I have a WiFi iPad mini that works fine but for GPS I would need to add a $130 dongle for true satelite based GPS.
https://bad-elf.com/collection...products/be-gps-1008

I am not opposed to this but would prefer something a touch smaller if possible. If I am going to be spending $130 on the dongle anyway would not mind putting that towards a smaller device. Not an Android user so I have no clue if a 6” or 7” device exists.

95% of the time it will be running my OBDLink app as a digital gauge. It will also be my off-roading GPS. I need satellite based GPS as many places I plan to go have very little cell signal.

Needs to be quality, satelitle GPS capable, Bluetooth.

Android devices do have a true satellite based GPS, but it uses the network to speed it up.

http://backcountrynavigator.com/android-gps/

With respect to iPad and iPad mini -- the wifi only models do not have built-in GPS capability.

The models that have the cellular chip do have GPS. You do not need to activate cellular service for GPS.

I use iPad for aviation apps. With a wifi only model, I would have to use a separate GPS receiver. I have a wifi+cellular model, GPS works fine for the aviation apps, I do not have cellular service activated.

For reasons unknown, Apple decided to bundle the cellular hardware with the GPS receiver.

quote:

With respect to iPad and iPad mini -- the wifi only models do not have built-in GPS capability.

Correct.
The link I provided above is a lightning dongle for the WiFi iPads to connect to satellites.
Trying to see if there is an Android device a bit smaller that has GPS and I’ll throw that $130 at the device instead of the dongle for the iPad.

Any idea what the largest Android phone is? And could it be used without cell service for GPS?

The iPad mini is a bit too large for where I like to put it.

Garmin makes a cable to connect a Garmin GPS to an Ipad. It uses the Apple Lightening connector. A used or refurbished Garmin GPS should give you true GPS. I have seen the cable for about 20 bucks.
Disclaimer: I have not used this cable, so YMMV.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Any idea what the largest Android phone is? And could it be used without cell service for GPS?

There are tons of Android phones with approximately 6" screens and a few that are around 7".

Small tablets traditionally have around 7-8" screens.

You can find a listing of phones with big screens here. You can use the little arrows at the top of the chart to sort by screen size.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phablet

I think every Android phone I've ever seen has an actual GPS chip in it, but there might be some out there that don't.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
With respect to iPad and iPad mini -- the wifi only models do not have built-in GPS capability.

The models that have the cellular chip do have GPS. You do not need to activate cellular service for GPS.

I use iPad for aviation apps. With a wifi only model, I would have to use a separate GPS receiver. I have a wifi+cellular model, GPS works fine for the aviation apps, I do not have cellular service activated.

For reasons unknown, Apple decided to bundle the cellular hardware with the GPS receiver.

THIS. The ipad cellular models all do have a true stand alone GPS built in it doesn't need a cellular connection. I use a mini to stream a garmin chartplotting app 10's to 100's of miles offshore and it works flawlessy without being anywhere near a cell antennae. If you like the mini, get a cellular one and it will work without any cell service to it.

If the mini is too large and you like apple, one of the 6 plus' or 8 max.....or whatever they call the larger version would work.....maybe snap up a used 6 max/plus and have the $29 battery swap at Apple done.

quote:

If the mini is too large and you like apple, one of the 6 plus' or 8 max.....or whatever they call the larger version would work.....maybe snap up a used 6 max/plus and have the $29 battery swap at Apple done.

Forgot all about the 6 plus.
Will always be plugged in so no need for the new battery.

As stated above, I use my cellular iPad mini 4 with no cellular service for my DJI drones. That version has the GPS trip, and it doesn't have to have service to work.

Any old used Android phone of your liking would work, right? If you need smaller than iPad Mini size. Maybe earlier versions of Samsung Note? They're pretty phablet-sized...

T-mobile currently sells a new Alcatel 3T 8-inch tablet for $168. You can probably find a lot of used 7 and 8 inch cellular tablets on ebay or swappa for less than $130.