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Author Topic:   Apple iPad Applications for Navigation

whalerdude posted 02-19-2012 07:55 PM ET (US)
Is there an [application] that allows an iPad to be used for navigation without Wi-Fi or cellular service? I want to navigate across Lake Michigan.
jimh posted 02-19-2012 10:58 PM ET (US)
Does the iPad have a GPS receiver? You'll need a GPS receiver to know your position.
David Pendleton posted 02-19-2012 11:03 PM ET (US)
Yes, and yes.
The iPad 2 has a GPS receiver. I am using EarthNC which uses the NOAA raster charts from the government. The application will allow you to download up to 20MB charts locally to the device, otherwise they are served-up over the internet.
www.earthnc.com
Or look it up in the App store. It's $20.
whalerdude posted 02-19-2012 11:25 PM ET (US)
Thanks David. Do you have a waterproof case for your iPad?
David Pendleton posted 02-19-2012 11:33 PM ET (US)
I should clarify a bit, as I am just learning to use this new device myself. If you have 3G, you have GPS capability. If you do not, the iPad uses WiFi to determine your position.
whalerdude posted 02-19-2012 11:40 PM ET (US)
I have 3G. I can't wait to try it out.
jimh posted 02-20-2012 10:19 AM ET (US)
David--Is the receiver in your iPad2 a GNSS receiver, that is, can it receive both the GPS signals and the GLONASS signals? I believe that the new iPhone 4GS has such a receiver. Perhaps the iPad2 does as well.
David Pendleton posted 02-20-2012 12:38 PM ET (US)
According to published specifications (or the lack thereof), the iPad does not support GLONASS.
I have also learned the 3G iPad uses "assisted GPS" which relies on internet access. I'm not sure how the GPS works when it does not have internet access. I am assuming it behaves like a non-assisted GPS.
My iPad is WiFi-only, so in order to get GPS data, I would need and external receiver. I have ordered a Dual bluetooth GPS receiver for this purpose.
http://xgps150.dualav.com/
David Pendleton posted 02-20-2012 12:48 PM ET (US)
Also, I do not have a waterproof case for my iPad. I have looked at them online, but haven't purchased one.
K Albus posted 02-20-2012 01:04 PM ET (US)
Dave - assisted GPS does not rely on internet access. It uses Wi-Fi signals and cellphone towers to assist the GPS receiver in more quickly and accurately obtaining a fix. In the absence of Wi-Fi signals and cell phone towers, the iPad relies solely on the GPS receiver and operates like any other device using only a GPS receiver.
David Pendleton posted 02-20-2012 01:15 PM ET (US)
I learn something new about this thing every day.
20dauntless posted 02-20-2012 02:50 PM ET (US)
Like others have mentioned, only 3G iPads have GPS receivers built in. You do not need to have cell service or wifi coverage to use the GPS. Non 3G equipped iPads do NOT have any GPS receiver. If you are near wifi signals they can approximate your location, but this isn't too helpful on the water. You can buy an accessory GPS like the Bad Elf to give your wifi only iPad GPS capability.
There are a number of apps available for chart plotting on the iPad. I use iNavX with NOAA raster charts and Navionics vector charts and Navimatics for offline Active Captain use. I also have an older, iPhone version of the Navionics app. I've written a bit about using the iPad for marine navigation here:
http://samlandsman.blogspot.com/2011/11/ipad-for-marine-navigation.html
The iPad is also great for other stuff on the boat, like keeping a log or centrally storing all the manuals for equipment onboard. Most manufacturers of accessories have their manuals online in PDF format; if you download these and keep them in iBooks you can easily browse and search through them, which I've found helpful.
David Pendleton posted 02-20-2012 03:04 PM ET (US)
Thanks Sam, that was very informative.
I actually bought this thing (the iPad) for my wife. I am quickly becoming addicted to it.

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Author	Topic: Apple iPad Applications for Navigation
whalerdude	posted 02-19-2012 07:55 PM ET (US) Is there an [application] that allows an iPad to be used for navigation without Wi-Fi or cellular service? I want to navigate across Lake Michigan.
jimh	posted 02-19-2012 10:58 PM ET (US) Does the iPad have a GPS receiver? You'll need a GPS receiver to know your position.
David Pendleton	posted 02-19-2012 11:03 PM ET (US) Yes, and yes. The iPad 2 has a GPS receiver. I am using EarthNC which uses the NOAA raster charts from the government. The application will allow you to download up to 20MB charts locally to the device, otherwise they are served-up over the internet. www.earthnc.com Or look it up in the App store. It's $20.
whalerdude	posted 02-19-2012 11:25 PM ET (US) Thanks David. Do you have a waterproof case for your iPad?
David Pendleton	posted 02-19-2012 11:33 PM ET (US) I should clarify a bit, as I am just learning to use this new device myself. If you have 3G, you have GPS capability. If you do not, the iPad uses WiFi to determine your position.
whalerdude	posted 02-19-2012 11:40 PM ET (US) I have 3G. I can't wait to try it out.
jimh	posted 02-20-2012 10:19 AM ET (US) David--Is the receiver in your iPad2 a GNSS receiver, that is, can it receive both the GPS signals and the GLONASS signals? I believe that the new iPhone 4GS has such a receiver. Perhaps the iPad2 does as well.
David Pendleton	posted 02-20-2012 12:38 PM ET (US) According to published specifications (or the lack thereof), the iPad does not support GLONASS. I have also learned the 3G iPad uses "assisted GPS" which relies on internet access. I'm not sure how the GPS works when it does not have internet access. I am assuming it behaves like a non-assisted GPS. My iPad is WiFi-only, so in order to get GPS data, I would need and external receiver. I have ordered a Dual bluetooth GPS receiver for this purpose. http://xgps150.dualav.com/
David Pendleton	posted 02-20-2012 12:48 PM ET (US) Also, I do not have a waterproof case for my iPad. I have looked at them online, but haven't purchased one.
K Albus	posted 02-20-2012 01:04 PM ET (US) Dave - assisted GPS does not rely on internet access. It uses Wi-Fi signals and cellphone towers to assist the GPS receiver in more quickly and accurately obtaining a fix. In the absence of Wi-Fi signals and cell phone towers, the iPad relies solely on the GPS receiver and operates like any other device using only a GPS receiver.
David Pendleton	posted 02-20-2012 01:15 PM ET (US) I learn something new about this thing every day.
20dauntless	posted 02-20-2012 02:50 PM ET (US) Like others have mentioned, only 3G iPads have GPS receivers built in. You do not need to have cell service or wifi coverage to use the GPS. Non 3G equipped iPads do NOT have any GPS receiver. If you are near wifi signals they can approximate your location, but this isn't too helpful on the water. You can buy an accessory GPS like the Bad Elf to give your wifi only iPad GPS capability. There are a number of apps available for chart plotting on the iPad. I use iNavX with NOAA raster charts and Navionics vector charts and Navimatics for offline Active Captain use. I also have an older, iPhone version of the Navionics app. I've written a bit about using the iPad for marine navigation here: http://samlandsman.blogspot.com/2011/11/ipad-for-marine-navigation.html The iPad is also great for other stuff on the boat, like keeping a log or centrally storing all the manuals for equipment onboard. Most manufacturers of accessories have their manuals online in PDF format; if you download these and keep them in iBooks you can easily browse and search through them, which I've found helpful.
David Pendleton	posted 02-20-2012 03:04 PM ET (US) Thanks Sam, that was very informative. I actually bought this thing (the iPad) for my wife. I am quickly becoming addicted to it.