The GPS in TT's cradle is connected via the 30 pin connector. The BT is used for the handsfree sound input / output. The voice input is collected via the external TT mic and the voice output comes out via the external speaker on the back, all via Bluetooth.
So it should be possible to connect a NMEA multiplexer via the 30 pin connector. If we had this little device, the iPad would be a perfect all in one solution for navigation and instruments.
Personally i am not convinced by the built in GPS receiver from the iPhone.
I tested iNavX last summer, but the built in GPS was too sloppy/weak for save navigation (at least here in europe).
So i switched back to the mac mini with GPSnavX and use the iphone as a repeater screen via VNC in the cockpit, which works like a charme.
Another thing that makes navigating on the iphone/iPad useless for me without NMEA connection is that you cannot let the autopilot steer to a waypoint.
Such a little adaptor/connector would make the iPhone/iPad a really powerfull navigation tool and you would not need a computer or plotter anymore.
Quote:It doesn't have USB (hence no external GPS)
I suspect you will be able to connect most USB devices using the dock port and adapters. The camera USB adapter kit, already announced, may even allow other USB devices.
Kim
If we can connect external USB devices through docks and such, and the GPS works, then it becomes much more useful. I don't like the current A-GPS the iPhone has, it just doesn't seem that reliable compared with an external GPS. So having one I can plug into the iPad would be fantastic. We'll see if that's possible, once they finally start shipping.
If Steve were a sailor, we'd have a BTO option for a sunlight-readable screen, which is all it would take to sell me one.
:-((