External usb gps receiver for android tablet 2017 pro#
Bad Elf Pro Bluetooth GPS – $149.95, works with all iPad and iPhone models.Bad Elf Plug-in GPS with Lightning Connector – $99.95, works with iPad 4/Mini/Air, and iPhone 5 or newer.Bad Elf Plug-in GPS 30-pin – $99.95, works only with iPad and iPhone with the 30-pin dock connector.So which external iPad GPS to buy? There are four options currently available: For this reason, most iPad pilots–even those with a 3G or 4G iPad–opt for an external GPS. You don’t want the GPS to lose its signal right at the final approach fix in the clouds. It’s not necessarily a question of accuracy, but of reliability. It has a tendency to drop offline, especially when switching between apps or when the iPad goes to sleep. (WiFi only iPads do not have a GPS).īut while the on-board GPS does work with all popular aviation apps, the reality is it was made for ground use and it’s not always reliable in the air. You could buy a 3G/4G model iPad, never activate your Verizon or AT&T service, and still have GPS data.
And the GPS is completely separate from the 3G/4G service, so you don’t even have to have an active data plan for the GPS to work. But how do you get the GPS information in the first place? Many pilots are confused by this, so let’s keep it simple.įirst, does the iPad have a GPS already? If it’s a 3G or 4G model, the answer is yes–there is a built-in GPS receiver. It’s one of the best features of the iPad. You can watch yourself fly right across the sectional chart or down the final approach fix on an approach plate. Having GPS information on your iPad allows you to view a moving map display on popular apps like ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot. Adding an external GPS provides reliable and accurate location data to show your position on digital aviation charts.