Comparison

GPS 2 IP vs Orastra

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

Head to head
About

GPS 2 IP

Stream real-time GPS NMEA location data from your iPhone or iPad to other devices. Ideal for advanced navigation software and enthusiasts who need external GPS capabilities.

Highlights
  • Stream NMEA GPS data wirelessly
  • Connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth LE
  • Push data to online servers (TCP/UDP)
  • Supports TAIP protocol
  • Unique device identifiers
  • Automatic restart after device reboot
  • Selectable NMEA messages
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Do you need GPS NMEA location data for your computer or other device - maybe to use some mapping or navigation software? Until now, you couldn't get external access to the GPS inside your iPhone or iPad, but now with GPS2IP you can stream the information in realtime to solve your requirements. BEWARE - GPS2IP is *not* able to be used for the Apple turn-by-turn navigation app, or Google Maps, or most car navigation programs. It is designed for enthusiasts, or more sophisticated navigation software that can use an external wireless GPS unit. If you aren't sure what NMEA is, please check the website before buying. This is a rather special piece of software, and must be used in the right system. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE: www.capsicumdreams.com/iPhone/gps2ip/ We have a free version "GPS2IP Lite" that has most of the same features, so that you can try it out for free. Have a look on our website: http://capsicumdreams.com/gps2ip/differences.php Try it for free, and only buy this full-featured version if it does what you need! The iPhone becomes a GPS server, and to get the information, you just connect to your iPhone using either wifi or Bluetooth LE. Alternatively, you can also push the NMEA data to any online server, using either TCP or UDP and process the information however you want.The TAIP protocol is also supported. Each device running GPS2IP can send a unique identifier, so that if you have multiple devices you can determine which device is sending what messages. GPS2IP now can be configured to restart automatically after your iOS device restarts, so you'll always keep track of your position. Apart from navigation software, other methods for connection include telnet or netcat, or many terminal programs. Some navigation software such as MacEnc can read from an IP address natively. Setting up a connection between MacEnc and GPS2IP is easy. Just have a look at the capsicumDreams website! http://capsicumdreams.com/gps2ip/ Different NMEA messages can be selected for transmission according to your requirements. One non-standard message that GPS2IP transmits that is very useful for sailing is $PASHR. GPS 2 IP can run when the iPhone sleeps to support constant location reporting, but be aware that continued use of the GPS when running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. If your device dies or you turn it off when it was running, GPS2IP now automatically resumes sending the location. Beware that this will decrease battery life - we recommend keeping it charging if possible. GPS2IP can also be configured to output data at a selectable frequency (for example once every minute). You can lock the settings, so that no unauthorised people can change the settings. Lots more information and instructions on usage can be found on our website. Enjoy!

About

Orastra

Features
Read full description

Orastra is an offline celestial navigation aid for mariners, students, and anyone learning practical sight reduction workflows. Plan and review observations, work from a dead reckoning reference, inspect almanac material, and plot celestial fixes on a single map-based interface. Orastra is designed to keep celestial reduction separate from GPS, so any GPS position shown in the app remains a reference overlay only and is not part of the reduction itself. Features: Offline celestial navigation workflow Dead reckoning reference and running-fix support Map-based plotting for DR, celestial fixes, and reference GPS Almanac access and onboard reference material Sky guide and time tools for observation planning Logbook for saving and reviewing fixes Navigation aid only. Results depend on observation quality, timing, and correct operational use. All inputs, outputs, and navigational decisions must be independently verified.

Screenshots

GPS 2 IP4 screens
Orastra4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Orastra at Free against GPS 2 IP's $7.99. Orastra also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). GPS 2 IP's advantage is chart position (#66 vs unranked). On ads, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Orastra is free to download; GPS 2 IP costs $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
GPS 2 IP versus Orastra: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGPS 2 IPOrastra
Price$7.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (15 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews58.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings15 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#66 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAngus OliverABDULLAH CAGRI TAS

In-app purchases

None

GPS 2 IP

No in-app purchases

None

Orastra

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GPS 2 IP free?
GPS 2 IP costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Orastra free?
Orastra is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do GPS 2 IP or Orastra have ads?
Neither GPS 2 IP nor Orastra shows ads.

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