iPad mini as GPS

[Watertank]

Has anyone got any experience of using a iPad mini as a GPS? Only the cellular version has the GPS hardware. I realise that an iPad battery will not last as long as those in a dedicated GPS but I have a Goal Zero solar charger so I can charge it while I'm hiking. I'm particular interested in any knowledge of using maps and apps that will help me in finding my position on the maps.

[Son of a Beach]

Don't rely on that solar charger unless you've tested it extensively in thick cloud/vegetation cover to find out how long it will take to charge the device from flat to full. I'm not familiar with that model but I do know that many solar chargers are not really adequate. Some include a more substantial built in rechargeable battery back, which is usually better (if you remember to charge it before you leave home) but heavier.

Anyhow, I don't have an iPad, but have used an iPhone as a mapping and tracking GPS with a variety of Maps (and my own home-built mapping GPS software). It works very well (for me) but of course as you said it chews through the battery if you leave it recording tracks continuously. Just taking a waypoint or checking map position occasionally, it works very nicely.

Mind you, I wouldn't depend on it and always carry (and often still use) paper maps and compass to be on the safe side.

[Zone-5]

I know from aviation forums the sun glare from the ipad screen is a problem as well as the low screen brightness in direct sunshine.

Also Garmin have released a PDF: Using Garmin with Paper Maps
http://www.ascc.sinica.edu.tw/gis/gps/Using%20a%20Garmin%20GPS%20With%20Paper%20Maps.pdf

Also some other good reading here..

Code: Select all

http://www.shtfinfo.com/shtffiles/maps_navigation/Basci_Military_Compass_Enhanced.pdf
http://www.shtfinfo.com/shtffiles/maps_navigation/Compass_Instructions_and_Alternatives.pdf
http://www.shtfinfo.com/shtffiles/maps_navigation/Land_Navigation.pdf
http://www.shtfinfo.com/shtffiles/maps_navigation/Magnetic_Declianation_US.pdf
http://www.shtfinfo.com/shtffiles/maps_navigation/Map_Compass.pdf
http://www.shtfinfo.com/shtffiles/maps_navigation/Map_Reading_Land_Nav.pdf
http://www.shtfinfo.com/shtffiles/maps_navigation/Navigation.pdf
http://www.shtfinfo.com/shtffiles/maps_navigation/Terrian_Maps_Direction.pdf
http://www.shtfinfo.com/shtffiles/maps_navigation/Topographic_Operations.pdf
http://www.shtfinfo.com/shtffiles/maps_navigation/Topographic_Surveying.pdf
http://www.shtfinfo.com/shtffiles/maps_navigation/Topographic_Symbols.pdf

[jasonhumor]

The other option for charging ipad would be a portable battery. My 10 ah one weighs around 250 grams and will charge mini full twice probably. Im looking at the app, hema explorer where you could save map and satellite image for offline use. Its a shame there is no app in iOS to support ozexplorer topo.

[Zone-5]

Have a looksee here:

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2012085

[thejungleisneutral]

The other option for charging ipad would be a portable battery. My 10 ah one weighs around 250 grams and will charge mini full twice probably. Im looking at the app, hema explorer where you could save map and satellite image for offline use. Its a shame there is no app in iOS to support ozexplorer topo.

I have a Galaxy S4 phone and a Nexus 7 tablet which I use bushwalking and in the car respectively. Being android rather than iOS they have a little more flexibility.

Both devices are running OziExplorer with the offline Festymaps 1:25k and 1:100K NSW topo mapping loaded. The tablet has a bunch of Australia-wide HEMA maps as well. For bushwalking, the OziExplorer/Festymaps combo is quite good for a quick check-nav, even if you're working with paper maps and a compass as you should be.

Power-wise I have a total of 4 batteries for the Galaxy S4 as well as a small solar-charger/3000ah battery backup. Powerwise for the nexus tab I simply plug it in to the car's 12v outlet. I consider the Nexus 7 tablet to be too big and bulky to take bushwalking. If my iPad Mini had GPS I wouldn't take it either for the same reason. For iOS users, an iPhone 5, 5S or 5C will work well as a nav GPS due to the big screen.

My iPad Mini is wifi only and so doesn't have GPS but for my android devices, the power consumption is cut noticeably if you dim the screen brightness and keep the device on "airplane" mode. GPS still works on the Nexus 7 tab and the Galaxy S4 while in airplane mode, as demonstrated by my annoying habit of monitoring the airroute, altitude and airspeed whenever I'm strapped into an airliner seat.