Airmapper
Inactive Member
I've been looking at the current line of inexpensive Android tablets, and would like some real world feedback on how the more inexpensive units ($150-$250) handle running as navigation units.
I found a Tab E 9.5" on display and played with it some, the screen seemed good enough (although I can tell it's not as high resolution) and the touch interface seemed responsive, but what worries me is loading up a few apps running a moving map and displaying vehicle data over the OBD will ask too much of it.
I have been using an older (like first gen) iPad mini. While I don't have any complaints on the iPad hardware, it's inability to run apps I'd like to run has me wanting to ditch it for better compatibility of an Android device. It's also a 16gb model, which is somewhat limiting, although since I don't use it for much else I haven't run out of space yet. I currently have a Samsung Galaxy S7 as my smartphone, and using an Android device is ultimately what put me off of my Apple tablet once I realized things the Android platform can do that Apple can't. Also if I'm getting another device, a slightly larger screen would be acceptable, I'm liking the 9.5" size.
What I'd like to do is run mapping software and connect to my Bluetooth OBD reader. (as in Torque Pro widgets overlaid on the nav screen) Currently on my S7 I can run both nav and overlay OBD widgets and it's chugs along fine, but the S7 is far from a base line model, so it has ample processor speed and RAM to walk and chew gum at the same time. But it's screen is tiny and while it works great as a handheld device, not so much as a dash mounted option.
Things I might ask of it either by itself or several of these things at once...
Run moving map (Backcountry Navigator, Google Maps, GAIA, or the like...)
Read OBDII port via Bluetooth (Torque Pro)
Play music feeding head unit via headphone jack or maybe BT later.
Display a weather radar app.
Control GoPRO.
Run APRS via APRSdriod. Possibly connect via BT to a Mobilinkd.
Assume it will be running the first 3 simultaneously at least.
So has anyone used any of these units in this manner and how did they keep up?
Thanks! :sombrero:
I found a Tab E 9.5" on display and played with it some, the screen seemed good enough (although I can tell it's not as high resolution) and the touch interface seemed responsive, but what worries me is loading up a few apps running a moving map and displaying vehicle data over the OBD will ask too much of it.
I have been using an older (like first gen) iPad mini. While I don't have any complaints on the iPad hardware, it's inability to run apps I'd like to run has me wanting to ditch it for better compatibility of an Android device. It's also a 16gb model, which is somewhat limiting, although since I don't use it for much else I haven't run out of space yet. I currently have a Samsung Galaxy S7 as my smartphone, and using an Android device is ultimately what put me off of my Apple tablet once I realized things the Android platform can do that Apple can't. Also if I'm getting another device, a slightly larger screen would be acceptable, I'm liking the 9.5" size.
What I'd like to do is run mapping software and connect to my Bluetooth OBD reader. (as in Torque Pro widgets overlaid on the nav screen) Currently on my S7 I can run both nav and overlay OBD widgets and it's chugs along fine, but the S7 is far from a base line model, so it has ample processor speed and RAM to walk and chew gum at the same time. But it's screen is tiny and while it works great as a handheld device, not so much as a dash mounted option.
Things I might ask of it either by itself or several of these things at once...
Run moving map (Backcountry Navigator, Google Maps, GAIA, or the like...)
Read OBDII port via Bluetooth (Torque Pro)
Play music feeding head unit via headphone jack or maybe BT later.
Display a weather radar app.
Control GoPRO.
Run APRS via APRSdriod. Possibly connect via BT to a Mobilinkd.
Assume it will be running the first 3 simultaneously at least.
So has anyone used any of these units in this manner and how did they keep up?
Thanks! :sombrero: