Netbook vs. iPad...

[TangoBlue]

...ugh, my brain hurts. Have searched the threads on these subjects but can't establish in my mind a clear winner for communication (email, internet; wiFi or cellular) and with the ability to use GPS software and antenna while mounted in my truck. Nor am I tech savvy enough to crack the code on which system is good now but maybe even better to pursue for the future.

Help me spend my money once with minimal regrets. Please chime in with your recommendations.

 

[smslavin]

Technology choices are always difficult. The iPad is a game changer in many many ways and right now Microsoft/HP/Dell/etc are still in shock over how fast it has taken hold. As much as they'll try, and as much as the competition would be good for Apple, they won't ever catch up.

For GPS, I have MotionX on my iPhone and it is very good. I can only imagine how it would be on the iPad. There's also GPS Tuner but it doesn't look like they have an iPad version yet. The one that looks very promising to me is Offroad Trail Maps. Right now it covers only Colorado and a bit of Moab.

There are several OS X native GPS apps and they were reviewed fairly well in the latest issue of Overland Journal. However, none of them have really kept pace with the latest technology and I've been rather unhappy with the demos. Maybe I just need to sit down and build one myself.

With the GPS apps currently available for the iOS platform, I can only imagine what's in the pipeline. Good stuff is on the way.

 

[TangoBlue]

No other opinions? Really?

 

[Dave Bennett]

I'm leaning toward iPad since my Samsung netbook died less than a year after purchase...

BUT, even though I love Apple products, right now I'm waiting to see what other "tablet" options appear after the new year, there are several new offerings in different sizes about to be released that have comparable or even better features than the current iPad.

I'd wait a bit if'n I were you amigo :costumed-smiley-007

 

[CharlieV]

Guys,

Please post any updates to iPad GPS software that you come across. I'm hoping to go this route for my GPS system, but right now software from Garmin and Delorme doesn't seem to be compatible. That's kind of a deal breaker as everyone I wheel with uses and shares these two systems.

 

[off-roader]

I use a cheapy Acer One net book with an ssd and 2x 32gb class 6 SD cards for read only storage as my off road gps. Works fine but I would prefer the ipads "potentially" easier interface.

Unfortunately there's still no simple and all in one solution for it. You have to first jailbreak the iPad to use a decent sirfstar iii gps (Bluetooth) buy the mapping software from one source, then get topo, street, satellite imagery each from differing sources (hopefully a single source exist for the data).

I wish someone offered a complete software solution for both street nav (w/ both sat. imagery, and normal map data) and off road (w/ both hi res topo and sat. imagery) solution in one seamless package.

 

[teebes]

I use a cheapy Acer One net book with an ssd and 2x 32gb class 6 SD cards for read only storage as my off road gps. Works fine but I would prefer the ipads "potentially" easier interface.

Unfortunately there's still no simple and all in one solution for it. You have to first jailbreak the iPad to use a decent sirfstar iii gps (Bluetooth) buy the mapping software from one source, then get topo, street, satellite imagery each from differing sources (hopefully a single source exist for the data).

I wish someone offered a complete software solution for both street nav (w/ both sat. imagery, and normal map data) and off road (w/ both hi res topo and sat. imagery) solution in one seamless package.

No need to jailbreak the iPad, the 3G models come with a builtin gps chip. You do NOT need to pay for the service in order to use GPS. :elkgrin:

I recently purchased a 32 GB model, 3G IPad. Last weekend I spent a long weekend up in Big Bear traversing a number of new trails. I used MotionX GPS (and their Drive version) exclusively. The software is great - and cheap. (3.99 for each, I think). The software is leightweight and allows tiles to stream based upon your location (if you have 3G or wifi access), or, and the feature I love, the software allows you to preplan your trip and cache maps locally before you set out. Also nice for traveling witthout internet access!

The screen size, instant on nature of the device along with a diverse number of map software makes this is a solid choice!


Screenshot from MotionX tracking:

 

[off-roader]

No need to jailbreak the iPad, the 3G models come with a builtin gps chip. You do NOT need to pay for the service in order to use GPS. :elkgrin:

You do if you want good gps performance away from cell towers since the iPad 3G uses an "assisted" gps chipset unlike the sirfstar iii chipset found in a quality gps unit.

 

[teebes]

You do if you want good gps performance away from cell towers since the iPad 3G uses an "assisted" gps chipset unlike the sirfstar iii chipset found in a quality gps unit.

