To navigate with the Pro Charts™ marine navigation app or any other mapping app, your mobile device needs to receive a GPS signal. This is no problem if you’re using the app on your iPhone since all iPhones have a built-in GPS receiver, but what about your iPad? If you bought one of the more expensive 3G and 4G iPads (the ones that require a monthly data plan), you’re in luck because they too have a built-in GPS.
However, you’ll need to purchase an external GPS to navigate if you have a WIFI-only iPad or Android tablet. There are several on the market that will suffice, but we recommend one that connects via Bluetooth like the GPS devices from Dual. This is especially true if your iPad or Android tablet is likely to be exposed to the elements and you keep it in a waterproof case. A waterproof case does no good if you have to open the port on the bottom to plug in a GPS.
If you’re still shopping for an iPad or Android tablet, consider this – the cost of an external GPS (around $100) is about the same as the additional cost to get a 4G iPad instead of the WIFI-only one. If you don’t like the idea of paying for a monthly data plan, cancel the plan. For the extra $100, you still get built-in GPS with the 4G model.
It’s much easier to just bring your iPad on the boat instead of having to worry about an extra device that also has to be kept dry and has a battery that needs to be charged in advance.
