Tablet based Nav, Non-Garmin / TomTom / (NAV)

[~TABASCO~]

Im not a super Tech guy. I might use some wrong terminology...

Let me first say, Over the last few years Ive seen these "tablets" start to pop up around and I personally kind of poo-poo'ed them............. While on the Idaho BDR, one of our riding companions had a "tablet" on his bike. As the days continued and I learned more about how he used it, what it can do, and the features it offered, my ears started to perk up............... The REAL selling point for me was this- there were 2-3 times that my Garmin with the BDR installed, would not give me a 'work around' for road closures on the BDR. He pulled up his downloaded maps from his tablet, and in about 2 minutes we had the 'work around'... With more detail and very exact NAV. (Keep in mind we are out in the middle of nowhere Idaho, many - many miles from anything.... You do NOT want to "wing it" down some dirt road or trail.) I tried finding the same road with my Garmin and it was not on the screen. This really got me thinking for what I like to do, and where I go ride.. WAY out in the boonies.............

People can joke, poke, or make fun of someone with a big ass "tablet".... (that's part of the fun) but for folks like myself that enjoy BDR's, and the super back-woods, this type of device (Ive learned) offers features and info that no Garmin or TomTom can offer. The tablet can also offer SO many more App. based NAV opportunities. (Im just learning and not a tech guy)

Does anyone on this forum run a "tablet" ?
What do you run?
What case ?
How do you charge ?
What Apps are you currently running?
Any good / bad you would like to share?

Im starting to learn about the good and bad about certain brands, how to keep them 'water proof', charging, Etc. Etc.....

Im considering heading in this direction and I can give up my Trail Tech, that is great, but a bit "old tech"... and once I feel comfortable with the tablet, I can get rid of the Garmin...

For folks that dont need this much NAV 'power', no problem.... You don't ride where I ride, when your life depends on you running out of fuel or water. There are many places that it gets close and you don't want to be stuck out in the boonies, nobody will find you. I personally don't care about the looks, I use it as a tool to give me piece of mind and could certainly save my life in probably the most extreme case. I think these (big or small) tablet devices are probably the future of NAV for ADV bikes with so many more features and specific Apps people can use. From what Ive experienced so far, it's WAY better than the Garmin. IMOP



For example:

 

[TenereGUY]

There is a fairly recent thread on here where this was the topic of discussion. That will answer your questions. I too am moving to a tablet next season.

 

[Cycledude]

Other than the issues of mounting it on a motorcycle Tablet would be nice.
Garmin needs to wake up and do a lot of improvements.

 

[thughes317]

No tablet per se, but I am going to swap out my Zumo XT for a screen mirror device (https://carpuride.com/products/carpuride-w702-wireless-portable-dual-bluetooth-waterproof-ip67-motorcycle-stereo) and run Android Auto paired on my phone so I can leverage OnX, GPS Viewer, OsmAnd, Waze, and Google Maps. (Picked one up on black Friday for $150, also note that there is a USB power cable included so I don't have to hard-wire it during this evaluation phase.)

I have always hated the search function in Garmin (it often requires very specific data input to "find" a place vs Google's super-intuitive searching) as well as the fact that I can't get the level of details in some areas (as Tabasco has experienced). I always have off-line maps of the areas I'm going to downloaded on my phone (OsmAnd, GPX Viewer, and Google maps) so connectivity isn't an issue.

Will report back as I get some seat time to share my thoughts.

 

[Mad_Matt]

I love the idea of a tablet. I had a ZumoXT and got rid of it for all of the standard reasons. My long-standing go-to has been Waze (onroad) + Gaia (offroad). My challenge with tablets is that I am firmly in the Apply ecosystem, and the great value options are Android-based phones and tablets.

Based on what I have seen, the top tier option is Drivemode Dashboard, running on a tablet & controls from Thork Racing.

 

[~TABASCO~]

I love the idea of a tablet. I had a ZumoXT and got rid of it for all of the standard reasons. My long-standing go-to has been Waze (onroad) + Gaia (offroad). My challenge with tablets is that I am firmly in the Apply ecosystem, and the great value options are Android-based phones and tablets.