So far i've personally used a 3g model far, far away from cell towers or towns. Its worked beautifully, sometimes locking in before my handheld garmin does :victory:

 

[Root Moose]

You do if you want good gps performance away from cell towers since the iPad 3G uses an "assisted" gps chipset unlike the sirfstar iii chipset found in a quality gps unit.

People are still getting this wrong.

The GPS chip in the Apple devices is fine.

The "assist" part is not to augment the GPS chip in normal usage to get basic functionality. It is to help get a location fix when the gps satellites can not be seen due to buildings and such being in the way.

In wide open spaces the iPad GPS will work perfectly fine.

 

[evldave]

In wide open spaces the iPad GPS will work perfectly fine.

This is key. If you are in heavily forested areas, or canyons, etc., the iPad GPS won't work as well as a SirfIII GPS. Also, another benefit of external GPS is that you can put the GPS on the dash, roof, etc. and you won't have as many vehicle-body-signal-blockage issues.

That said, mapping software for an iPad is still behind Windows software...delorme, garmin, national geographic, ozi explorer, overland navigator are all Windows-based, and all generally are better for off-road/overlanding than most of the iPad apps. Notice the emphasis, because obviously everyone has an opinion, and some really like the iPad apps...

The drawback of PC software is actually the hardware...there isn't yet a platform that equals the iPad for size and functionality (well HP just release their slate, but we'll see)...so I'd guess sometime in the next year or so we'll see (1) better software for the iPad; and (2) better Windows-based hardware for using in your car.

Disclaimer: I have a Lenovo S10-3t touchscreen netvertible (netbook/tablet combo). I think it's great, and since I'm a Windows fan with lots of Windows software already, I bought that instead of an iPad (my wife has an iPhone 4 and begs me for an iPad every day). It is a lot slower than the iPad (in general), but has a lot more capability and so far from what I can see, is years ahead of the iPad as far as truly functional off-road/camping/overland software. Case in point: Try and download trails/waypoints from your iPad to your GPS unit...oh wait! No USB port...since I use my computer to create routes/waypoints/etc and then download them to my garmin, the iPad doesn't work for me. And I use it for fishing (marking great fishing spots)...and can't do that on an iPad (well, there may be an app for that, but I can't mark the spots in my waterproof/cheaper GPS and then save them later on my iPad)...

so, really it is highly dependent on what you are looking for and need

 

[Root Moose]

In wide open spaces the iPad GPS will work perfectly fine.

This is key. If you are in heavily forested areas, or canyons, etc., the iPad GPS won't work as well as a SirfIII GPS.

My comment is being taken out of context here.

The iPad GPS is a standard GPS device. It will work in wide open spaces or in the bush as well as any standard GPS device. If it can get satellite locks, like any other GPS setup, then it will work. If any GPS device is in a canyon deep enough to block view of the satellites it will not work regardless of what chip is in the device. This includes the SirfIII.

To be clear, the iPad does not need cell tower access in order for the GPS to work.

That said, depending on where you are the iPad may work better than a dedicated GPS receiver because it can augment its location via cell. Yes, this is a specious argument.

Will it work as well as the SirIII? Satellite acquisition times? Sensitivity? I don't know. I'd like to see benchmarks on that.

For in vehicle usage an external antenna makes sense regardless.

 

[off-roader]

Nobody's arguing if the ipad gps works. We're discussing how well it works off road. That said, If you're questioning if it will work as well as a sirf star iii chip set, then you should bone up on gps technology:Wow1:.

Sirf star III is the chip set of choice among gps aficionados for the past several years due to it's ability to lock onto satellites in non-gps friendly terrain.

Can mean the difference between useable and garbage as far as a gps device is concerned unless you wheel in a strictly 2d space. Yes the difference is that obvious and I've experienced it firsthand where one gps worked and one didnt. this was outside of a vehicle in the sierra nevada forests.

 

[DrMoab]

As much as they'll try, and as much as the competition would be good for Apple, they won't ever catch up.

They said that about the iPhone too yet Android is taking over as the dominant and probably better OS.

Apple has this amazing ability to come out with great products that are on the bleeding edge of things only to sit back and let the competition walk all over them. It will happen with the iPad as well.

 

[Outdoorsben]

They said that about the iPhone too yet Android is taking over as the dominant and probably better OS.

Pick any 1 droid phone and compare it to the iPhone. The iPhone is 1 phone on 1 carrier, once it hits vzn it's going to pull so far ahead. There are what 15 droid phones to 1 iPhone?

Back on topic, what about the new MacBook Air???