Tablet for navigation and music

[jasonedu]

My Garmin navigator has just died and I am looking at the price of a new one versus a small tablet and like the idea of going with the tablet. I have the Garmin maps already so it will just be a matter of getting the software to run over the top of them for navigation, and memory-map for a wider view.

As well as this I would like to use the tablet to play music through the stereo. Possibly using blue tooth (or are there other options). An upgrade of the stereo was on the cards anyway so i can pick up blue tooth there. I think the tablet will provide better storage and interface for playing my music than any stereo i have seen and i can customise it later if i get sick of the look of it.

It all sounds theoretically possible but don't know anyone that has done this. Do the tablets have the grunt to play music and navigate at the same time? Any thoughts on if this is all a good idea or alternative suggestions?

thanks

[Basil135]

Not sure how many tablets actually have bluetooth capability. Haven't actually looked, to tell you the truth.

I like your thinking, but, if your going to upgrade your sound system anyway, why not just put your music on a USB stick... ($4.87 for 8gb from Officeworks)

Keep the tablet for the navigation. Besides, if you want to change the song, you wont have to minimise or exit out of the Nav screen.

[lewy]

i have tried a couple of the cheapies off places like deals direct,whilst they will work the screens arn't really suitable for outdoor work as there is to much glare,also i dont think ozi explorer works on andruid devices if the cheapies are what you are thinking.also some don't have true gps as you will need to be in a network area.

[TeamFA]

A tablet (provided you buy one with the specs you're after) will definitely do navigation as well as music.

I use my Galaxy Note (1) as a bluetooth music player (to a bluetooth-enabled head unit), as well as running Sygic or Maverick for navigation. For the navigation I also connect to a bluetooth GPS unit with external antenna, for better reception. All works a treat. With such versatile multi-purpose devices out there these days, I can't see much sense in buying a dedicated GPS unit.

If I had more money, I would buy a tablet to live permanently in the car.

Android vs iPad is another argument entirely, coming down to brand preference and how much money you're willing to pay.

[lewy]

was looking at a galaxy note the other day,how do you find the screen out doors

[TeamFA]

The note I have is the 5.3" "Phone" note, not the larger sizes.

Screen is the brightest I've used, and tried a few of the iPhones and cheaper tablets, some are difficult in the sun to read. No problems at all with the one I have (n7000).

[jasonedu]

Not sure how many tablets actually have bluetooth capability. Haven't actually looked, to tell you the truth.

I like your thinking, but, if your going to upgrade your sound system anyway, why not just put your music on a USB stick... ($4.87 for 8gb from Officeworks)

Keep the tablet for the navigation. Besides, if you want to change the song, you wont have to minimise or exit out of the Nav screen.

bluetooth and GPS are both features that some tablets have, others dont but there are quite a few with both - starting at about $200 for a brand name.

could go with the USB stick - but its not the cost of the usb (although navigating through hundreds of albums is pretty tedious on the head unts I have seen) - its the idea that for the price of a decent Garmin device I can buy a tablet that does navigation and a lot of other things as well that is driving my decision.

[jasonedu]

A tablet (provided you buy one with the specs you're after) will definitely do navigation as well as music.

I use my Galaxy Note (1) as a bluetooth music player (to a bluetooth-enabled head unit), as well as running Sygic or Maverick for navigation. For the navigation I also connect to a bluetooth GPS unit with external antenna, for better reception. All works a treat. With such versatile multi-purpose devices out there these days, I can't see much sense in buying a dedicated GPS unit.

If I had more money, I would buy a tablet to live permanently in the car.

Android vs iPad is another argument entirely, coming down to brand preference and how much money you're willing to pay.

Thanks for the info.

I hadn't heard of the blue tooth GPS units. I was guessing the tablets don't do as fast on GPS startup or locating satellites but was willing to live with this. Is your unit powered by the car battery and what did you go with?

Jason

[two up]

I have an Asus tf 300 t. It is a 10" tablet that runs Android 4.3. I run oxiexplorer for navigation and use a cable from the tablet to the stereo for music, the stereo does not have Bluetooth, the tablet does. Cold start up takes about 15 secs and the tablet has internal GPS, hard drive is 32 gig so plenty of room for maps and music. Screen is viewable in full sunlight and switching between apps is very easy.

[jwb]

Google (Asus) Nexus 7. Fastest processor in its class and great screen resolution - better than iPad mini and half the price. Ozi does run on Android and is now in beta. Love it. With 32GB built in and USB OTG for accessing files on a memory stick etc.

[Cannon]

Google (Asus) Nexus 7. Fastest processor in its class and great screen resolution - better than iPad mini and half the price. Ozi does run on Android and is now in beta. Love it. With 32GB built in and USB OTG for accessing files on a memory stick etc.

I concur. I got one of these at Christmas time (32Gig) & it's fantastic.

Oziexplorer, Memory-Map, Orux Maps (my Fav) Androzic all work great.

You can even add external USB storage with an OTG cable & any size memory stick.

I have unlocked & rooted ( no not stuffed) mine but I believe there's an app for using external sticks available.

*EDIT* it has BT,WiFi & GPS

[TeamFA]

My bluetooth GPS module is years old, bought from eBay real cheap. They seem to have gone out of vogue now, though, only found one on eBay with a quick search:
HOLUX GR-236 SiRF Star III Bluetooth GPS Receiver | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HOLUX-GR-236-SiRF-Star-III-Bluetooth-GPS-Receiver-/281036176336?pt=AU_GPS_Accessories&hash=item416f0fbbd0)

Battery onboard, that can be charged via USB.

This one has an optional external antenna. This is what makes all the difference. Mine runs to the bullbar at the front of the car (can't put on our roof, as there's a roof rack on top that's usually carrying a roof bag) - best spot for reception on ours is the bullbar.

The built-in GPS antenna on a lot of phones and tablets can be pretty good, but having the device inside the car blocks a lot of signal.

All phones I've tried take a while to lock, and struggle to keep a lock or keep accuracy when offroading in the bush (trees!). With the bluetooth with external antenna, I have a full lock by the time I've connected the bluetooth, and have never lost lock in the bush, accuracy never wavers (given away by the consistency of tracks recorded when driving through the bush).

[nick_e]

+1 Nexus 7.

I bought a near new second hand 16GB version for 180 a few months back.

Awesome tablet. Highly recommend it.

[OffTrack]

There are actually still quite a few external gps units around.

I was looking with an eye to iOS compatibility but these work should work equally well with Android devices:

Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver for Today (http://xgps150.dualav.com)

GNS 1000 GPS Receiver: GNS - Global Navigation Systems (http://www.gns-gmbh.com/index.php?id=225&L=1)

cheers
Paul