Can a Phantom 1.1.1 be upgraded to fly with the groundstation software? I have a new phantom 2+ that obviously will but I would like to do some practice runs with the less expensive toy before I put my new toy out there on it's on.
The full groundstation will work on a 1.1.1, you'll just need to add a canbus port for it to plug in to. You can get that by adding a PMU, but I'd suggest this mod to just add it to the board without that extra weight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1nq44GDkOc
However, the waypoints app for the Vision/Vision+ can't be used on any other models of the Phantom.
No, waypoints app is only for P2V/P2V+, and is completely separate from the full Grounstation (aka 2.4GHZ data link) you would use on a P1. Unless you own a P2V/P2V+ the waypoints app won't do anything for you, but the full GS will work fine.
DJI markets that same setup under three different names:
-2.4GHz Data Link (the core hardware)
-iPAD groundstation (Data Link + Bluetooth unit)
-PC groundstation (Data Link + PC interface software)
They all work the same and use the same equipment.