Using an iPad for navigation in an NV200 campervan.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ส.ค. 2021
- This video shows how we modified our radio system to use an iPad for navigation and everything else an iPad can be used for. It was surprisingly easy and low cost to do. We made this video to answer the many questions we are getting about how the iPad is mounted.
Oh My Goodness.. Thank YOU so much for this video. This is EXACTLY what I need for using my iPad Mini screen!!!! I just have to find way to mount it so it can stay in put. Wow.. such a helpful video… I have wanted a larger screen in my car for so long… wheels are turning as to how to make it happen. All The Best!
Glad I could help!
Thank you both for another interesting and informative video. Happy travels
As ever….”kiss”. Great little system, and simple to use, bet you had a very quiet night at Sulby, and beautiful view next morning 👍🇮🇲
We did and this morning is was beautifully calm and ideal for the drone. 👍
Great info 👍👍
Looking forward to seeing your adventures around the IOM 👍
Thanks
Helpful video, thanks. You could use sticky-backed velcro to attach the iPad firmly to the dashboard. Using the sticky back, attach one part of the velcro to the tablet and the other to the matching part of the dashboard, then attach the two together to get a firm attachment that can be taken apart any time you want. Sticky-backed velcro is wonderful stuff, almost as good as magnets in allowing you to attach things in places in a way that you could remove cleanly later if you wanted.
I love velcro and as you say it does a great job. I might swap the slip mat for that. I won’t do it mind until I am 100% satisfied with the ipads performance.
Simply brilliant! Thanks so much. Found that really useful.
Excellent video Ken. We tried our non sim iPad and you are absolutely right it did not keep up at all. However we had a non sim Samsung tablet and tried that. It worked perfectly so must just be a thing with apple products. Never thought of using a tablet and now like you can clearly see the navigation again with our older eyes. Thank you.
Good to hear that the non sim Samsung works straight out of the box. 👍 I am going to buy a Garmin Glow 2 so that I can use my bigger ipad which doesn’t have a sim 👍
This particular iPad you have need to be cellular in order to work .
The newer have gps included inside so they don’t need cellular models to have navigations .
First time I have viewed your channel. Very nicely done. In case you didn't know, you can preload the google maps so they will still work while without cellular data. Your gps module that is within the cellular iPad will then track your travels on the preloaded map as if you have cellular service. As for the non-cellular ipads, you are correct that the non-cellular ipads do not have gps modules. However, if you are using your cell phone to tether to the ipad to provide the cellular signal, it should also obtain the gps information as well.
Well done. I am sure I will enjoy your other videos as well. Cheers.
We tried a number of iPads and only those with a GPS chip worked well enough for driving. The biggest issue is keeping the pad charged on a long trip. The new pads are power hungry. We prefer pocket earth as we can quickly download entire countries for offline use. 👍. Thanks for the tip re Google maps. 👍
Smart refit with the navigation space, if there is no wobbling problem, the iPad will be the best tour companion. Thanks for the bonus video.
I assure you there is no wobble and when you are touching the screen to use it its nice and firm.
A very comprehensive answer to my question, thank you very much. Regards AJ
Very informative once again, thanks!
I use osmand for offline navigation which is completely free. I'm also a big fan of RAM mount system so I might check whether they make a tablet mount.
Hope you are enjoying the trip
Enjoying Isle of Man very much. Still here. I don’t know of Osmand. 👍
Glasses are the vain of my life as well Ken I am forever putting them down & can't find then, but I have now got use to my Varifocals which is great as I don't need two pairs of glasses. Plus the use of a lanyard has help me not to keep losing then. Could not get on with Bifocal lenses, found the line in them very annoying. A bigger screen is always better. 👍😁
I am the same and often lose them in such a tiny van. I also used a lanyard but its just given up the ghost so I am back to losing them at the moment. 👍
Props to thinking outside the box for your creativity.
Great vlog thanks for sharing.
