GPS Confusion

GPS doesn't need wi-fi or cellular to work, but downloading maps and data does.

Some of the navigation apps can preload the map data so you don't need the cellular/wi-fi connection to use them.

Hope that makes sense

Also note that the "Wi-Fi" models do not have the GPS hardware. GPS is part of the cellular circuitry in the "Wi-Fi + Cellular" models.

As nick101 said, you don't have to have the cellular access active (if you pre-load the maps on an app that allows that), but the GPS circuitry does need to be there.

The above is not correct. My iPad 2 wifi model is able to do GPS navigation without a data connection as long as I preload the needed maps. You can do this with Google Maps, but it takes a lot of preparation. Easier to buy a Tomtom or Navigon app.

not to throw water on what looks like a happy answer - but run some tests. It is my understanding that the wifi only pad does not have gps hardare installed at tall. (My ipad 2 does not).

If you have a 3 g pad, it does have a gps chip, which will work whether or not you have the 3 g radio turned on or not.

The wifi only pad will get a gps positon from your wifi, but it cannot update that position once you start to move.

you can buy an external GPS receiver. I have a bad elf (yes, thats what it is really called) and there are several map sets available from the app store.

Oddly enough, the cost of a bad elf and the cost of a new tom tom or garmin are about the same.

Whether you are 3 g or wifi only, if you know where you are going, you can download the maps before you leave, but you still need to resilve the GPS signal. good luck.

franzkaiser wrote:

The above is not correct. My iPad 2 wifi model is able to do GPS navigation without a data connection as long as I preload the needed maps. You can do this with Google Maps, but it takes a lot of preparation. Easier to buy a Tomtom or Navigon app.

You are incorrect. The wifi-only iPad does not have GPS hardware. It will not connect to GPS satellites and will not do GPS location or navigation.

Hello,

You mentioned that you have Bad Elf and I have a question. Looked at the Bad Elf site and it looks really good. Does the Bad Elf provide voice turn by turn directions? I'm thinking of maybe using Google Maps in conjunction with Bad Elf. Any thoughts?

The bad elf is a piece of hardware that provides GPS to wifi only pads- that do not have a GPS chip. Turn by turn comes from the software, and some does, and some doesn't. The bad elf works with Google maps, but since, by definition, you would not have a data connection, you won't get turn by turn.

ALso, keep in mind that you will need to download maps for where you are going, or buy a full set.

THe the elf is a good solution for displaying where you are, but if your primary need is turn by turn you are probably better off with a stand alone garmin or Tom tom, and these days, the price is about the same.

A mini-education:

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 signals that allow GPS receivers to calculate latitude and longitude information. Map software then takes that latitude/longitude info and converts it to land mass, roads, bridges, highways, buildings, etc. Navigation software is "map software on steroids." It goes one step further in that it provides real-time directions to enable you to reach a desired destination.

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/year). 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/4G iPad and the iPhone both have a GPS receiver. The WiFi-only iPad and the iPod do not and these devices require an accessory.