I just used the Dual XGPS150 on a recent trip, and found that it worked very well indeed. The only issue I have encountered is potential incompatibility with specific applications that, by the express intent of the provider of the application, are not compatible with external GPS receivers. This is the sort of thing that many people would not anticipate, because it is counter to common sense, but it is real. I recommend that prior to purchasing any external GPS receiver, that you start by identifying the particular application that you expect to use, and that you confirm with the supplier of that application that the application is compatible with external GPS receivers. I'll discuss this further in a bit.
I did not encounter any issues with the Bluetooth connection between the iPad2 WiFi and the Dual XGPS150a. The XGPS150a did not exhibit any problems with maintaining continuity of satellite reception or continuity of its knowing its precise location. It was highly accurate. I am particularly pleased with how quickly it figures out its location after having been powered off for a while. It does this within just a few seconds, which is a small fraction of the time that my high-end Garmin Nuvi needs to figure out where it is.
There is a competing device that hangs directly from the docking port, and I just think that this is a very dumb idea. Yeah, there is nothing about the docking port that prevents this sort of thing, but it is suitable only for cables and cradles. Nothing should be attached there in the way that that thing does. It is only a question of when, not whether, you snap it off, ruining the accessory at least and possibly even damaging the port on the iPad or iPhone, which I expect would be a costly repair.
For owners of WiFi-only devices, there are generally two issues that you have to sort through when it comes to applications. The first issue is the issue of off-line maps. As most people quickly figure out, Google Maps on the iPhone/Pod/Pad relies on continual Internet connectivity to download pieces of the map on the fly, as you travel or even as you scroll around the map without moving. The same behavior applies to most of the map apps that you can buy at the app store. This is obviously an issue for mobile use of WiFi-only devices, but it is even an issue for devices enabled with cellular-based data communications (3G, etc.), because in rural areas, loss of data connectivity is even more prevalent than loss of voice service. (And as has been reported elsewhere, it is all too common for 4G services to revert to 3G, in which case the data rate plummets from something remarkably fast to something more like a very slow DSL connection, which could adversely affect the ability for the map application to update the map as you are moving.) When you evaluate specific applications relative to this need, you need to pay close attention to the particulars of how you select the map segments that get stored in the device. And ignore all the misinformation that you find on web forums, telling you about some trick for forcing Google Maps and similar apps to cache maps in the device. Categorically, those tricks do not work.
The other issue is with forced incompatibility. Fundamentally, there is no apparent reason why an application that works with internal GPS receiver would not work with an external GPS receiver. In fact, it might not even be possible for the application to detect the difference. Nevertheless, the provider of the application can flag the application such that you cannot even download the application into the device if the device does not have an internal GPS receiver. In particular, I discovered that this is what MotionX, the supplier of several navigation applications, does. If your device does not have an internal GPS receiver, you cannot buy MotionX GPS applications directly from the device (via the app store application), and if you go the iTunes route, you can buy the app but then during the app synching phase, iTunes will give you a message saying that the app could not be downloaded into the device because the application is not compatible with that device. This is not some sort of oversight or snafu or whatever. It seems counterintuitive, but MotionX's concern is presumably that without this restriction, some people (cheaters) who use external GPS devices would purchase the app and then demand a refund, claiming that the app is not compatible with the device. It remains to be seen whether MotionX and Apple will figure out a better way to address this concern, but for the time being at least, you cannot download MotionX GPS applications into devices that lack internal GPS receivers.
This concern is potentially an issue for GPS applications in general, which is why I recommend that you start by selecting the application that you intend to use, and make certain that there is no compatibility issue of this sort, before you purchase any external GPS receiver. I had hoped to use MotionX GPS HD, mainly because it is so much less expensive than TomTom, which is a very expensive application at around $50. Before buying the TomTom application and then finding out that I had wasted my money, I attempted to get confirmation from TomTom that there were no issues similar to the situation with MotionX. I called their tech support number and then waited on hold for a long time and eventually spoke to someone in Mexico who absolutely assured me that TomTom would work only with either the internal GPS receiver or else their own docking cradle (for the iPod/iPhone - not sure if they even have anything for the iPad). Then I sent an email asking for clarification, and I got a response that was confusing but that seemed to corroborate what I was told over the phone. I sent a reply to that email, and a day or two later I got another reply correcting the earlier reply, stating definitively that TomTom GPS app is compatible with all external GPS devices. That second reply even included a link for a page on their web site that indicated the same thing, although not as definitively as I would have liked. I have not decided whether to purchase TomTom, but I am confident at this point that should I choose to do so, I would not encounter an issue similar to the issue with MotionX, and in the unlikely event of such an issue, there should be no difficulty in getting a refund through the app store.
Garmin also makes a car navigation app, but presently it is an iPhone-only app. Presumably it would run on the iPAd, but either using only a small part of the screen or else blown up with lousy resolution.
I only really wanted a good map application anyway, as opposed to full-blown turn-by-turn navigation with route planning and so forth. I found two good applications: PocketEarth, and MapsWithMe. Of the two, I like PocketEarth better, because the graphical representation of the maps was easier to read and interpret, particularly with respect to freeway ramps, which sometimes are incredibly complex. PocketEarth even shows bypasses and roads that are presently under construction but not yet completed. They were indicated using dashed lines to distinguish them from existing roads, but even the ramps were indicated. This was impressive to say the least.
