# Bad Elf GPS — user reviews > 147 indexed App Store user reviews of Bad Elf GPS by Bad Elf, LLC., rated 4.40/5 from 19 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bad-elf-gps/id391764718/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bad-elf-gps/id391764718.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 15 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 2 ## 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Bluetooth connectivity - ⚠️ No offline base maps in app - 🗺️ Limited map functionality without third-party apps - 🔌 Outdated Mini-B USB connector - ⏱️ App becomes slow and unresponsive - 🔥 High CPU usage causing device overheating - 🚫 Product discontinuation without notice - 📉 App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 ## Newest reviews (14 of 147) ### 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. ### 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. ### 4/5 — iPodTouch ver6 + SkyWalking で使用 *2020-02-19, version 3.3.4* 2017/12にアマゾンUSで本体を購入。 久しぶりに使用したら、 ファームウェアver upの案内あるのでv2.1.50に更新しました😅(^^) 今後も使い続けることができるか心配です。 ### 3/5 — Bad elf *2019-01-06, version 3.3.4* Can not update firmware ### 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. ### 4/5 — Bonne interface pour ce GNSS *2018-06-21, version 3.3.4* Bonne expérience sur cet outil qui permet de bien visualiser la position des Sat. ### 3/5 — Good ideas, so-so execution *2017-11-26, version 3.3.4* This app does a decent job of complementing the Bad Elf receiver, but it fails in a few key areas. Pros: 1) Easy to download tracks 2) Easy to clear up space by deleting downloaded tracks (when downloaded or at a later time) 3) Good view of the device's features, e.g. satellites in view Cons: 1) The big one: the app often displays stale data that doesn't reflect the up-to-date state of the receiver. This would be just an annoyance, except that it also means that sometimes the controls don't work, i.e. turning on the track log looks like it works but actually leaves the recorder off. Apparently this is because the app doesn't really have an active connection to the receiver, but it acts like it does and pretends to turn on track logging. I've lost at least half a dozen recordings that were never started due to this bug. The receiver panel needs to be fixed to only show real data, not cached or stale data. 2) Some of the app workflow doesn't make much sense. For example, why is the Satellites page at the main level instead of at the device level page? It apparently shows the satellite status for a single device. ### 4/5 — Nice tool with great potential! *2017-07-07, version 3.3.4* After a reboot of my iPhone 6S, Bad Elf Pro+ works perfectly. I would love to have integrated tools on the device like "GoBackPro", and be able to save POI's without saving a track. App works well, but crash sometimes. Just reboot the phone and it's OK. ### 2/5 — エラー頻発。データもおかしい *2017-04-01, version 3.3.3* gps2200のログデータをコピーする際に、頻繁にエラーが出る。ごちゃごちゃ弄っているとコピーできるのだが、今度はgpxへエクスポートしようとすると嘘のデータが出力される。 ファームのアップデートもしょっちゅう来るし、ちゃんと検査してるのか？ アプリ自体は無償でも、装置込みで考えると、いい値段するんだし。 もう他を探そうかとも思い始めてる。 ### 4/5 — Good in most ways *2016-12-31, version 3.3.2* Lists trips in strange order? Not obvious how to change order to One's preference. Headings not labeled in trip presentations. Nonetheless it does a great job! ### 2/5 — Do not update to iOS 10 if you rely on this app *2016-10-16, version 3.3.0* The app has gotten sophisticated over several versions, however this version has multiple compatibility issues with iOS 10. You cannot change settings, download tracks, update firmware, nor pair more than 2 devices. ### 2/5 — Crashes in iOS 10.0.1 *2016-09-15, version 3.3.0* Crashes in 10.0.1 ### 4/5 — Hopefully fixed! *2016-09-14, version 3.3.0* I had endless problems with this app previously but now all seems to work fine. I did have to delete it and reinstall (which also deleted the GPS data), but that seems to have solved the problems. ### 2/5 — App still crashes *2016-01-17, version 3.1.2* Still the same problem on iPad 4 iOS 8.3 ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 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. ### 1/5 — Download Polygons *2018-10-24, version 3.3.4* I find the app to be very difficult to download field data to the computer. ### 1/5 — CRAPPY *2016-07-15, version 3.2.0* BAD PRODUCT DO NOT GIT ITS SCAM AND JUST WANTS TO KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE AND TAKE UR STEAM GIFT CARDS. R.I.P KNIFE AND 200 DOLLARS P.S IF U R ON STEAM PLZ ADD ME @ SCYTH3 ON STEAM AND GIVE ME FREE SKINS AND AUTOCORRECT ### 1/5 — Horrible HORRIBLE product *2016-05-02, version 3.2.0* complete waste of money. useless and pointless. no third party apps will work with it OFFLINE even though they claim they will. so if u need to be online to use a map app (including THEIR OWN MAP APP and ULMON map app and Travel Wolf app) what's the point of this stupid dongle? and THEIR maps are on for cities. Doesn't cover any of the areas BETWEEN cities. We bought this POS to navigate through Germany and Austria. Took forever to find satellites and lock on them. So instead we just fired up cell service and used google maps or waze or Apple maps. Don't buy this - waste of $100. I cannot stress enough how frustrating this whole thing has been. ### 1/5 — Latest update. 