Tablet GPS navigation

I’m looking to get a tablet to use for gps. Or connect my phone to a tablet and mirror it.
I love Apple but can’t justify spending the money on a tablet just for that use.
How are androids, do you guys connect your phone service to them?
My iPhone 6 gps sucks. It never loads.
May just get the 8 and mirror a screen.

 

Samsung tab a 8 inch. Can be found for about $160. Has its own built in gps. No cell service needed. You could also get the garmin glo for the extra gps protection just in case.

 

Sub

 

That's exactly what I'm trying to do, except I can't get my hands on those mounts anymore! I also love the amount of OCD in this picture, which the climate knobs all pointed upwards.

 

Is that tablet just WiFi and Gps. Or does it have 4g service?

 

Think I may pull the trigger on a tech deck. The guy making the ram mounts in another thread is MIA and I am impatient!!

 

Yes just wifi and GPS. I use my phone if I need data and you could always run your phone as a hotspot if your wireless provider will allow it... I cany justify a phone and a tablet needing cell service.

 

Gps work good? Did some research and people didn’t think the gps was good. What apps do you use for it?

 

Most are down loading the maps to their tablet using their home WIFI. You don't need a service, in fact where lots of these people go, there is no service.

I'm another Back Country Navigator user. The pro version is just amazing for what little money you spend.

I've tried out a few different tablets, but the cheepies don't seem to have the battery capacity that I need. Even leaving them plugged in, I can over use the battery capacity.

Been half ass shopping for a decent used android unit. I'm thinking a 7" this time. The 10"ers are just too big and require a very sturdy base to keep them rigidly mounted.

 

Got it. I would like to use it for road trips not just off road. Need to check into backcountry. Thanks

 

I use backcountry navigator pro. Pretty damn legit for 11.99. Takes a minute to aquire gps but one you do its good to go. I am an avid samsung user and have had zero issues. Costco typically has them available. 8 inch imo is perfect size.

 

And before anyone asks, you only need to pay the $12 once. You can put it on as many devices you want that are tied to your email.

 

Android Tablet FTW
Backcountry Navigator FTW
Download offline maps of states and use then through BCN.

You only need service if you are first putting a specific destination in ( such as take me here amd draw me a direct path ) other than that, the GPS will track your path. So if you need the path in, use Wi-Fi or hotspot to start, load the path, turn it off, and roll out. If you go off the path it can't calculate it unless you have the paths download offline and saved to your tablet/app. Hope that makes sense.

 

The Tab A 8" being talked about has models with and without LTE service capability. Prices are very similar between them. The GPS on samsung tablets works really well regardless of LTE service.

 

If you are looking at other tablets, make sure the MicroSD slot can support a LARGE card. I had a cheapo 7" tablet before that could only handle a 32GB card and that mofo filled up fast downloading maps.

 

I'm on the opposite side here. I would rather have several smaller cards. It's not likely that I can travel such a huge area that I would need all that info on one card.

 

that makes no sense lol. its not like I just downloaded one big area. Its lots of small areas I go to. Why would you want to switch cards around???

 

I lose cards all the time. I don't like the idea of losing 128g of maps at one time. A 32 is plenty big and not painful to replace. In addition, not many devices can handle those big cards.

 

My current setup. Still trying to decide on what map app(s) I want to use.



Using this style mount -

 

Those that use Gaia. Can you make a track by connecting waypoints? I can on my Lowrance but I just ditched it. Example: I have a list of 10 waypoints for the days route and want the navigation to give me distance and heading to the next waypoint. I use MotionX and love it but it does not have this function. I know MobArmor and Leadnav have this function but I'm not willing to pay $20/year or more for an app.