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pushtrk99 · 12-14-2012, 07:02 AM

We are thinking of getting a I-pad since we were going to upgrade our failing GPS-I understand the I-PAD has a GPS built in it--Any suggestions
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Dogpatch · 12-14-2012, 07:06 AM

I believe you need to have at least a 3G model in order to access the GPS and have it work on the road. Personally, I wouldn't buy one for this purpose. Wifi is available at most campgrounds for normal use of the iPad. You can get your directions there free. I use a TomTom GPS for on the road. I also have a cellphone.

Just my opinion.

pushtrk99 · 12-14-2012, 07:13 AM

DOGPATCH- that is the exact reason we want to go with an I-PAD is a lot of the state parks & COE parks don't have WI WI and some of the Passport CG's don't have or barely have WIFI-This next trip will be 93 days so in our case WIFI is important-thanks for your opinion though-Rich

Jeff_28602 · 12-14-2012, 07:17 AM

I think that getting an I-pad is a great idea... I love mine. That being said, I would not use it for GPS. Unless you get an unlimited data plan with it you would blow throw your data package pretty quick I think. (We get 3 gig a month)

Save yourself some aggravation and buy you a GPS. I bought at Garmin at Wal-Mart for $100 and love it!

Dogpatch · 12-14-2012, 07:18 AM

I believe with the "All-Stays" app, you can access all campground info and more without being on line. I used it throughout the Northwest ths past summer. An excellent app for this. Google it and have a look.

Something else that's new. My Blackberry (and other cellphones) can be used as a "HotSpot" which basically can be turned into a Wifi Modum for those rare occasions where the CG doesn't have Wifi. If no cell range, you likely wouldn't have Access to your 3G on iPad anyways. Something to look at.

Ridgmar · 12-14-2012, 08:06 AM

I have several GPSs on my iPhone and have traveled with person with iPad. While I love the iPad snd want one myself mainly for pics I don't find it convenient for GPS
I bought a Garmsn under $200 and find its great. Easy to have near you while driving, great for constructions snd simple to use. I was a diehard TomTom user for years and this is so better. To be fair newer too and other might have been improved.
I have Allstays for Walmarts and campgrounds on phone or you can have on iPad. just my opinion but works for me.
Darlene

Wayne M · 12-14-2012, 08:23 AM

pushtrk99,

DW has one of the first iPads that came out. She has the unlimited Data plan that is no longer available. I have a TomTom GPS, but on occasion I have asked her to verify directions. Here is what we discovered:

If you have 3G (don't know if 4G is available on the iPad yet) traveling down the road it is not to bad to use.l However, 3g is not always available and the iPad reverts to "Edge". I can tell you that without exception, when the carrier drops to Edge you can be several miles down the road before the mapping program on the iPad catches up with you. For that reason a stand-alone GPS using satellite location is far better than the iPad.

DW loves her iPad. I only get to use it when it needs fixin' or updatin', sort of like her car - I get to use that when it needs gas.

tuffr2 · 12-14-2012, 08:47 AM

The best mapping is google maps, google is tied to android. No smart phone uses real GPS. GPS used to mean Global Positioning System and used satellites. A Tom Tom or Garmin use satellites and will work anywhere. Smart Phones only work when they are in coverage and use cell towers. Lucky - more and more the wireless network has been expanding but if you want to get off the beaten path there are still a lot of dead coverage areas. My friend and I like to visit the highest point in each state. Out west we found you.need both a true GPS unit as well as a smart phone. We would plug in an address close to the high point and use GPS when we lost cell phone coverage. How did we ever get along w/o all these gadgets? My DW is looking at the Galaxy Note 2 - it is bigger than a phone and smaller than iPad mini. We are going to get the 2 gig plan and use wifi whenever we can. Also taking a GPS unit as back-up.

Jack1234 · 12-14-2012, 08:50 AM

Just me......but I have no need for a GPS system when we are travelling down the highway. I pretty know what highway I'm on and if I am going in the right direction? This is also the place where cellular based (iPhone/iPad) systems have problems with reception and are no substitute for a dedicated unit.

However, once we approach the City a GPS becomes very nice as a tool to find the CG. Once settled, a GPS becomes even more handy in our toad, as this is the vehicle we use to navigate in a strange place.

For us the solution has been our iPhone and 2 suction cup holders (1 in the RV & 1 in the toad). I always carry my iPhone so our GPS navigation is always with us....cellular reception is reliable and fast in the City.....the "search" feature enables us to find things we need and .......the "home" features always gets us back to the CG. The GPS Nav. Program cost us $0.99..... But the 2 holders cost us close to $50...go figure!

JohnBoyToo · 12-14-2012, 08:50 AM

Have you considered www.copilotlive.com ?

it doesn't need a continuous data connection, is cheap, and works well on phones, tablets, pc's, etc....

I have built in gps in both our vehicles (waste of money for gps!),
still prefer either one of our two Garmins they work SO well !!!
but COPILOT is starting to convert me.... good luck on your decision...

Muddypaws · 12-14-2012, 08:52 AM

Don't use an iPad for GPS until Apple fixes their geo database. It's been all over the news that the new IOS updates have a new GPS database with so many errors as to render it dangerous. I heard last night that the person responsible has either left Apple or been fired.

As others have said, a cellphone with hotspot capability might be a good choice, and a real GPS can be obtained very reasonably. I bout a refurbished TomTom for under $50 and it has worked fine.

The latest iPads do indeed have 4G. AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. Only Verizon allows the 4G connection to be shared with other devices. Not inexpensive though.

All of the 4G devices will fall back on 3G if they need to, then Edge if 3G doesn't work. Edge is useless.

Another solution:
I picked up a T-Mobile 4G hotspot at WalMart for just over $100. It is on a pay as you go plan where the minutes/data do not expire for 60 days. You have to buy the hotspot and recharge cards at Walmart and be sure to buy the ones that say 60 days. Currently only a $35 card is 60 days. If you're not going to use it there's no need to recharge it. Just like the iPad plans.

bukzin · 12-14-2012, 09:01 AM

I think Google Maps is the best navigation app out there.

It was removed from the latest version of the Apple products but is now back
(Apple released their own but the Google version is back)

Have a look at this video for a demo of all it can do, impressive.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/13/te...anted=all&_r=0

Also have a look at Motion X, excellent free navigation app.
It's also known as GPS Drive.

Ultrafied · 12-14-2012, 09:03 AM

I have been using a iPad for awhile now for my navigation. I don't have a 3G model myself. I bought an external GPS unit that plugs into the 30 pin connector on the bottom of the iPad. It works great. I use Garmin and/or Co-Pilot. Both download the maps when you buy the software so that your iPad is now a standalone GPS model. Works great.

I read that Google Maps was found to be possibly dangerous by the same Australian police. I chuckled at that article too.

kamakalama · 12-14-2012, 09:05 AM

I use an iPad with the CoPilot app. Full-featured navigation with voice guidance, etc. No internet connection required as all the maps reside on the iPad. I'm satisfied with it.

I wouldn't buy an iPad just for the navigation however. Any dedicated GPS nav unit is a lot less money and works as well as or better than the iPad.