flhelo Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 I just recently bought an Ipad2. I was wondering about the difference between these two GPS antennas. Any pros and/or cons for either one? The XGPS150 must be doing good because I see no one has them in stock . Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyguy241 Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 I have the bad elf and it seems to work pretty well. It agrees with my 496 every time I check the two. I don't like how the bad elf sticks out from the IPAD, I always think I'm going to knock it off. I took a long cross country a couple of weeks ago and after shutting down it takes a while to find itself again. Don't know if that is the IPAD (IPAD1) or the GPS and I just wonder if the bluetooth GPS would not have that problem since it would stay on even though you shut down the IPAD. Regardless, the IPAD with Foreflight and a 496 with weather are a pretty good combination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lahso Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 I don't have personal experience with the XGPS150, but a gadget student of mine likes it better than the BE. I can find out more if you have specific questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WardHolbrook Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Don't buy either one of those units until you check out the GNS 5870. We just bought two for our crews and after the first trip we're buying two more. Great units and the bluetooth connectivity works extremely well and we put ours all of the way back in the aft passenger cabin - about 35 feet or so back from the cockpit. (The gps signal is attenuated by the electrical grid in all of the cockpit window glass.) Shop around, we bought ours at amazon.com for a bit less than Sporty's. Together with ForeFlight HD app they make a killer combination. (I love the geo-referenced charts and maps on the ForeFlight app.) The GNS5870 will shutdown automatically after you shut down the iPad. Battery life is around 10 hours. http://sportys.com/PilotShop/product/16133 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flhelo Posted June 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 I appreciate all the comments. Still researching them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bennett Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 I, too have the GNS unit, and it works well with the iPad and Foreflight. Seems to hold charge for about 8 hours. The Bluetooth interface is simple and relaible. I'm glad (for others) to see the price has dropped to under $100.00 I bought my unit directly from Germany, and with shipping, it was over $140.00 My only "complaint" is that sometimes I have a hard time turning it on or off - it is accomplished with the slide of a finger - no direct switches, and my rate of swiping is not always optimum. All in all, a great adjunct to the iPad with Foreflight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WardHolbrook Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 Quote: Bennett ...My only "complaint" is that sometimes I have a hard time turning it on or off - it is accomplished with the slide of a finger - no direct switches, and my rate of swiping is not always optimum... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n6773v Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 I purchased the XGPS150 through Amazon - had to wait about a week for it to ship but did recieve it a week ago. Using it with an Ipad2 and ForeFlight HD. I had a chance to use it last week and very pleased with the signal lock and ease of use. I have 3 other GPS units in the plane so the Ipad is for the charts and other info but i was curious to see how accurate it would be. I considered the Bad Elf but didn't like the idea of having to plug it in and taking a chance of damaging the Ipad if it got knoked around. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bennett Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 Thanks for the video link. I had been swiping the edge of the face of the GNS unit, instead of the actual edge. Works fine when you know how to do it. Also, I should have said it transmits for about 8 hours. I don't know how long it will hold a charge when it is not in use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leesh Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 Quote: WardHolbrook Don't buy either one of those units until you check out the GNS 5870. We just bought two for our crews and after the first trip we're buying two more. Great units and the bluetooth connectivity works extremely well and we put ours all of the way back in the aft passenger cabin - about 35 feet or so back from the cockpit. (The gps signal is attenuated by the electrical grid in all of the cockpit window glass.) Shop around, we bought ours at amazon.com for a bit less than Sporty's. Together with ForeFlight HD app they make a killer combination. (I love the geo-referenced charts and maps on the ForeFlight app.) The GNS5870 will shutdown automatically after you shut down the iPad. Battery life is around 10 hours. http://sportys.com/PilotShop/product/16133 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilot_320 Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 I just bought my BE GPS and because of what I read from peoples writings, I decided to buy the http://www.cablejive.com/products/dockXtender.html They have it in 2 feet or 6 feet. And I bought they sticky gum.. Sticked it on the windshield, it was away from my knee or hands, for it was just perfect to use that extender... Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
231flyer Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 According to Foreflight you should not feel compelled to run out and buy a dual/bad-elf external GPS for your iPad unless you really need it. The built-in GPS in 3G iPads is as reliable and accurate as those external GPS. The main factor is placement in the cockpit causing radio shadows on the iPad. Ofcourse if you have a non 3G iPad you need an external GPS regardless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbridges Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Quote: flyguy241 I have the bad elf and it seems to work pretty well. It agrees with my 496 every time I check the two. I don't like how the bad elf sticks out from the IPAD, I always think I'm going to knock it off. I took a long cross country a couple of weeks ago and after shutting down it takes a while to find itself again. Don't know if that is the IPAD (IPAD1) or the GPS and I just wonder if the bluetooth GPS would not have that problem since it would stay on even though you shut down the IPAD. Regardless, the IPAD with Foreflight and a 496 with weather are a pretty good combination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schule Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Might try the Dual GPS. It is bluetooth linked and has provided a great backup when the Garmin 430W goes into a dead reckoning mode due to signal reliability. I bought it for my trip to AK this week and it has been well worth the $99. -Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetdriven Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 We use the GNS5870 exclusively, Until its battery dies, then pull out the bad elf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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