Connecting to an External GPS Device

Avenza Maps Pro subscribers can connect an external GPS to their mobile device in order to improve the accuracy of their GPS fixes. This allows you to attain much greater accuracy than your smartphone alone is able to achieve. Support for external GPS receivers has been expanded to include Bad Elf, Emlid, EOS, Juniper, Lecia, and Trimble devices. 

Android - Connecting to an External GPS Device

In order to work with Avenza Maps, your Bluetooth must be enabled in order to allow the receiver to connect with your phone or tablet. If Bluetooth is not enabled, you will be prompted to allow a Bluetooth connection when adjusting the location source to 'Any Source' or 'External Sources'. 

Connecting your device

1. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled for the Android device you wish to connect the external GPS receiver too. 
2. From the Library screen, tap the three dots at the top right > Settings > GPS Settings > Location source. 
3. Choose your location source:
   1. Use Any Source: Uses both external GPS sources and device-based location services. If an external GPS device is paired, the external source will take priority until it is disconnected. If no external device is detected, Avenza Maps will fall back to the internal GPS automatically. 
   2. Use Only External Sources: Uses only the location information from the paired external receiver. If no paired device is detected, users will be notified that location-based activities have stopped. 
4. Your device should now be paired successfully, as indicated by a green satellite icon .

If Bluetooth is not enabled, you will be prompted to enable it when adjusting the location source. 

Users can also adjust the location source for their external GPS receiver from the Map View, via the Location tab as shown below. 

If the Bluetooth connection is lost or turned off with the receiver still connected, you will be prompted to re-enable it. 

iOS - Connecting to an External GPS Device

In order to work with Avenza Maps, your Bluetooth must be enabled in order to allow the receiver to connect with your phone or tablet. You will also want to ensure the correct location source is selected in order to receive data from the external GPS receiver. 

Connecting your device

1. From the Library screen, tap Settings located at the bottom right > GPS Settings > Location source. 
2. Choose your location source:
   1. Use Any Source: Uses both external GPS sources and device-based location services. If an external GPS device is paired, the external source will take priority until it is disconnected. If no external device is detected, Avenza Maps will fall back to the internal GPS automatically. 
   2. Use Only External Sources: Uses only the location information from the paired external receiver. If no paired device is detected, users will be notified that location-based activities have stopped. 
3. Your device should now be paired successfully, as indicated by a green satellite icon .

Users can also adjust the location source for their external GPS receiver from the Map View, via the Location tab as shown below. 

If an external GPS receiver is detected but the GPS settings of the device are set to 'Internal source', users will see a warning message prompting them to adjust their settings or disconnect the external GPS device.