I recieved an ipad mini, wifi only, 128gb as a gift for 20 years of service from my employer. After a brief search online I realized it was the perfect platform for running gaia maps for off road navigation, but only if I added a GPS signal via bluetooth. Enter the Garmin GLO. Various manufacturers sell bluetooth gps devices and most are in the same ballpark so far as pricing. I chose garmin based on Amazon reviews as well as their reputation in their business of navigational aids. I have just returned from a trip to north Georgia where I completed about 2/3 of the Georgia Traverse where I used ipad, gaia and the Garmin GLO for the first time and I am happy to report that all worked seamlessly. I had saved the track,waypoints, and a large section of the map of the area I would be exploring on the ipad. After the initial "connect" to the GLO it automatically connected anytime the ipad and GLO were within range of one another. The GLO provided an arrow on the saved map showing my exact location. Well, as exact as GPS can be. There were several roads gated closed and I was able to navigate around well enough to pick back up on the trail with no issue, and even picked a way out of Cherokee National Forest as a quick way around to get home when I had run out of time and had to return.
The Garmin glo has a battery and can run for a time without being plugged in. I am not sure how long it will run, but I unplugged the glo to swap in a charger for gopro batteries each day and the GLO never failed in the time it took to recharge the gopro batteries. It plugs into a usb outlet. Also, the size of the GLO is much smaller than I had guessed from the photos on Amazon. It is about 1-1/2" wide, 2-3/4 long, and 1/2" thick. It does not have to be "dash mounted". It worked flawlessly in a cubby in my centr console. My plan is to wire in an outlet with multiple usb connections under the dash and velcro the GLO out of the way so I can have my cubby and usb outlet back.
Garmin GLO - recommended.
The Garmin glo has a battery and can run for a time without being plugged in. I am not sure how long it will run, but I unplugged the glo to swap in a charger for gopro batteries each day and the GLO never failed in the time it took to recharge the gopro batteries. It plugs into a usb outlet. Also, the size of the GLO is much smaller than I had guessed from the photos on Amazon. It is about 1-1/2" wide, 2-3/4 long, and 1/2" thick. It does not have to be "dash mounted". It worked flawlessly in a cubby in my centr console. My plan is to wire in an outlet with multiple usb connections under the dash and velcro the GLO out of the way so I can have my cubby and usb outlet back.
Garmin GLO - recommended.
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