Frequently Asked Questions

Yes.

The solution is to reset the Bluetooth settings on the iPad: go to Settings->General->Reset->Reset Network Settings. (CAUTION: this will cause the iPad to forget all paired Bluetooth devices and previously used WiFi networks. However, you will only need to do this procedure once.) Once the Bluetooth settings are reset to the factory defaults, the iPad will recognize and pair with the XGPS150 correctly.

Please download a free app called "Bluetooth GPS" on the Android market here: https://market.android.com/details?id=googoo.android.btgps#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDIxMiwiZ29vZ29vLmFuZHJvaWQuYnRncHMiXQ.. There is more than one app with this name, so make sure to follow the link, or confirm that the version you are using is made by "Googoo Android". Earlier versions of this app will not connect properly with the XGPS150 – you will need version 0.7.3 (or newer) of the app. If you have an earlier version, please delete this version and install the newer one. 

Setup Instructions:
1. Download the "Bluetooth GPS" app to your Android tablet.
2. On your tablet, go to Settings->Applications->Development and enable "Allow mock locations".
3. Next, pair the XGPS150 with the Android tablet.
     1. On the GPS Receiver, move the mode switch to the left position. Turn on the GPS Receiver.
     2. On the tablet, go to Settings->Wireless & networks->Bluetooth Settings. Look for the GPS Receiver in the list of devices.
         1. If it does not appear, tap the "Find nearby devices" button and wait a few moments.
3. Once the XGPS150 appears in the list of devices, tap the GPS Receiver device name in the list. The tablet with think for a few moments and then say "Paired but not connected."
4. Open the "Bluetooth GPS" app on the tablet:
    1. Open the Settings screen and make sure that the "Reconnect" and "Use Unsecure Connection" options are checked.
    2. Exit the Settings screen and go to the "Main" tab.
        1. Make sure that "Enable Mock GPS Provider" is checked.
        2. Select the GPS Receiver from the pulldown menu at the top of the screen.
        3. Click "Connect".
        4. The app will begin to communicate with the XGPS150 and show you status information about the connection. The tablet will now be connected to the GPS Receiver, and apps on the tablet can use the data from the XGPS150. Once you have completed these setup instructions, just make sure that "Bluetooth GPS" is open and running on the tablet the next time you want to use the XGPS150.

The firmware update is available here. Please note: this is not a general purpose firmware update – this is only useful if you are using racing apps specifically designed for the XGPS150 high-speed mode.

Yes. The GPS Receiver works with popular electronic flight bag apps including EFB, ForeFlight, and WingX Pro. If you are a commercial or corporate pilot, please contact customer support for some helpful tips on using the XGPS150 in aircraft with heated windshields and at high cruising altitudes.

In short: the number of devices it works with. The GPS Receiver brings GPS capability to your Apple iPad/iPod touch/iPhone, Android phones and tablets, Blackberry phones, Windows devices and laptops running Windows, OS X or Linux. If you have several phones/tablets/laptops in your household, and you’re looking for one GPS to work with them all, the GPS Receiver is an excellent choice:

• The GPS Receiver is completely portable
  Slip the GPS Receiver into the included non-slip pad and use it for navigation in a car or on a boat. When you get to your destination, insert the adjustable armband and tie the GPS Receiver around your arm or the shoulder strap on your backpack.
• The GPS Receiver has a built in rechargeable battery
  The battery powers the GPS for up to 8.5 hours of continuous use. The GPS Receiver does not use battery power from the device it supplies the GPS signal to, so you won' t drain your phone/iPod or iPad battery.
• The GPS Receiver works with a huge number of apps
  Most every app for the iPod touch/iPad/iPhone will work. The same is true for Android, Blackberry and Windows.
• The GPS Receiver turns your iPod touch, iPad or iPhone into a global navigation device
  When traveling in different countries, use the XGPS150 with local navigation apps containing local maps. No need to rent or buy another device for car navigation.

No, the GPS Receiver has been certified to work with iPod touch, iPad and iPhone.

Yes and no. The GPS Receiver itself does not require a WiFi or cellular connection in order to determine your location. However, some apps do require a network connection in order to download map data. Check the list of apps  for examples of navigation apps that have built-in maps and do not require an Internet or a WiFi connection to work.

Most likely. First, look to see if that navigation application is available for your device (iPod touch, iPad or iPhone). Second, make sure that the application does not require a cellular connection in order to download map data or retrieve navigation instructions. The XGPS150 does not provide a cellular connection to the Internet.

