Android Tablet for Mapping

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

Geoff, I have used the gps quite a few times but I wasn't paying attention to clouds and trees so sorry. but I can't give you an answer.

There is also currently no 12v charger which is a hassle, battery lasts about 8 hours. Other than that great tablet and I'm very happy.

[footoo Member Find all posts View Profile Close footoo]

thanks Steve,
Looks like I will go with the TF101. In the past I have used a DC to DC converter. The one I have is a Power Tech unit that is switchable from 1.5Vdc to 12Vdc. in seven stages. I used it to run a laptop. If you look at the charging unit for the tablet it will indicate the output voltage, which these days seems to be about 5Vdc. Places like Dick Smith Electronics or other equivalents usually have them.

Anyway that has worked for me and I will probably do it again in the Prado.

[Chris220220 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chris220220]

A500 has a so so GPS but they say it is the software not the unit, but who knows. Mine is pretty average. I now have a bluetooth gps to use with it. that way the A500 can be any where in cabin without loosing signal. Also the device runs on 12volts.

[footoo Member Find all posts View Profile Close footoo]

thanks Chris,
I notice the Good Guys stores in Melb have the A500 (32Gb) for $578 which is a good buy even if I did have to source and external gps

[Chris220220 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chris220220]

Got my gps of ebay, many there for less than $30. Androzic work really well with the 1:50k maps I have.

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

Just did a highly scientific test of the TF101 GPS.

I stepped outside under a steel grid mesh awning with a shade cloth cover that is under a tree. The TF101 GPS picked up the satellites and achieved position lock in about 5-10 seconds.

I've got the TF101 with keypad which gives 16h battery life and 32GB memory, it also has a micro SD slot on the tablet and an SD slot on the keyboard. Paid around $600 when first released so should be able to haggle a better price now.

By the way I use an app called GPS status which gives you a bunch of info including the number and position of each satellite and the signal strength. It also has a pitch and roll indicator, compass and light meter.

[footoo Member Find all posts View Profile Close footoo]

Thanks for the "scientific testing" Krypto, that is the sort of info I am looking for. Ideally I would prefer the gps in the tablet as it saves more bits floating around in the cabin. The tempter for me is that the Iconia A500 is available from the Good Guys here in Melb for $478, at least $120 less than the TF101. Might wait a bit longer am hoping there may be some christmas specials.

[Max Member Find all posts View Profile Close Max]

MSY have the TF1 for $449. Have used them many times in Sydney without any problems.

http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/notebook.pdf

You can pick up a SanDisk 32Gb microSD card for around $60 to triple the standard 16Gb storage on both the A500 and TF1

http://staticice.com.au/

[footoo Member Find all posts View Profile Close footoo]

Thanks Max, MSY in Melb have them for the same price they are the 16G version without keyboard. The 32G with KB are around $750 so Krypto did really well. The staticice site has 32G sd for $48 which is exceptional. Will get a couple, one for the tablet when I eventually make up my mind and one for the phone.

[Max Member Find all posts View Profile Close Max]

Ahhh, I missed the fact that you were talking about 32Gb versions.

The tempter for me is that the Iconia A500 is available from the Good Guys here in Melb for $478, at least $120 less than the TF101.

Which ones are these?

[footoo Member Find all posts View Profile Close footoo]

The TF101 is the 32G version and includes the keyboard, their actual online price is $720. Don't know if this link will get you there but give it a try
http://www.thegoodguys.com.au/bayswa...Keywords=tf101

[Guest Close Guest]

Apparently the ASUS TF101 has a 3G model now.

[footoo Member Find all posts View Profile Close footoo]

G'day amts,
Yes I believe they do. As my prime intention is to use it for mapping 3G is secondary, you also need to be careful that it has the correct operating frequencies to get access to your preferred provider. My thought is that if I want network access I will just tether it to my HTC which will then give me remote internet access etc, which is also why I am with Telstra (only because of their coverage)

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

Getting a data pack on your phone and tethering is generally cheaper than getting an additional phone account.

[footoo Member Find all posts View Profile Close footoo]

Finally got my TF101 and have loaded Oziexplorer which comes up with the maps etc and looks a treat. The problem I have is it does not seem to be finding the gps sats. Can any TF101 owners please give me some clues as to what I am not doing.

Have figured out how to copy maps from the usb port to the tablet which works well. I go into "file manager" copy from the "removable/usb" and paste to what is called the "sdcard". As I don't yet have an sd card installed I am guessing that is what it calls its internal storage. Just copied my maps into the "maps" folder in Ozi.

regards
Geoff