Nexus 7 - Android Tablet Reference Thread.

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

I just sent these notes to Mackayvx but thought they may be a help to others. As I told him I'm just learning as I go with this so dont take it as gospel.

My nexus is the 3g32g one and when I hook it up to the computer all I can see is a "emulated" version of the "sd" card.
It wont let me access the apps folder directly from my PC. What I did was connect up the nexus , open up the "storage" folder that appears then along with the folders that are already on it like Music, Movies etc I made a new folder called Maps. I then copied all the maps from the Hema disc into this folder.
If you are using Oziexplorer the all you have to do is direct Ozi to look in that Maps folder for the map files.
If you are using Androzic the you have to copy the files from the new map folder into the map folder in Androzic app file. To do this you have to copy and paste fron the storage folder to the app folder.

Next I downloaded a app called Astro File Manager and installed it.
Using Astro I opened the Tab called My Files by stroking the screen from left to right.
Press My Files and the "SDcardO" opens and you should see the folder you made called Maps.
at the top right of screen you will see a green icon press this and it will go to multi select and select all folders in map folder.
A new menu bar will appear and select copy.
Then press My Files at top of screen, select sdcard, press Androzic, then press Maps Now press Paste and the map folders will be copied into Androzic app.

Androzic will now open up whatever map it needs for your position But it will only work with OZF2 maps.
remember you have to copy both the OZF2 and/or ECW (for ozi) and the MAP file as well for it to work.

I installed OZI for android today and it works well using either map format to show position and easily swaps maps for better or less detail.
for OZIexplorer you just have to open menu by pressing icon with green arrow on bottom right. select main menu. Press configuration button, then General settings and then Map File Path , work through to get file path /storage/sdcard0/maps and confirm. Ozi now will look in new folder Maps for the map files.

[mackayvx Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close mackayvx]

Hey Wayne,
Those notes are simply awsome for someone like me who is just getting a feel for this kind of thing.
I immediately got the Nexus out to get it sorted, but yes it looks like the daughter has been playing games on it and its dead flat.
Oh well an overnight charge will sort that out!
Ill let you know how I go.
Cheers.Drew

[prado4x4 Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado4x4]

I thought that Androzic could read Ozi maps?

Many people get bitten by different apps that say thay can "read Ozi maps", when in reality they can only read 'some' ozi maps. OziExplorer supports many map formats (ecw, ozf2, ozfx3, etc). The ozf2 and ozfx3 formats are specific to oziexplorer, and are created by converting maps from another format using a free tool that ozi supplies (img2ozf). If maps are in ozf2 or an early version of ozfx3, then they are un-encrypted and the apps can read them. Later versions of the ozfx3 format are encrypted, and only ozi-explorer can read them whilst apps like androzic usually cannot.

If you have a collection of oziexplorer maps already, then the $25 for the Android version of ozi can be a good way to go. I don't really like the layout of the ozi android app though (way to complex, too many features by default, buttons too small for my fat fingers, etc). I'd recommend downloading the OziExplorer android screen designer onto your PC. Using this you can layout/design your own screens and simplify the use of ozi to those features you really want to use (and make the buttons bigger so you can actually press them with a finger easily). The screen designs can be loaded onto your android device.

Just something to think about ......................

John

[mackayvx Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close mackayvx]

Many people get bitten by different apps that say thay can "read Ozi maps", when in reality they can only read 'some' ozi maps. OziExplorer supports many map formats (ecw, ozf2, ozfx3, etc). The ozf2 and ozfx3 formats are specific to oziexplorer, and are created by converting maps from another format using a free tool that ozi supplies (img2ozf). If maps are in ozf2 or an early version of ozfx3, then they are un-encrypted and the apps can read them. Later versions of the ozfx3 format are encrypted, and only ozi-explorer can read them whilst apps like androzic usually cannot.

If you have a collection of oziexplorer maps already, then the $25 for the Android version of ozi can be a good way to go. I don't really like the layout of the ozi android app though (way to complex, too many features by default, buttons too small for my fat fingers, etc). I'd recommend downloading the OziExplorer android screen designer onto your PC. Using this you can layout/design your own screens and simplify the use of ozi to those features you really want to use (and make the buttons bigger so you can actually press them with a finger easily). The screen designs can be loaded onto your android device.

Just something to think about ......................

John

Gday john.
So from what I have read, are you recommending only using oziexplorer?
I was about to download androzic and man there are so many options and I don't know what I'm looking at...
http://code.google.com/p/androzic/downloads/list
Which one is the latest / best programme to use from that list?
I would really like to set my nexus so its easy to use... Also I don't have any maps as yet either...

