Regarding Tablets

[AntrimMan]

I searched this forum and found a very few scattered posts regarding tablet+gps. Mostly pertaining to solving mounting concerns. The mount is of no concern to me, I'll cobble whatever is necessary.
Tablets themselves are an interesting subject for the optically challenged rider like myself. I don't need corrective lens for driving just yet but larger and brighter graphics are definitely better.
Currently I use a Kyocera Duraforce Pro, Verizon sapphire screen variety, on T-Mobile cellular with LOCUS mapping. It works well, very usable. My only complaint is it is rather compact for my old peepers.
The tablet approach appeals due to the enlarged screen size. My experiments with a few Kindle HD tablets on hand have been completely unsatisfactory. Yes, the image is larger and bright enough in the garage. The problem is ambient light. The screen is not viewable in bright sunlight. There are a handful of other Kindle issues I know, but I was testing screen brightness only.
Outdoor ruggedized tablets are extremely bright and are viewable in sunlight. They would do the job nicely. They are also priced beyond my comfort. I am admittedly a might thrifty.
My questions to the few member using tablets:
Does your screen suck in sunshine? How badly, 1= can't see it, 10= can easily see in sunlight.
What is the model number of your tablet?
TIA
All the best.

 

[thughes317]

I searched this forum and found a very few scattered posts regarding tablet+gps. Mostly pertaining to solving mounting concerns. The mount is of no concern to me, I'll cobble whatever is necessary.
Tablets themselves are an interesting subject for the optically challenged rider like myself. I don't need corrective lens for driving just yet but larger and brighter graphics are definitely better.
Currently I use a Kyocera Duraforce Pro, Verizon sapphire screen variety, on T-Mobile cellular with LOCUS mapping. It works well, very usable. My only complaint is it is rather compact for my old peepers.
The tablet approach appeals due to the enlarged screen size. My experiments with a few Kindle HD tablets on hand have been completely unsatisfactory. Yes, the image is larger and bright enough in the garage. The problem is ambient light. The screen is not viewable in bright sunlight. There are a handful of other Kindle issues I know, but I was testing screen brightness only.
Outdoor ruggedized tablets are extremely bright and are viewable in sunlight. They would do the job nicely. They are also priced beyond my comfort. I am admittedly a might thrifty.
My questions to the few member using tablets:
Does your screen suck in sunshine? How badly, 1= can't see it, 10= can easily see in sunlight.
What is the model number of your tablet?
TIA
All the best.

I don't have much in the way of advice except this: Most Kindle tablets do NOT have a GPS chip (they use wifi-based location services) so they are useless for navigation applications. (ask me how I know.....)

 

[Checkswrecks]

Cool - Maybe post a couple of photos to show how you mounted it.

 

[gapmtn1]

Following.
Currently using an old Samsung Galaxy Ultra on a Quad Lock. I don't think there are any phablets that are significantly bigger.
Screen brightness maxed out. For brightness, it does well about 80% of the time. If sun is in the wrong place then it is troublesome.. so I give it a 7.5 or 8 out of 10. Maybe the cheapy stick on screen protector helps diffuse glare?
I'm also doing safety glasses (inside full helmet) with bifocal magnification. So yeah, rocking a used tablet would be nice. Good point made above about GPS.. that's a must.

 

[Cycledude]

Love my easy to read in bright sunlight Zumo XT but hopefully one of these days Garmin will start building them with a much bigger screen.

 

[TenereGUY]

Ok, let me get back to you. I just rode my buddies AT on the CPAAT and it was in sun and rain. The thing was waterproof and mounted in a wonderful RAM Mount. Snapped in and out. I believe the mount was held in place with zip ties and it never moved. I will ask him for the information and fwd it to here!

 

[TenereGUY]

Here is his answer.

On the AT I use the Samsung Active Tab2 with the ram mount holder. But an android based tablet/phone will work.
The software is DMD2 by Thork Racing

 

[gapmtn1]

I've read good things about the Active Tabs.
I stumbled on a positive review (esp. backlighting) for Weuaste as an Android Auto / Apple Carplay device... but I don't think AA serves my purposes yet.

