Choosing your GPS receiver
ORA supports three GPS sources — pick the one that matches your event and budget.
Open Road Ace works with three GPS sources: ArduSimple simpleRTK2B for centimeter-level RTK precision, RaceBox Mini for 10-25 Hz BLE precision, and your iPhone's built-in GPS as the no-extra-hardware fallback. You pick the source in Settings → GPS — the home screen shows what the app is currently using.
ArduSimple simpleRTK2B — recommended for racing
Multiband L1/L2 u-blox F9P with NTRIP corrections — the same precision survey crews use, in a board you can run from a 12V outlet. Sub-meter accuracy under open sky, often centimeter-level with RTK FIX. The most expensive option (~$370 for the rover; add a base station if your race region has no nearby NTRIP coverage), but the only one that survives 25 Hz quantization floor and per-device antenna offset at race speeds. Pair via Bluetooth in iOS Settings, then pick "ArduSimple" as the GPS source in ORA.
RaceBox Mini — solid mid-tier
10-25 Hz single-band GPS over BLE. Roughly $200, no NTRIP plan needed. Tested at every BBORR ORA's run since spring 2026 — accurate enough for class targets in the 90-130 mph range. Pair in iOS Settings → Bluetooth, then pick "RaceBox" as the GPS source in ORA.
iPhone built-in
1 Hz GPS, no extra hardware. Fine for course recording, practice runs, and getting a feel for the rabbit-pacing UI. Not recommended for race day — at 100+ mph, 1 Hz means your displayed position lags by up to ~150 feet between samples and the pacing math feels rubbery. Pick "iPhone" as the GPS source in Settings; no pairing needed.
Indoor / sky view
GPS doesn't work indoors. Whichever source you pick, the receiver needs sky view to lock satellites. If you start a recording or run indoors, the device will report no fix and the app will wait for signal. Take it outside before pushing record or start.