Tablet for GPS display

[Couch]

Anyone using a tablet (7" -10") for a gps display? Trying to get a bit of feedback.
Yes I know they're not as rugged / tough as a handheld or marine unit. Most of the handhelds screens are pretty small and once you zoom down to a level that you can identify marks you loose perspective on surrounding area. The larger display marine ones (chart plotter) are perfect other than they are significantly more expensive.

I still carry a handheld in my pocket if needed but its a PITA to use it while moving as the display is so small (occasional use when trying to locate old routes / trails that are not easily identifable and for the open ground when the weather gets nasty).

Most tablets have unassisted GPS capability (don't need cell / wifi connectivity to operate) + IPS displays + great maping apps + photo overlays so they can provide much more visual info to the user. There's a much wider range of screen sizes available and they're a lot less expensive than stand alone units. You can also add a better radio / receiver connected via bluetooth so accuracy is as good / better than the standalone GPS's. Plus if you smash it while riding its pretty cheap to replace - Androids from $80 to $150 for a decent 7" to 8" display.

Going to try one for next week but just wondering if anyone uses one and interested in how well its held up.

 

[X-it]

I have a Samsung 8 inch probably cost between 250-300. It has an internal gps. I have tried several products with it, and now using only two. Google Earth which can set to high cash levels, about 15 square miles or so. And then Memory Maps which is just unreal.

 

[sledrat403]

I have a Samsung 8 inch probably cost between 250-300. It has an internal gps. I have tried several products with it, and now using only two. Google Earth which can set to high cash levels, about 15 square miles or so. And then Memory Maps which is just unreal.

I use "Canada Maps" for a topo map and to record my track on a .kmz file - and Google Earth to zoom in and see aerial photos. I have thought about doing this on a tablet but haven't figured out where to put it on my sled or how to keep it waterproof. It would be so handy to have in on the sled charging in a waterproof case.

Also I found this app "Zello" which lets you use your tablet as a 2-way radio. Maybe in a couple years this will all get packaged up in one app that has the Garmin RINO functionality! That way you have your topo map recording tracks that also shows where your buddies are

 

[101110101101]

I use "Canada Maps" for a topo map and to record my track on a .kmz file - and Google Earth to zoom in and see aerial photos. I have thought about doing this on a tablet but haven't figured out where to put it on my sled or how to keep it waterproof. It would be so handy to have in on the sled charging in a waterproof case.

Also I found this app "Zello" which lets you use your tablet as a 2-way radio. Maybe in a couple years this will all get packaged up in one app that has the Garmin RINO functionality! That way you have your topo map recording tracks that also shows where your buddies are

I use my phone with a tracker app.... MY phone is a 640XL (Microsoft / Nokia) so it's almost the size of a small tablet anyway. With the tracker app (free) it has been great. Records routes down to within 5 meters of accuracy, which is also configurable. I've just never bothered. If I can get within 5 meters of my truck and still be lost, I'm mental anyway and should probably keep my helmet on 24/7.

The app is technically for jogging / biking etc.... but it works perfectly for my needs while sledding. (Find my way home when in new places)... this would work the same on a tablet, although I don't know if this app has an iOS or Android version.
(https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/store/apps/a-route-tracker-jog-bike-ski-or-drive/9wzdncrfhxwb)

 

[ducati]

I used to use an iPad with Navigon years ago for on my street bikes and adventure touring. Haven't been using it the last year or two but at the time it was a very good solution. Only issue I ever had was the iPad would overheat if it was in the sun for any long amount of time.

 

[bigfish]

i use my tab for my gps & charting in my boat & it works great with the navonics app,life proof makes the best waterproof cases.Waterproof iPad Air 2 Cases from LifeProof | Let's Go! | LifeProof

 

[Couch]

Thanks for the replies ... apparently a lot of the tablets (Android /& Windows ones) use the same communications chip so I figured I could use a basic / cheap tablet as a better display ... picked up an 8" windows one for $125 to try ... just have to figure out a useable way to mount it ... maybe in a map bag with a transparent cover ... .

 

[XanderKane]

Thanks for the replies ... apparently a lot of the tablets (Android /& Windows ones) use the same communications chip so I figured I could use a basic / cheap tablet as a better display ... picked up an 8" windows one for $125 to try ... just have to figure out a useable way to mount it ... maybe in a map bag with a transparent cover ... .