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Thanks for the info, John.

Drew, I installed androzic from the Google Play store. You don't have to worry about versions that way.

[mackayvx Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close mackayvx]

Drew, I installed androzic from the Google Play store. You don't have to worry about versions that way.

Thanks Andrew. That makes the process a whole lot easier. Google play store hear I come!

[baggs71 Inactive member. Find all posts View Profile Close baggs71]

Please clear this up...is it true all androids have a built 8n gps whether or not thry hsve 3g/4g capability or not...?

Or do you still need to buy an android tablet with 3/4g capability with an added sim card on a monthly plan and then you can use the gps even out of range?

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

Hi Baggs71,

Most (but not all) Androids have GPS built in, whether or not they have 3G. You do need to check the particular model, however to be sure.

All the Nexus 7's have GPS as far as I know (just to keep the thread on subject). My wife has one without 3G but with GPS.

[baggs71 Inactive member. Find all posts View Profile Close baggs71]

Thanks mate....
Now back to the thread!

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My Samsung Tab 2 7.0 also has GPS and is much better with GPS reception than the Acer iconia A501 which is now being relegated to the rear to play movies for the kids.

[mackayvx Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close mackayvx]

Next I downloaded a app called Astro File Manager and installed it.
Using Astro I opened the Tab called My Files by stroking the screen from left to right.
Press My Files and the "SDcardO" opens and you should see the folder you made called Maps.
at the top right of screen you will see a green icon press this and it will go to multi select and select all folders in map folder.
A new menu bar will appear and select copy.
Then press My Files at top of screen, select sdcard, press Androzic, then press Maps Now press Paste and the map folders will be copied into Androzic app.

Androzic will now open up whatever map it needs for your position But it will only work with OZF2 maps.
remember you have to copy both the OZF2 and/or ECW (for ozi) and the MAP file as well for it to work.

Again I thank you sparksy.
That Astro File Manager is the key to being able to link the maps to the apps.
Choice effort.
Drew

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

Glad I made sense on those instructions.

Ive been playing around with mounts for the tablet. As I mentioned in a previous post the first attempt uses a dash mounted suction mount and i made a polycarbonate plate and a clip thingy out of s/s welding wire which hooks around the centre of the demister vent. Worked really well last weekend on the pretty rough track to Cape Peron. The tablet wasnt obstructing my view of the road and it was sitting just infront of the radio but you couldnt see the clock or the radio when had to change stations for the FM transmitter.
On the way home from work Tuesday I picked up from someones verge cleanup a Sony car mount for one of those old CD Walkmans which has the same style of mount as the Ram mount with a flexible shaft and bracket to fit under seat bolt. Modified it with some polycarb brackets and a spring for tension and now its ready to be mounted. Should work Ok as it has vibration mounts behind the plate and its high enough to fit just infront of the heater controls.

[prado4x4 Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado4x4]

Gday john.
So from what I have read, are you recommending only using oziexplorer?
I was about to download androzic and man there are so many options and I don't know what I'm looking at...

It depends on the maps you intend to use now (or in the future). As I mentioned, the problem with apps like Androzic is that it can't read newer versions of maps intended for OziExplorer (some ozfx3 and ozfx4 format maps) because they are encrypted.

Remember, with any of these apps you still need to obtain (download free, or buy) the appropriate maps. If the maps you can get won't work with the app you have - there's a problem.

Me personally - I use two apps (often at the same time).
- OziExplorer ($25). As I already had many maps in the encrypted ozi format that Androzic could not read.
- Memory Map (free). I actually like MemoryMap better than Ozi Explorer as it's simpler to use for basic 4WD moving map navigation - ozi has more features, but as I rarely use them, that isn't always a plus. The problem with Memory Map is that it uses it's own specific format maps (It will not read ozi format maps). You can download an AusTopo map of Australia (1:250,000) for free, and other maps are available to purchase (such as the Hema map collection).

Really though, first of all consider what you want from an app (what features you really want), and what maps you can obtain (free download or purchase). If though you are going to be using oziexplorer format maps, the $25 for OziExplorer isn't very much, and it works with the encrypted format maps, you get unlimited upgrades, and if it matters, is an Australian product.

John

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Thanks John. Installed memory maps and downloading the free AusTopo maps. Will give that a go first.

[JoshF Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoshF]

I believe memory maps does sell a map conversion utility but haven't tried it