Bluetooth GPS for iPad Navigation

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Creola

Creola

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Sep 16, 2009
20
Hunter 31 Grand Rivers, KY
Looking for ways to use iPad 4 (wireless only) for navigation. I am currently using FlyToMap HD for charting purposes and Verizon MiFi will not pick up quickly enough under sail to register location.

I have heard of some Bluetooth GPS receivers that are suppose to work with some navigation apps. Would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has tried using a Bluetooth GPS receiver with an iPad or tablet.

Thanks!
 
kemahflash

kemahflash

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Sep 27, 2011
29
HUNTER PASSAGE 456 TX
Bluetooth GPS formipad

Creola said:
Looking for ways to use iPad 4 (wireless only) for navigation. I am currently using FlyToMap HD for charting purposes and Verizon MiFi will not pick up quickly enough under sail to register location.

I have heard of some Bluetooth GPS receivers that are suppose to work with some navigation apps. Would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has tried using a Bluetooth GPS receiver with an iPad or tablet.

Thanks!
Click to expand
The gns. 5870 works well for me on my ipad 2 wifi, I have used into navigate 4 thousand miles from Annapolis to key west to bahamas and back several times
 
G

gr8_2_av8

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Apr 11, 2009
46
Hunter 31 Thunder Bay
Dual XGPS-150. Around 100 dollars. Logged around 3000NM so far no issue whatsoever.
 
Creola

Creola

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Sep 16, 2009
20
Hunter 31 Grand Rivers, KY
Thanks for input! Just curious what chart app(s) you use. Lastly, have you had any issues with bimini interfering with signal? Just trying to figure best location for placement. Possibly at helm but that requires it being under bimini.
 
P

Phil P

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Jan 6, 2012
61
Hunter Legend 375 Rye, NY
The absolute best software for I-Pad is INAV-X. For about $50 you get raster maps of anywhere (almost) in the world. You load through WIFI at home all the maps you're likely to need (say the south east coast of the US) and that's it. The Ipad has built in GPS, acquires the satellite in less than a minute and you're good to go. VERY intuitive. Highly accurate IMO. This is actually now my primary GPS with my Raymarine as a backup!
 
P

Phil P

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Jan 6, 2012
61
Hunter Legend 375 Rye, NY
BTW - mine is under the canvas bimini. No issues with satellite acquisition.
 
Creola

Creola

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Sep 16, 2009
20
Hunter 31 Grand Rivers, KY
Phil P said:
The absolute best software for I-Pad is INAV-X. For about $50 you get raster maps of anywhere (almost) in the world. You load through WIFI at home all the maps you're likely to need (say the south east coast of the US) and that's it. The Ipad has built in GPS, acquires the satellite in less than a minute and you're good to go. VERY intuitive. Highly accurate IMO. This is actually now my primary GPS with my Raymarine as a backup!
Click to expand
Thanks! Currently on inland waterway with access to Gulf of Mexico. Will check into before heading south into bigger water.
 
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Dubai

Dubai

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Nov 19, 2010
54
Hunter 326 Dubai
Creola said:
Looking for ways to use iPad 4 (wireless only) for navigation. I am currently using FlyToMap HD for charting purposes and Verizon MiFi will not pick up quickly enough under sail to register location.

I have heard of some Bluetooth GPS receivers that are suppose to work with some navigation apps. Would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has tried using a Bluetooth GPS receiver with an iPad or tablet.

Thanks!
Click to expand
I use the Navionics app on my iPad. Very pleased with it. Useful new update is Auto route planning. Just enter start & finish points plus any way points and Walla...its plotted a route for you.
 
Snotter

Snotter

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Sep 25, 2008
615
Morgan 415 Out Island Rogersville, AL
If you have a smart phone, try using it as a hot-spot with it's gps enabled. Connecting to it with the iPad's location services on should allow it to use the phone's gps. It works on my Samsung 3s and iPad. Have yet to try it on the water though so I can't be 100% sure it will work for navigation.
 
quadrille38

quadrille38

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Apr 11, 2010
969
Hunter 38 Whitehall MI
I run Inavx with the Navionics Gold charts.

