GPS Navigation & Battery Cradle for iPod Touch

At long last…I’m happy to announce that the newest firmware release for the XGPS251 GPS Cradle allows the Cradle to work with the 4th generation model of the iPod touch. Below are details on how to tell if your Cradle already works with the 4th gen touch, or if you need an upgrade.

(Quick, but important, note: the case on the XGPS251 will block the rear facing camera on the new iPod touch. However, you can easily slide the touch out of the Cradle to use the camera, and the front-facing camera on the touch is not obscured.)

In order for the XGPS251 to work with the 4th gen touch, it needs to have two things: (i) the correct firmware programmed into the Cradle, and (ii) a plastic insert installed to hold the touch securely in place.

If you are considering buying the XGPS251, or have already purchased one, there is a very good chance the Cradle already has the correct firmware. You will just need the plastic spacer. (Most every unit shipped to retailers in the last 6 weeks already has the correct firmware.)

If your Cradle does not have the correct firmware, we can exchange it with an updated model for a nominal fee. There is no way to upgrade the firmware yourself. We will need to send you a new Cradle.

Instructions for checking the firmware version of your Cradle are here.

The plastic insert is available for free. However, if your Cradle has to be exchanged, there will be a $59.99 charge to cover the processing and shipping, and it will take about 14 days (depending upon how you ship your Cradle to us).

Please request spacers or Cradle exchanges through the customer support group at 866-382-5476, or cs@dualav.com. You will need a copy of your purchase receipt.

FAQ:

Q) The package my XGPS251 came in says it’s already compatible with the 4th generation iPod touch. Do I need to do anything?
A) No. Just make sure to use the plastic insert to hold your iPod securely in the Cradle.

Q) I have 3rd (or 2nd or 1st) generation iPod touch. Do I need this upgrade or the plastic insert?
A) No.

Q) I see the words “Firmware 10/10” on the inside of my Cradle, but the product package doesn’t have the 4th generation touch icon on it. Will my Cradle work with the 4th gen touch?
A) Yes. If you see the words “Firmware 10/10” on the Cradle, it will work with all models (1st through 4th generation) of the iPod touch. You will just need to request the plastic insert.

Q) How do I know if I have a 4th generation iPod touch?
A) Look at the back of your iPod. If there is a tiny camera lens in the upper left corner, you have a 4th generation iPod touch.

Q) I need to send in my GPS Cradle for replacement with an upgraded unit. How does this affect my warranty?
A) Your original warranty will still be valid, and the replacement will be covered under this warranty, for one year from the date of original purchase.

Q) I need to send in my GPS Cradle for replacement with an upgraded unit. How long will it take?
A) It will take about 14 days from the day you ship the Cradle. We recommend using Federal Express or UPS, and to make sure you keep the tracking number.

Q) I need to send in my GPS Cradle for replacement with an upgraded unit. Do I need to send you my iPod too?
A) No.

Q) Is there a charge for the plastic insert?
A) No.

Q) Is there a charge to exchange my Cradle for an upgraded unit?
A) Yes: $59.99. This covers the shipping and handling of the replacement unit.

Q) I have an XGPS300. Can I upgrade my unit?
A) Unfortunately, no. There is a change in the 4th generation iPod touch that affects how that iPod communicates with accessories. This change prevents the XGPS300 from working with the iPod touch 4th generation model.

Q) Will I need a copy of my sales receipt in order to receive the plastic insert or upgrade my Cradle with a replacement unit?
A) Yes.

Here are the instructions to determine if your XGPS251 GPS Cradle needs to be upgraded to work with the iPod touch 4th gen.:

1. Look at the inside of your GPS Cradle.
2. Look closely at the bottom sticker.
3. Look for the words “Firmware 10/10″ as shown below:

If the words “Firmware 10/10″ appear on your Cradle, your device is already programmed to work with the 4th generation iPod touch. You will just need the plastic insert to hold the touch securely in the Cradle:

If the words “Firmware 10/10″ do not appear on your Cradle, you will need to send us your Cradle for exchange. The new Cradle will have the correct firmware and include the plastic insert.

Please contact customer service at 866-382-5476 or cs@dualav.com to request the spacer, or for instructions on how to exchange your Cradle for an updated version. Please have a copy of your purchase receipt available. There will also be a $59.99 charge for exchanging a Cradle.