Hi Carol & Ken, just watched the iPad for navigation & you mention if low on data whilst using google maps/needing a signal, you can down load google maps data for off line use before hand, keeps things smooth and no issues with signal, details on TH-cam.
Ps my wife and I love your channel, best wishes.
Hi Steven. Glad you like the videos and thanks for the tip 👍
Ken - you are a genius!
Very nice of you to say so but I can assure you I am not 😀
And modest with it!! 🤣🤣
Brilliant video as usual Both found it very informative
I use a Garmin Drive 50. Not an expensive sat nav but very reliable.as I swap it between the Camper, motorhome and smart car I bought two extra mounts.
Stand alone units work very well 👍
Ken, I don't know how you do it, but all my life, you have always impressed me with more gravitas than anyone I have ever known. And then these vids! I might not have mentioned it to you before, but even before I got knocked off the bike, and certainly then, you impressed more gravitas in your person than anyone has done. You and Carol are brilliant. (But it makes me laugh you're so soft in these vids!)
That is very kind of you to say so Chris. I hope you are well. I am a very different person at home to on the job. Needs must and all that 😁👍
Really good video. I had the same issue with the lack of gps antenna on my iPad 11 pro until I buy a Garmin glo 2 wich connects via Bluetooth to the iPad and add a gps antenna to it. It works amazingly
Hi Ken,
Thanks again, very interesting l asked you what you used a few weeks ago when my old garmin gave up the ghost, like you l have started using iPhone and google maps, works fantastic.
Same age and vision issues but as l don’t do that much map driving fine with the phone at the moment.
Thanks again David.
You are welcome 👍
I tested mine and used my phone’s hotspot. it worked well, the challenge is that it did go to sleep.. LOL. Thank you again.
Good explanation Ken and you're spot on. There's a lag with a wifi only device on the move. It's not built for mobile comms. Thus unless your not going very fast ( I mean like a slow jog ) the buffering that you wouldn't have with a phone or sim enabled tablet can't keep up. Early Satnav systems had the same problems. It took forever for the system to get a location if it wasn't running all the time because the last stored position was out of sync with the current location. Used to drive you blokes and the Ambulance and emergency services absolutely bloody potty. We got a chap called Wasserman over from the Canadian Police for advice when we started putting digital stuff in the vehicles because they and the States were a few years ahead of us and we were only experimenting with a sort of telex system that used the old heat sensitive paper printouts. That's when the Home Office in their wisdom decided to give all the contracts to Motorola. That's sort of why I use Android kit and not Apple. Motorola left a nasty taste in my mouth as they say. Typical American organisations. You don't tell them what you want, they tell you what you'll get.
Brings back memories of various projects I experienced in the police. I shudder when I think how awful some of them were.
That is exactly the problem I had with the bigger ipad. No sim capability so no good on the move. 👍
@@LifeistooshortCK I think my all-time favourite was when we were sent just about every small screen LCD TV 6", 9", 10 ", to try and make them tamper proof to hand out to longterm prisoners to watch in their cells Douglas. Hurd was Home Sec back then. They were impossible to make safe but my lads in R& D watched cricket on them all summer long.🤣 I miss the camaraderie, I miss travelling to all the depots and MUs but I don't miss the hassle from on high. 🤔 oh yes, before I forget. I'm sending off your Brown Bear coffee samples on Monday as I'll be opening a couple of fresh packs over the weekend. You might as well get them at their freshest. 😉
@@nigeldavey1043 thanks very much for that. Look forward to receiving the coffee ☕️ 😀👍
Thanks for the info Ken, useful as usual. Whats the weather like there? plenty of the wet stuff here just now! The only way to sort the eye thing is with laser treatment I have the same problem, need them to see what I'm eating now. Glasses are a pain but I'd be lost without them. Enjoy the rest of your stay, look forward to the next. Andy.
