Comparison

Bad Elf GPS vs Status Tool

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Bad Elf GPS

Manage your Bad Elf GPS accessory. Check hardware health, view GPS data, transfer trip logs, and update firmware. Enhances location services for iOS devices.

Highlights
  • Check hardware health
  • View GPS data
  • Transfer trip logs
  • Install firmware updates
  • Enhance iOS location services
Read full description

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.

About

Status Tool

This utility app displays detailed status information from specific Dual Electronics GPS and ADS-B receivers. It confirms connection, signal reception, battery level, and GPS satellite data. It is intended for reference and not for critical flight decisions.

Highlights
  • Confirms receiver connection
  • Shows ADS-B signal status
  • Displays GPS satellite data
  • Reports battery level and charging status
  • Provides receiver communication details
Features
Read full description

The ADS-B Status Tool is a simple utility application for use with the “XGPS190 GPS + ADS-B Weather and Traffic Receiver with AHRS” and "The XGPS170(D) GPS + ADS-B Weather & Traffic Receiver" from Dual Electronics Corp. This app shows detailed information from the XGPS170(D) and XGPS190 including: - confirmation that the receiver is connected and communicating with your iOS device - whether or not the device is actively receiving an ADS-B signal - what kind of ADS-B information is being received - the number of GPS satellites in view and their signal strength - your location, or whether the receiver is still waiting for satellite information - the battery level - the charging status Installation of this app is optional. The XGPS does not require this app to be installed on your iPhone/iPad in order to work. Please note: 1) This app is not designed to replace the EFB app on your iPhone/iPad. 2) The information provided by this app if for reference only, and should not be used for making critical flight decisions. Languages: English Requirements: - Compatible with iPhone/iPad - Requires iOS 10.0 or later - For use only with the XGPS170 / XGPS170D / XGPS190 receiver from Dual Electronics Corp. Support e-mail: cs@dualav.com Dual ADS-B Receiver web site: https://www.dualav.com/

Screenshots

Bad Elf GPS4 screens
Status Tool4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Bad Elf GPS at 4.4 against Status Tool's 2.8. Bad Elf GPS also leads on review sentiment (49% vs 14%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Bad Elf GPS holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 14 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of Bad Elf GPS's written reviews are positive against 14% of Status Tool's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Bad Elf GPS versus Status Tool: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBad Elf GPSStatus Tool
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (19 ratings) — better2.8 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews49.0% of reviews — better14.3% of reviews
Number of ratings19 — better14
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better10.0
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBad Elf, LLC.NAMSUNG AMERICA, INC.

Customer experience

Bad Elf GPS

All ratings19 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative15.8%
Written reviews147 reviews
Positive49.0%
Neutral12.2%
Negative38.8%

Status Tool

All ratings14 ratings
Positive42.9%
Neutral7.1%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative85.7%

Bugs and requests

Bad Elf GPS

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • 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
Show 8 more
  • 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

Requested features

10 requests
  • Offline base map display
  • UTM coordinate display option
  • Improved Bluetooth reliability
  • Modern USB-C connector
  • Satellite status information in main app view
Show 5 more
  • Better trip organization and sorting
  • POI saving without track recording
  • Dark mode support
  • Integrated GoBackPro functionality
  • Firmware update progress indicator

Status Tool

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Bad Elf GPS

No in-app purchases

None

Status Tool

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bad Elf GPS free?
Bad Elf GPS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Status Tool free?
Status Tool is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Bad Elf GPS or Status Tool?
Bad Elf GPS is rated higher. Bad Elf GPS averages 4.4 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Status Tool averages 2.8 from 14 ratings.
Do Bad Elf GPS or Status Tool have ads?
Neither Bad Elf GPS nor Status Tool shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bad Elf GPS or Status Tool?
Bad Elf GPS ships an update every 2 months, and Status Tool every 2 months. Most recently, Bad Elf GPS was updated on October 8, 2026 and Status Tool on October 16, 2026.

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