Reviewed: Bad Elf GPS Dongle for iOS

[Darren]

If you own an iPhone 2G, iPod Touch or an iPad Wi-Fi only then you'll already know that GPS is not available to you and you can't use any navigation applications. Unless you have this rather neat GPS dongle from US company Bad Elf.

I followed the early development of this product with keen interest back in the days before Apple had graced it's iPhone with an internal GPS receiver. It was clear way back then that the designers were keen to produce a quality product and whilst time has marched on, and iPhones do now have GPS, there is still a large target market for this solution.

We recently received a unit for review and have put it through its paces. If you're looking to add GPS to an iPod Touch or a non 3G iPad, click here to read more.
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Darren Griffin

[apw188]

Daren good article, question tho......when attached to iPhone and on micro USB. Will bad elf power also charge the phone? Otherwise a 3G phone will most likely die in 3hrs anyway.

[Darren]

[sweetfield]

Hi,
Does this new device allow the download/installation of any of the sat nav apps which Apple always prevents when it recognizes you only have a WiFi device?
Thanks

[Darren]

Never come across one, got any examples?
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Darren Griffin

[MaFt]

[iandee]

[BoPeep]

Hi all,

I'm resurrecting this thread due to recently getting my new iPad 3.

I bought the WiFi-only version due to the fact that I rarely use the 3G on my phone (mostly use it on WiFi at home) and didn't think it was worth getting it on the iPad, which is even less portable than the phone due to its size.

I wanted to use CamerAlert with it but didn't check beforehand about GPS and now realise that only the 3G/4G version has assisted GPS.

I have read the review of the Bad Elf iOS GPS dongle and it looks like what I need to be able to use CamerAlert on my iPad. My questions are as follows:

Is this still the recommended option or does anyone know of any other compatible GPS dongles out at the moment?

Does anyone have experience of using this with the iPad 3 and if so, how do you get on with it?

Where is the best place to buy it from? I have seen it on Amazon for £108.99 which I can't afford at the moment after the huge outlay for the iPad! Anyone know of anywhere cheaper or shall I just add it to my Wish List for now?

Thanks in advance,

Laura.
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TomTom 730
HTC Desire - Co Pilot Live Premium (Europe)

[Darren]

Works well with iPad2, no reason it won't with the 3 as nothing has changed that could affect it.

It's still the simplest and most compatible solution I've found. Even works fine in a Brodit iPad cradle with pass thru connector.
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Darren Griffin

[Sean16v]

Try this link as it's only £89.95 and that includes postage.

http://proviationshop.co.uk/shop/article_BAD-ELF/Bad-Elf-GPS-(iPad-_-iPhone-_-iPod).html?sessid=tbW3xZMaAlGfRJqbiFBNk68oumVWIjmFDe3FtLMdOx0uqLlCYvLlekAncQzSQGLe&shop_param=cid%3D807%26aid%3DBAD-ELF%26

[BoPeep]

Thanks Darren and Sean16v for your help - I think I'll be going for the Bad Elf iOS GPS dongle then.

Regards,

Laura.
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TomTom 730
HTC Desire - Co Pilot Live Premium (Europe)

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