If you are interested in using the new 4th generation iPod touch with the GPS Cradle, here’s the skinny:

• The new 4th generation iPod touch is narrower and thinner than the earlier models of the touch. Apple has also made some electrical changes that are unique to this model of the touch.
• The XGPS251 is being updated to accommodate these changes.
• The update will be ready before the end of the year – keep an eye here or on the website for news about availability.
• If you own an XGPS251 now (or are thinking about buying one), there will be a way to update your Cradle.

The original XGPS300 Cradle cannot be upgraded to work with the 4th gen touch, unfortunately.

The GPS Cradle website has been overhauled with a new look, better organization and more information about the XGPS251…including how it compares to the XGPS300 model. Check it out here.

There’s a new app now available on iTunes for the GPS Cradle: it’s called the “GPS Cradle Status Tool” and it’s a free download.

This app is a simple utility which will tell you if the GPS Cradle has found your location, or if it is still searching for satellite signals. It will also give you some helpful tips for getting the best performance out of the Cradle.

It will work with both the XGPS251 and the XGPS300 models of the Cradle.

Also, if you own an XGPS300 and do not want to keep NavAtlas installed on your iPod, you’ll want to download this new app. As you may know, if you remove NavAtlas from your iPod touch and then turn on the GPS Cradle, the iPod will display a message telling you that software is missing. Installing the GPS Cradle Status Tool app will eliminate that message from popping up.

The GPS Cradle is shipping internationally through the online retailer Expansys. Hit that link, click on your country, and search for “Dual GPS Cradle”.

Good news – the problem that prevented NavAtlas from working under iOS 4.0 has been fixed in Apple’s iOS 4.1 update!

So if you are having problems getting NavAtlas to recognize your XGPS300, please update your iPod touch to iOS 4.1 through iTunes.

There are lots of questions coming in about Apple’s new model of the iPod touch, the 4th generation model, and whether it works with the GPS Cradle.

We’ve been testing extensively with the new touch. Apple has made some electrical changes in this new version, and these changes do affect how the GPS Cradle communicates with the touch. So we are continuing to test until we are sure we have a solid understanding of all of the changes.

Stay tuned…

I’m going steal a little thunder from our marketing department by telling you about the new GPS Cradle model in advance of our new website update.

You may have seen that a new model of the GPS Cradle has quietly appeared, with the model number XGPS251. This is a new version of the GPS Cradle which is similar to the existing XGPS300 model, with two important differences:

1. The NavAtlas app which comes included with the XGPS300 will not work with the XGPS251.
2. The XGPS251 is less expensive than the XGPS300.

It’s always fascinating to me to find out what uses people have invented for their iPod touch devices once they add GPS capability to them with the GPS Cradle. We have a cruise director touring the world with one, we have several people using them for logging soil samples in the Grand Canyon, there are people logging bird sightings with them and even a rescue team using them.

I’ll add “flying gliders” to that list now.

D. Foxcroft in New Zealand has written FinalGlide, an app specifically for glider pilots, using the GPS Cradle in his development and testing. He recently gave us his opinion of the Cradle:

“This is one seriously elegant piece of engineering.

As a glider pilot and application developer I have been looking for GPS device for my iPod touch in order to implement a final-glide computer. The choice of the iPod as the computer and screen was easy… excellent daylight viewing characteristics and relatively simple programming path. The choice of Cradle was somewhat more complex.
The requirement was for a sensitive yet rugged GPS for the iPod, designed to function with the Core Location libraries. The device needed to have flexible mounting options. The power requirements needed to be such that it could be run from the limited battery capabilities found in a standard glider for at least 5 hours.
There were a very limited number of devices to choose from. For one reason or another the devices available were ruled out. Some required too much power; others required the iPod to be “jail-broken”.

“Then I got my hands on an XGPS300, and haven’t looked back. It ticks all the boxes.
Try this:
–    It’s fully compliant with the iPod interface specs.
–    It has it’s own battery – no need to power it from the glider at all – and it will go for 11 hours on a charge. Neat power saving feature – if the app is not running, neither is the GPS.
–    Flexible suction cap mounting system that can be easily attached to the glider canopy, so no fussy mounting brackets to mess up the cockpit.
–    Built-in speaker, just in case you want to listen to some music while soaring…
–    Rapid satellite lock time
–    Really sensitive… during road testing I never lost lock until well inside a parking garage

I have coded an application that provides Final Glide computation, thermal centering optimization and waypoint management.  I have a web service based upload of the track-and-altitude file.

I don’t need to worry about the GPS Cradle… it just works. As a pilot and an engineer, this XGPS300 rocks!”

What more can we say? (Besides “Thank you!”)

For more info on the app, check out the website for FinalGlide, or look for the app on the iTunes store here.