Ipad vs Others

I run a tablet PC runs windows7 and has a solid state harddrive so no moving parts.
Yes you do run the risk of damaging the harddrive on a standard laptop.
If your laptop is getting a bit "older" try it and see how it goes as a USB GPS will only set you back 70$. Make sure you back up your laptop onto a external drive.

If your computer dies then you can invest in a solid state laptop or a tablet.

Craig

I have used an iPad for a few trips now and it is fantastic. I use the Memory/Hema maps app.

The iPad sits on the dash of the Troopy with a suction cup mount I ordered on Amazon.

Hope that helps

Michael A

I have a mate who uses an 32 GB iPad for all bush navigation. He formerly has had PC's and Palm Pilots. They're old hat now........

It's great (I'm envious) and he has had no issues with accuracy/GPS/etc. He travels many, many miles n rough country - again, no issues. He has a large suction cap mounted holder on the windscreen of his Troopy.

He uses a map program with 3D function and moving map. Unfortunately I can't recall the name of the program or what file types it utilises. I do know he downloaded it. He's away in the bush so can't ask him. He has the Hema maps loaded also.

When in reception/range,he just pulls up & reads all his business emails/sends emails. It's a heaps good set up!

There are some good apps for fuel useage/records available on iPad.

Cheers

hi Mr 12" or footy

Your concerns regarding the spinning parts are not really a worry in this day and age.
If you do have a concern then install a solid state HD.
The PC will operate better than the the Ipad.

You can get small notebooks now with all solid state memory.
No spinning HD at all
Even better

Geoff

It's hard to go past the Ipad, they are still the tablet others a gauged by.

As for solid state harddrives vs stsndard type..... I think it's a bit of an urban myth one is better then the other and the excuse of "no moving parts" doesn't cut it..

We have used ONE laptop for over 4 years and have never had a problem, it hasn't even been formatted since we bought it new.

Many of our friends use laptops and the same never had a issue with the hard drive....... now before some come back and say there harddrive failed, show me the proof what caused the failure and I'll believe you.

For about the last 6 years nearly every harddrive comes with shock sensors and can handle big shock and vibration.

I have an ipad and it is very good because it does everything, gps through the day, web browser after evening meals and movie player after that. I do have a very very big problem keeping it charged up for all the activity. It does not charge very well through the day while the gps is running. The gps seems to suck the power out of it like nothing else. Therefore it has to remain on some sort of charger none stop to be of any use. It is the only problem I have had but it is quite annoying to have to constantly be thinking of keeping it charged up, especially if you are in a tent. The older they get the shorter the battery life and they aren't really meant to be changed either.

Hi Foot

I have a Samsung Galaxy 10.1 64gig tab which runs Android OS. The kids gave this for my birthday. On this I run Oziexplorer for Android with the Hema maps. Works a treat. I used to run a laptop and a 7" GPS. Still have the GPS on the dash but don't bother with the laptop anymore. The tab is so light and easy to use. I can plug an plug in Camera SD cards and external USB drives through an adapter...about $9 off eBay .

I do all my internet stuff through the tab by "WiFi tethering" it the my Telstra mobile. I use Bluetooth to to send music to remote wireless speakers or the car stereo. All easy to do. The built in GPS on the tab works very well.
There are as many apps for Android as there are for iPad. Both are good systems.
With an Android system there are plenty of manufacturers, sizes, features and price points to choose from.

Things you might want to consider for whatever you get are:
- mounting systems and availability of shades
- Screens type - iPad and Galaxy have the best
- charging - battery life for most is about 8 hours (my experience with constant use)
- software & mapping availability
- capability to add USB drives and SD cards etc.

Cheers

Brad

Have a think about what else you might want to do with the device before you choose it.

I usually update my blog while on the move but my laptop is too big to take on our current trip so I took my iPad. The iPad has major shortcomings for anything other than web browsing and emails. No support for Flash, can't transfer photos from my camera, can't upload photos to the web, can only email photos taken by the iPad.

So my updates will have to wat until we get home. Next trip I will take a Windows Ultrabook.

So my recommendation would be: get the Hema Navigator and use it for what it was designed for.

Posted from Finsnes in northern Norway on a Hurtigruten fjord cruise. Highly recommended.

The iPad also runs Bit Map which can use the Hema maps and the NSW and VIC 1:100,000 and 1:25,000 topo maps (no conversion required), and it runs VMS which has its own maps. I have had no trouble with the internal GPS in the iPad.

Foot,

As a long time OziExplorer user I did not want to change to anything else and for this reason I bought a Sumsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 which runs Android OS and there is a version of Ozi for it.
I have installed it for future evaluation against the Hema Navigator (HN5) I currently use. Both these run Ozi and include the Hema and Natmap series on digital maps.
I dont think it will replace the HN5 which is more compact but still practical, but with the larger dispay size I could be eventually convinced that the larger size may win out over compactness.

We will see!