Added an external 12 channel GPS antenna since the ipad only has 2 channel gps and an AIS receiver. They are wired to a Digital Yachts IAIS wireless sender.
The DY unit communicates with ipad via wifi
Works great. Very accurate and love having the AIS to keep track of the commercial traffic
 
Bill1565

Bill1565

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Jan 22, 2008
1,483
Hunter 37 C sloop Punta Gorda FL
Snotter said:
If you have a smart phone, try using it as a hot-spot with it's gps enabled. Connecting to it with the iPad's location services on should allow it to use the phone's gps. It works on my Samsung 3s and iPad. Have yet to try it on the water though so I can't be 100% sure it will work for navigation.
Click to expand
You need a GPS receiver. Then you do not need Internet access hot spot or wifi.
 
Creola

Creola

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Sep 16, 2009
20
Hunter 31 Grand Rivers, KY
I ended up with the Dual XGPS-150 and already had FlyToMap on my iPad. Tried it out this past weekend on water and worked perfectly. Actually able to place the GPS receiver at nav desk and keep charger running to it. It averaged around 8 strong satellite signals at any one time from inside boat. iPad at helm picked up bluetooth signal with no problem. FlyToMap may not get the attention some of the other apps get but for inland lake I currently sail on, the contours matched up very accurately with my depth gauge.
Thanks to everyone for input!
 
J

John Hosty

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Nov 21, 2005
15
Hunter 41 Bronte Outer Harbour
i Pad GPS

Phil P said:
The absolute best software for I-Pad is INAV-X. For about $50 you get raster maps of anywhere (almost) in the world. You load through WIFI at home all the maps you're likely to need (say the south east coast of the US) and that's it. The Ipad has built in GPS, acquires the satellite in less than a minute and you're good to go. VERY intuitive. Highly accurate IMO. This is actually now my primary GPS with my Raymarine as a backup!
Click to expand
iPad has built in GPS??
 
quadrille38

quadrille38

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Apr 11, 2010
969
Hunter 38 Whitehall MI
Yes ipad had GPS receiver capability but it is only 2 satellites

A standard GPS marine antenna typically tracks around 12 satellites giving a much more accurate position.
 
chuckwayne

chuckwayne

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Mar 20, 2004
1,738
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
The wifi only ipads do not have a built in GPS, but the wifi plus cellular versions do. It's quite accurate and fixes seem to match my Simrad system very well
 
vtsailguy

vtsailguy

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Aug 3, 2010
88
Oday 28 Malletts Bay, Lake Champlain
I got the 3G version of the ipad withe the GPS, then I simply did not activate a plan.


Using isailor in the Great Lakes and Carribean with success.
 
P

Phil P

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Jan 6, 2012
61
Hunter Legend 375 Rye, NY
Did the same (3G version - no plan) and based on my now two years of experience in the Long Island Sound and New England coast, I'd say it's accurate to about 10 feet.
 
Akapeterc

Akapeterc

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Mar 23, 2013
132
Hunter 44DS Lake Macquarie
I too bought the 3G version but no phone contract Just so I could get the GPS function. I find it works great with the navionics charts here in Australia East Coast. With the auto routing program on the avionics charts I use it then transfer that to my chart plotter manually. I find the GPS very accurate.
 
iwillmott

iwillmott

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Apr 12, 2009
101
Hunter 1996 hunter 40.5 Green Cove Springs FL
Bad elf

Creola said:
Looking for ways to use iPad 4 (wireless only) for navigation. I am currently using FlyToMap HD for charting purposes and Verizon MiFi will not pick up quickly enough under sail to register location.

I have heard of some Bluetooth GPS receivers that are suppose to work with some navigation apps. Would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has tried using a Bluetooth GPS receiver with an iPad or tablet.

Thanks!
Click to expand
Ck out garmin info on activecaptain.com
 
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