does the gps on the 3G work everywhere?

[gillybean]

If I'm in a flying airplane, or a cruise ship in the ocean, or in the desert in Africa, will the GPS on the 3G model still pick up my location? (assume I'm using some app that already has maps of the area).

 

[johnrs]

If I'm in a flying airplane, or a cruise ship in the ocean, or in the desert in Africa, will the GPS on the 3G model still pick up my location? (assume I'm using some app that already has maps of the area).

Yup should do.. as the name suggests "Global Positioning System"

EDIT: Taken from wiki
is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides reliable location and time information in all weather and at all times and anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It is maintained by the United States government....

Now that would explain a few things..

 

[ScubaCinci]

If I'm in a flying airplane, or a cruise ship in the ocean, or in the desert in Africa, will the GPS on the 3G model still pick up my location? (assume I'm using some app that already has maps of the area).

It won't work on a plane depending on altitude but everywhere else you mentioned.

 

[johnrs]

should be good if your plane does not fly higher that 18km

 

[avaloncourt]

Just remember that if you're using the Maps app you're going to need some form of data connection for the map segment to load. While the GPS chip in the iPad will work anywhere, you need to either have an app where maps are preloaded or, in the case of a cruise ship, you would need to have a live wi-fi Internet data connection on the ship to load the map which could get pretty expensive.

should be good if your plane does not fly higher that 18km

I've never had any issues on commercial flights which permit GPS receivers in flight using a regular mapping handheld GPS receiver.

 

[riverfreak]

Just remember that if you're using the Maps app you're going to need some form of data connection for the map segment to load. While the GPS chip in the iPad will work anywhere, you need to either have an app where maps are preloaded or, in the case of a cruise ship, you would need to have a live wi-fi Internet data connection on the ship to load the map which could get pretty expensive.



I've never had any issues on commercial flights which permit GPS receivers in flight using a regular mapping handheld GPS receiver.

Likewise. I routinely use a handheld garmin to check flight paths on international flights. Staves off boredom. Only hard to get a lock.

Regarding maps: the OffMaps app for the iPhone is great and you can download maps from sources from open mapping projects for free. Hope this comes to the ipad soon.

The maps cropping up on the app store from mobile-streetmaps.com are quite good too, albeit kinda pricey if you travel alot. Still, makes navigation possible in remote areas or where data roaming would be prohibitively expensive.