My final observation is for the benefit of anyone who has not purchased an iPad and who is debating whether to get the WiFi-only version or the version enabled with mobile data capability (3G, etc.). I recently had a discussion on this question with a friend who is considering buying an iPad. Notwithstanding the availability of external GPS receivers, and notwithstanding that you can get those little devices that translate 3G (or whatever) to WiFi, and notwithstanding that the offline maps issue is an issue even for devices that are enabled with mobile data communications, we agreed that for anyone wanting to use an iPad for navigation purposes, it is wise to spend the extra money on the iPad with the data capability (3G, etc.) and then purchase service for it on a monthly basis as needed, which is a nice thing that you can do with the iPad.
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 | Bad Elf 2200 GPS Pro (Black/Silver) | Bad Elf GPS Pro+ | Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator | Garmin 010-01879-00 InReach Mini, Lightweight and Compact Satellite Communicator, Orange | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating | (1738) | (646) | (201) | (5455) | (2722) |
| Price | $118.78 | $199.99 | $299.99 | $158.14 | $349.99 |
| Shipping | FREE Shipping. Details | FREE Shipping. Details | FREE Shipping. Details | FREE Shipping. Details | FREE Shipping. Details |
| Sold By | Amazon.com | MobAsh | PriceGrab | Manhattan Innovations | Amazon.com |
| Average Battery Life | 8.5 hours | 35 hours | 24 hours | 25 hours | — |
| Screen Size | 0.75 inches | 2 inches | 2 inches | 2.2 inches | 1.27 inches |
| Item Dimensions | 4.13 x 6 x 2.13 inches | 2.4 x 0.7 x 3 inches | 0.7 x 2.4 x 3 inches | 2.13 x 1.3 x 4.06 inches | 2 x 1.3 x 3.9 inches |
| Item Weight | 1.76 ounces | 3.20 ounces | 3.20 ounces | 5.00 ounces | 3.52 ounces |
From the manufacturer
Dual Electronics XGPS150A Multipurpose Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver
Wide Area Augmentation System
Your highly sensitive Wide Area Augmentation System allows your device to connect to several satellites providing accurate and reliable GPS coordinates within +/- 2.5m, Max Speed of 1,150 MPH & Max Altitude of 59,000 ft.
Add GPS Wirelessly via Bluetooth
You will now be able to greatly strengthen your GPS signal on any device by seamlessly connecting via Bluetooth in a matter of seconds.
Long Lasting Battery Life
When designing your XGPS150A model we made sure to include a long lasting batter life of up to 8.5 hours of continuous use and will fully recharge within 2.5 hours.
Manufacturers Specifications
- Wide Area Augmentation System
- GPS Wirelessly via Bluetooth
- GPS Status Tool
- GPS Coordinates Within: +/- 2.5m
- Max Speed: 1,150 MPH
- Max Altitude: 59,000 ft
- Battery Life: 8.5 hours
- Dimensions: 2.24” W x 2.24” D x 0.75” H
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|---|---|---|
| Dual XGPS150A Navigation | Dual XGPS160 Navigation | |
| GPS Receiver | SBAS (2.5m) | SBAS (2.5m) |
| ADS-B Receiver | N/A | N/A |
| Compatible Satellite Systems | GPS | GPS & GLONASS |
| Position Update Rate | 1 Per Second (Default) / Up to 4 Per Second | 10 Per Second |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | 1 Device | Up to 5 Devices |
| Compatible Devices | iOS, Android & PC | iOS, Android & PC |
| Internal Battery Life | Up to 8.5 Hours | Up to 10 Hours |
| GPS Logging | No | Yes |
| GPS Log Capacity | N/A | Yes |
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Customer reviews
I bought this GPS receiver for my Overland navigation setup inside my Jeep. This product works in conjunction with my 9.7'' Apple iPad and provides some pin point accurate GPS for whatever app you are using.Downside: Once I turn on the puck and try connecting to my iPad via BluTooth it generally takes 5 - 10 min to connect. (This could be my new iPads fault though...) Thus 4*Overall very pleased! Easy to charge up in your vehicle or at home. Very easy controls. (I stuck velcro to the back and it still works great without direct line of site to a satellite.)
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 7, 2022
My timing is exact to the beep on WWV every time. If you're looking for an easy solution to time drift in digital communications this is definitely an answer.
Style: AutomobileVerified Purchase
Must Have for Off Grid Ham Radio Digital Modes and POTA Activations
By cowboy on September 7, 2022
Exact timing is crucial in digital communications. This unit keeps your computer/tablets clock accurate and reliable for off-grid communications. It is plug-and-play for the most part. I use it with an Ipad Pro, a Surface Pro, and a laptop.By cowboy on September 7, 2022
My timing is exact to the beep on WWV every time. If you're looking for an easy solution to time drift in digital communications this is definitely an answer.
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Top reviews from other countries
MEL-B
Highly accurate.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 10, 2022Style: AutomobileVerified Purchase
J.Dixon
Very Very Good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 12, 2013Style: AutomobileVerified Purchase
G. Samara
A nice little device that just works
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 22, 2013Style: AutomobileVerified Purchase
C. Hawkes
Brilliant for the ipad WiFi only models.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 2, 2014Style: AutomobileVerified Purchase
A. Lambert
Not good GPS reception for me
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 5, 2013Style: AutomobileVerified Purchase
