# Bad Elf GPS

> Utility app for managing Bad Elf GPS accessories and firmware. (iPhone/iPad app by Bad Elf, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bad-elf-gps/id391764718 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Bad Elf, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/391764721)
- Category: Utilities, Navigation
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 19 App Store ratings · 101 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 82 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-09-21
- Data updated: 2026-06-09
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bad-elf-gps/id391764718/reviews.md

## What is Bad Elf GPS?

This utility app allows owners of any Bad Elf GPS accessory to check the health of the Bad Elf hardware, view the GPS data being received, transfer and view trip logs, and install firmware updates.

Visit www.bad-elf.com to learn more about the Bad Elf GPS, GPS Pro/Pro+, and the GNSS Surveyor accessories, which add a high performance GPS receiver to the iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad via the 30-pin dock connector, Lighting connector, or Bluetooth. The GPS data is usable by ALL location-based iOS applications in the App Store.

Note: Continued use of the GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

## Key features

- Check hardware health
- View GPS data
- Transfer trip logs
- Install firmware updates
- Enhance iOS location services

## What do users think of Bad Elf GPS?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🎯 Accurate GPS positioning without cellular dependency
- ⚡ Fast satellite acquisition and lock
- 🔧 Reliable hardware that lasts years
- 📱 Works seamlessly with compatible mapping apps
- 🛰️ Excellent satellite visibility display
- 💪 Strong offline GPS capability
- 🎨 Intuitive and simple user interface
- 🏥 Responsive and helpful customer support
- 🔋 Long battery life
- 📊 Useful data logging and track recording

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes across iOS versions
- 📶 Stale data display in app interface
- 🔄 Unreliable Bluetooth connectivity
- ⚠️ No offline base maps in app
- 🗺️ Limited map functionality without third-party apps
- 🔌 Outdated Mini-B USB connector
- ⏱️ App becomes slow and unresponsive
- 🔥 High CPU usage causing device overheating
- 🚫 Product discontinuation without notice
- 📉 App not updated in years despite iOS changes

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup with iOS 8.3+
- Firmware update hangs indefinitely
- Stale cached data prevents control functionality
- Track logging fails to activate despite appearing to work
- Barometer readings not displayed correctly
- WAAS/SBAS toggle has no effect
- Satellite count discrepancies between device and app
- App forces re-download of all trips when deleting individual trips
- Map views show no overlay in trip detail
- Intermittent position data sharing with third-party apps
- App crashes when naming recorded tracks
- Recording at rates above 1Hz with POI causes download failure
- Landscape mode not functioning in GPS screen

**Most requested features**

- Offline base map display
- UTM coordinate display option
- Improved Bluetooth reliability
- Modern USB-C connector
- Satellite status information in main app view
- Better trip organization and sorting
- POI saving without track recording
- Dark mode support
- Integrated GoBackPro functionality
- Firmware update progress indicator

## Recent user reviews (10 of 101)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bad-elf-gps/id391764718/reviews.md

### 5/5 — App and device are rock solid

*2024-09-12, version 3.3.6*

This app and my Bad Elf GPS Pro is wonderful. I like tracking my hikes for when I take photos. It’s helpful to sync the GPS data to the photos to show locations.  Great when you want to remember that one spot and for populating various metadata. Device and app haven’t changed in years but they got it right the first time and doesn’t need to. Both are reliable and intuitive.

### 1/5 — GPS Pro+ is discontinued

*2024-03-16, version 3.3.6*

When I was searching for an additional GOS unit, I was surprised to discover the GPS Pro+ was discontinued in favor of a replacement (“Flex”) — that retails about twice the price — I cannot recommend it. The closest functional and price replacement is the “Dual.”

I was an early adopter to the Bad Elf system, and I was saddened to find it was unceremoniously dropped from all the usual retailers and its own website.

### 2/5 — Works without internet?

*2023-09-25, version 3.3.6*

Apparently not. Other than graph showing satellites no way to tell. Till you don’t have a signal. I was at Yellowstone and had no signal so I plugged in myBad Elf and.          Nothing. Blue dot was flashing but without a base map not much help. Any hand held gps give you a signal without internet, but you have to revert to an inconvenient paper map. What good is bad elf if it doesn’t display a base map. Disappointed not what it is claimed to be.

### 5/5 — Bad Elf GPS Pro

*2023-03-28, version 3.3.6*

I've had it for years. I keep it in my Jeep, connected to my LiFePO4 off grid power system. Folks who are in my Jeep are welcome to pair to it. It blows Apple GPS out of the water because no cell tower dependancy!

### 5/5 — Still a great GPS device after all these years, with a useful nice app.

*2023-01-19, version 3.3.6*

Thanks BadElf!

### 5/5 — Bad Elf GOS pro

*2022-11-02, version 3.3.6*

I am a big fan of this app which I use with Navionics on my iPad. I’ve just bought a new one because after years of heavy use the battery stopped charging.

### 5/5 — Thoughtfully designed

*2021-08-25, version 3.3.6*

Functional and free of gimmicks.

