Android tablet for mapping feedback

I have Samsung Tab 7.7 and it is great for running OziE. At full brightness the screen is good except for when full sunshine is shining on it. I have a seasucker mount and it has never failed, even on bad corrugations.

When screen is on full brightness the USB charger does not keep up and the battery slowly drains. With lower brightness levels the battery charges. I find that by adjusting brightness to conditions I can maintain battery all day.

Only problem I find is that even with the brightness dimmed as low as it will go it is still a bit bright for night driving.

I have just received a Samsung Note 2 and installed OziE on it. Not had a chance to use it on a long trip but on short trips it appears to be good. The charger charges even on the highest brightness settings. I am using a old Arkon mount that I had for a Windows CE PDA and the Note 2 fits OK.

Both units keep up with Ozi fine, and receive a good number of satellites. Both receive both GPS and Glasnoss birds so typically have over 15 satellites.

I run Memory Map software on my kids Ipad, on my Samsung Note 2, and a recently purchased Asus TF300 10 inch Tablet.

All work great and the licensing system for Memory Map allows it to run across any platform ( as well as my PC for planning and printing maps). I have Vic and NSW 225K topo, Aust 250K topo, hema, Westprint and Rooftop maps as well as many I imported myself.

I ended up with the Asus over the Samsung because the Samsung is fairly restrictive with the Memory and cards ( though no where near as bad as the Ipad). I wanted lots of storage and removable storage. The Samsung needs a dongle to adapt an SD card or USB but the Asus has these built into the keyboard docking unit.

I got a 32GB, 3G 10" tablet with detachable keyboard from JB hifi for $439 with some haggling. I added a 64GB Micro SD card for $65 from a computer shop.

I can simply plug in a USB stick or SD card from the camera to look at movies and photos while on the road. It's bright in the car but could be brighter outside in the sun.

It keeps up with the tracking very well and starts up in less than a few seconds from sleep or 15 seconds from power off.

i run oziexplorer on a 10" android acer iconia A500. the tablet is a couple of years old now, the software refreshes quick enough (i dont use it for turn by turn city driving)
the app was cheap, i had already had the hema maps.
i mount it to the windscreen with a ram mount which also rests on the dash. it doesnt move at all. it gets its fair share of bumps (i dont have any sealed roads where i live).

it all works a treat. the screen changes brightness at the swipe of a finger. the cigarette plug power struggles a bit keeping up with the consumption, but then recharges whenever im not driving. its never actually run out of charge.

I've recently bought the Google Nexus 7. Seems a good size for in car use.
I'm running OZI for Android (very impressed) and Sygic for street GPS.

I'm still getting set up but noticed the cigarette lighter/USB cable I've used ok with my phone doesn't keep up with the battery drain.

A bit of research shows this is an issue with devices like the iPad and Nexus that have USB cables designed for computer USB ports. You might need some aftermarket charger/cable to prevent the battery discharging on the road.

cheers