What is the best tablet to use for in car navigation?

I think the performance of the Traveller app on both platforms is the same, so if you're starting out choice of devices makes no real difference. Disregarding $$$, choose it to match your phone or other devices, IMO.

The Galaxy A is a lower end model, you might like to look at the S series for better performance, but both will work. I have a Galaxy A as a backup (a gift from Telstra!)

Cheers

The best one is the one that you can afford and uses technology you are comfortable with.

For me that was apple because it works with my other devices and desktop.

Others have their own views. And they are entitled to them.

Personally I find an iPad a bit large for in-car use and prefer an iPad mini.

Good luck with it.

Just remember that when you purchase the app it is only for one platform. So if you have iPhones then get an iPad.

I use it on my iPhone and in vehicle use an iPad mini4 with a single RAM mount. A full size iPad may need the double suction ram as they are quite heavy or get the model that bolts to the seat mount frame.

Cheers
Mike

Judy and I use the Ipad with a seat mounted ram mount. We love it, but it is on the higher side of price. We actually use 2 Ipads, one running traveller and the other running Hema which she also uses for other purposes whilst travelling.

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Hi Craig,

I have been using a Samsung Galaxy Tab A since 2016 and could not wish for a better display for my OziExplorer and associated maps. It is very readable and serves also as my Internet browser when away from home. I can even use it as a phone or camera if needed.
Highly recommend it.

hi Craig
I use 10inch iPad because I already had one. Have travelled many rough roads and the iPad has performed very well, as they are built well, but I cant compare it to the Samsung, and they may be just as good.
The point I want to make is that I would strongly recommend you get a 10inch unit as you can read it without having to put reading glasses on while driving. The iPad is heavy, so I use a double RAM mount without problems on corrugations.
Cheers, Dalb

Gday Craig. Been looking at this for a while. If you choose Android, I recommend looking at Andrzej's (My Next Tablet) reviews, pretty much the bees knees. He also reviews Ipads and other tablets, although not for mapping/location abilities.

Here's his review of the TAB A 10:
Galaxy Tab A 10 .
Another for his top 10 Android TABs in each price category:
2020 Top 10.

Alternatively if you want a Samsung TAB with the best display (SuperAMOLED - brighter, less reflection etc) you can get an S4 with S pen second hand for ~$500 from Ebay/Gumtree.

Don't forget your TAB should have GPS, or in Samsung's case mention both wifi and "LTE/4G/cellular" in the description. GPS-capable model numbers usually end in a 5 eg SM-T835.... for an S4, while wifi only models end in a 0.

Windscreen RAM mount and cradle will set you back ~$120.

I use a galaxy S5e Tab. with Oziexplorer. I have a 256g micro card and that has all the Hema maps plus all the Get Lost maps and a few others. It is mounted on the Windscreen with something similar to this:
https://www.gadgets4geeks.com.au/epages/shop.sf/?Locale=en_AU&ObjectPath=/Shops/gadgets4geeks/Products/CARH-175&ViewAction=ViewProductViaPortal&gclid=CjwKCAjw-5v7BRAmEiwAJ3DpuGKrjcqbWKYRu4mQvH-id164llfTNcXjdBs-beI1IvMTBrC5Ge7DtRoCECwQAvD_BwE.
IMHO no need to pay mega bucks for the mounts. Mine has been going for over 10 years now.
My earlier Tab was also samsung and it was a lot heavier than the newer model. Tab doubles as phone and camera.

Craig,

Been using an iPad with Hema 4WD Maps for 6-7 years, and it does what I need. Agree with others that the bigger sizes suit Nav work, especially on rougher tracks like the Canning & some of Beadell tracks.

Originally had a windscreen mount but last 2 years have used a seat mount type, not having a passenger, at the moment, helps.

The mapping, when logging one's track, seems to use Sh!tloads of power, and it's best to have USB outlets with >2.4A output. Don't know if Samsung Tabs have this problem?

Bob

An important factor to research is how well you can see the screen in bright sunlight. This varies quite a lot from device to device. I'm not an Apple person but I must say the screens on the iphone and ipad are first class in this regard. Perhaps others on here can relay information about what Android devices are easy to read when sunlight and reflection are in play?

When you chose a device keep in mind the following:

*software/operating system updates from Android OR Apple only apply for 2-3 years, and generally app stores (particularly Apple) force developers to not support devices on older operating systems so you will get at most 4-5 years from your tablet or iPad.

*the most important spec in your navigation device is processing power - so look at CPU speed and RAM. This will give you the best performance when asking the device to do a lot of complex tasks - which mapping/navigation is.

*we have developed ExplorOz Traveller as a cross-platform app which means the UI on all platforms is the same which means it doesn't matter which platform you choose - Android, Windows, Apple - the app program itself is the same.

*Android devices usually offer the use of expandable storage via SD cards - this is invaluable. With Apple devices they don't offer expandable storage via SD cards so you must consider buying sufficient internal storage eg. 16GB is not enough. You can buy up to 256GB but that is not necessary. All devices use about 1/4 of the stated storage just to run the device (operating system and bloatware). Consider photos and video files are very large these days - you must consider how to get them off your device for permanent storage and backup - Apple force you into their paid subscription cloud service so look at those costs. Android is not locked so you can easily save files and move to dropbox or hard drive for permanent storage. Apple ends up costing more but yes they are lovely devices. We have a mix of Apple and Android devices and cannot say which is "better". Each has its pros/cons.

They don't last forever so just go with what you think works for you and your budget for now.