What to do with a tablet?

[bringthemap]

We got a knock on the door today from the building management people with a package that arrived for us 18 months ago. Apparently, the just forgot to give it to us until now (seems to be par for the course out here in Malaysia). Anyway, it turned out to be a free Lenovo Tab A7 tablet that we apparently got when we signed up for our internet package (which explains how we didn't notice it hadn't arrived).

It doesn't really have much resale value so I figured I should look to incorporate it in my Land Rover build and wanted to get some ideas as to what cool things I could use it for. Anyone have any good ideas?

Zack

 

[tarditi]

GPS, and load a bunch of tech manuals, music, videos, and checklist PDFs onto the file storage for offline use.

 

[ZMagic97]

Perhaps an info database back-up? Phone numbers, vehicle info for fluids and capacities, maps..etc.

Also could be fun to use for just cruising the Expo page. Before my tablet bit the dust I took it with me to the indoor play places while the kids were bouncing around for Expo thread cruising and reading news articles.

 

[97GreenMeanie]

Download the RAVE manual (if available for your Rover) and leave the PDF's on there for use as a shop manual.
Throw a bunch of maps, MP3's and Videos on it and use it for navigation and entertainment.

 

[WildlandOutdoors]

Wheres the best place you guys have found to get tech manuals to download?

 

[AFBronco235]

You just have to search around a bit. I found some digitized ford factory manuals for my Bronco on Ebay a while back. Best investment I made and keep copies on my tablet. I also keep maps on there of course, connected to a Bluetooth gps dongle.
I would also look into some random "survival" manual pertaining to your style of overlanding. For instance, I also keep a copy of FM-22 on my tablet, which is a US army Field Manual and covers basic vehicle survival and emergency repairs, including how to winch yourself out of a bad situation. First aid, land navigation and language books/apps would be good too.

 

[SoCal Tom]

GPS, topo maps, movies

Sent from my Lenovo A7600-F using Tapatalk

 

[bringthemap]

Some good ideas there. I especially like the one about downloading the tech manuals. Would come in very useful on our round the world trip, as I imagine we will have a few situations where they will be needed.

I was also reading about using it for engine diagnostics. Anyone have any experience of that? Do the bluetooth diagnostic chips work well?

 

[kojackJKU]

My suggestion is out the window as you have a 1992, before OBD was standard. But you can also add an inclemeter, GPS/topo mapping, etc to your rig. music and video is secondary to mapping and storage space IMO.

 

[Root Moose]

You need to find out what is available for your vintage of ECU. I'm also going to assume your truck is UKDM since you are in Singapore.

Various vehicles have some pretty cool stuff available for the older ECUs - real time, while running, tuning and gauge display for example.

I don't know what is available for you machine though.

FWIW, don't upgrade your tablet to the latest version of the OS that is available. If it came with Android 4, stay with 4. If 5 stay with 5. I'm building a HUD out of a Android 4 tablet and made the mistake of upgrading to 5. It's pokey/slow and I'll be downgrading the OS. It's being used as an embedded device effectively (boots straight to the HUD software) so it doesn't need the latest greatest OS improvements.

2¢