Garmin GLO 2, Bad Elf, and Dual XGPS160 side by side
| iPhone + AviaGPS | Garmin GLO 2 | Bad Elf GPS Pro+ | Dual XGPS160 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra device to carry | None; it’s your iPhone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extra battery to charge | None; uses your iPhone | Yes, up to 13 hours | Yes, 24 hours | Yes, about 10 hours with one device |
| Connection | Wi-Fi or Personal Hotspot; no Bluetooth pairing | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Bluetooth, up to 5 devices |
| Availability | App Store | Sold by Garmin | Discontinued | Sold by Dual, US$179.99 list |
| Satellites | Your iPhone’s GPS | GPS and GLONASS, WAAS | GPS and GLONASS, WAAS | GPS and GLONASS, WAAS |
| Update rate | Once per second to ForeFlight | 10 Hz (not all devices support 10 Hz) | 1–10 Hz, configurable | 10 Hz |
| Works with | ForeFlight on one iPad | Apple and Android devices | Apple and Android devices | Apple and Android devices |
Sources: Garmin GLO 2 product page and instructions, Bad Elf GPS Pro+ page, and Dual XGPS160 page. Battery life varies with use and temperature.
Garmin GLO 2
The GLO 2 is Garmin’s current portable Bluetooth GPS and GLONASS receiver for phones and tablets. Garmin lists a 10 Hz update rate, while noting that not all mobile devices support 10 Hz, about 3-meter accuracy, and up to 13 hours of battery life. It charges over USB, and some packages include a vehicle power cable.
ForeFlight confirms that the Garmin GLO works with ForeFlight on iPad and iPhone. Once paired, it appears under More → Devices, although ForeFlight shows no detailed information for it.
Bad Elf GPS: the GPS Pro+ is discontinued
Bad Elf’s GPS Pro and GPS Pro+ still come up in pilot forum recommendations. Bad Elf now lists the GPS Pro+ as discontinued. It offered GPS and GLONASS with WAAS, a 24-hour battery rating, a barometric sensor, and trip logging.
Bad Elf’s current range targets mapping and surveying; the Flex Mini Standard is a mapping-grade model listed at US$499.99 on Bad Elf’s store in October 2026. If you already own a GPS Pro or GPS Pro+, Bad Elf still offers battery replacement service through its store.
Dual XGPS160 SkyPro
Dual markets the XGPS160 for pilots and other fast-moving uses. It receives GPS and GLONASS with WAAS, updates 10 times per second, and connects over Bluetooth to up to five Apple or Android devices. Dual lists about 10 hours of battery life with one connected device. Its GPS Status Tool app shows satellites, battery level, and connection status. Dual listed it at US$179.99 on its website in October 2026.
Connecting to several devices makes the XGPS160 useful when a pilot and copilot each use an iPad.
Why use your iPhone instead of a receiver?
If you already carry an iPhone and fly with ForeFlight on a Wi-Fi iPad, you may not need another receiver at all. AviaGPS runs on your iPhone and sends its GPS position to ForeFlight over shared Wi-Fi or the iPhone’s Personal Hotspot.
A dedicated receiver still makes sense if you want GPS in apps other than ForeFlight, on several devices at once, or as a backup that runs on its own battery. AviaGPS sends position to ForeFlight on one iPad and doesn’t add ADS-B traffic, weather, or attitude.
Which should you choose?
- Garmin GLO 2 if you want a current receiver that ForeFlight confirms is compatible.
- Dual XGPS160 if more than one iPad or phone needs the same GPS feed.
- A used Bad Elf GPS Pro+ only if you accept a discontinued product; check its battery first.
- AviaGPS if you want your iPhone’s GPS in ForeFlight with no separate receiver to buy, charge, or carry.
Still deciding? Read GPS for iPad for every option, including ADS-B receivers and cellular iPads, or email [email protected].
Garmin, GLO, Bad Elf, Dual, XGPS160, ForeFlight, Sentry, and iPad are trademarks of their respective owners and are used here only to identify products.