How can I tell if my iPad's GPS is even attemping to get a position fix?

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Level 1

8 points

How can I tell if my iPad's GPS is even attemping to get a position fix?

MC773LL/A iOS 7.0.4

The main reason I purchased an iPad was to use it as backup for GPS navigation electronics aboard my boat. I've used it several times just to test it, with purchased nav apps, starting from my home port, and everything worked as expected. Recently I didn't power up the iPad until I was at sea but only 15 miles from home port. It could not seem to obtain a position fix, and the GPS arrow indicator did not appear. I had no way of knowing if it was even trying to get a fix. My other GPS devices at least tell me they're trying. Is there some way know if an iPad is even trying to get a first fix? When I returned home, I powered up the iPad and everything worked fine. All the location services settings and others, including wi-fi, were left untouched.

Is there some trick to wake up the iPad's on-board GPS to get it working?

And how would I know that it's activated and trying to get a first fix?

Thanks.

iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, iOS 6.1.3

Posted on Mar 7, 2014 1:09 PM

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Answer 1

drsailer

Level 4

1,537 points

Mar 7, 2014 2:43 PM in response to bobseufert

That depends on which iPad model he bought.

The wifi version does NOT have a true GPS chip and uses wifi location services, no cell towers.

The LTE versions DO have a true GPS (As John indicated), but will use wifi and cell tower triangulation when possible for a quicker fix. GPS takes a few minutes to gather information. If I'm not mistaken, it needs to receive signals from 3 or more satellites for a proper position fix.

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Answer 2

sailor3333 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 8, 2014 6:11 AM in response to sailor3333

My iPad has onboard true GPS. It's Model MC773LL/A

The app is iNavX. The GPS and the app usually work just fine. But, as noted in my original posting, I had an incident where the GPS did not seem to activate. And I could not tell if there was some way to see if it was even trying to get a position fix. The GPS arrow didn't appear. More details in my original posting. My questions remain:

Is there some trick to wake up the iPad's on-board GPS to get it working?

And how would I know that it's activated and trying to get a first fix?

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Answer 3

John Galt

Level 10

155,804 points

Mar 8, 2014 3:42 PM in response to bobseufert

The OP's iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G doesn't require "cell towers" at all, but it will use cellular network information to quickly determine which GPS satellites to use to determine its exact position. Its GPS receiver works in any location on Earth that can receive GPS satellite signals. Nothing else is required. If that is not "true GPS" kindly explain what you think it is.

If the OP's is not getting a valid position fix on the open water after 20 minutes or so, it's defective.

There are no "cell towers" anywhere near where I spend much of my time. The iPad's GPS works just fine.

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Answer 4

sailor3333 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 9, 2014 6:41 AM in response to John Galt

John Galt, your explanation about the workings of the GPS on my particular iPad are exactly the same as my understanding. (A lot of other people are confused about these matters.)

I didn't attempt to activate Maps. And didn't have time to explore other things, as I was steering a boat underway in heavy rain.

And I certainly didn't wait 20 minutes to see if the GPS would get a fix. The last time the GPS was successfully used was within 15 miles of where I powered up the iPad, so I would think the GPS would start searching using that location to assist with getting a fast fix. Also, cell services were available in the new location.

IMHO, the GPS simply did not activate. So, my questions remain as stated.

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