How do the cheaper android tablets rate for GPS use?

[ko7624 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ko7624]

Hi all techies,

Since my first gen ipad is getting a bit long in the tooth I am thinking of trying a cheap android tablet with GPS built in. I want to run some offroad mapping app(havent decided which yet) on it. I am thinking of a non-cellular android tablet with GPS as I will tether it to my phone when mobile broadband is needed hence why I dont want to go back to an ipad (wifi only doesnt do GPS).

So I was hoping for some feedback on who runs a cheap android based tablet and how it runs your offroad mapp app? What brand/model do you recommend?

Any help appreciated,

Cheers,

Ken

[Guest Close Guest]

I would recommend the branded ones like Nexus, Samsung and Asus. I have just bought refurbished Nexus 7 from Expansys and they are good. I also have a Samsung Tab 2 7. The advantage of the Samsung is that it has a microSD slot. Otherwise if you have a Nexus, make sure you get one with the largest storage.

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

I'll 2nd the Samsung Tab 2. Once 'Ozi for Android' is installed, you just use micro SD cards for maps and an extra card or 2 for movies.

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

I bought an ASUS 7 inch memo pad for around $150(?), it has 1gb inbuilt memory and can take a 32gb micro SD card. I run Oziexplorer android and the unit is attached to a RAM mount and worked a treat when I did the Canning Stock Route earlier this year. Personally I think a tablet is a much better option than a stand alone GPS unit.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

PM Iantz - he's been running a generic no name Android Tablet with GPS for almost two years and can give you some feedback. Failing that Gen1 Nexus 7 can be had for buttons these days.

Note - You can mount some external USB drives to Android devices to give you more storage . Its not too difficult if you have a smidge of tech ability.

I'll be doing this when I replace my iPad2 with an Android devices as its non-GPS. I plan on using it for music storage as well via my AUX input

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

Another vote for sticking to the brand name devices. The cheap knock offs just don't cut it. Also the cheap models don't have enough storage to store the maps.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

I see quite a few Nexus tablets coming back under warranty at work, don't think they are very reliable. I run an 64gb iPad with retina display for mapping duties but have the cellular model with the GPS function. I use the sim out of my mobile phone when I want mobile data access, don't use it enough to justify a separate data plan just for the iPad.

Does anyone know if you can run OziExplorer on a Samsung Galaxy Note 3? It's an android device so in theory should be capable.

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

I had Iantz install Oziexplorer on an Acer tablet. The tablet has been brilliant -up until last week when an operating system update has locked out OE as it doesn't recognize the password for the mapping programme. He's getting me a new password. Aside from that I run it out in the desert and up the top of the Kimberley and works a treat. I also use it when gazing out the window on Qantas flights - just to make sure we're not being flown out over the southern Indian ocean.

[adrian5800 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close adrian5800]

I see quite a few Nexus tablets coming back under warranty at work, don't think they are very reliable. I run an 64gb iPad with retina display for mapping duties but have the cellular model with the GPS function. I use the sim out of my mobile phone when I want mobile data access, don't use it enough to justify a separate data plan just for the iPad.

Does anyone know if you can run OziExplorer on a Samsung Galaxy Note 3? It's an android device so in theory should be capable.

I run it fine on a Tab 3 8.0

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

I just bought a second hand Nexus 7 2nd gen to replace my older Nexus 7 which I gave to my daughter. Is like new in a nice case, runs perfectly and cost $150. I run Hema and OziExplorer, but find Hema a lot better than Ozi Explorer.

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

I have an old and new Nexus 7 and have been running mapping software on both without any problems.

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

I'm running a 10" Ainol Numy 3G AX10. Its working very well. I have the Memory Map app. You can run the app and 1:250,000 maps of Aus for free. Heme costs on top.

Don't be tempted with the Aldi tablet. Mine let me down. I think its the heat when charging that killed the battery.