Bad Elf GPS vs MGS 400
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Check hardware health
- View GPS data
- Transfer trip logs
- Install firmware updates
- Enhance iOS location services
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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.
MGS 400
This app connects to compatible gas detectors via Bluetooth, simplifying configuration, maintenance, and calibration. It replaces the need for specialized tools and training, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Device configuration
- Alarm threshold adjustment
- Maintenance testing
- Zero/span calibration
- Intuitive interface
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The Bacharach MGS-400 App allows users to configure, maintain and interface with compatible MGS-400 gas detectors. Once a Bluetooth connection has been established, the app replaces the need for specialty training/tools and makes compliance with safety standards (ASHRAE 15, EN 378) easy and effective. Features include: - Configuration (Rename device, define alarm thresholds, adjust Modbus settings, configure relay behavior and manage analog output settings.) - Maintenance (Test LED/buzzer function, relays, and analog output level.) - Calibration (View sensor type, serial number and “Calibration Due” timer and initiate zero / span calibrations with customizable field calibration certificate.) - Intuitive Interface (View current gas measurement and acknowledge alarm / fault status.)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: MGS 400 at 100% against Bad Elf GPS's 49%. MGS 400 also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.3). Bad Elf GPS's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 17 months). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
MGS 400 holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bad Elf GPS has 20 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of Bad Elf GPS's written reviews are positive against 100% of MGS 400's.
Bad Elf GPS ships an update every 2 months, MGS 400 every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Bad Elf GPS | MGS 400 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (20 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 49.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 20 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 17 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 82 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bad Elf, LLC. | MSA - The Safety Company |
Customer experience
Bad Elf GPS
MGS 400
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
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- 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 moreShow fewer
- Better trip organization and sorting
- POI saving without track recording
- Dark mode support
- Integrated GoBackPro functionality
- Firmware update progress indicator
MGS 400
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Bad Elf GPS
No in-app purchases
MGS 400
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Bad Elf GPS free?
Is MGS 400 free?
Which has better reviews, Bad Elf GPS or MGS 400?
Do Bad Elf GPS or MGS 400 have ads?
Which is updated more often, Bad Elf GPS or MGS 400?
Other comparisons
