Best tablets for navigation?

[ETAV8R]

I'm happy with my mount:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F3F09O4/ref=oh_details_o03_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[KarstenP]

I use a 10" Motorola Xoom2 with built in 3G/GPS, running on Android 4.04 and love it.
Connects to everything via BT or WiFi, works as a remote for my GoPro and is basically my office when I'm on the road.
In my RAM it was mounted via a vehicle and tablet specific mount made by Brodit. Onroad I use Navigon (Garmin) and offroad it's Orux Maps for me.
The built in 16gb is enough for me. The USB can be used as USB host, so you can add USB sticks or whatever you want.
I used a Windows XP based CarPC system with 7" touchscreen before. The step up to Android and the 10" screen was really worth it.

 

[haven]

The Google Nexus 7 has an internal GPS receiver, so the WiFi only model works well for navigation. MSRP for a 16 GB Nexus 7 (2013 edition) is $230. Office Depot has taken $50 off, making your price $180 through December 21. That's lower than many Black Friday deals.

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/870743/Google-Nexus-7-Tablet-2013-16GB/

 

[theksmith]

sites like woot.com and dailysteals.com often have cheap refurbished tablets that are great for someone wanting to try out this idea without dropping a ton of coin. i'd stay away from the cheaper brands though (Coby, Pyle, Kodak, Vizio, etc.) and prefer something like Samsung, Motorola, Asus, Acer, Dell, Etc.

currently an older gen Nexus 7 WiFi 16GB for $129: http://www.dailysteals.com/icemonkey/#d/15149
and several tablet deals here right now, the 2nd gen Nexus for $220 looks like the best bang-for-buck to me: http://sellout.woot.com/plus/tablets-3

i really prefer having a tablet with cell-based data service instead of just WiFi. you can always use your phone as a hotspot but that's just another step to perform. if anyone is going with a semi-permanently mounted tablet definitely consider a 3G/4G one... Pandora instead of FM or XM is great, and having Google Maps overlaid with real time traffic is really handy in town. i'll often pop over to our website forum on the tablet to see if there are any last minute additions or cancellations on the way out to a run too.

 

[Moving Chicane]

Ha! Cool video although the iPAD is only 1 of 3 devices; and not in front of either the driver or navigator.

 

[Cole]

Ha! Cool video although the iPAD is only 1 of 3 devices; and not in front of either the driver or navigator.

Right......but on a topic about tablets......that is the one they chose:coffeedrink: it's not like the other 2 devices were other tables

 

[Mad Matt]

A picture is worth a 1,000 words...


1996 Toyota Land Cruiser interior by blindranger, on Flickr

I have been using an old 1st gen 64GB 3G iPad in my DD for nearly 2yrs and it works great. If I needed to replace it, I'm not sure I would cough up the cash to buy a comparable new iPad, but work paid for it, so I will cross that road another day.

 

[Rattler]

Would one of these work as a GPS?

http://www.abcwarehouse.com/product_catalog/pc_proddetails.asp~assort_id~1360~prod_id~34403

 

[haven]

Re the Azpen Tablets A727, I don't see any information online that confirms that the tablet has a GPS chip. So you'd need an external GPS receiver. I'm leery about buying an Android tablet with only 512K RAM, but it will probably work OK when dedicated to a single function.

I think we'll see many inexpensive Android and Windows tablets introduced at the CES show next week. It might make sense to wait to see what's announced before buying a tablet from an unknown brand.

 

[evldave]

Would one of these work as a GPS?

http://www.abcwarehouse.com/product_catalog/pc_proddetails.asp~assort_id~1360~prod_id~34403

That might be stretching it on the 'low cost' side of things. I didn't see any built-in GPS or bluetooth, which means you may not be able to connect to an external GPS. I have quite a few of these 'cheap' Android tablets, and most get to that cost by using lower cost wireless components, which usually means no GPS or Bluetooth.

If this model did have Bluetooth, you could always get an external bluetooth GPS and use that, however the screen resolution is very 2009, so you might be disappointed by the quality. Of course, it's a cheap tablet, so there are tradeoffs

Also, it only has 512MB of memory...not a big problem for running basic applications, but I have found that it can cause quite a lot of screen (actually map tile) refresh issues...lots of chunky scrolling when you are driving and the tablet has to update the screen.

It does have Google Play, which would allow you to get some solid mapping software.

Looking in your price range, I would keep an eye out for a refurbished or lightly used Nexus 7 (first generation). I've seen those for as little as $90 on extreme sale (usually $120 or so) and they have built-in GPS (works well) and have a nice screen and processor. It's a little more expensive than the $60 for this tablet, but you have everything built into the unit and don't have to buy anything else.

 

[Rattler]

Thanks for the info guys. I am just looking for maybe a cheaper alternative/update/more detailed info to my Garmin Nuvi 550 that is getting old. I would love something that would run Google Earth in real time.

 

[basecamper]

FWIW I just purchased a Nexus 7 2013 32GB from OfficeMax.com for $215.99 plus tax with free shipping. Some tablets 20% off with promo code SAVE20.

 

[Rattler]

I am thinking a netbook might be an easier way to go for me.

 

[Cole]

I am thinking a netbook might be an easier way to go for me.

That sounds exponentially more cumbersome these days. From apps, add on vs built-in gps, battery life, cellular data, boot time..... The list goes on and on....

 

[shane4x4]

I am thinking a netbook might be an easier way to go for me.

Can you still even buy netbooks?