ipad 3G - i only want the GPS function, is it worth the price difference?

[nts]

I am considering purchasing an iPad 3G for its GPS feature. I do not expect to get a monthly 3G plan.

It is worth the price difference to get the GPS functionality? Are the current map apps worth using without an internet connection?

My car already has a GPS so this will mostly be used on trips when i'm walking.

 

[Tebailey]

I am considering purchasing an iPad 3G for its GPS feature. I do not expect to get a monthly 3G plan.

It is worth the price difference to get the GPS functionality? Are the current map apps worth using without an internet connection?

My car already has a GPS so this will mostly be used on trips when i'm walking.

Seemingly you are the only person who can say if it is worth it or not... The GPS on mine is great (quick fix etc).. If you are going to sell on later I would guess 3G will hold a decent premium over the wifi only so it may not really cost much...

 

[tmarks11]

You are forgetting the other benefit: better wifi reception. I haven't heard of a single 3G ipad owner complaining about wifi performance, but have seen plenty of posts along the line of "when is Apple going to fix iPad wifi" from non-3G owners.

That early realization alone tipped me over to 3G, not intending to actually buy 3G service (except for vacations). But after 2 weeks of owning it, I decided that I would it give it a shot. And I discovered that it was definitely worth $30 a month. I have only used about 2.2 GB of data in 6 weeks, but it is nice to have.

Way better then my smartphone, where the small screen just makes it not worth using most of the time. Stuck in traffic? Pull up the traffic website to find out what is ahead. Motion-x GPS and Beat the Traffic are two great apps. Do you have a boat? Motion-x has a gps program that can automatically download NOAA charts (for free). That is a killer app, IMHO. I really wish a few more companies would come up with a decent car mount for the ipad.

 

[shellbryson]

Definitely worth the extra for the 3G version (at least to me). The flexibility of not having to hunt around for a free WIFI connection while out and about is invaluable - at least here in Edinburgh where there aren't that many free hotspots.

I'm on a £15 (about $22) a month rolling contract that gives me 10Gb per month on the Three network.

 

[fleetingthought]

GPS alone sold me on the the 3G version. 3G was just a bonus.

Tom

 

[avaloncourt]

I specifically bought the 3G for the GPS. I use Navigon and it works great. If I need a data connection my iPhone is jailbroken and I have MyWi on it. I haven't yet activated the 3G and I've had the iPad since the first release day from a pre-order.

If I need something more in maps than Navigon can supply (such as topo maps or marine charts) I use MotionX.