The GPS Receiver is currently available from Amazon.com. Amazon does not ship outside of the US, but we will have distribution outside the US soon. Please note that the XGPS150 cannot be shipped to the UK or EU for regulatory reasons.

ASAP.

The GPS Receiver, by design, will provide GPS coordinates to any app that requests it, and the vast majority of apps on the iTunes App Store will work with the GPS Receiver. (A partial list of apps we’ve tested with the GPS Receiver is here.) If you have a question about a specific app, here is a simple checklist you can follow to determine whether or not an app will work with the XGPS150:

Step 1: Make sure that the app you are considering is available for download onto your specific device (iPod touch/iPad/iPhone). For example, not all apps on the iTunes App Store work with the iPod touch or the iPad. Read the app description before downloading it onto your device.??

Step 2: Read the entire app description carefully to determine whether the app requires a network connection. If it does, and you are looking to use it on an iPod touch or an iPad without the 3G service, most of the time it means that you will only be able to fully enjoy the app when in a WiFi hotspot. It doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t use the app, but it could be that some features, which rely on the network connection will not be available when you are not in a WiFi hotspot. Many location-based apps do not?require a network connection, and you can fully enjoy them with the help of the XGPS150 on the devices that do not have a network connection.

The battery in the GPS Receiver lasts about 8.5 hours of continuous use.

About 4 hours.

Yes.

Yes. Just like with any other Bluetooth device, you will have to pair the XGPS150 with the device you intend to use it with. The set up takes less than a minute and then you can use the device with the GPS Receiver.

The WiFi-only model of the iPad does not have a GPS receiver. If you would like to use a navigation app on this iPad – or any other app that needs to know your location – you will need the GPS Receiver.

Using an external GPS, like the GPS Receiver, dramatically reduces the battery drain on your phone: that means more talking & texting for you & less time being tied to a power outlet.

Using an external GPS, like the GPS Receiver, dramatically reduces the battery drain on your phone: that means more talking & texting for you & less time being tied to a power outlet.

The GPS Receiver will give you an improved GPS accuracy. Also, using an external GPS, like the XGPS150, dramatically reduces the battery drain on your phone: that means more talking & texting for you & less time being tied to a power outlet.

Yes.

Look at the blue light on the GPS Receiver:

• If the light is blinking on & off in a regular once-on, once-off fashion, go into Settings>General>Bluetooth on the iPod/iPad/iPhone. Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on and the GPS Receiver is listed as a device. Tap the device name to connect the two devices.
• If the light is in a continuous regular pattern of blinking several times followed by a pause, turn off the GPS Receiver, wait about 30 seconds for the iPod/iPad/iPhone to recognize the device is disconnected, and then turn the XGPS150 back on. If this happens again, you may need to turn the iPod/iPhone/iPad off and back on.

This could be a couple of things:

1. Is the green GPS light blinking on the XGPS150? If so, the GPS Receiver cannot pick up satellite signals in its current position – move it closer to an open view of the sky.
2. Are Location Services enabled on your iPod/iPad/iPhone? Go to Settings>Location Services and make sure that Location Services is set to ON and the setting for your particular app is also set to ON.
3. Is the mode switch on the XGPS150 set to the correct location? It should be moved to the right.
4. Did the XGPS150 connect with a different device that is nearby? Go into Settings>General>Bluetooth on the iPod/iPad/iPhone. Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on and the XGPS150 is listed as a device.
5. If none of that helps, then turn off the GPS Receiver. In Settings>General>Bluetooth on the iPod/iPad/iPhone, find the GPS Receiver in the device list and select “Forget This Device”. Turn the GPS Receiver back on. When it appears in the device list, tap the device name to reconnect.

Turn the GPS Receiver off, wait about 30 seconds for the iPod/iPad/iPhone to recognize the device is disconnected, and then turn the XGPS150 back on. If the message repeats, turn the iPod/iPhone/iPad off and back on.

The iPod/iPhone/iPad takes about 30 seconds to recognize that the GPS Receiver is no longer available. This is normal.

The iPod/iPad/iPhone was in the middle of communicating with the GPS Receiver when the GPS Receiver was turned off or went out of range. When this happens, the iPod/iPad/iPhone keeps trying for up to 30 seconds to reach the GPS Receiver. When it can’t find it, it gives up and comes back to normal operation. You can avoid this by exiting the active app before shutting down the GPS Receiver.

You need a serial port “helper app” installed on your phone. (We recommend downloading the free “Bluetooth GPS” app from the Android market .) Open this app first before using apps that require GPS information.