Based on what I have seen, the top tier option is Drivemode Dashboard, running on a tablet & controls from Thork Racing.

Agree.... Im Apple person..... For this case (bike tablet), I will be learning android, so I can utilize all these features... Im sure I will run into issues, but I can make it work....

 

[Mad_Matt]

My weak strategy is as follows: Step 1) to find a killer deal on an Apple iPad Mini with cellular. Step 2) Replace my iPhone with the new iPad as my primary navigation system.

 

[gapmtn1]

I've just started looking at the Samsung Active Tab 3, as my ancient phablet is starting to get flakey. No real findings to report yet though.
There are various Amazon knockoffs for 2/3 the price but with mixed reviews. I'm looking for reliability. Still investigating...

 

[patrickg450]

No tablet per se, but I am going to swap out my Zumo XT for a screen mirror device (https://carpuride.com/products/carpuride-w702-wireless-portable-dual-bluetooth-waterproof-ip67-motorcycle-stereo) and run Android Auto paired on my phone so I can leverage OnX, GPS Viewer, OsmAnd, Waze, and Google Maps. (Picked one up on black Friday for $150, also note that there is a USB power cable included so I don't have to hard-wire it during this evaluation phase.)

I have always hated the search function in Garmin (it often requires very specific data input to "find" a place vs Google's super-intuitive searching) as well as the fact that I can't get the level of details in some areas (as Tabasco has experienced). I always have off-line maps of the areas I'm going to downloaded on my phone (OsmAnd, GPX Viewer, and Google maps) so connectivity isn't an issue.

Will report back as I get some seat time to share my thoughts.

I am interested in how this works......I hope you start a new thread so it will be easy to find.

 

[patrickg450]

Agree.... Im Apple person..... For this case (bike tablet), I will be learning android, so I can utilize all these features... Im sure I will run into issues, but I can make it work....

Hey bud.....


So my personal stuff is Android, but my work went Apple. With that being said my work iPad has my GAIA stuff on it (iPad has cell service) and this I dont mind using.......do you have an iPad? Might try it out since you are an apple ________ (insert negative apple reference)

 

[Mad_Matt]

Based on the "Adding Apple Careplay / Android Auto" tread on ADVRider, folks are having fairly good success with the cheap units from China. My issue is that the functionality and interactivity of Waze and Gaia is very limited on Carplay, so I want to stick with my phone or tablet for now. There is apparently an updated version of Careplay on the horizon, so things might get better.

 

[Wymbly1971]

No tablet per se, but I am going to swap out my Zumo XT for a screen mirror device (https://carpuride.com/products/carpuride-w702-wireless-portable-dual-bluetooth-waterproof-ip67-motorcycle-stereo) and run Android Auto paired on my phone so I can leverage OnX, GPS Viewer, OsmAnd, Waze, and Google Maps. (Picked one up on black Friday for $150, also note that there is a USB power cable included so I don't have to hard-wire it during this evaluation phase.)

I have always hated the search function in Garmin (it often requires very specific data input to "find" a place vs Google's super-intuitive searching) as well as the fact that I can't get the level of details in some areas (as Tabasco has experienced). I always have off-line maps of the areas I'm going to downloaded on my phone (OsmAnd, GPX Viewer, and Google maps) so connectivity isn't an issue.

Will report back as I get some seat time to share my thoughts.

That looks like a REALLY great alternative. One less device to have to sync up, protection against becoming obsolete since most have the latest and greatest phones already......apparently Android Auto now works with Gaia which is a huge bonus.

 

[thughes317]

That looks like a REALLY great alternative. One less device to have to sync up, protection against becoming obsolete since most have the latest and greatest phones already. Do you think it would work ok with Gaia? (my apologies...I'm not Android Auto savvy)

The one I linked is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Hey bud.....