Without access to 3G the map applications will still work in the backcountry?

 

[ducati]

Without access to 3G the map applications will still work in the backcountry?

I don't know about the others but the cellular capable iPads have a GPS chip in them as a standard. I am sure the other tablets have done the same. When I was on my bike or traveling in the US I had no cellular data and it found my location exactly every time. With Navigon you actually chose which road maps (state or province) you want to download and store it in memory so no data is needed to load the map.

 

[250mark1]

If you can get a life proof case for the tablet they are waterproof to 6-10ft of submersion

 

[High Velocity]

I have a Lifeproof case on my iPad and use Motion X GPS app. Works great.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[X-it]

DIGOOR DG2 Plus Waterproof 5" IPS Android 4.4 Quad-Core 3G Rugged Phone 2MP/8MP Dual Camera with 1GBRAM 8GB ROM Wi-Fi



Several cell phones that are waterproof and some shock proof from this company

 

[X-it]

4.5" Rugged Smartphone Android 4.2 Dual Core Waterproof Dustproof Shockproof IP67 GPS Walkie Talkie Compass Laser 4100mAh Battery Cell Phone

 

[X-it]

I have had my tablet out 8 times sledding, taken lots of jumps in powder snow. I have a waterproof sip lock stile cover for it. It has stood up to the pounding so far. I do take along my handheld gps as well but it sure looks like a piece of crap next to the tablet. I cannot stress how clear it is. My handheld gps has a camera which put the picture in the exact location it was taken.. which is nice. But the tablet also gives a gps coordinate for the pictures as well. If you pay the licensing fee memory maps will show where others are via satellite, I am not sure how good it works though.

 

[Couch]

Looked at a few apps last night - backcountry Navigator seems awesome for $15 ... looks awesome on my LG phone so on a 7" or 8" screen you should be able to see lots of definition while still having more of the area visible. The windows tablet I thought about doesn't seem to have the right apps.
Anyone else considering just check the tablet specs to make sure it has "unassisted GPS" ... with the right app you can download the topo maps & images for offline use and the gps in the tablet / phone will keep your position up when out of cell range.

Bestbuy has an 8" digital tablet with a high res IPS screen for $100 - cameras are low res but I don't need it for pictures .... I figure that I should be able to mount a 7" or 8" screen without it being too exposed when the sled is upside down!

 

[X-it]

Most of the apps are free to try out for 10 days, and lots of free ones as well. At least 200-300 of them. Google offline maps does not work that good if you ask me, google earth however does.

 

[X-it]

Not that i have ever been in Maptown in Calgary, but i have ordered and ton of maps off of them. Maybe they are helpful with finding you apps, i just do not know anything about them. But one thing i can tell you is you need to put a lot of data into your phone or tablet to have it work offline. It took 12 cd to cover all of BC, and i just ordered all of alberta at 1/2 price from maptown 2 or 3 thousand maps, albertas for some reason had a few 1-50000 maps missing. Then you have to load it in your device then get a licensing agreement from Memory Maps.......or you can download the App. Then follow their not so friendly download to load an area into your device. I have tried 8-10 or so apps, mainly the ones with the highest ratings. They worked just fine but not the detail of a true 1-50000 topo map has. The ratings for these apps are not accurate at all imo. Switching between satellite and topo maps is just awesome. My tablet picked up a signal inside a westjet flight. The male flight attendant was in awe, i thought for a minute he was thinking of taking it up into the cockpit for the pilots to take a look at it

 

[101110101101]

I have all of Alberta and BC downloaded to my phone as offline maps.

Alberta is 146.1MB
BC is 170.5 MB...

Nothing at all for a modern device.

 

[X-it]

That is true, just explaining to people who are heading out and have nothing downloaded into their devices, then they are at the mercy of cell sevice. I even picked up a usb gps receiver. Now my laptop is a real time gps. Just a little big to take sledding, it would be awesome on the ocean though. When I was stuck in the accident at tetejaune. I knew a way around it using all this fancy stuff. Just my car would not make it through the detour I had in mind. I showed some sledders though how they could get to valemount if they unloaded their sleds....no takers though.

 

[X-it]

If it is possible could you check you Alberta maps 101110101101 the 146mb...and see if yours have 83d14. Mine has 83d which is 1-250000 and 8,9,10,15. I needed 14 in the middle of that lineup. Oh and why the hell is tetejaune under alberta anyway?