Yo guys,
I wanted to share with you my new GPS set up.
Over the last year I've had my iphone 6 in a ram x-grip mount, attached to the windshield with a single suction cup. It works well but navigating off road was kind of annoying with such a small screen. Also, I was filling up my phone's storage with maps (more on maps in a bit). So I began looking for a tablet that I could use exclusively for navigation in the Montero and I settled on the
Fusion5 7" phablet.
I know, I've never heard of Fusion5 either but for $60 and Amazon's return policy I figured why not?
The tablet has a lot of features that tablets many times more expensive do not have that made it exactly what I was looking for:
16GB Storage (upgrade able to 128) - For storing maps and music
Built in GPS - duh
Android OS - For downloading Google Play and Apps
Sim Card Slot - For international calling if on vacation
Bluetooth
Wifi
To use offroad: simply download the "PDF Maps" App by Avenza. Create an account and search the store for the maps you want. There are a lot of free maps, including some Natl. Forest Maps.
Then you just open the pdf map and if you're on the map in real life, the tablet will show your location on it. I downloaded a bunch of free maps for the Tonto Natl. Forest and tested the tablet on my last Verde River Trip. It worked great, and was accurate within a few feet.
You'll want to make sure you have a
12v socket charger with usb/mini usb input so you can charge your tablet while driving.
The tablet comes with a screen protector installed but finding a case for it is near impossible which is one of the downsides of going with a no name brand. There is a folio case for it but that wouldn't work great in this situation, so I opted for a
universal silicone case and with some minor trimming for the buttons it works okay.
I tried to find a way to mount it in the car but haven't had any luck. I tried a double suction cup windshield RAM mount but decided that it blocked too much of my view and also I was too scared of it falling off. I tried finding a way to bolt a ram base to the center gauge cluster but the center gauge is held on by 2 screws bolted into old plastic so the forces would be too much for it over time and I think you'd break your center gauge cluster housing. I would need to custom fab up a piece of metal that goes under the center gauge cluster like Eurosonic did in his build thread but I don't really have the skills for that.
I might try the Nite-Ize line of magnetic mounts in the future to see if one of those works but for now, the tablet fits great behind the transmission shifter and I can just check it when stopped or the passenger can use it. You could easily mount it below the radio on that empty single din panel but I plan on putting an ultra-gauge there soon.
The preferred set up for now:
