Do I need cellular data for the app to work?

We received this question regarding the Deed Calls & Stakeout app, but the answer applies to our other apps as well.

The GPS data collection functions and most of the other functions will work without wi-fi and cellular data.

Some of our apps, like Forester GPS GIS III, Farming GPS GIS III, iCMTGIS III and iCMTGIS PRO will let you load a geo-referenced *.tif map and use it off-line.

Most of our apps provide a Map function to get and display the Map from Apple via wi-fi connection. However, you can cache the Map to use out there where no wi-fi is available. This means that you can call up the Map and display the area in which you will be working, turn off wi-fi then go out in the field. You will be able to view the Map while working with your app. As long as you do not play with the Map function while you are out there (such as switching from Show Satellite to Show Hybrid) or close Map, the background map should remain available.

Is WiFi required for iPad GPS to work?

When purchasing an iPad, besides considering which model to get (iPad, iPad mini or iPad Air), you will also need to think about whether you would like it to provide GPS capability. If you will be using a compatible external GPS receiver with your iPad, then you could just get the less expensive WiFi-only iPad device.

A WiFi-only iPad device does not provide GPS capability. However, it will provide Location Service when WiFi signals are available. This means that, if you turn on Location Service when WiFi is available, you will be able to sporadically get an approximate location using the GPS function in our GPS/GIS apps. When there are no WiFi MODEMs in the vicinity of your work area, then there will be no Location Service available.

A WiFi/Cellular iPad provides GPS capability. Many users wonder if they will need to purchase a data plan for the GPS to work. The answer is No. The GPS in such devices will work independent of WiFi availability and cellular data plan. (Same for the built-in GPS of an iPhone.)

Like a WiFi-only iPad, the iPod touch does not come with GPS capability, but you could use it with a compatible external GPS receiver to run our apps. External GPS devices will work independent of WiFi availability and cellular data plan.

Economical tool for working with grid sample points on iPhone & iPad

“I need a utility to overlay timber cruising grid sample points over aerial maps and then be able to navigate to each one. Can this app do this on my iPhone? Will it work without good cell signal? If there is a better option, let me know, just trying to be most economical.”

This question was submitted as an inquiry into the Deed Calls – Area – Perimeter app.

The Deed Calls – Area – Perimeter app for iPhone and iPad will let you create an area by entering the angles and directions for a deed plot, but it does not provide the function for creating the grid points.

The Grid & Stakeout app for iPhone and iPad will let you digitize an area over the displayed Apple Maps for your timber stands. It will let you create the cruising grid sample points over the timber stand and help you navigate to each cruising point.

Forester GPS GIS provides all of the above functions plus the ability to import Shapefiles and divide and combine areas. However, it is for use on an iPad.

The Apple Map can be displayed only when wi-fi is available. However, once you have added the stand boundary and created the grid points, those features will display independent of wi-fi availability.

Can iCMTGIS II work without Internet access?

The GPS/GIS data collection functions in  iCMTGIS II and iGPSGIS II do not need Internet access to work on your iPhone or your iPad with built-in GPS (or with Bluetooth connection to an external GPS).

You can use iTunes to preload Shapefiles onto  iCMTGIS II and iGPSGIS II to use as background reference.

If you have PC-GIS PRO, you can use it to prepare raster images to load onto iCMTGIS II and iGPSGIS II and serve as background map.

If you want to use the built-in Map as the background, to email a job file, to send out files via ftp,  or to make use of Cloud storage, then you will need Wi-Fi network access.