How can I tell if iCMTGIS PRO is using the Trimble R1, or the iPad built-in GPS?

(This is an updated version of an older article that we posted in 2014.)

The iOS devices can only work with GPS receivers approved by Apple.

iCMTGIS PRO is able to get the NMEA data stream directly from a few external GPS receivers, such as the EOS Arrow Gold, the Geneq SXBlue Platinum, Bad Elf GPS and Dual XGPS-150A. For other compatible GPS receivers, it gets the data from the iOS Location Service. All of our other apps only obtain GPS data from the Location Service of the iOS device.

To use the external GPS, make sure you have turned on Location Services under Privacy. Also, on the Location Services page, find iCMTGIS PRO and turn the switch on to make Location Service available for this app. (Do this for the app you are using, such as iCMTGIS II, iGPSGIS II, Utility Data Collection, Stakeout iCMT, Farming GPS GIS, Forester GPS GIS, etc.)

For iOS devices with built-in GPS, how would one know if the app is using the external GPS or the built-in GPS?

The short answer is: Your iOS device will serve the GPS data from the external GPS (such as the Trimble R1) when the internal GPS is not actively being used.

Not to leave you in the fog, here is the long answer:

1. To make use of GPS, Location Service must be turned on under Settings and also turned on for the specific app you are using.
2. The iOS device will automatically use the internal GPS if you turn on GPS within an app while no external GPS is connected.
3. When any app is using the internal GPS, iOS cannot work with an external GPS connected to the device.
4. Therefore, to make use of the connected external GPS, you will want to turn off GPS from all running GPS apps (including the one you are actively using) then turn on GPS within the app you are actively using.
5. It will also help to turn on Airplane mode then turn on Bluetooth and make sure Location Service is active for the app. Then, the next time you turn on Airplane mode, Bluetooth will not be automatically turned off. In newer devices, Bluetooth will not be automatically turned off when you turn on Airplane mode.
6. When Bluetooth connection is lost, then iOS uses the internal GPS. This could happen randomly.

Usually, the first time you turn on GPS in the app, the device will connect with the external GPS. So to make sure the device is connected with the external GPS, turn off GPS (from the menu bar of the app such as iCMTGIS PRO) then turn it on again. Or, reconnect the Bluetooth GPS. The status maybe shown as “Connected”, but just tap on it to make it reconnect again.

Forester GPS GIS III updated to Release 1.0.3

In Forester GPS GIS III 1.0.3, we fixed an issue involving Location services permissions, which disabled GPS data collection using iPad devices running iOS 12.

We have also enhanced the text file import and export functions. Whereas text file import was limited to importing text files ending in .txt, now the user may choose the .txt or the .csv file name extension. For text file export, instead of exporting all of the Attributes for the Topic, the app now provides a dialog to let the user select specific Attributes to be exported.

Farming GPS GIS III updated to Release 1.0.3

In Farming GPS GIS III 1.0.3, we fixed an issue involving Location services permissions, which disabled GPS data collection using iPad devices running iOS 12.

We have also enhanced the text file import and export functions. Whereas text file import was limited to importing text files ending in .txt, now the user may choose the .txt or the .csv file name extension. For text file export, instead of exporting all of the Attributes for the Topic, the app now provides a dialog to let the user select specific Attributes to be exported.

How to turn on Location Service

“I am experiencing some problems with my iCMTGIS PRO app. In order to successfully use the app it needs to have location services allowed while using the app. However when I open the app it doesn’t give the option to allow location services to have the location while I’m using the app. Could you help me out with this problem please.”

Location Service is provided by Apple. You can enable it under Settings on your device.

Settings -> Privacy -> Location Service

How to tell if an app is using Location Services?

The Location Services is shared by the iOS system and all the installed apps.

To check which apps are using the Location Service, please call up Settings\Privacy\Location Services. On the right side of the list of apps look for an arrow mark.

If an app name has a purple arrow mark on the right side, it is actively using the Location Services.

A gray arrow indicates that an app has used the Location Services within the last 24 hours.

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.

Using an external GPS with iCMTGIS II on iPad

“For high precision GPS positioning I did connect an external GPS receiver to the iPad via Bluetooth. How and where can I select the GPS receiver in the application? Does it switch automatically between the internal GPS receiver and the external connected via Bluetooth? Where can I see in the application which GPS is connected and how can I decide which one to use and fix as default GPS receiver?”

The iOS devices can only work with GPS receivers approved by Apple. Using an external GPS receiver often improves position accuracy. Assuming the external GPS is an iSXBlue II, a Dual XGPS-150, a Garmin Glo or a Bad Elf GPS receiver, it will provide NMEA data to iOS. The Location Service will distribute the location data to the apps. Currently, all of our apps get the GPS data from the Location Service of the iOS device.

So, to use the external GPS, make sure you have turned on Location Services under Privacy. Also, on the Location Services page, find iCMTGIS II and turn the switch on to make Location Service available for this app. (Do this for the app you are using, such as iGPSGIS II, Utility Data Collection, Stakeout iCMT, Farming GPS GIS, Forester GPS GIS, etc.)

For iOS devices with built-in GPS, how would one know which GPS is being used?

The short answer is: Your iOS device will serve the GPS data from the external GPS when the internal GPS is not actively being used.

Not to leave you in the fog, here is the long answer:

1. To make use of GPS, Location Service must be turned on under Settings and also turned on for the specific app you are using.

2. The iOS device will automatically use the internal GPS if you turn on GPS within an app while no external GPS is connected.

3. When any app is using the internal GPS, iOS cannot work with an external GPS connected to the device.

4. Therefore, to make use of the connected external GPS, you will want to turn off GPS from all running GPS apps (including the one you are actively using) then turn on GPS within the app you are actively using.

5. It will also help to turn on Airplane mode then turn on Bluetooth and make sure Location Service is active for the app.

6. When Bluetooth connection is lost, then iOS uses the internal GPS. This could happen randomly.

Usually, the first time you turn on GPS in the app, the device will connect with the external GPS. So to make sure the device is connected with the external GPS, turn off GPS (from the menu bar of the app such as iCMTGIS II) then turn it on again. Or, reconnect the Bluetooth GPS. The status maybe shown as “Connected”, but just tap on it to make it reconnect again.

Will iCMTGIS II work on a wifi only ipad in area without wifi?

If you will be recording GPS data, you will need to have an iPad with built-in GPS or a compatible external GPS device connected to the iPad.

The wifi-only iPad will permit the built-in Apple Map to be displayed on the screen when wifi is available. When Location Service is available, you can turn on the GPS in the iCMTGIS II app and get an occasional position fix, which is not adequate for GPS data collection.

If you have internal or external GPS for the iPad, in areas without wifi the Apple Map won’t work, but GPS data collection will work just fine. In this case, you could use PC-GIS to prepare a .pim image file for use the background map on the iPad. Or, you could use imported Shapefiles as background reference. the .pim files and Shapefiles will work with iCMTGIS II, iGPSGIS II, Farming GPS GIS, Deed Calls Pro, Forester GPS GIS and Utility Data Collection