GPS or Tablet Options??

[VegieMite Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close VegieMite]

Hi all,
Am interested in knowing the general thoughts regarding standalone GPS units (ie: HEMA 7) or using tablets (ie: Samsung 10").
Now I do not know if the tablet can do the same as the GPS or it needs additional software etc, or it has limitations and the GPS units are far superior. So any assistance or links to previous posts that I could not find in "search" would be appreciated.
Am a noob in this area, the only thing I do know is that the built-in SATNAV is very limited.
Thanks for any assistance.
Cheers
Vegie

[Shangus Find all posts View Profile Close Shangus]

Hi vegemite. If you do a google search with say, hema tablet ipad prado as key words it will bring up a heap of threads where this has already been discussed. That's how I search for info. So long as you use prado, prado 120-150 in your search you can find almost anything easily on google then click the link you want to the site. Beware but, there are way to many good ideas on here and you might become addicted lol

[Guest Close Guest]

Google the keywords and add site:Pradopoint.com. This will give you more relevant hits from the forum.

[VegieMite Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close VegieMite]

Thanks guys will give that a go.
Much appreciated.

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

Don't waste your money on a stand alone GPS like the VMS or HN units. A properly set up tablet will do the same and MORE. Tablets have more processing power as a start, which means better map scrolling etc. They also have broader functionality than simple GPS units. 7 or 8 inch is about as big as you would want to go with a tablet.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

If I pay for and download say, the Hema map app to my Samsung 7" tablet, will it function just like a GPS and mark on the screen where I am on the map? Do I have to download specific maps for where I am going? I already have the free version but it does little more than give me an electronic version of the paper map - no indication of current location etc.

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

I have the hems 4wd maps app, it's the older app that hema offer and works great. Compared to the Hema navigator dad has its fantastic. His GPS lags quite badly at times, where my iPad just powers along with no lag at all. I use a full size ipad, because it's what I already had, but I would buy a iPad mini next time. I have used this set up on the windscreen of my old landcruiser for about 2 years and it works great, done a lake ayre trip and a cape trip with it.

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

Each to their own. I ran a 7 inch tablet for a while in the past and found it too small and went to a full sized ipad air with Hema Maps instead
I use the ram mount on the windscreen and it is perfect. Details in my build thread.
It gives yo so much more coverage, especially in the surrounding area.
I can also run a bunch of other apps, so much more flexible and just tether it to my phone for connectivity.
Before you purchase have a look at a few options and see what works for you.
Cheers
Robert

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

Just like this Robert 👍 I also have the larger iPad. The new Air is so light it's ridiculous.


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[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

How does that mount go with corrugated roads? Does it vibrate much?
There was two reasons I would go for the mini, one because of the size and amount of windscreen it took up, the other is the amount it vibrated around on corrugations. Maybe a different mount would fix one of those, then to fit it up to the mighty prado and may be ok. The air being so light still may still leave my old iPad 3 bouncing around like crazy.

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

I had a 3 before this one and it was a fair bit heavier. Only just got the new cradle so haven't tested it on the tracks yet. It seems pretty steady and the bottom right corner is resting on the dash. I use the Ram Mount in my hiace all the time and it doesn't vibrate much at all. But then again I don't drive that off road ☺️


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[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

I prefer the full size Ipad, you know how it is when you get old and it gets hard to see

I do wonder how you guys mounting them above dash height go with vision, which is why I mounted mine low, no obstruction to my field of view. See here http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...l=1#post330414

I've used mine in some of the most rugged and remote places in Australia and its great, especially with the Hema 4wd app.

Cheers Andrew

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

From where my eyes are the top of the iPad is still below the edge of the bonnet and bull bar so all good. Helps being a bit taller


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[rorza Member Find all posts View Profile Close rorza]

This may seem like a stupid question, but is it necessary for the tablet to have a working SIM card in order for the GPS side of things to work properly or will a WiFi only tablet work just as well?

Can't seem to find much info in this regard.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

This may seem like a stupid question, but is it necessary for the tablet to have a working SIM card in order for the GPS side of things to work properly or will a WiFi only tablet work just as well?

Can't seem to find much info in this regard.

You don't need a working SIM, but you need a tablet that can take a SIM. The wifi only units don't have a GPS inbuilt, I gather you
can add an external GPS reciever if needed.

Cheers Andrew