Using GAIA without cell service

[Delkat]

I'm new to using the GAIA app but was playing with it today while on an airplane from San Jose to LA. I thought it was supposed to be able to use the GPS even without cell service to track a route. I started recording a track during take off in San Jose. My location icon didn't move from San Jose until I landed in LA and got cell service. In reviewing much of the on-line GAIA help videos, my understanding was that it would even work in airplane mode.

I didn't download any of the maps for the route but I thought it would plot a general course on the CA outline that come up on the app.

It seemed like the day before on a similar trip, it was routing and even showing the altitude of the plane.

Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong?

 

[brien]

Gaia has no issues continuing to record with no cell signal. I suspect your issue was with GPS reception inside the airplane. Since a metal tube is not dissimilar to a Faraday cage, I suspect you were not able to get a decent GPS connection from inside the plane. If you held your device against the window you may have had better luck.

To prove to yourself that it works in airplane mode *outside* of an airplane, put your device in airplane mode, start recording a track, and walk around on your driveway or a parking lot. You should see it properly recording, even if you haven't downloaded any offline maps yet.

FWIW: I almost always have my phone in airplane mode when we're out exploring since it saves considerable amount of battery. GPS always still works for me, and Gaia always still records correctly.

 

[Delkat]

Yes, I'm sure that's it. Total newbie to GPS and didn't realize the fuselage could cause that issue. I may have been sitting in the window seat the day before when it was working.

Do I have to worry while in-vehicle?

Thanks

 

[brien]

Nah, in-vehicle it should work fine. Most of us tend to mount ours on or near the dashboard, too, which typically has a nice clear view through the windshield.

 

[1Louder]

If you see it is not working trying turning on your cell service, see Gaia activate the GPS and then turn your phone back to airplane mode.

For some reason I am in airplanes a lot and this usually works. At least on my iPhones.

 

[Delkat]

Thanks for the inputs. I’ll give that a try next time. I’m in Tahoe this weekend with the truck and did Sourdough Hill via the end of the Rubicon. Gaia worked great. Now I need a iPad and mount so I’m not fumbling for the phone.

 

[SOLVEFUNCTION]

Thanks for the inputs. I’ll give that a try next time. I’m in Tahoe this weekend with the truck and did Sourdough Hill via the end of the Rubicon. Gaia worked great. Now I need a iPad and mount so I’m not fumbling for the phone.

If you use an iPad check if it has gps. The wifi only don't have gps, the cell service ones do. You can bluetooth gps to the iPad if needed with phone, dual, bad elf or tom tom if old enough.

 

[St8ton]

I've been using the Dual Electronics XGPS 160 receiver paired with an iPad Air (wifi only model) for over a year and it has been flawless. The small compact unit just sits tight on my dash in the rubber mount provided. Signal is excellent and I've been many places where cell signal isn't available. I highly recommend the Dual xGPS 160

 

[Timothy Vrieling]

I have been using Garmin Inreach for GPS and GAIA Maps for mapping. Really works well. With the GAIA on a tablet you can save a map section to the device while you have wifi than pull it up as a fixed map on the trail. The blue tooth linked Garmin tracks perfectly on the map. No cell connection required. GAIA has many map options including satellite imagery that you can save to use as a fixed map or overlay on top of each other. The hardest part is figuring out how big an area you want mapped, little bit of planning and guessing required there.

 

[#slowlaneJKU]

We use Gaia with a mini iPad4 with cell service on a ram mount while in the Jeep. Download the trail map on the way to the trail if you forget to do it before you leave the house like we do. It downloaded 5 layers in under 10 minutes while we were airing down .

 

[Jimmy Dale]

We use Gaia with a mini iPad4 with cell service on a ram mount while in the Jeep. Download the trail map on the way to the trail if you forget to do it before you leave the house like we do. It downloaded 5 layers in under 10 minutes while we were airing downView attachment 74184 .

What mount is that on the oh shit bar? I have a similar setup. I’m beside myself that we finally got waze to work with apple car. Wish Gaia worked on the alpine.

 

[Gryf]

I'm betting that airplane mode turned off location services. When I go outside of the service area I use airplane mode to turn off all radios and then enable location services.

Especially if I leave the vehicle to go hiking. Those radios eat a ton of power.

 

[darjo242]

We use Gaia with a mini iPad4 with cell service on a ram mount while in the Jeep. Download the trail map on the way to the trail if you forget to do it before you leave the house like we do. It downloaded 5 layers in under 10 minutes while we were airing downView attachment 74184 .

How is that grab bar clamp working for you? Was looking to get one for my Jeep but I have heard it has issues, especially on rocky/bumpy trails.

 

[Jimmy Dale]

How is that grab bar clamp working for you? Was looking to get one for my Jeep but I have heard it has issues, especially on rocky/bumpy trails.

What is the brand of that clamp?

 

[darjo242]

What is the brand of that clamp?

I believe it’s the one made by RAM Mounts

 

[Jeep15631]

I want to confirm that if an IPad is a cell capable device that as long as the location services is turned on the GPS function will work? No cell plan is required to use the GPS function.

 

[17ForeRunner]

From my exp, that is correct. GPS is standalone.

 

[Magic Mike]

From my exp, that is correct. GPS is standalone.

The GPS does work even without signal, but to be sure I bought the Duel GPS spot! It works awesome!

 

[Jeep15631]

The GPS does work even without signal, but to be sure I bought the Duel GPS spot! It works awesome!

Thanks for the response. I'm getting more confidence in my future setup. Now I need to determine if I want to get the Apple mini 4 (which was manufactured in 2015) or something newer/bigger for navigation. I ordered the vector bar for my JK and hopefully it will be in soon. I'm planning on installing Gaia and using the Trans America trail .GPX file. Hopefully most of the roads are open this coming May! Going from Utah to Oregon.

 

[Magic Mike]

Thanks for the response. I'm getting more confidence in my future setup. Now I need to determine if I want to get the Apple mini 4 (which was manufactured in 2015) or something newer/bigger for navigation. I ordered the vector bar for my JK and hopefully it will be in soon. I'm planning on installing Gaia and using the Trans America trail .GPX file. Hopefully most of the roads are open this coming May! Going from Utah to Oregon.

I’m running Gia and think I have the Air 2 IPad from 2016 (128GB) and it works awesome. My eyes are not what they use to be, so they like the bigger screen.