The weather on the IOM changes several times a day. One minute sun the next you can be in low cloud. We are enjoying it though 👍
Hi Ken and Carol, I have done the same and works brilliantly, I have also Bluetoothed it to a good quality bt speaker because the the speakers in my brand new MH are poor quality. Also using my phone to tether data, I can then listen to “BBC sounds” for radio and ITV hub and BBC iPlayer.
I have also downloaded an app “launcher” which you can change the front page to suit your vehicle ie Fiat, VW ….
Not heard of an app launcher ? 👍
I have a Pioneer system in my motorhome and have to say it’s hopeless. For navigation I rely on my cellphone and the Waze app which I find to be excellent. I might give my iPad a try as my eyes are not too good either (old age)
Hi Ken… Just a couple of quick suggestions… Have you thought about using three and self-adhesive Velcro put the Ruffside on the car and on the small side on the fluffy side on the iPad will peel off because it’s 3 am and you then have a really sturdy fixing
Velcro is very good and I may well have gone for that had I got some to hand the morning we left. I really need to treat myself to a 3D printer as I could then make all sorts of useful mods. 👍
@@LifeistooshortCK One of my colleagues has a 3D printer and I am writing a list of things for him to make for me.
I think you are right, Apple don’t put GPS in non-cellular devices.
They use the WiFi to locate the device which can be far less reliable and no good for navigation.
The system they use is sometimes referred to as Assisted GPS… it takes time for the GPS to determine a precise location, so it starts with the location from cellular, then WiFi and then the GPS will pinpoint.
I still like my faithful old map book,I like to see the bigger picture and see my whole route on the page. I also have the Aldi special AA map which lists all the Aldi shops in the country.
I don’t blame you Tim, a hard copy map is very nice to study. We would struggle to find a place for one though at a decent enough scale. The beauty of a map is you decide the route not AI.
Great info Ken
Very interesting and informative video 😘👍🌺💞
Thinking of iPad for our (towing) van. We are using the Tom Tom app (iPhone). You can now input vehicle dimensions and sync routes from pc (Mac). It also operates offline.
I have used that app and its good but lacking a bit in navigation data. Beautiful simple interface though.
Thank you… very helpful!!!
There is an update to this video here th-cam.com/video/ofrChLp7p4s/w-d-xo.html
Update
If your pad does not track position well like I mention in the video then the Garmin Glow 2 will fix that. I bought one and it has made my ipad pro 12.9 (non sim version) track my position even better than our old sim version ipad. Check our Amazon link in the description for details. 👍
Yoki makes a good comment below which I will summarise and pin.
The method of fixing shown in this video would not survive a serious accident or very aggressive acceleration. The ipad would come loose.
If your driving style is sporty then also consider the g force in bends.
In little red my driving style is sedate as it rolls like a boat.
Pay special attention to the location of any air bags to avoid having the ipad thrown at you.
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK
Great creativ thinking 🤔👍
Hi Ken and carol, loving your videos and trips in your nv200. Can I ask what is the width of your seat/bed, thinking it might be too small for us .
Also can you have a bed in the pop top thinking that might be another option if it will take a adult. Many thanks
The bed in our NV200 is 101cm wide x 170cm long. It’s essential for anyone thinking of buying one of these vans to see them in real life before buying because it’s smaller than it looks.
The bed is cosy and it’s possible for us both to sleep without touching or disturbing the other person. It’s biggest weakness is that at the foot of the bed it drops away for the last 6 inches and your feet feel as if they are dangling a bit. This takes a little while to get used to but I can assure you we find it cosy and very comfortable in there.
