Does the gps work well and can you cache the maps with no 4g service?

Would like to be able to use the gps service on long trips but I'm Not sure if the maps could be cached? I could always tether to my phone but I usually don't have that great of service. Is the new iPad worth it with the built in gps, or am I better off with an aftermarket plug in gps? It's kinda of a pain to have plug it in and the awkward box sticking out the bottom.

 

Anyone? Would like to buy one today?

 

My understanding is that the maps app will cache the maps if you map out the entire trip ahead of time while you are on wifi. I'm not sure exactly how this is done because I used navigon which has its own maps that are stored on you iPad.

 

Ad long as you have the 4g version, which has the gps chip, you can used gps for nav.

 

There are also nav apps that will explicily catch maps for you: the MotionX apps come to mind. And ther are apps that contain thier own offline maps. NavFree is free. Most others cost.

The GPS itself works about the same as any phone GPS I've used. More than adequate for most uses.

 

I recently purchased a Bluetooth GPS device which I have found will work 10 meters away from the IPad