1st gen ipad or Android tablet?

[Ivan]

I've been looking at 1st gen 3g 64GB iPads as a dedicated mapping/gps/leave it in the truck tablet, but after reading the mappong software for ipads thread, I'm now wondering: will I be purchasing an obsolete, or soon to be, system that won't be able to useotion X, GAIA, etc. in the very forseable future?

Considering the price of a 3g 64gig 1st gen iPad seems to be in the same range as a Samsung Tab 3 or the like (so far Ive seen a couple of ipads go for under 60 on ebay, and quite a few samsungs for under $100) , is the iPad still a good option?

 

[tarditi]

personally, I prefer android because you have a bit more flexibility in managing the platform.
You can always root it, and may get some later versions of android to run on it - they don't seem to have the same planned obsolescence as the apple world.

 

[haven]

As time and technology march on, every manufacturer lets older models slip into unsupported status. Processors improve, standard RAM increases, screens improve, memory gets faster. Tablets are second only to phones in the rapid pace of development. So buying too far behind the curve can be a problem if you want to run the latest OS and applications.

if you're happy with the older OS and older apps, then an older tablet can work out well. The major component that wears out in a tablet is the battery.

To the OP's specific question: I'd avoid the first generation iPad. The second generation upgraded to a dual core processor and 512 MB RAM. The extra RAM allows the second Gen iPad to run iOS 8, and probably 9, with some limitations. The latest OS the first Gen iPad can run is iOS 5.1.

 

[Ivan]

personally, I prefer android because you have a bit more flexibility in managing the platform.
You can always root it, and may get some later versions of android to run on it - they don't seem to have the same planned obsolescence as the apple world.

I'm not going to bother rooting it. I don't have the technical expertise to do it, nor the motivation.

At this point, after y'alls comments, I've narrowed it down to either an iPad 2 or a Galaxy Tab 2 or newer.

 

[Root Moose]

I'm not going to bother rooting it. I don't have the technical expertise to do it, nor the motivation.

At this point, after y'alls comments, I've narrowed it down to either an iPad 2 or a Galaxy Tab 2 or newer.

If you aren't locked into the software ecosystem of a mobile platform yet I'd give a strong recommendation to Android.. We have multiples of everything in our household and for work I am constantly surrounded by both in a support role. I prefer the flexibility and relative openness of Android.

Now, if there is a specific app you want that is only available on iOS then go with iOS. It'd have to be an exception app though IMO.

You can't go wrong with either platform.

 

[kojackJKU]

If you are in Canada, Bestbuy has my lepan mini on sale now for 79.99. Awesome tablet for the price. Even has built in GPS. Even though I use a GPS module for locking on quick/tracking.

Can't beat it. My son has an ipad mini and my lepan has just as good screen and same size.

 

[1Louder]

1st gen way too slow. Get a newer Android tablet so the same money or slightly more. Of course make sure it has built in GPS I you want to keep things simple. I prefer iOS but also pay for the newer technology. However, if I had a permanent device only for navigation and possible music I think an Android tablet is fine.

 

[kojackJKU]

My lepan mini is just as fast as my sons ipad mini. We did side by side testing.

 

[doug720]

I have used a Gen1 Ipad for a dedicated vehicle GPS for several years now, and it works great. It's a 64g and I have the western US mpas loaded in 3 different formats, several navigation related apps, and quite a dew other apps. Speed has never been a problem and accuracy is very good. It simply works...

As to getting apps with an older operating system. Apple won't let app's be sold for older versions of OS for new installs, but...If you have newer Ipads, buy the app you want for the newer Ipad, then, you own it. Once you own the app, you can load it on any Ipad OS version you have. In fact, many people like some of the old navigation app version better than the new ones.

Use what you have, navigation apps are not that demanding and older units work just fine.

 

[Ivan]

Update: I found a Samsung Tab 2 for cheap off ebay, and downloaded back country navigator. Still trying to get the most out of BCN. So far, the Tab 2 is working really well. I'll post another update after a few trips.

 

[kojackJKU]

BCN is a good app once you get how to use it. I found that all these apps have a learning curve. Next up is my surface 3 in my jeep. See how that does. Its somewhat bigger than my lepan tablet, but has way more functionality with it. So, it may be worthwhile to use.

 

[Ivan]

I went back and forth on the screen size. For now, the 7" screen seems ample. What sold me was the 32 extra gigs I could add via the microSD card. I'll post a photo of my set up later, but I'm digging that I can velcro the tablet in place and it's not too heavy. Taking it out is one quick rip away.

 

[kojackJKU]

Yeah, my LePan 8" is a great size too. It does not block my view of the road on the dash mount even though it looks like it would. I think the surface may start to do that. I have not tried yet. My wife and I both have the surface, and they are tied via MS services, one note, one drive etc. We have all our travel notes etc on one note so we can add to them independently and review wherever.