You can sleep upstairs although we don’t actually take the roof base boards with us as we have no need to. To be honest it would be fine for kids but I wouldn’t want to sleep up there. Carol says she would. Our review of the van part 2 shows how it all works 😁👍
Great info 👍😎
I would like to see you do an overnight trip using only a good old fashioned paper map ….pick a destination Somewhere you haven’t been and it’s map only till you return home .not allowed to check anything on any device I.E for parking ,restaurants ..public toilets 🤣 etc then no iPad or phones at night to watch social media or downloading a film ….. take a pack of cards or a game or books to read I am if I may laying down the gauntlet …..I’m loving your channel ,slowly getting through it x
Challenge not accepted Chatty. Public loos are the critical element and hunting for them would be no fun 😁👍
@@LifeistooshortCK then would you consider doing it but you can look for toilets on line
Thank you!!! 🙏
Presumably, the CD slot phone holder prevents use of the CD player? I can highly recommend multi-focal contact lenses to resolve age-related sight issues!
Yes no playing CD's when in use 👍🏻
very interesting, thanks for sharing. GPS / satnav is great but I still have/use a paper map to double-check. What about your reversing camera?
I can still see the reversing camera on the dash although its smaller than the Pioneer screen. Its enough for me as now I am used to the van. 👍
@@LifeistooshortCK sorry I didn't know you had an other screen, reversing camera is just an other aid. I only chmine to see if there an kids or dogs at the back. ATB
I use an iPad 8 in a VW Amarok, with cellular bought unused from eBay for £299 - only 32gb (why more for this application?) Bluetooth to existing system for sound - mounted on a very similar bracket in the CD slot - Solid virtually still, on all but the very very bumpiest road. Has its own sim - Siri working great for BBC sounds, Apple Music, Audible etc etc obviously Google maps but Waze and Apple maps work great too - would never go back - and at the price it’s crazy good value - good luck - thanks for vid.
Good set up Chris 👍
Very interesting
Are there Sat-navs specifically for campers? They would show water taps - height restrictions - camp sites - waste disposal places.
There are but aimed more at those who use campsites. 👍
I like my iPad mini with WiFi & cellular. I then use Waze for online maps which is great and also Navmii as this is a complete download so no data used once the map is on your HDD.
Navmii never heard of that one 👍
Hi Ken, thanks for the video. I've been wondering about why your system was struggling even using CarPlay.
CarPlay is coming from the phone itself and merely being replicated on the car screen so it should be using the same GPS antenna as the phone?
To be honest I don’t know how car play actually works, just that our gps position is often incorrect We have had both phones running at the same time, one running car play with an incorrect position and the other just on the phone which is rock solid.
@@LifeistooshortCK Interesting. I wondered if it might be that the phone is shielded slightly, maybe on a shelf when you've got it plugged into the car, rather than higher up when in a holder. I have a vested interest in finding out as we have opted to have the aftermarket CarPlay unit in our van when we eventually get it!
CarPlay and Android Auto _does_ use the GPS from the headunit if the headunit advertises that information, which the more expensive ones do. The headunit should have an external antenna, I wonder if that needs repositioning?
Thanks Josh. You prompted a more thorough search and this session (with transcript) from WWDC is really interesting.
developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2016/722
Ken, google will let you download a map for use when you have no cell service. Don't know if you can navigate off line. Also only sim ipads have gps its all the same chip. Very interesting video.
yes,google let you download free maps
Yes it's the same chip but if you use a tablet ( iPad or android ) with wifi connectivity only it's the signal lag in a moving vehicle that's the problem. That's one reason for the £200 to £300 price difference. There's a lot more gubbins ( Comms technical term, that ) than just the sim tray and a bit if circuitry.
I have a Pioneer system in my car and it works very well with CarPlay and TomTom Go Navigation
It could well be an installation problem for us then 👍
good vid
Thanks Lee
Ken the iPad is paired via Bluetooth to you radio, not your mobile phone?
Yes bluetooth connection to get sound out of the speakers but tethered to my phone for data 👍
I do the same with a samsung tablet with cellular. you can use Google maps offline too by the way and download the maps
Thanks for the tip. 👍
So creative finding a solution to a problem that is a necessity. When hubby n I travel I’m the “nag-avator” 😏 but I get us there ! Your lash up was clever! Mary
Cheers Mary. I still have s nag-avator as well. 😁👍
I had 2 of these -one broke on the corner but they sent a free replacement - They are otherwise excellent ;)
Hand crafted and each one individually signed and wrapped 😱
You can connect a external GPS unit to a iPad if it's not a cellphone model, i do that with succes, its normal to do that in airplanes to. You need to use your iPhone as data modem.