### 5/5 — Outstanding

*2021-01-08, version 3.3.6*

The little Bad Elf and its app rated here have always done everything I’ve expected.  Other than Bad Elf, the only better way to get GPS data is to buy a device - iPad in my case - costing hundreds more.  ForeFlight and the various astronomy apps have limited utility without precise positioning.  The BadElf app is at least a convenient trackline & elevation logger, and is also a functional mapping utility.  APPLE:  why are you pushing a rating for this app that is over *nine years* old?  If I were the dev, I’d be furious.

### 4/5 — Works well for me

*2020-06-29, version 3.3.4*

I really don’t have any issues, it works well for driving, connects faithfully to both my iPhone and iPad. My only concern is I worry about iOs support. Since this apps last update was years ago.

### 2/5 — Old USB

*2018-12-08, version 3.3.4*

Also still using archaic Mini-B usb. Come on Bad Elf you can do better.

## Frequently asked questions about Bad Elf GPS

### What does the Bad Elf GPS app do?

This utility app allows owners of Bad Elf GPS accessories to monitor their hardware's health, view the GPS data it's receiving, manage and view trip logs, and install firmware updates. It enhances the GPS capabilities of your iOS device.

### What are the key features of the Bad Elf GPS app?

Key features include checking the health of your Bad Elf GPS hardware, viewing real-time GPS data, transferring and viewing trip logs, and installing firmware updates for your accessory. It ensures your GPS accessory is functioning optimally.

### Is the Bad Elf GPS app free to use?

Yes, the Bad Elf GPS app is free to download and use. It serves as a management tool for your Bad Elf GPS accessory.

### What devices is the Bad Elf GPS app compatible with?

The app is designed for use with Bad Elf GPS accessories, which connect to iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad devices via the 30-pin dock connector, Lightning connector, or Bluetooth. The GPS data is usable by all location-based iOS applications.

### How does this app improve my device's GPS?

This app allows you to manage and update your high-performance Bad Elf GPS accessory, ensuring it provides accurate location data. The GPS data from the accessory is then usable by any location-based app on your iOS device.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.3.6 — 2021-01-07

Fixed bug preventing new track logs from appearing in track log list.

### 3.3.4 — 2017-05-05

This is a maintenance release with minor updates related to trip names, raw logging, and exporting KML.

New features:
 - Added app setting for altitude mode to use when exporting trips in KML format.
 - Added pause functionality to GNSS Surveyor raw logging.
 - Added NMEA markers to GNSS Surveyor raw logs when BT connection is lost/found or raw logging is paused/resumed.

Bugs fixed:
 - Fixed issue with POI names and timestamps when exported via KML.
 - Trip names no longer limited to 50 characters.
 - Fixed UI issue clipping the satellite count.
 - Fixed issue with parsing some logs files from GPS Pro+ and GNSS Surveyor accessories.

### 3.3.3 — 2017-02-15

What's New in 3.3.3 
 
- We fixed a bug in the firmware update cancellation logic. This was causing some users to have trouble updating the firmware on their Bluetooth Bad Elf GPS units. 
- Occasionally some bogus data points from the hardware were sneaking into your trips and GNX/KML files. We have since tightened up our filters to omit obvious erroneous points. 
- Various small but embarrassing bug fixes and improvements. 

Bad Elf GNSS Surveyor Users: 
- You can now create multiple Ntrip profiles and switch between them instead of typing in the credentials each time you switch networks. 
- If you forget to disconnect from your Ntrip network when turning off your Bad Elf GNSS Surveyor, the connection is automatically dropped after 60 seconds. This prevents unnecessary cellular data consumption. 
- We fixed a bug that prevented Ntrip location reporting from some latitude/longitude values. 
- You can now add a point-of-interest from the Deviation Plot screen.

### 3.3.2 — 2016-12-20

What’s New in 3.3.2:

- You can now choose what data each gauge shows by pressing and holding on the numbers of each gauge.
- The app now shows you when a BE-GPS-3300 is using DGPS.
- We now provide some warm and fuzzy while you delete trips from your iOS device or Bad Elf.
- You can now turn on a setting to show SNR values for satellites.

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed an issue that prevented you from changing the RINEX version used by the app.
- Fixed an issue the could cause the BE-GPS-3300 to not be functional on iOS devices with 30-pin dock connectors.

### 3.3.1 — 2016-11-07

What's New in 3.3.1
- We've added enhancements and fixes to the ntrip and raw logging features introduced in version 3.3.0. 
- We have ensured support of the app with iOS 10.
- Satellite SNR values are shown on the Satellite graph (only compatible with BE-GPS-3300 accessories)

Major Fixes & Improvements
- You are now alerted if mount point credentials are invalid.
- We've improved support for DGPS users.
- We fixed an issue that would cause Apple Watch users to see the app crash. (Sadly this makes the Apple Watch app only compatible with bluetooth models)
- We've continued to fix and enhance the GPX and KML file generators. 
- We fixed an issue where RINEX settings could be saved across iCloud.

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## More apps by Bad Elf, LLC

- [Bad Elf Wombat](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bad-elf-wombat/id1032454944)
- [Bad Elf Flex](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bad-elf-flex/id1486378497)

All apps by Bad Elf, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/391764721

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-09.*