Is there a GPS in the iPad Air?

"The GPS module is built into the cellular module, so if you buy a Wi-Fi version, there is no GPS capability.

GPS does not entirely rely on a cellular signal; it only speeds up synchronization. Even without any cellular service, GPS will still work fine."

"The answer is no.

There is no technical reason why the wireless version should not have a dedicated GPS unit. Apple deliberately restrict this feature in the wireless versions of the iPad.

you have three options.

1. Most expensive:

Buy the 3G/4G version. It has a real GPS built in.

2. Mid Priced:

Buy the wireless iPad and buy a Bluetooth GPS unit. I have the iPad 1, and a dual xgps250. it work fine.

3. Cheapest and best solution.

Don't pretend that Apple makes the best stuff. There are numerous Android tablets that have built in GPS.. Nexus, Asus and Samsung all have great tablets that include GPS."

The iPad does not need cellular connection for GPS service. It's just that Apple chose not to include a GPS in the wifi only models.

Many of my friends use the I-Pad as their source for charting for both Aviation as well as Boating. We recently downloaded a Navionics chart system for our boating as well as Aviation Charts for our Airplane. The first step was loading the Aviation Charts for the plane. We soon realized that they worked great when we had Wi-Fi but as soon as we lost the Wi Fi connection we lost the GPS that put our location on the charts. I contacted a friend in the Aviation industry and he directed me to buy a Bad Elf GPS antenna. Plugged it into the Ipad and it works. Now as we travel whether by air or water our location is transposed to the charts. The charts were found in the APP store and a payment was required. In one situation while traveling from the Bahamas to Georgian Bay in the Great Lakes we ran to the edge of the chart and had to download another chart. We were able to do so by turning our Hot Spot on our iPhone and downloaded the next chart. My next pursuit will be to get an Ipad with a GPS built in. This should take the place of the BAD ELF. But that may not happen soon as the Bad Elf is working great.

The GPS system in iPads and iPhones relies upon the cellular connection. It uses the towers to pinpoint the location. If you get a non-cellular model of the iPad Air, then you can only get location from wifi.

bad elf bluetooth gps receiever problem solved for the wifi only ipads but yes apple should have put the wifi receiver in.