IPAD Mount

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primer7

primer7

Joined
Nov 28, 2008
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Location
Sparks, NV
As the years pass it's harder to see the smaller GPS screens so the IPAD seems like the way to go ( That's the excuse I am using to justify the purchase). I picked up the RAM windshield mount to try out. As you can see it offers a couple of mounting options for the tray and a large suction cup for the windshield.
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Position on the window was important as it would interfere with the 3 on the tree, oh and/ or you could not see out the window, but visibility was very good overall. Not sure how well it will stay on the windshield on a bumpy trail or how well the signal will hold up, need to go wheel'n to test the whole thing.
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What gps program are you using? Just got the iPad .

Ken
 
450 DUDE said:
What gps program are you using? Just got the iPad .

Ken
Click to expand...

Looks like TopoMaps. I have the same app on my Iphone. It's been ok, but on my phone unless conditions are perfect the GPS sucks and it has trouble finding itself and loading anything. I do like the map loading portion better than the other topo app I have, the screen is just too small on my phone. I would be curious about how it would work on an Ipad.

Jack
 
Rehashing this thread because the wifey want's an ipad and I want a GPS. We were planning on a wifi only ipad and tethering off of our iphone if we wanted internet or gps.
But Motion X GPS states: "Uses the GPS chipset in the 3G iPad, but it also works great in Wi-fi mode!" so would we not need to tether or if we had no signal and couldn't tether?
 
Bluetribal said:
Rehashing this thread because the wifey want's an ipad and I want a GPS. We were planning on a wifi only ipad and tethering off of our iphone if we wanted internet or gps.
But Motion X GPS states: "Uses the GPS chipset in the 3G iPad, but it also works great in Wi-fi mode!" so would we not need to tether or if we had no signal and couldn't tether?
Click to expand...

With the iPad (and all iOS devices), if a better location service is not available (e.g., GPS), the iPad will obtain location information from the Internet based on various details of the WiFi and internet connection. Generally, this is only useful (when it works) for locating you in the right metro area or state (though at time it can pin point you, well actually your WiFI access point, pretty good). It's worthless when mobile locating.

If you want to use the iPad as a mobile GPS replacement, you basically need the 3G model because the 3G and GPS are integrated on the same chip. You do not need to have a 3G contract, or 3G enabled, for the GPS to work.
 
Just know the iPad G3 will not function from GPS as a drive by turn/nav system; only from cell. So its still not an ideal replacement for say a Garmin GPS. IMO its best suited for casual off-road mapping display. If you want high levels of topo data detail its not practical to download via wifi and that's the only option for acquiring map tiles/data.
 
My 2c, the recent trip to Nightingale the 3g IPAD worked quite well and the mount stay on the wind shield like glue. If I had to gripe, the response time seemed a little slow but that is probably the antenna and you need to make sure you download all the area maps prior to leaving your internet connection as I "Ran off the map" a couple of times. Overall though it worked quite well. I have been looking at the Lowrance big screen units, but man $$$.
 
Well...I'm, along with all the other Lowrance Baja users, kinda out on a limb so to speak. They discontinued support for the Baja 540C (geez...its only 2-years old!); they don't support the map software any longer (although there are a couple 3rd party sources for MapCreate 7 data files). And I've not heard one good thing about the HDS5 unit (replacement for the Baja 540C).

However my Baja 540C overall has been the best truck based topo mapping system I've owned to date. The hardware portion is great. Its super easy to use even while driving...as long as the trail isn't too rough or too twisty :D. My biggest gripe with the software side: Its cumbersome/bulky/non-intuitive to move map files to and from the unit.

And the Lowrance post sale support just sucks. I thought Garmin was bad!

Hopefully someone will introduce an iPad size device but on a full OS platform. Unfortunately that doesn't exist even in the PC world (with a touch operative screen that really works ;)) so its probably a slim chance...and he just ran out the door...it will ever see the light of day in the Mac world especially given the popularity of the iPad type tablet devices.


Oh yeah: Sorry for the hijack!

















Nah...I guess not! :D
 
Well I have ditched the iPad idea and we just purchased a 10" laptop (Asus Eee PC 1015 PE) we immediately upgrade the chip from 1GB to 2GB. Now I am going to purchase, DeLorme Earthmate GPS for laptops. I am only going to use this set-up on off-road trips so I am going with the LT-40 and Topo North America rather than the LT-40 and Street Atlas USA.
 
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