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

[Jlq1969]

Yes….I know….the KTM has a pocket on the dashboard to store the phone and it surely has a charging port too…not to mention that it has 160 HP….and Blah…blah…blah!!!

 

[Eville Rich]

This is a great discussion and I'm interested in learning more. I'm all about navigation improvements, especially for off-road or customizing routes. I started to look into Gaia as a result of this thread and am intrigued.

Something I'm wondering about - given a tablet-based approach, how are these being mounted and protected for vibration, weather, or even theft protection? One of my use cases is for my wr250r and I've not been overly thrilled with my Zumo experience, though the XT has been an improvement. Just wondering about the ruggedness of tablets and ways to minimize damage or otherwise ensure reliability.

Thanks,
Eville Rich
2016 S10

 

[Mad_Matt]

I've had issues with my iPhone getting too hot in direct sunlight when it's properly hot outside. This results in the phone dimming the screen brightness to the point it's no longer daylight visible. I use a vibration damper on my Quadlock set up, but this is to protect the image stabilization on the cameras, which I am not sure is a thing on tablets. Otherwise, I have had no issues with moisture or dust.

 

[~TABASCO~]

This is a great discussion and I'm interested in learning more. I'm all about navigation improvements, especially for off-road or customizing routes. I started to look into Gaia as a result of this thread and am intrigued.

Something I'm wondering about - given a tablet-based approach, how are these being mounted and protected for vibration, weather, or even theft protection? One of my use cases is for my wr250r and I've not been overly thrilled with my Zumo experience, though the XT has been an improvement. Just wondering about the ruggedness of tablets and ways to minimize damage or otherwise ensure reliability.

Thanks,
Eville Rich
2016 S10

The "go-to" Is the CARPE that is shown in the first post. It has about the best water proof charging, etc.... Also relatively expensive... (Im learning), Im also looking at the videos for the Tab Active 3 and the Tab Active 4 Pro.... Motorcycle guys are pairing this with the RAM mount that is made / charge this device on your "vehicle"....... This might also be an option. The CARPE is 7"....the comparable Active 3 is 8"....... I believe you can run the same software... The hardware on the CARPE looks to have a lot more RAM... Im sure there are many Tech guys that can talk about the details all day. Im not an expert in this field......... (Im learning).

If you or anyone is interested in the CARPE unit, they can be bought in the US... I have come across a place in Miami, FL that carries all there parts.

 

[Mad_Matt]

The "go-to" Is the CARPE that is shown in the first post. It has about the best water proof charging, etc.... Also relatively expensive... (Im learning), Im also looking at the videos for the Tab Active 3 and the Tab Active 4 Pro.... Motorcycle guys are pairing this with the RAM mount that is made / charge this device on your "vehicle"....... This might also be an option. The CARPE is 7"....the comparable Active 3 is 8"....... I believe you can run the same software... The hardware on the CARPE looks to have a lot more RAM... Im sure there are many Tech guys that can talk about the details all day. Im not an expert in this field......... (Im learning).

If you or anyone is interested in the CARPE unit, they can be bought in the US... I have come across a place in Miami, FL that carries all there parts.

Yes, that Carpe unit is definitely bomber!

 

[~TABASCO~]

Yes, that Carpe unit is definitely bomber!

I REALLY like the screw-on military type hardware power plug that is on the CARPE.... actually two types of charging in their own cradle... (comes with the unit) I personally like the OBD port for bike diagnostics with that unit.

Ive "roughy" compared the CARPE system to an Active Tab 3 or pro system. The CARPE comes with the cradle and power charger/supply.... All the others do not... when you add it all up to achieve the same hardware, they are virtually the same price. (so far, in my homework)

 

[TenereGUY]

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…..
View attachment 108066View attachment 108068

I went with the Quad-lock wireless waterproof phone charger with the vibration damping accessory. Is it perfect? No but so far my old Note 9 is still going strong.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Yes, that Carpe unit is definitely bomber!

