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iPad: 3G or WiFi with Hotspot?

Mike Cebulak
- 40 posts
December 7, 2011 8:14:42 AM PST

Wondering if a HotSpot from Verizon (or whoever) will give me accurate positioning needed to use navigation through a WiFi iPad.

My primary goal is accuracy, but my kids have been clamoring for wifi in the car so I thought it was worth investigating. I'm not opposed to buying a 3G unit, just wondering if WiFi & a 3G, 4G or beyond is a better long term plan. Likely easier to upgrade Hotspot hardware than multiple 3G devices. If the navigation doesn't work properly using a hotspot & wifi then it's a moot point.

Has anyone tried this format & used navigation with it?
Brad Stolberg
- 486 posts
December 7, 2011 11:01:27 AM PST

I've been doing some research myself on a good GPS app for the Ipad recently, and I've found out that allot of the apps will not work without a dedicated GPS chip for the app to use. That said, there are bluetooth GPS recievers that will work with an Ipad wifi becasue it doesnt have a built in GPS chip like the 3g version. I myself use an Ipad 1 3G but with a Sprint 4G hotspot because the 4G data with sprint is unlimited (only carrier that has that) and i stream slingbox, pandora, among other things that use up allot of data...so if your going for the best accuracy then you definatly need to get a 3G model Ipad becasue of the built in GPS chip, but just wifi alone from a hotspot does provide location data based on where it is in relation to the 3 nearest towers, now if you use hotspot from a smartphone that had GPS built in the location data is directly from the GPS chip in the phone...i use verizon for all my guys at work including myself for phones and the 4G LTE blows sprint 4G wimax away as far as speed
Jordan Clark
- 4 posts
December 14, 2011 4:46:23 AM PST

I have a 1st gen wifi only and I use an external gps receiver a holux mk1200 for gps reception. you will have to jailbreak it and install an app called roqybt4 it costs about $12 but it is well worth it as the holux gps is far more accurate than that of any phone and a lot of gps units. Keep in mind though you will have to have a data connection for a lot of the gps apps including the factory maps app. Navigon is a great app it's accurate easy to use easy to see and it has the maps included on it so you don't have to have a data connection. There is no jailbreak for the Piddy pad 2 on iOS5 yet though.
Wade Jones
- 34 posts
December 22, 2011 10:40:37 AM PST

IMO it would be the best option to go with the Dual Electronics XGPS150 Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver for iPad 2 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004M3BICU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER Rather then spending the extra money for a 3G model. Also, you can keep your internet connected since ints bluetooth. Ipad 2 Jailbreak for IOS5 will be out shortly.

This post was edited by Wade Jones at December 22, 2011 10:42:54 AM PST
Jordan Clark
- 4 posts
December 22, 2011 10:57:02 AM PST

Wade Jones said:
IMO it would be the best option to go with the Dual Electronics XGPS150 Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver for iPad 2 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004M3BICU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER Rather then spending the extra money for a 3G model. Also, you can keep your internet connected since ints bluetooth. Ipad 2 Jailbreak for IOS5 will be out shortly.

Essentially there is no difference in price between you suggestion and mine. That gps is ~$80 and connects without any additional software as far as I can tell. Where the holux cost ~$45 and requires a $12 cydia app overall cost a tad cheaper. But unless you have that gps receiver and can give some feedback on it then I have to suggest the holux bc I have it now and use it everyday and it is very accurate and the transfer of data to the iPad is instant. As far as the jailbreak coming soon don't count on it.
Wade Jones
- 34 posts
December 22, 2011 12:02:31 PM PST

^^^^^ Yes that is def that is def the way to go if you are jailbroken. But I you dont want to deal with jailbreaking for some odd reason :P then the Dual Electronics XGPS150 is the the better (and i think only) way to go. I would def recommend Jailbreaking! Without, Navigon is $150!
Jacky Shu
- 5 posts
December 23, 2011 1:58:25 PM PST

3G is the bets way for navigation, hotspot just only workable.
Wade Jones
- 34 posts
December 24, 2011 10:23:05 AM PST

Why would 3G be the best?!!?! Who wants to pay a for the crazy high data charges, when they can pay once or a gps receiver!
Brad Stolberg
- 486 posts
December 24, 2011 11:50:00 AM PST

Unless you have a nav app that's stores everything locally then you need some sort of data connection to get map info, pois, ect. And if you buy a 3G model it end up costing less than $50 more and then the gps chip is embedded adding portability and better performance. But I don't use the AT&T 3G connection sprint unlimited 4g hotspot is the way to go, then you can do sling box and pandora and iTunes match without worry
Wade Jones
- 34 posts
December 24, 2011 3:46:35 PM PST

Brad Stolberg said:
Unless you have a nav app that's stores everything locally then you need some sort of data connection to get map info, pois, ect. And if you buy a 3G model it end up costing less than $50 more and then the gps chip is embedded adding portability and better performance. But I don't use the AT&T 3G connection sprint unlimited 4g hotspot is the way to go, then you can do sling box and pandora and iTunes match without worry

Sweet! I learned somthing today! I didnt know that the 3g model had a gps chip in it. That made my day. I am in the proccess of getting another one, so im def getting the 3G version for the gps chip. Is it as acurate as a dedicated gps reciver?
Brad Stolberg
- 486 posts
December 24, 2011 6:03:52 PM PST

It's been reviewed by cnet and others to be more accurate than the one in the iPhones 4s, which works extremely well...and I use it with a free telema app with voice command and it works perfect everythime on my iPad 1 3G with the sprint hot spot
Jacky Shu
- 5 posts
December 24, 2011 10:21:07 PM PST

Wade Jones said:
Why would 3G be the best?!!?! Who wants to pay a for the crazy high data charges, when they can pay once or a gps receiver!

you don't need any data package, or a 3G SIM card in your iPad, the GPS module can work perfect without 3G.
Jacky Shu
- 5 posts
December 24, 2011 10:22:46 PM PST

btw, do not use google map in your iPad, you need a nav app with offline map data.