16 Jan 2016 *2016-01-16, version 3.1.2* This update claims to fix a problem where the app crashed on start up. It had never done that for me until I downloaded this update. Now it doesn't work. ### 1/5 — Ne fonctionne pas *2016-01-15, version 3.1.2* Sur iPad 3 et iPhone 5c - iOS 8.4.1 L'app se lance et disparaît ( le logo apparaît moins de 1 seconde et retour au menu principal de l' iOS ? ### 1/5 — New update crashes *2016-01-14, version 3.1.2* Latest Bad Elf update to version 3.1.2 repeatedly crashes on startup on iPad Air 2 running iOS 8.4.1. Tried reinstalling app - no help. ### 1/5 — 落ちる *2016-01-13, version 3.1.2* アップデートして、アプリが起動しなくなりました。 ipod touch 6のios8.4 ### 1/5 — Not Ready For Prime Time *2015-12-27, version 3.1.1* Sure, nice new UI, etc, etc. But if it doesn't work... Major Flaws: 1. As others have noted, can't update Pro+ firmware. App detects v2.1.26 and "downloads" v2.1.30, but won't actually install it. Says "installing" indefinitely, 'til you give up and press CANCEL. Then says the update was successful--but not really. In fact, no change. 2. Doesn't read barometer. Pro+ displays Ambient Pressure - 29.75 in Hg, Baro Altitude - 262 ft, and accepts calibrations pushed from app. But app Calibration page displays Ambient Pressure 0.000 in Hg, Baro Altitude - 0 ft, Last Calibration - Not Calibrated. Where am I, on the moon? 3. Advanced Settings SBAS/WAAS/EGNOS toggle seems to have no effect. Whether Enabled or Disabled, WAAS still shows on Pro+ and app Product Details page. Minor Flaws: 4. Status icons on Product Details tab broken? The ownship icon is green when GPS locked, but the WAAS checkbox (if that's what it is) remains grey, even when WAAS active. 5. The Satellites page doesn't match the Pro+. For example, Pro+ says 12 in use, 14 in view, while app says 15 of 23 satellites locked on. Why the diff? Perhaps some of these points are "normal features", but with NO USER MANUAL for the app (or the Pro+, really--just a very stripped down quick-start guide posing as a manual), it's hard to say. Bottom Line: Very buggy in some areas, inconsistent and non-intuitive in others. Tested with: Bad Elf App v3.1.1 (1087); iPad Air 2 64 Gb WiFi, v8.4 (12H143); GPS Pro+ (H/W 8.0.0, F/W 2.1.26) ### 1/5 — app crashes on start *2015-12-18, version 3.1.1* The device seems like it good be great but the iOS app crashes on launch, even after uninstalling/reinstalling. Without the iOS app, the device cannot be updated or administered and track logs cannot be downloaded. Support is unresponsive ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 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. ### 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. ### 5/5 — Good app and good devices *2016-12-21, version 3.3.2* My one request for the app would be that it shouldn't force you to redownload all the trips on the BadElf if you have previously deleted some of them from the app. It can take a long time for my trips to download since they are often as much as ten hours long! Making me do that with several trips is a major pain. I have learned to never delete a trip from the app if it is still on the Elf, but that is not a solution, merely a workaround. ### 5/5 — Bad Elf -- Thumbs UP !! *2016-12-19, version 3.3.1* Purchased Bad Elf for one reason - aviation/ForeFlight use but .... the Elf has morphed into a bunch of other uses including hiking -- skiing and vacations abroad !! Great unit and folks at Elf are always there -- always helpful !! John Malkin 12/2017 ### 5/5 — Fantastic A++++++ *2016-03-26, version 3.1.3* The app and unit are great, I used one to transport an aircraft from Europe to Asia and it worked a treat . A++++ highly recommend the unit and the team behind it 👍 ### 5/5 — update successful *2016-01-13, version 3.1.2* update works well !!!!! no longer crashes with latest iPhone update . crashes on startup iOS 9.2 iPhone 6+ --- *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 2026-09-03.*