Can Golf GPS apps work with tablets?

[landshark]

ok, i'm not real tech savvy, but may be getting a small tablet with android apps available. so my question is will this allow me to get a golf gps onto it and use it? if not, what would i need? don't want to pay fees.

[Hateto3Putt]

Check your tablets specs.

If your tablet has a gps locator built in, it should work.

[TheBoomer]

Your tablet will have locations services and GPS locator.

BUT

You'll need Internet access.

[landshark]

ok, so i could download one of the droid apps and use it, but it has wi-fi. so would that mean it could come in and out while using it?

[chas521]

I don't have any answers because I don't have a tablet but a dedicated GPS golf device. From what I've heard from others, their tablet was an inconvenience because of its size and they couldn't find a good place to keep it while playing.

[dcmidnight]

Also tablets are not built - even in a simple case - to withstand the shock of being in and out of a cart all day. I've dropped my MX+ dozens of time onto the cart path and nothing has happened to it. Seen the same with SkyCaddies and various lasers - including my own. One drop of a tablet and that thing would be done.

[sheppy335]

you would need a tablet with cellular wireless to get this to work. Plus the good ones cost money.

[Hateto3Putt]

If you need a cellular network (not just a gps locator) for these tablets to work, then how do Skycaddies and whatnots do their thing?

::really asking, not trying to be an asseldonk::

EDIT:

Ipad 1, won't work
Ipad 2, will work with an add on GOS dongle and a 3g connection
Ipad 3, [i]should[/i] work out of the box as it has a built in GPS locator.

[cyman83]

[quote name='Hateto3Putt' timestamp='1353597274' post='5965727']
If you need a cellular network (not just a gps locator) for these tablets to work, then how do Skycaddies and whatnots do their thing?

::really asking, not trying to be an asseldonk::

EDIT:

Ipad 1, won't work
Ipad 2, will work with an add on GOS dongle and a 3g connection
Ipad 3, [i]should[/i] work out of the box as it has a built in GPS locator.
[/quote]

Wrong. all generations of iPads will work, just need to buy the 3G/4G/LTE version.

[MaxBuck]

In theory this should work, but be aware that most tablets don't have GPS antennas that are the equal of a typical smartphone.

You can always buy an outboard Bluetooth GPS device from someone like TomTom (I think you can get one for about $30) that will help to improve both accuracy and response. Seems like a lot of squeeze for the juice, though.

[retexan599]

I use the Golfshot app on my iPad 2 and it works just fine. I keep the iPad in the cart with me. My iPad is WiFi + 3G. In fact the main reason I got the 3G feature was to be able to use the iPad as my golf course GPS (it's also my automobile GPS). I prefer the iPad version because the bigger screen is easy to read. I think the app costs something like $30/yr but don't remember exactly; looks like it is currently on sale for $20/yr from iTunes. I keep my statistics on the Golfshot web site and download each round to my hard drive. Also very useful for measuring and recording the length of my shots. Just FYI, I use my iPad for many things besides golf: e-books, weather radar, news, internet, games, note taking, forums, etc.

[landshark]

[quote name='retexan599' timestamp='1353982401' post='5982661']
I use the Golfshot app on my iPad 2 and it works just fine. I keep the iPad in the cart with me. My iPad is WiFi + 3G. In fact the main reason I got the 3G feature was to be able to use the iPad as my golf course GPS (it's also my automobile GPS). I prefer the iPad version because the bigger screen is easy to read. I think the app costs something like $30/yr but don't remember exactly; looks like it is currently on sale for $20/yr from iTunes. I keep my statistics on the Golfshot web site and download each round to my hard drive. Also very useful for measuring and recording the length of my shots. Just FYI, I use my iPad for many things besides golf: e-books, weather radar, news, internet, games, note taking, forums, etc.
[/quote]
i think i'm getting one of last year's HP tablets from someone cheap. main use is internet, but may take it along the course if it's not a bother. i think i'd have to get the bluetooth add on thing to get gps though. i hope this would work?? i don't have a data plan though.

[wdwfan78]

Golf GPS apps for Smartphones and Tablets require a 3G/4G data plan. They use a tech called A-GPS that requires a data signal that allows for triangulation. A GolfCaddie works because it uses a dedicated GPS module, cell phones and tablets do not. A wi-fi only connection will not work.