NW WA Meet / BS Thread

Exactly. You would get that sort of antenna when you are using an ipad/tablet/phone/whatever that is out of service. It connects to that and then you have a GPS unit. Youd still need to predownload the maps and stuff though

 

Correct.

The antenna won't give you service.

What it does is allow you to bring any Bluetooth enabled device that might not have a GPS chip built in. Like the wifi only iPads. It also tends to be more accurate. then you can use any app you want and download tiles as needed.

If you have network access you can still use it for real time nav and have your phone download maps like normal.

 

Hmm, I don't use an iPad so that's news to me. So if you're using a WiFi-only GPS iPad, would it not work to make a hotspot on your phone and have the iPad connect to that to get GPS to function?

Edit: Wait, so WiFi iPads don't have GPS chips at all, or do have GPS chips, but only function when it's connected to WiFi??

 

Yes, trying to hot spot off your phone won't use the phones gps chip. As far as apple devices the GPS chip is built into the same chip for the cellular networks. So if you don't buy a device that can connect to a Verizon or other provider you won't be able to use gps offline.

 

Gotchya. I thought you guys were saying it has GPS, but the GPS chip only kicks on when connected to WiFi for some reason (thought that was odd, but it's Apple...). Figured the phone WiFi connection would be an easy workaround and allow the GPS chip to work.... but there is no GPS chip on the WiFi models to begin with.

 

Yeah I didn't like use my phone, to small, and it would kill the battery so fast. I can't stand garmin and products of the like and had an old ipad2 that I wasn't using and was wifi only so it was just easier and cheaper to buy an antenna to make it work. Plus if you have to ever walk out it's all nice and portable like any hand held GPS device.

 

I just found this out. Bull shat. Now I'm in the middle of deciding whether I want to buy a stupid antenna for my $400 Netflix screen, or just upgrade to a cellular iPad.
Anyone need a Wifi iPad?

 

Never mind I'm back. After a quick Google search, I quickly realized why I didn't buy a cellular iPad. It's like $800. Apple is insane, but sadly it's all I own.

 

Just get that antenna

 

I hate acquiring stuff that requires batteries. Even if they're recharable. The antenna has great reviews, but I'm also looking at Bad Elf's Lightening connector GPS for iPad.

 

They are crazy expensive. I got one as a gift a couple years ago, but after having it for awhile, I wasn't that impressed. My nice laptop is portable and does so much more, so I just ended up selling the iPad on CL. I just use my phone for maps in my truck and plug it in to charge.

 

Understandable. I picked that one because it's what they are using in a lot of the score races like Mint 500 and shit. I don't think it matters which one you buy just know there are options to make what you have work.

 

Yeah I'll end up getting one. Glad you pointed out the antenna, wouldn't have seen it otherwise.

 

Trying to figure out OsmAnd. Where are all the roads? What am I missing?

 

Exactly! You said it much better than me. Aux gps antenna for when your phone goes low res on maps cuz the gps in the phones / iPads sucks. This way you can use iPad maps in better res. Just another toy unless you're going way out in the boonies, but still a cool toy!

 

This

 

Have heard inreach is pretty nice. Have a Spot for code browns. I think it's about $45/ yr? There's also supposedly one you can text from. Not sure if spot or another brand.

 

Did you download the USA map and the WA map?

 

Yeah I did. I figured it out. I'm currently in a crash-course on "overlay and underlay, minutes degrees, GPS and map reading jargon." Wife is vacuuming under my feet and I can't bear to look her in the eye and tell her I don't already know this stuff.

So here we go: I already have the WABDR trail layout completely done for me on GoogleMaps. It's all there. Is there a way to transfer all the waypoints or just use the google map as an overlay on OsmAnd? I want to see the entire mapped out trail on OsmAnd. How do I make this happen?

..

 

In settings there is a plugins area. One says access to online maps. Not sure if that'll do it or not. I would need to get on the computer to look up the help for the app