Cheers Betty. I have now bought a Garmin Glo 2 which does just that 👍
An iPad with a SIM card slot also has a gps chip.
which ipad model did you use? which year model ?
Currently a 2022 9th gen base ipad
That’s the Manx roads for you, loads of adverse cambers.
The roads have been fine so far but the ramp off the ferry and up the slip was obviously bought secondhand from a suspension test track 😁👍
Always use it in portrait mode, because you can see more of the map.
I prefer landscape as it allows me to display a digital speedometer to the right of the map. This will show up in future videos. Plugging in at the side makes cable management easier. 👍
Have you tried varifocal glasses
I have twice but I just can’t seem to adapt to them. 👍
Dear Ken ''n" Carol, I just love it! You're my kinda discovers. Love Chris, (over the road)..
Cheers Chris 👍
What do you do when you have no service with the I phone , ?
We normally switch to the Pocket Earth app. Bit like an ordnance survey map but free and you can download whole countries for free so offline is no problem. You can even have Google and Pocket earth running at the same time so its just a tap to switch between them.
I had the same problem with the gps, so I bought a Bluetooth GPS receiver (Garmin GLO 2) and it works a treat, ps if you want to try it out and in Lancashire let me know
I also use a Glo.
If you position it beneath the windscreen you get better GPS reception particularly if you have a motorhome with an overhanging Luton-style roof.
The other benefit of the Glo is that it provides position data 10 times per second. The GPS chips used in phones and tablets only provide the data every second. This increased frequency of data provision gives a much more stable speed indication.
Are you using the Glo 2 with your radio sat nav Danny. I had not thought of that.
@@LifeistooshortCK no it connect to ipad with Bluetooth, basically the garmin glo 2 receives the information from the satellites and transmits it to ipad , its totally independent from your car radio
th-cam.com/video/yCY4QuR-xZ0/w-d-xo.html this shows how to set up and operate it
Have you tried waze for navigation, I use all time, public can send traffic information ie stop vehicles in road, traffic jams and police locations
Have you tried velcro command strips
No not seen them.
You can get velcro straps from supermarkets etc or Amozan easy to remove don't cause any damage
I down loaded Co pilot sat nav £24 app no internet needed 2013 on a I pad one drove the whole of Europe in a large truck it was a brilliant even in Romania and Bulgaria can recommend it enough
I used to use Co pilot on my phone a while back and really enjoyed it 👍
1) Have you thought about just using a map and compass ?
I am going to use the stars and the moss on the side of trees to start with. I believe in the ancient skills of the dinosaur hunter and it would be embarrassing being caught with a compass by my fellow hunter gatherers. 👍
@@LifeistooshortCK I just use the sun and a twig.
Very compact. 👍
Today 2024 there are strong magnetic holders available online 👍
You can download map areas to use offline in Google Maps…
Thanks for the tip👍
Hi Ken,
Great video as ever. When I saw the lengths you had gone to, to secure your iPad with board and tape, I thought maybe I can help by making a bracket for you, as I have a 3D printer. All you would need to do is send me a sketch and some dimensions and I’ll make you one. As a thank you for your videos.
No worries if you are happy with what you have.
Happy travels
Sarah
Hi Sarah. Many thanks for your kind offer. Another kind soul has already offered to make us a bracket so we seem to be sorted. Should that fall through for any reason I would love to come back to you 👍
@@LifeistooshortCK glad you’re all sorted 👍
Hi Ken
Good video. I have been using a similar setup with my ipad for a cupol of years now and it works fin with googel maps and other map system to.
