External GPS for Android/iPhone

[LEXIRNR]

Has anybody used an external GPS device for either Android or iPhone/iPad? I use an Android tablet with Gaia for navigation and find the GPS track to be inaccurate. I know the device mounted to the dash and in tree cover isn't ideal but was curious if anyone had any experience with an external receiver being a bit more accurate.

 

[tw1st3d5]

I have a Garmin GLO 2 that I use with my Android tablet and Gaia. It's worked really well mounted on the dash near the base of the windshield. Last time I had it out was in the dense pine forest of East Texas and I never had an issue with accuracy.

 

[ZetRocks]

@LEXIRNR I've used the XGPS150A Multipurpose Universal Bluetooth GPS - its worked really well for both my iPhones and iPads. A benefit is it can be used in rig via USB, or charged and carried on a hike.

 

[LEXIRNR]

Thank you for the replies! I will definitely look into both of those. That’s exactly what I was looking for

 

[tw1st3d5]

@LEXIRNR I've used the XGPS150A Multipurpose Universal Bluetooth GPS - its worked really well for both my iPhones and iPads. A benefit is it can be used in rig via USB, or charged and carried on a hike.

Same thing with the Garmin. My only complaint with the Garmin is the lack of battery status so you don't know the charge state. However, I just leave it plugged in all the time and if I go on a hike I just grab it and go.

 

[PonoAdventures]

It is pricier by maybe consider the Garmin Inreach Mini?

Connects via bluetooth and you have the added ability to signal for help or keep in contact with the outside world through text, although subscription is required.

If you don't have a PLB, this would be a good option.

 

[ZR2Overlander]

@LEXIRNR I've used the XGPS150A Multipurpose Universal Bluetooth GPS - its worked really well for both my iPhones and iPads. A benefit is it can be used in rig via USB, or charged and carried on a hike.

This is also what I use for my android tablet. It has been very accurate and it can be used for both android and apple devices. Got mine used on Ebay for like $45.

 

[JKGreg]

Does the 150 allow more devices, or just 1

 

[ZR2Overlander]

Does the 150 allow more devices, or just 1

The 150 is for just one device. The 160 is up to 5 devices.

 

[JKGreg]

Thank you, i read something that said different but i had seen that somewhere too, so i was confused.

 

[jlprest]

The Dual XGPS 160 uses both GPS and GLONASS satellite systems as well. I usually have no less than 30 satellites when outside.

 

[Autism Family Travels]

I used the bluetooth 65c gps data logger.

this is a video on it here.

worked perfect for me.

 

[LEXIRNR]

It is pricier by maybe consider the Garmin Inreach Mini?

Connects via bluetooth and you have the added ability to signal for help or keep in contact with the outside world through text, although subscription is required.

If you don't have a PLB, this would be a good option.

I didnt realize the inReach can be used as an external GPS receiver. I have a Spot tracker but I have been looking into switching to something different. I will have to check that out too. I use a lot of Garmin products and they have always worked well for me.

 

[DaveWheeler]

Within the past few months, I bought the garmin glo2 thinking “Two devices is twice what I’ll ever need.”

I can say that the Glo2 does not play well with an iPhone 11 and an iPad mini at the same time. Both disconnect for no apparent reason. I did test the glo2 with two iPads, and it seemed to work fine. I’m not sure if it’s because the iPads are Wi-Fi only, or what, but I figured it’d be nice to have the more accurate data on my iPhone too. Except - I haven’t yet been able to get the altitude to read what it should be.

My son bought the Dual Xgps160, and he says he hasn’t had the issues I’ve had with the garmin. Which is too bad, because I like the more subtle appearance of the garmin.

I don’t really need to feed multiple devices with the garmin, so I’ll stick with it for now.

For what it’s worth, my son has a garmin inreach mini, and he said it doesn’t support Gaia, only the garmin app. I can’t confirm because I haven’t tried.

 

[Autism Family Travels]

Nothing outside the apple sphere plays nice with the iPhone. That's why I use android in my Jeep. I love my iPhone but my galaxy tab kills it in the rig.

 

[Autism Family Travels]

Or another way to say it most Garmin products suck, are horribly engineered and designed to work in the Garmin only ecosystem so they can fleece you over and over.

No, apple products. Garmin is an awesome company, I use lots of their products. Apple don't let anyone play nice with their products. My garmin vivo active works with my iPhone, but you have to keep the app running in the background or it won't work. However, with Android, it....to take a page from apples marketing....just works. My apple watch works with my iPhone pretty well perfect. But misses alot of notifications that my garmin actually picks up.

 

[dano4322]

I'm just now getting my nav setup together as well. I've seen videos of people using an inReach with Gaia GPS on an iPad, but I'm interested in keeping it Android as well. Anybody know of anywhere to find a good tutorial on how to set up Garmin + Android Tablet + Gaia GPS? Everything I've seen requires an app to mock your GPS signal to the device, and the free app everyone recommends doesn't work with newer stuff. It hasn't been updated since 2015.

 

[dano4322]

I have a Garmin GLO 2 that I use with my Android tablet and Gaia. It's worked really well mounted on the dash near the base of the windshield. Last time I had it out was in the dense pine forest of East Texas and I never had an issue with accuracy.

What did you have to do to pair the GLO with the tablet and get Gaia to recognize the GPS from it rather than the built-in? I'm having a heck of a time getting this piece to work. Everything I see uses the mock GPS developer feature, and the recommended app doesn't work with my phone.

 

[Autism Family Travels]

I'm just now getting my nav setup together as well. I've seen videos of people using an inReach with Gaia GPS on an iPad, but I'm interested in keeping it Android as well. Anybody know of anywhere to find a good tutorial on how to set up Garmin + Android Tablet + Gaia GPS? Everything I've seen requires an app to mock your GPS signal to the device, and the free app everyone recommends doesn't work with newer stuff. It hasn't been updated since 2015.

The garmin inreach app should do that for you.

 

[tw1st3d5]

What did you have to do to pair the GLO with the tablet and get Gaia to recognize the GPS from it rather than the built-in? I'm having a heck of a time getting this piece to work. Everything I see uses the mock GPS developer feature, and the recommended app doesn't work with my phone.

I use the android app called Bluetooth GPS. Pair them, enable mock GPS in developer options then connect using the app.

Bluetooth GPS - Apps on Google Play

Use an external bluetooth GPS device with Android mobile or tablets

play.google.com