It seems just about every electronic device pilots purchase these days includes a GPS, including your telephone, watch, ADS-B receiver and personal locator beacon. When you lot become flying, the odds are good that all these devices are with y'all in the airplane, so does it really make sense to spend the money for an upgraded iPad that includes GPS? Here are some things to consider.

The Facts – Apple's iPad GPS pick

Google the phrase "does the iPad have a GPS" and prepare to exist overwhelmed. More than than x years later on the iPad was introduced, lots of people are notwithstanding confused nigh whether the tablet really has a GPS in information technology. And if it does have a GPS, is it a "existent" i? Let's bosom some myths and settle the issue one time and for all.

First, some simple facts. Every iPad e'er made has both WiFi and Bluetooth, ii wireless technologies for connecting to nearby devices (in the example of Bluetooth) and the internet (in the case of WiFi). The merely additional option is to add together cellular service, which allows the iPad to connect to the internet anywhere your cell telephone works.

This comes at a premium though, costing an extra $130 to upgrade to the WiFi + Cellular model. It'll allow you to browse the web while driving downwardly the interstate, or check the conditions and update your flying plan when WiFi isn't available (only it won't work in flying).

There's more to the story, though. In improver to the cell data service, the cellular models of the iPad likewise include a congenital-in GPS receiver. Just information technology'south important to note that the iPad does not require the cellular connection for the GPS to work. In fact, you can purchase an iPad with cellular data, never sign upward for service with Verizon or AT&T, and just take reward of the congenital-in GPS for reliable navigation in any aviation app.

Should I upgrade to the model with GPS?

Then now it's decision time. Let's assume y'all accept no interest in using the cellular information component and are strictly weighing the pros/cons of paying the extra $130 for the GPS receiver in the upgraded iPad model. If cost is no object and yous want the best of the all-time, we'd say go for information technology. Many prefer the peace of mind knowing their iPad is a fully self-contained navigation device which can provide backup navigation guidance if everything else in the panel goes dark.

On the other side of the equation, many pilots these days are flying with an ADS-B receiver, similar a Lookout or Garmin GDL 50 for datalink weather and traffic, and these devices likewise include a GPS to show your location on the iPad's moving maps. When you factor in that your iPhone or Android phone also includes a GPS (in addition to the GPS in the panel), many pilots detect that information technology's not worth the actress cost to add the GPS characteristic when buying a new iPad.

If you practice end up making the conclusion to purchase the WiFi only model without GPS, you can ever add an inexpensive external GPS later. They start out at under $100 and wirelessly connect to your iPad (here are some tips for buying an external GPS).

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