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Bad Elf Pro GPS?
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Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › Bad Elf Pro GPS?
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Feb 13, 2014 at 10:06 am #1313261
Anyone have experience with the bad elf pro? Am thinking of picking one up to track my route and also as a navigational backup (with gaia app on iphone).
Let me know what you think!
Feb 13, 2014 at 10:44 am #2073060I used the one that plugged into the bottom of an iPhone 4/iPod Touch 4 (30-pin connector). Didn't use it hiking, used it on a few bike rides. Worked great, but will take a toll on your battery (as any GPS app will).
If that's what you're looking at picking up, I might still have mine around here somewhere. Let me know if you're interested.
Feb 13, 2014 at 1:48 pm #2073160no, I am actually looking at the pro unit, since it has its own battery and can do tracking… Will be using it on the CDT to collect GPS data and also verify location (i think it has a stronger signal than an iphone for gps)
Feb 13, 2014 at 1:57 pm #2073166"(i think it has a stronger signal than an iphone for gps)"
Please clarify.
–B.G.–
Feb 13, 2014 at 2:05 pm #2073172By this, I mean you can use the Bad Elf to receive GPS reading, then connect via bluetooth to your iphone to view with gaia.
My understanding is that the bad elf will be able to get GPS readings in places where the iphone would not… I know on the PCT my iphone's GPS stopping working for most of the Sierras, as well as parts of washington.Bad Elf GPS Technical Specs:
Fast GPS lock times (45 seconds or less)
2.5 meter accuracy
60,000ft / 18,000m maximum altitude
1000mph / 1,600kph maximum speed
Up to 10Hz position update rate
66-channel MTK GPS chipset
SBAS/WAAS/EGNOS/MSASI think the iphone GPS is about 10m accuracy? Not sure of other specs.
Feb 13, 2014 at 2:19 pm #2073178So, where is the stronger signal?
You haven't mentioned anything that has to do with signal strength.
–B.G.–
Feb 13, 2014 at 3:17 pm #2073193>> My understanding is that the bad elf will be able to get GPS readings in places where the iphone would not…<<
I don't have any experience with the Bad Elf device however, a quick search indicates that Bad Elf is using the same GPS Chipsets that Garmin uses. Apple is using a multi-function Qualcomm chip, so I would very much doubt that an iPhone could compete with the Bad Elf device when it comes to holding a satellite lock. My iPhone cannot compete with my Garmin in tough terrain.
As far as "accuracy" goes, that depends on what the software does with the signal once it receives it. The Bad Elf is WAAS enable so you may get better accuracy (as they claim) but accuracy claims with GPS devices are as misleading as lumens claimed by flahlights manufacturers. In my area, turning on WAAS yields considerably worse coordinate accuracy.
Feb 13, 2014 at 3:44 pm #2073201"In my area, turning on WAAS yields considerably worse coordinate accuracy."
I guess you know that WAAS was never intended to be used by ground-based walkers. It was designed purely to improve the vertical positioning of landing aircraft.
–B.G.–
Feb 14, 2014 at 5:23 am #2073361yes, as I understand it is a better GPS…
I was just curious if anyone had used one for hiking purposes!
Mar 24, 2014 at 6:27 pm #2085833 -
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