Position arrow problem
Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026 at 21:03
ThreadID: 152385
Views:582
Replies:6
FollowUps:10
Member - Chris M49
I am using ExplorOz on a late model iPad with GPS. The position arrow usually tracks smoothly but, on occasion, it will freeze and then jump to the current position on the map. I assume this is because it is losing GPS signal. Is there anything I can do to prevent this?
Reply By: Member - Bigfish - Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 at 10:43
Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 at 10:43
Have you tried to relocate your pad? Is it handheld or fixed in the car. Normally need a clear view to the sky or if fixed in the car a good view out of the windscreen (higher up on dashboard mount)>
AnswerID:
649132
Follow Up By: Member - Chris M49 - Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 at 13:29
Thursday, Apr 16, 2026 at 13:29
Thanks for the reply. The iPad is in the same holder in the vehicle but I have rotated it 90 degrees. I had my wife hold it closer to the windscreen and rotate it. Still jumping. I have reduced the refresh rate interval from 0.5s to 0.1s this made it OK to use but still a bit jumpy. I am sure it was better previously. And it is very smooth on my iPhone which is very close to the iPad in the car.
FollowupID:
930841
Reply By: Member - nick boab - Friday, Apr 17, 2026 at 04:31
Friday, Apr 17, 2026 at 04:31
Chris a couple of things you could try 1st
You could do a reinstall .
Does it do it when you use offline maps and try it with track logging on to see if it is tracking your route when it's jumping around without Straight Lines
What is it doing when the Arrow isn't on live.
AnswerID:
649133
Follow Up By: Member - Chris M49 - Friday, Apr 17, 2026 at 07:59
Friday, Apr 17, 2026 at 07:59
Thanks or the reply Nick. There has just been a minor update to the App, I’ll see if that makes a difference. I had track logging on and the snail trail jumped in a straight line between arrow positions. I am not sure what you mean by the “arrow isn’t on live”, is that a setting?
Cheers
Chris
FollowupID:
930842
Follow Up By: Member - nick boab - Friday, Apr 17, 2026 at 09:01
Friday, Apr 17, 2026 at 09:01
I would think that it is more likely something your end being the problem otherwise there might be some more comments here or on the Facebook page ??
FollowupID:
930843
Follow Up By: Member - nick boab - Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 04:47
Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 04:47
Chris if the tracking is showing a straight line's that would be an interruption to satellite connection surely ?
Presumably you have done regular up dates on your device ?
Disregard the arrow "active/ live" comment.
I think the Stephen's comment of external GPS would be a good idea, I know Michelle and David recommend that.
FollowupID:
930845
Follow Up By: Member - Chris M49 - Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 09:40
Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 09:40
Thanks Nick. I do keep everything up to date. I’ll try a reinstall of the app. An external tracker is a last resort, yet another device to manage, and shouldn’t be necessary given the set up worked fine until recently.
Cheers
FollowupID:
930847
Reply By: RMD - Saturday, Apr 18, 2026 at 15:50
Saturday, Apr 18, 2026 at 15:50
Chris M49
Maybe there are things you haven't considered. The PHONE may work ok with it in view of the screen and side window. BUT the Ipad may have it's antennae at the bottom of the screen and when in the vehicle position it is largely OBSCURED from receiving satellite data constant enough to be readily read. If that is the way it is , inverting the PAD in the current position may present the receiver to have a greater "visibility" of satellite date stream.
Also, Some people use additional power outlets plugged into the CIGGY port and they can have emissions which disrupt nearby electronic devices.. MESSY EMISSIONS! I know a Dash Cam plugged into MAZDA CX5 STOPS the whole NAV and RADIO system of the vehicle. Maybe not all of them, but friends had that exact problem. Unplug the DASH CAM , all worked OK!
AnswerID:
649134
Follow Up By: Member - Chris M49 - Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 09:21
Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 09:21
I have tried it in all 4 orientations. No difference, and it previously worked in the same spot. I’ll try reinstalling the app.
FollowupID:
930846
Reply By: Member - Chris M49 - Saturday, Apr 18, 2026 at 22:21
Saturday, Apr 18, 2026 at 22:21
Nothing has changed except for turning the iPad from landscape to portrait mode. I’ll try and find where the gps antenna is in the iPad.
AnswerID:
649135
Follow Up By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Saturday, Apr 18, 2026 at 23:02
Saturday, Apr 18, 2026 at 23:02
Chris
Have you thought about getting a Bluetooth GPS receiver so you know that your iPad is definitely getting full GPS reception.
There are a number of good units on the market.
FollowupID:
930844
Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 12:56
Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 12:56
.
Chris, you say… "Nothing has changed except for turning the iPad from landscape to portrait mode. "
Have you tried turning the iPad back to landscape mode?
Are you sure there have been no other changes? Position of the iPad? Any changes to other items or cables on the dash? New windscreen?
FollowupID:
930849
Follow Up By: Member - Chris M49 - Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 13:35
Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 13:35
No other deliberate or noticed changes! I am taking another vehicle out shortly, I’ll see what happens then.
FollowupID:
930851
Reply By: Member - Chris M49 - Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 09:26
Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 09:26
I do have one but I’d rather not have yet another device to keep charged and, given that it all worked fine until recently, I’ll persevere for a bit with just the iPad. Deleting and reinstalling the app is my next move.
Cheers
AnswerID:
649136
Reply By: Member - Dick L - Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 11:09
Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 11:09
Is ExplorOz the only App that you have running on the iPad or is something else using resources and interrupting ExplorOz.
AnswerID:
649137
Follow Up By: Member - Chris M49 - Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 12:52
Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 12:52
Pretty sure it was the only app, but good point, I’ll make sure I check next time.
FollowupID:
930848