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From what I've seen TerraGo doesn't offer support for external GPS units that is any better or worse than Esri's. All the GPS units listed as supported on TerraGo's site will work with ANY iOS app because the GPS unit itself conforms to the MFI protocol for Bluetooth GPS.
What TerraGo doesn't mention is if they offer any sort of deeper integration with high-accuracy units (like being able to access PDOP, RMS Error, Sat info). Collector doesn't support this at the moment either, but there are SDKs available from the manufacturers to add this to runtime apps, so I'm sure both TerraGo and Esri will be adding support at some point.
Has anyone tried using an external bluetooth GPS receiver with Collector? If so, how has it performed and what model/make is the receiver? We're looking to get sub-meter accuracy using Collector and am curious if anyone has had success doing this.
Thanks in advance!
We just purchased a GENEQ SXBLUE II. I just received it yesterday. We are in the process of installing the app on our iPads. My email is tkukitz@cityftmyers.com. I will post info here when I find out how it works.
We did test Collector (iOS) with Bad Elf and it does work. We connected it using a 30-pin to Lightning adaptor, not Bluetooth, because we didn't have the BT version. I don't have one right now so I can't give you the setup steps.
BTW, we were testing the Bad Elf on a WiFi only iPad (which has no GPS chip) and the iPad was reporting 5m accuracy.
I have been testing a few of the Geneq blue, both the GNSS and II-B beacon model. Both are excellent and greatly increase the accuracy of the data collection. They also make repeat positioning a reality. I found that I could get meter - sub meter collections on a regular basis. I encourage people to give it a try.
Craig
I have a Bad Elf, but am unable to use it with the Collector App. Can anyone provide a step by step? I'm using an iPhone 4S running iOS 7.1. I'm able to pair the GPS via bluetooth. When I open the Collector App it still seems to be using my phone's Location Services and not the GPS. If I turn off Location Services and maintain my bluetooth connection to the Bad Elf, Collector tells me it requires Location Services to be turned on.
Thanks in advance.