Best tablet for mapping.

Hi Dave
I am a long time user of OziExplorer and a big fan of it, I used to use a PC in the car with a 7 inch touch screen that came out of the dash but now use a 10 inch ACER android tablet running Oziexplorer for Android.

This setup works great for me. The android version of Oziexplorer only has a fraction the functions of the PC version but more that enough for moving map functions. The touch screen interface is easy to use (much easier according to my chief navigator). If I want to edit a track later on I can simply transfer the plt file to my PC version of Ozi and can then use the full features. For me it's a great solution.

A 10 inch tablet works well, the tablet is an ACER 501, a bit dated now. I will be upgrading soon to a Samsung Tab S 10.5 inch simply because it has a screen that is easy to read in full sunlight (according to all the reviews I have read).

You should be able to get an adaptor to run the tablet from a 12volt source in the car so battery life should not be an issue but as a rule the brighter the screen the more power you use. Something with an AMOLED display will give better performance in bright light than LCD.

Make sure you get something with an SD card read so you can install all your maps on the card without filling up the internal memory of the device.

Cheers
Stephen

We use an iPad mini with the Hema map set but you can put the MudMap product on as well but have no experience of that product but interested to hear if anyone has. Depends on what you expect from your maps. OziExplorer has been something of a passion for many and with it you can download waypoints which are important for trips like the Hay River but apart from that have really never had the need to worry about that I only need to use it to relate to our paper maps to make sure I know where I am lost

After that you can choose Android etc. But the bottom line for choice of platform is what you use it for apart from mapping that will drive your choice.

We only use the iPad for mapping

Rob

Hi Dave,

I have been using a Toshiba netbook running OziExplorer but have had the same trouble with the screen in daylight hours, very difficult to read in certain light conditions. Earlier this year I bit the bullet and bought the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and am very pleased with the screen display, can be seen easily in all conditions. I am now running the Android version of OziExplorer whilst in vehicle, I would agree that this version is not ideal for planning a full trip, I still use the old netbook (full version) for this type of work and transfer the details across whenever needed.

I do have the Hema Explorer on the tablet as well but much prefer OziExplorer.

I drive a Paj and the Samsung is mounted in front of the dashboard by a suction cup mount off the windscreen, the mounting was originally used for the netbook and is now a bit overkill as the tablet only weighs a few kilos, the unit is recharged from the 12v lighter socket.

Good purchase!!

Samsung note 10.1, easily runs any mapping program, has in built gps and the best thing is if your not young, very easy to read. Bought a mount off ebay, about $20 and hasn't failed me yet, the mount has done 2 Cape trips plus the old coach road, and initially thought it might fail, but the mount is still there, also came with a cigi plug usb charger.

Simply put, you need to get your hands on a few and give them a whirl.

We use a 10" Android (that doubles as a laptop device with its built in (detachable) keyboard) but you'll use whatever you feel most comfortable with.
I have had, a 6inch, a 7inch and the 10 inch androids all running OziExplorer - no dramas at all!
Have also run Ozi on a 14in laptop, but that's a tiny bit less "handy" as it needs power.

As for mounts, I have found that "on the navigator's knees" is the most applicable. That way she cannot go to sleep ;)

I used also to use a Toshiba laptop running OziExplorer which I loved, particularly after I got a separate touchscreen that meant the laptop didn't have to sit on my wife's lap.

Then I got an iPad for Christmas several years ago which has been the absolute bane of my life for moving map purposes. The problem being that with Ozi on a PC you've just got so much functionality and flexibility, which suddenly isn't there with an iPad or other "iDevice" hence the frustration.

I also used an Android device for a while, which, whilst being more functional that the iPad, was still way short of what I was used to with a PC running Windows.

So, recently, at the suggestion of a member of the OziExplorer users' forum on yahoo.com, I purchased an HP Stream 8 tablet (for $169) which runs Windows and hence Ozi really well. I have all my maps that I've accumulated over the years loaded on and it switches between them effortlessly. I feel like I've finally come home! It just all works and is an elegant arrangement without a dozen wires running everywhere.

I find the 8" screen to be a good size (not too big not too small) and my windscreen suction cup mount works fine with this tablet. As my iPad was the WIFI-only version (ie without a GPS) I'd had to get a Dual XGPS150A Bluetooth GPS receiver and that works fine with the HP tablet. However I believe there may be tablets running Windows with in-built GPS's but I was happy to buy what was available here in Kalgoorlie, so I could take it back if it wasn't what I wanted.

Very good luck with your deliberations.

Our 8 Inch Samsung Tablet SM-T310 works fine for navigation, even when sitting on the lap of the navigator. This has the advantage that it can be moved away from direct sun sunlight which otherwise would give rise to a large temperature rise of the tablet. It also allows to have a close view of the screen. It can be stored away easily when not in use. The brightness of the screen is very good. The inbuilt GPS is sensitive enough to catch the signals even within the car, but this might be different for other tablets.

Cheers
Andy

We're using a Toshiba 8" tablet WT8-A. Windows 8 and inbuilt GPS. Oziexplorer runs very well on it.

Made a mount that fits into the cd slot on the radio and a little velcro tab to secure the top. Has had some pretty hairy trips and severe corrigations, never looked like losing grip. Power is from an ignition switched usb power supply and it's set to switch off when power dies.

Very happy, B.