turn-by-turn navigation as long as you have a map loaded on your iPad and the GPS satellites are in view of your iPad.

Bluetooth on the iPads is only used for connecting speakers, headphones, keyboards, or interfacing with your car. The BT protocols for interfacing with a GPS receiver do not exist in the iPad.

If you want to use GPS, you'll have to upgrade to a cellular model.

Only in the Wi-Fi models. Wi-Fi + Cellular models have a GPS. In the Wi-Fi model, it's not "blocked," it's just not there.

orbje wrote:

I understand , on the older iPads (wifi only ) , external GPS's were not blocked.

the newest ( mini iPad and iPad 4) they are.

The only reason I can think of is a commercial reason.

I do not believe that is correct. As far as I know, no Wifi-only iPad, regardless of model, was ever able to use GPS in the way you describe, much less interface with a separate unit via Bluetooth.

Thank you Brett! That is EXACTLY the information I needed!! Since I'm not the OP, I can't give you a "Solved My Problem" Badge, but you deserve one for that! And a VERY quick response! I appreciate that!!

I have just purchased an Ipad 2 Wifi + 3G.

I am currently confused as to whether I can actually get a gps receiver to pair with the Ipad 2.

If the answer is yes then can someone please advice on the best combination of gps receiver and mapping software to allow me to use the ipad as a satnav on a trip across Europe, through Belarus and into Ukraine. Then travelling within Ukraine before driving back through southern Europe (including Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia etc)

I am looking for a set up that does not require a cellular connection.

With gratitude

Andrew

Per the posts above, and the info supplied by the Bad Elf engineer, I looked into the Bad Elf and Garmin options for a Bluetooth gps for my wi-fi only iPad. Based on my assessment of the available info, I have ordered a Bad Elf GPS Pro model. I chose that primarily because of the location support available to more than one device at a time. The Garmin MAY provide that, but I was unable to verify that on their website and was deterred by user reviews that complained about the overly sensitive on/off switch on the Garmin, since that issue occurs also with my old (and non MFi approved) Garmin 10 (which does work fine with my Mac Book Pro).

The Garmin unit does have the advantage (perhaps especially in E. Europe?) of also accessing the Russian gps satellite system, but plenty of pilots give user reviews lauding the accuracy of the Bad Elf Pro in N. America and W. Europe, which is the only place I will use mine. I did not look into the Dual very far, as it's been around awhile and seemed like perhaps it wasn't quite as state of the art as the other 2, although I could be wrong. Somehow, being as how the DoD is the supporter of the US GPS system, I suspect that it's performance in E. Europe and Asia will NOT be inferior to the Russian alternative, which was set up, after-all, to give the Russians a system that they could not be denied access to under certain contingencies.

My Bad Elf GPS Pro hasn't arrived yet, but I will post an impression based on U.S. automobile under-way use once I've had a chance to get it running.

Thank you Willy and Brett.

I had been recommended CoPilot before as a good option for the countries I plan to travel through, so looks like that could be on the purchase list.

I then just need to make a decision on the gps side.

It appears you are saying that the Ipad has a gps capability built in that does not require cellular connection. I have read confusing posts on other forums that both contradict and confrim this.

However, you indicate that it may still be worth having an external gps reciever to boost the ipads tracking capability.

Thanks again for your assistance.

With gratitude

Andrew

You would still need to buy the WiFi + Cellular iPad to be able to use the built in GPS which would not require the cellular option to be active during GPS use.

Just like with an iPhone that has no active phone service, it can still use any GPS app in it such as CoPilot or TomTom.