 

[Kruzzin5]

When I was in Morocco, I met up with a local on a S10. He was using his iPad with data and it worked excellent. Though, I never thought to ask him how/ if the iPad would work under intense heat.

 

[AntrimMan]

While reading internet reviews of tablets used with motorbikes I came across a multi page discussion on advrider.
Some members here may be interested in the opinions of like minded individuals.
https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/in-2022-what-rugged-android-phone-for-navigation.1569181/page-8
Primarily aimed at rugged phones but a fair bit of recent info on tablets too. It's a decent read.
Finding a tablet that does most of what I want is possible but not cheap.
Then there is the glaring issue with 4G vs 5G, it's odd that devices released in the last few months do not offer 5G.
A device not capable of 5G today may be of little use as a phone or data transceiver in a couple of years. Planned obsolescence maybe.
Of course lots of changes can happen in a couple of years so maybe my desire for a does it all moderately priced IP68 8inch non-reflective 1000 nit Qi capable rugged 5G cellular tablet is a bit optimistic.
I'm still looking and still reading.

 

[Kruzzin5]

While reading internet reviews of tablets used with motorbikes I came across a multi page discussion on advrider.
Some members here may be interested in the opinions of like minded individuals.
https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/in-2022-what-rugged-android-phone-for-navigation.1569181/page-8
Primarily aimed at rugged phones but a fair bit of recent info on tablets too. It's a decent read.
Finding a tablet that does most of what I want is possible but not cheap.
Then there is the glaring issue with 4G vs 5G, it's odd that devices released in the last few months do not offer 5G.
A device not capable of 5G today may be of little use as a phone or data transceiver in a couple of years. Planned obsolescence maybe.
Of course lots of changes can happen in a couple of years so maybe my desire for a does it all moderately priced IP68 8inch non-reflective 1000 nit Qi capable rugged 5G cellular tablet is a bit optimistic.
I'm still looking and still reading.

.... and ideally , it is waterproof.

 

[~TABASCO~]

To be honest I really had no interest in anything like a tablet at a all... Im not very "tech"..... One of the guys that joined us on the IDBDR ran a Chinese (Samsung-knock off) tablet... Each day and each evening I learned a little more and what he used if for, how he used it, and the Apps that were loaded........ I don't need one "today", but Im much more open to the idea of the use of one in the future. He bought one that is 'waterproof' with a case it comes in.... I think it's designed for construction or something 'rugged case'.... It just seemed that he had more info, more detail, and more info rather than the Garmin. (We use this for out in the back country BDR) There were several times on the BDR that we had to take alternate routes and his tablet was very useful to find the best way around when you are out in the super sticks. In one case my Garmin did not pick up what we were looking at on his tablet.

I believe he said he had this middle one....... Anyhow, I will probably add this to my "navigation" at some point.......... It was useful and cool information.

 

[AntrimMan]

the Ulefone Armor Pad 2023
Thanks for sharing the info, the model is on my reference spreadsheet.

 

[Wymbly1971]

Yes, it is the middle one. See links below. Sadly doesn't look like it's available anymore. I wouldn't hesitate to go with a 10" alternative though...might actually be better....

Worked very well throughout the journey. Was nice to use Gaia and Google Maps all along and never left me wondering where I was going, could pick best routes based on time, distance...on the fly. Also is a phone, so I used it as my primary communication tool; texting, phone, internet. Looked up and booked a hotel room with it, scoped out, booked camping in National/State parks, found a couple free camping spots. Was even able to download and view new IDBDR detours that had been published after I left. I also used it as my source of music, GoPro - Insta360 camera controller and Cardo controller. Used it to take quite a few pictures.

I left it plugged into the bike the whole time except for when it rained...was afraid moisture would get into that port. I also had some difficulty with charging cords...it seemed to not connect and I ended up buying 3 cords along the way. After getting fed up, I used some WD-40 to spray the end of my USB cables.....and had no other trouble.