Ive experienced a problem that the ipad gets realy hot after some hours in navigating.
I do not no if this is a comon problem when using the ipad conected to the sat nav and charging the unit at the same time or it might bee that my batterie are no god any more. Ipad is 3 years old now.
I do not experience this problem loking at yotube or streamin video and not having the ipad connected for charging.
Neather is the ipa getting hot at normal charging with the screen in off mode.
How is your experiancc for this?
Stay safe and helthy.
Exactly the same Peer. The NV200 is good though because I can use the air vents either side of the ipad to cool it down as we drive. I have the latest iPhone 12 Max and that gets alarmingly hot at times for no apparent reason. I have seen others complaining about it. If I reboot it goes back to a normal temperature. I have never tried rebooting the ipad though thinking about it. The good thing about ipads though is most of them seem to last years. 👍
That was interesting Ken. Pocket Earth is new to me. Can I ask, do you find Pocket Earth sufficient or is it Pocket Earth Pro you use. Cheers, Sue.
I downloaded Pocket Earth Pro on Ken’s recommendation in another video… fantastic for finding loos…I paid £4.99 for the app - worth it just to know where the loos are!! 😊
@@sheilaUK Thanks for the confirmation Sheila. I thought the Pro would probably be the one to go for (yes, loos are very important!) 😁👍🏻
The basic version does have the toilet info. The pro has wikipedia info and contour lines, both of which we have made good use of 👍
@@LifeistooshortCK cheers 👍🏻
Sorry to say , but Google maps is far superior to Apple maps. Great video. 🙂
You could use some Velcro tape to stop it moving at all, stick a bit higher up on the dash (black Velcro tape)
It would certainly work but the non slip mat has a dual role, ipad when driving and keeping the steering lock in the right place when parked up 😁👍
You can download a map of Europe and use offline as normal
Thanks for the tip
Why not put the Tom Tom app on the iPad? No need for cellular connection, or Wi-fi. I'm using the old Tom Tom app that's free and it works great om my 2017 iPad Pro. Also is easier to see than on a Tom Tom unit. If you install the new app there's a monthly subscription but it might still be cheaper than cellular data charges.
Tom Tom is good but in my experience no GPS app yet has the wealth of data that Google has and its so quick to find a place and get a route. Granted if there is no cell service you have to use something else. I pay for unlimited data as uploading movies takes a lot. 👍. There is an update to this video coming out this wednesday. 👍
@@LifeistooshortCK I find the old Tom Tom app to be good as you can get it to show POI and petrol stations and accommodations. The new one includes map updates and a lot of other stuff in the subscription fee.
What are the data costs? Over here too much.
I have an unlimited data plan with EE which I think is £30 per month but Carol will know. It gets hammered with uploading 4K files but they have never complained or throttled my account.
My Garmin is more than adequate, and I get free map updates
I am sure it is but it’s not multifunctional. My intention is to use the iPad for navigation, video editing back up, photo editing, FaceTime with relatives etc etc etc.
@@LifeistooshortCK I have other toys to do those tasks
I've been using an Android Tablet for years now, works really well with my phone as a hotspot but I'm with you liking the Tesla giant screen and am considering just using a phone with a big Portable touchscreen monitor. As for tablet mounts there's load on Amazon
Android offers more options than Apple, especially when it comes to mirroring the screen to the Pioneer which Apple does not allow. I have no bias to either system but I am well and truly committed to the Apple infrastructure these days that it would be painful to leave it.
I didn't fancy a tablet holder myself as the downside is you have to remove it every time you leave the van for security reasons and the mounting options all seemed to require sticking suckers to the windscreen. 👍🏻
didnt know you were 62 :O you look about 49 ish :)
Thanks very much. 😁👍
Just use Waze. Best sat nav ever!!!
Not that keen on Waze but it is time to give it another go.
@@LifeistooshortCK It's got me out a loads of jams. I do thousands of miles a month so it is invaluable!!!
Very interesting