iPad app location

[+AZKeatting]

I have purchased the Groundspeak app for my new iPad but it does not find the current location, just continues to spin around. Anyone else have this problem and does anyone have a solution

[+mpilchfamily]

Which iPad do you have? Is it one of the 3G versions or the Wi-Fi only version? Not all iPads have a GPSr built in so they can't navigate you to the cache. But the app is still good for storing all the cache info on so you have the Description, hints and recent logs on hand to help you in your search.

[+AZKeatting]

I have the new iPad 2. I thought this had a gps.

[+mpilchfamily]

Check the settings and make sure its turned on. It will need a good 30 minutes or so with a view of the open sky to get a good sat lock. After that it shouldn't take long for it to acquire the sats.

[+northernpenguin]

I have the new iPad 2. I thought this had a gps.

 

The iPad 2 only has a GPS if it is the 3G version. You don't have to actually activate it on a carrier to use GPS but if you have the WiFi only model then you will need to obtain a separate GPS for it.

 

Also neat little trick if you have an iPhone, the iPad can use the GPS from the iPhone via the Personal Hotspot feature.

[+AZKeatting]

Thanks for the replies. I am in the mountains and I'll be darned if I can figure out if this is 3G or not. I do not have the box with me. I thought all the iPad 2's were both wifi and 3G. It does have a location setting which is on and states it will allow apps to determine your approximate location. Did some research on the apple sites and it seems this is a constant problem for some people

[+AZKeatting]

Okay, finally got it, I am not 3G I have a 90 day no questions asked return so I will have to do some more research and think about it

[+mpilchfamily]

If it was 3G you would be tied to a cell carrier and you would be paying a bill for the data coverage. You better off getting a good hand held GPSr. They will have better battery life and will be able to survive a fall.

[+AZKeatting]

Yes, i agree. I already have a handheld but I wanted aniPad so I could stop in a town and find close by caches at a hotspot. I finally got the locator to work, turned off locator, rebooted system and it finally found my location, I am on wifi now. I think this might work for me now, thanks for the help as I worked through my new toy

[+mpilchfamily]

Don't expect to navigate anywhere with the iPad. The location info is coming from an online database. The system sees what Wi-Fi access point you are using and looks it up in the database. There is a company that goes around sniffing out wi-fi access points and recoding a general location for them. Its that general information your seeing on the iPad's map. Using the iPad to look up caches is a good idea you'll just have to manually enter the cords into your GPSr before you go hunting.

[+CacheFreakTim]

If it was 3G you would be tied to a cell carrier and you would be paying a bill for the data coverage. You better off getting a good hand held GPSr. They will have better battery life and will be able to survive a fall.

 

The 3G iPad does not require you to sign up for any 3G service. You can just buy it for the GPS and never activate the Internet service and the GPS will work just fine. Also if you do decide to sign up for the internet it is month to month with the iPad....they no longer do a contract so you cancel at any time. Basically if you do not plan to use the 3G internet you are paying $130 for the GPS (well worth it in my opinion especially if you are going to use it a lot for Geocaching.)

 

 

Another option is if you also have an iPhone you can share the iPhones 3G, and GPS signal over to the iPad using the personal hotspot feature. Check out the details here.

[+AZKeatting]

Don't expect to navigate anywhere with the iPad. The location info is coming from an online database. The system sees what Wi-Fi access point you are using and looks it up in the database. There is a company that goes around sniffing out wi-fi access points and recoding a general location for them. Its that general information your seeing on the iPad's map. Using the iPad to look up caches is a good idea you'll just have to manually enter the cords into your GPSr before you go hunting.

 

I am at a hotspot this am and tried the geocache app and your are right, it gives an approximate location and then lists the nearby caches which I would then put into my handheld gps, this is what I expected to do, can't see walking around with my iPad . Thanks for the info

[+AZKeatting]

If it was 3G you would be tied to a cell carrier and you would be paying a bill for the data coverage. You better off getting a good hand held GPSr. They will have better battery life and will be able to survive a fall.

 

The 3G iPad does not require you to sign up for any 3G service. You can just buy it for the GPS and never activate the Internet service and the GPS will work just fine. Also if you do decide to sign up for the internet it is month to month with the iPad....they no longer do a contract so you cancel at any time. Basically if you do not plan to use the 3G internet you are paying $130 for the GPS (well worth it in my opinion especially if you are going to use it a lot for Geocaching.)

 

This is interesting information, I didn't realize you could get a month to month, gosh more info to take into consideration. Thanks for the input

 

Another option is if you also have an iPhone you can share the iPhones 3G, and GPS signal over to the iPad using the personal hotspot feature. Check out the details here.

[+mpilchfamily]

OK so you can buy it without being tied to the data plan. But in doing so you are paying the full $629.99 for the 16 GB unit. You only get a discounted price if you tie yourself into a 2 year data plan.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=5623&deviceCategoryId=12

 

I've looked around but can't find where AT&T or Verizon offer it for less in any way. I don't see any that are tied to a data plan thus allowing them to offer the units for less.

[+CacheFreakTim]

OK so you can buy it without being tied to the data plan. But in doing so you are paying the full $629.99 for the 16 GB unit. You only get a discounted price if you tie yourself into a 2 year data plan.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=5623&deviceCategoryId=12

 

I've looked around but can't find where AT&T or Verizon offer it for less in any way. I don't see any that are tied to a data plan thus allowing them to offer the units for less.

 

It looks like you only save $50 signing up for a data plan. That doesn't seem like a deal considering you are giving up the right to cancel at any time.

[+Alfresco2006]

I have the new iPad 2. I thought this had a gps.

 

The IPad 2 only has a built in GPS if you got the 3G version with data or phone package. I suspect yours is a regular IPad 2. I made the same mistake in buying mine thinking they all had GPS capability and that is not the case.