Map/gps program for iPad

[Arcades]

Hey all... Last founders day there was a presentation for iPod mapping/gps programs... The gentleman giving the talk suggested one in particular.... Does anyone remember what it was? Or can someone suggest a good one....

[DaveB]

It was me, and the name of the software was GaiaGPS http://blog.gaiagps.com/apps/

The other product I use is Avenza PDF Maps, using the Backroad Mapbooks digital version.

The challenge is learning enough about the program to use it on a trip you'll be doing tomorrow!?! But a hint is to use the NRCAN Western Canada Map set for Gaia. Not the highest resolution of all the maps available, but definitely has the most backroads on it.

See you on the weekend.

Cheers, Dave

[Arcades]

Thanks! Not attempting to master it yet... Just gonna check it out... Great presentation btw.

[e.prevost94]

I've just started using this. Just download all the maps and load them as needed. Hope this helps! http://geobc.gov.bc.ca/base-mapping/ima ... aphic.html

[ashek]

Used Gaia and the Dual bluetooth GPS unit on our Ipad over the last 18 month trip. Mounted on a RamMount EZRoller (which broke, so i fixed it).
Maps that worked quite well was the Mapquest Open Street Map, and the ESRI world imagery maps that are built in.
Preload and go, even on a slow Timmies internet connection its quite doable.

ESRI is particularly good for finding beaches and clearings to camp in ahead of time :)

[bf900]

Hi

What kind of GPS Unit do you recommend for a wifi only Ipad?

Looking for smothering with good value....ie: not super expensive.

Thanks

B

[DaveB]

I only know of 2 brands. The Bad Elf, and the Dual. Both are around $125 new. I came across someone who found a used one for quite cheap, so don't forget to check out Craigslist, kijiji, etc.

http://www.amazon.ca/Dual-Electronics-X ... ad+elf+gps

http://www.amazon.ca/Bad-Elf-1008-Perfo ... ad+elf+gps

I think the bad elf unit can be had in Bluetooth format as well if you don't want to be plugging it in.

Cheers, Dave

[red90]

The Garmin GLO works well too. http://www.gpscity.ca/garmin-glo-with-v ... cable.html which has Glonass

The XGPS150A is a lot cheaper here: http://www.gpscity.ca/dual-xgps150a-uni ... eiver.html

There is also the http://www.gpscity.ca/dual-xgps160-skyp ... eiver.html with Glonass.

[red90]

The bad elf BT: http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/bad-elf-gps-pro.html

[Crs]

I'm the one who found a Bad Elf on Craigslist. The previous owner had used it for a week and loved it so much, he went and got the BT version.

He also had the original bill and packaging so there wasn't any questions as to provenance. :D

The Bad Elf is excellent. You need to start its own App on the iPad, then, once it's acquired a satellite fix and got its location, you can open and use any GPS enabled app. I think it's "any app" but Bad Elf had a list of compatible apps on their website.

However, I'm not sure about buying one new. Getting a 3G/4G gps enabled iOS device is usually about $100 more than the wifi only model (like for like) so it makes sense to go for the build-in one and you get 'free' cellular capability.

[DaveB]

While I tend to agree with Craig regarding getting the unit with the built in GPS, and I've done so with every ipad I've purchase over the past 4 years, it might be worth looking into the features of the built in GPS vs. the BT models. The purpose built units could quite conceivably have a higher degree of accuracy.

Dave

[red90]

The external units will have better accuracy, although this does not matter for use in a vehicle. What may be more of help is better sensitivity to pick up a signal in poor conditions (heavy tree cover, tall buildings, canyons). This is one of the selling points of the Glonass units, a second GPS system and thus more satellites in view.

I'm not sure if this is needed as I've never personally tried using a phone/tablet for this use. What is your experience Dave?

[DaveB]

Sorry, missed your response until now.

I was leery at first with using a dash mounted iPad in my Discovery. There is a lot of metal and glass, and the lattice of the heated windshield which I thought would block or weaken the signal. Previously, with my laptop, I had to put the GPS receiver (I had both USB and Bluetooth types over the years) outside magnetized to whatever surface I could stick them to on a Land Rover. Now I know why the roof was made of steel rather than alum. ;-)

But there was no problem with interior reception with the iPad. The signal came in clearly. I don't know (because theres no interface) how many satellites I'm tracking, but it's never been a problem in any conditions to maintain a track that is ± 32 feet and typically its ± 16 feet. Thats more than satisfactory for vehicle travel.

One time I was in a deep canyon (road to Ochi Basin) and had forgotten to turn on the GPS at the start of the trip. In this case it had a challenge locking on to satellites as quickly as usual. Looking at the track log later, there is a stretch of about 2 KM where I am off by about half a KM. But I've been in the same area since, and if I let it pick up the satellites BEFORE I get into the tight canyon, it holds them through this portion and the track log is accurate to ± 32 feet.

cheers, Dave

[DaveB]

Sorry, missed your response until now.

I was leery at first with using a dash mounted iPad in my Discovery. There is a lot of metal and glass, and the lattice of the heated windshield which I thought would block or weaken the signal. Previously, with my laptop, I had to put the GPS receiver (I had both USB and Bluetooth types over the years) outside magnetized to whatever surface I could stick them to on a Land Rover. Now I know why the roof was made of steel rather than alum. ;-)

But there was no problem with interior reception with the iPad. The signal came in clearly. I don't know (because theres no interface) how many satellites I'm tracking, but it's never been a problem in any conditions to maintain a track that is ± 32 feet and typically its ± 16 feet. Thats more than satisfactory for vehicle travel.

One time I was in a deep canyon (road to Ochi Basin) and had forgotten to turn on the GPS at the start of the trip. In this case it had a challenge locking on to satellites as quickly as usual. Looking at the track log later, there is a stretch of about 2 KM where I am off by about half a KM. But I've been in the same area since, and if I let it pick up the satellites BEFORE I get into the tight canyon, it holds them through this portion and the track log is accurate to ± 32 feet.

cheers, Dave