So my personal stuff is Android, but my work went Apple. With that being said my work iPad has my GAIA stuff on it (iPad has cell service) and this I dont mind using.......do you have an iPad? Might try it out since you are an apple ________ (insert negative apple reference)

Yes... I dont know about these systems... It "looks" like all the good NAV apps and hardware are Android based... I dont care, as long as I can get it to work... (obviously I need more homework and talk with Tech folks) I was riding with a guy in Arkansas recently and he was using his big Android phone... With aftermarket ADV Apps for trails and maps... ( I know I didn't say it correctly)
He was showing me what he was looking at and the detail... It was WAY more than my Garmin XT. I was impressed just by quickly chatting with him about trails..........

I think some folks are running DMD2 and Thork..........

 

[~TABASCO~]

That looks like a REALLY great alternative. One less device to have to sync up, protection against becoming obsolete since most have the latest and greatest phones already......apparently Android Auto now works with Gaia which is a huge bonus.

Is Gaia a mapping App for Android ?

 

[~TABASCO~]

My weak strategy is as follows: Step 1) to find a killer deal on an Apple iPad Mini with cellular. Step 2) Replace my iPhone with the new iPad as my primary navigation system.

Any thought 'yet' on how to keep the Apple unit from shaking it self apart? (Ive read)... and keeping it water proof & charging at the same time ? (Ive read, this is the main issue with most of these type units)

Im NOT one who stops when it starts to rain to put all my non-water proof BS away....... and then pull it out when it stops raining...... F - that....

 

[Wymbly1971]

Is Gaia a mapping App for Android ?

Hi Jaxon. The Gaia app is available for Android and Apple. It is also web-based for any desktop/laptop/phone OS. A subscription is required for any of the advanced features. Of note, when I bought my yearly subscription it was last fall....and HIGHLY discounted.

Gaia was the main nav program I was using on the IDBDR (I find Google Maps works better for on-road stuff.....so I used both/either at times). One of the main features is that it syncs in real time. I can plot a route on my home computer and it instantly updates my tablet and phone and vice-versa. The BDR organization also publishes the tracks and waypoints directly into Gaia format....just click on the "send to Gaia" from their site.

With any of these apps, it's wise to download the maps in advance while you have wifi or cell service....makes them useable during lost signals if your phone has a GPS chip.

As far as DMD2...it works well too and has a really neat interface that replaces the standard Android screen/interface...has it's own mapping app that works while online for free, but requires subscription while offline. To be honest, I started using it in advance of our time out west then disabled it because it was a bit of a PITA and a bit glitchy, only has 6 app buttons, more difficult to get into other apps, view photos, etc. The maps and features seem to be better suited to Europe but you can buy maps for everywhere on earth.

 

[Mad_Matt]

I'm a massive fanboy of Gaia. The fact that I can create routes and waypoints on my computer and that content gets synced across all my devices is HUGE. All of this content and basemaps are easily saved for offline use.

Here is a screenshot of the trails just west of my house. Yellow are Butler G1-G3 Roads, orange are offroad trails i haven't explored yet, and Red are recorded tracks.

For reference, here is how crazy I am; this is a screenshot of the western US. I can go pretty much anywhere out west and have trails and waypoints saved to my devices to explore.

 

[thughes317]

I went out and test fit the chinesium unit on the bike today, here's a few pics. First thoughts: 7" screen is a good size, display is highly visible, even in direct sunlight. I'll start a thread with my impressions once I get a chance to test it out (I've been stuck on the couch fighting the plague all week).

 

[Jlq1969]

I love the idea of a tablet. I had a ZumoXT and got rid of it for all of the standard reasons. My long-standing go-to has been Waze (onroad) + Gaia (offroad). My challenge with tablets is that I am firmly in the Apply ecosystem, and the great value options are Android-based phones and tablets.

Based on what I have seen, the top tier option is Drivemode Dashboard, running on a tablet & controls from Thork Racing.

I have a similar screen, which connects via Wi-Fi to the phone, leaving you the Bluetooth channel for your headphones. The idea was not to have to carry the phone, anchored to the handlebars, carry it in a pocket and avoid vibrations and what it would cause to the camera... but there is a small problem. The phone, running Google Maps, and mirroring on the screen literally consumes the battery. That is, the phone in your pocket is not in standby mode... it is browsing with the screen off, but transmitting the navigation via Wi-Fi to the screen... that is, what I want to go on is that the phone also has to receive energy…..