At night I could watch several movies, chat with my wife, etc with battery power to spare.

I used to have a Garmin Zumo....but I'll never go back.

I use a Ram tablet mount with a U-bolt and short sleeve (that originally came with my RAM Quick-Grip XL phone mount.

Amazon.ca

Amazon.ca

RAM® Quick-Grip™ XL Phone Mount with Handlebar U-Bolt Base - Short

This version of the spring-loaded RAM® Quick-Grip™ holder provides a secure fit for a variety of large phones and other devices. The adjustable side keepers ensure that devices like GPS units and Bluetooth speakers within the listed compatible dimensions will also fit in the holder. Included is...

rammount.com

 

[Kruzzin5]

Yes, it is the middle one. See links below.

Worked very well throughout the journey. Was nice to use Gaia and Google Maps all along and never left me wondering where I was going, could pick best routes based on time, distance...on the fly. Also is a phone, so I used it as my primary communication tool; texting, phone, internet. Was even able to download and view new IDBDR detours that had been published after I left. I also used it as my source of music, camera controller and Cardo controller. Used it to take quite a few pictures.

I left it plugged into the bike the whole time except for when it rained...was afraid moisture would get into that port. I also had some difficulty with charging cords...it seemed to not connect and I ended up buying 3 cords along the way. After getting fed up, I used some WD-40 to spray the end of my USB cables.....and had no other trouble.

At night I could watch several movies, chat with my wife, etc with battery power to spare.

I used to have a Garmin Zumo....but I'll never go back.

I use a Ram tablet mount with a U-bolt and short sleeve (that originally came with my RAM Quick-Grip XL phone mount.

Amazon.ca

Amazon.ca

RAM® Quick-Grip™ XL Phone Mount with Handlebar U-Bolt Base - Short

This version of the spring-loaded RAM® Quick-Grip™ holder provides a secure fit for a variety of large phones and other devices. The adjustable side keepers ensure that devices like GPS units and Bluetooth speakers within the listed compatible dimensions will also fit in the holder. Included is...

rammount.com

How is it after hours of riding with the sun beating on it. Did the screen fade out or did the tablet overheat?

Do you have any pictures of the tablet mounted on the bike?

 

[Wymbly1971]

Hi Kruzzin5.

Aside from curing the USB cord trouble on day 3 of a 22 day journey it never gave me a stitch of trouble. I actually bought it several months before going on the IDBDR and it never gave me trouble before that either.

It never overheated in any condition. Daytime temps got into the high 30's (100F) on a regular basis for the first 2 weeks of trip.

I don't have any specific pictures but I'll gladly get you one next time I check on it (currently in secure storage). I might even be able to grab a snapshot from some of the video footage I have...if I stumble on some.

 

[Wymbly1971]

...some nabbed from GoPro (when it actually decided to be reliable for once...) Yellowstone and Teton

 

[Kruzzin5]

...some nabbed from GoPro (when it actually decided to be reliable for once...)View attachment 107079

Very nice!

 

[PineLaneRider]

I have used a tablet for the last couple years. Right now I am using an 8" Samsung Tab Active 2 WiFi only. No issues in hot weather, for me that's 90F. The screen is visible for me in all conditions, obviously dropping off in bright sunlight to my back, but still readable. A matte screen protector and a mount that the angle can be adjusted on is a great help in reducing glare. I have had it shut down charging in sub 20F temps. I use a magnetic charging cable.
DMD2 is my day to day app with QsmAnd, Guru, and a couple others. All of these can be used offline, no data connection.
I also use the TA2 as a bluetooth music player controlled by a media button mounted on the bars.
My setup cost me around $170 all in.
My next tablet will be an Oukitel RT3. I have heard many great reviews using them as a dedicated nav tab. I have read some not great reviews on the Ulefone.
A nice feature of the 8" is you can pull it off the bike and use. Its big enough to use for trip planning or entertainment at the end of the day.

 

[PineLaneRider]