Dedicated tablet for mapping

[er waddell]

I’ve had mine for a while and it’s a rock solid system. I have the XGPS160 which lets me pair 5 devices at a time.

I use a Garmin Montana 700i with my tablet. I really liked the XGPS160. I just wanted some additional things. I use the inreach messaging frequently. I also grab the Montana and use it on hikes.

 

[MazeVX]

I'm using a 8" full HD Lenovo Tablet that is mainly used for navigation purposes, not rugged or watertight but works well even in the sun.
Sure not ideal but fairly cheap and does the job.

 

[Cypress]

Before you order an Android tablet, verify that it has onboard GPS. Many of the cheaper tablets are no longer coming with a GPS receiver.

 

[er waddell]

Before you order an Android tablet, verify that it has onboard GPS. Many of the cheaper tablets are no longer coming with a GPS receiver.

That is true. Even if it has GPS. The receiver hardware (in at least in the ones I tried) was flaky and unreliable. A true gps unit will connect to more satellites. A Garmin, XGPS160, or some other gps unit coupled with the tablet is the way to go.

 

[bgenlvtex]

That is true. Even if it has GPS. The receiver hardware (in at least in the ones I tried) was flaky and unreliable. A true gps unit will connect to more satellites. A Garmin, XGPS160, or some other gps unit coupled with the tablet is the way to go.

This is sort of where I find myself. An inreach or similar is pretty much a given as I want to be able to use it away from the vehicle (or in it) for emergency communications.

So I find myself wondering if I even need to be concerned with a GPS chip in the tablet itself. I think the answer is yes ,because redundancy is important.

 

[bgenlvtex]

I'm using a 8" full HD Lenovo Tablet that is mainly used for navigation purposes, not rugged or watertight but works well even in the sun.
Sure not ideal but fairly cheap and does the job.

Specifically which model if I can ask?

 

[M Rose]

Awesome thanks, and what tablet do you use please?

an iPad with cell service (so I could get the built in GPS). I also use an old (2012) Samsung Galaxy Tab running the original Back Country Navigator software. The Galaxy Tab is so old I can’t update it, and it’s only good to use as a stand alone GPS device now, so it hardly ever gets used.

Bruce, I think you are overthinking this problem. Since you want an Android based tablet, ALL of the major brands have off line GPS tracking capabilities if used with the correct app (ie GAIA, Onx-Off-road, OB1, CalTopo, just to name a few). The question you need to ask is what size of Tablet you want to use, what other features do you want, and what is your budget.

IMHO there are really only two brands of Tablets I would put my money on. Samsung and Apple. Samsung has been killing the tablet and cell phone market for the past 20 years with their Galaxy series, while Apple has been leading the way in technology advances in mobile hardware.

 

[bgenlvtex]

an iPad with cell service (so I could get the built in GPS). I also use an old (2012) Samsung Galaxy Tab running the original Back Country Navigator software. The Galaxy Tab is so old I can’t update it, and it’s only good to use as a stand alone GPS device now, so it hardly ever gets used.

Bruce, I think you are overthinking this problem. Since you want an Android based tablet, ALL of the major brands have off line GPS tracking capabilities if used with the correct app (ie GAIA, Onx-Off-road, OB1, CalTopo, just to name a few). The question you need to ask is what size of Tablet you want to use, what other features do you want, and what is your budget.

IMHO there are really only two brands of Tablets I would put my money on. Samsung and Apple. Samsung has been killing the tablet and cell phone market for the past 20 years with their Galaxy series, while Apple has been leading the way in technology advances in mobile hardware.

I admit to having a propensity to over think things. Then again.....

It will be an android device unless someone presents an overwhelming argument to the contrary.

I use Samsung phones, I'm predisposed to them and so likely the same with a tablet. I DON'T however necessarily need or want it to have the ability to accept a Sim card, and it appears at least superficially that wifi only units are much less expensive, and that money I believe is better spent on a Garmin, again unless there is an overwhelming argument to the contrary.

So I guess I am looking more for confirmation of bias and tales of resounding success as much as anything.

 

[M Rose]

I admit to having a propensity to over think things. Then again.....

It will be an android device unless someone presents an overwhelming argument to the contrary.

I use Samsung phones, I'm predisposed to them and so likely the same with a tablet. I DON'T however necessarily need or want it to have the ability to accept a Sim card, and it appears at least superficially that wifi only units are much less expensive, and that money I believe is better spent on a Garmin, again unless there is an overwhelming argument to the contrary.

So I guess I am looking more for confirmation of bias and tales of resounding success as much as anything.

You don’t need a SIM card… get the Galaxy Tab and don’t look back… my Galaxy Tab 10.2 was a very good tablet until Samsung discontinued update support for it and forced me to look for a new Tablet. It did not have a Sim Card. It did have a very accurate GPS module that always gave the same information that my Garmin Nuvi gave me… If you love Android stick with it… I’m not going to try and sell you on Apple… although since I made the switch to Apple back in 2016, I have bought two android devices which never get used….MY Apple Devices get used daily. I can’t remember the last time I touched my cheap Android Tablet.

 

[MazeVX]

Specifically which model if I can ask?

It's a Lenovo Tab M8 FHD wifi