Interesting -

 

[PineLaneRider]

If I had an unlimited budget, I'd go with the DMD Tablet, T-865. As it is, I use a Tab Active 2 running DMD2, Guru, and OsmAnd. I would move to a TA3 if using DMD2 as primary app due to limited storage space on TA2. My tablet is wifi only. I charge through a magnetic swivel cable. Mount is one purchased off Bezosmart. I think I have about $175 in the whole setup. I'll post some pics later.
The DMD2 app is a complete customizable dashboard. It has roadbook capabilities as well as OBD screens.
I have read some negative comments regarding the Carpe.
There are also bar mounted controllers available so you never have to touch the tablet.
Oukitel RT3 tablet is getting very good reviews for a budget unit. 8" rugged for $169.

DMD T-865

 

[PineLaneRider]

Samsung TA2 running OsmAnd.

 

[~TABASCO~]

If I had an unlimited budget, I'd go with the DMD Tablet, T-865. As it is, I use a Tab Active 2 running DMD2, Guru, and OsmAnd. I would move to a TA3 if using DMD2 as primary app due to limited storage space on TA2. My tablet is wifi only. I charge through a magnetic swivel cable. Mount is one purchased off Bezosmart. I think I have about $175 in the whole setup. I'll post some pics later.
The DMD2 app is a complete customizable dashboard. It has roadbook capabilities as well as OBD screens.
I have read some negative comments regarding the Carpe.
There are also bar mounted controllers available so you never have to touch the tablet.
Oukitel RT3 tablet is getting very good reviews for a budget unit. 8" rugged for $169.

DMD T-865

Do you know if we can buy the DMD Tablet T-865 in the US ? Ive poked around to see what the US price might be, have not found it..... That looks like an interesting unit to read up on....

 

[Mad_Matt]

I've only seen it being sold by EU dealers, but I would buy with confidence from Thork Racing or Rade Garage.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Yea….. I bought my helmet out of Europe, it was easy & fast…….

 

[patrickg450]

@Mad_Matt

So I have Gaia and I too pay for the yearly subscription. My goal is to move away from garmin....

On the screen shots you posted above, the second one has all the red pin waypoints. On that note, does it bother you to see all that crap when trying to find a track or a pin drop to go to? That is my complaint about Gaia, how do you manage all this crap? I have over 10 years of tracks that I have been saving......how do I manage it? For my Garmin I have folders and days/rides...easy peasy.

For Gaia I tried that but when using my phone or ipad it is just a big mess.


Not trying to hijack a thread here...I may go with a mirriring device as well. As for the consuming battery power.
1. I have a small recharagble thingy....
2. keep phone in tank bag that has a power outlet

 

[audiowize]

Another option worth considering is a ruggedized android phone. Oukitel makes some waterproof phones with very, very large batteries. The last one I had could run a nav app for 12+ hours without being recharged. They also have some waterproof ruggedized tablets.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Another option worth considering is a ruggedized android phone. Oukitel makes some waterproof phones with very, very large batteries. The last one I had could run a nav app for 12+ hours without being recharged. They also have some waterproof ruggedized tablets.

For me personally , phone is to small ‘off road’. Maybe I’m just old and my eyes are shi- Ha-There are times I’m going quite fast off-road and I do t have time to be looking at a small screen. I do have friends that use the android phones for nav and they dig them and work very well for them.

 

[patrickg450]

Another option worth considering is a ruggedized android phone. Oukitel makes some waterproof phones with very, very large batteries. The last one I had could run a nav app for 12+ hours without being recharged. They also have some waterproof ruggedized tablets.

I have had that thought but never found one that I could use for both. The ADV thread has all sorts of people talking about how well it works and they have 2 or 3 models that seem to do the job. I need to see one and play with it before I make a decision, that is just who I am......


Post a link or two if you have some in mind.


Jax.....as for them being too small. I originally thought the same but compared to my Gamin they are about the same size. wearing glasses on a motorcycle sucks in general but it is a "must" for me.

 

[~TABASCO~]

I have had that thought but never found one that I could use for both. The ADV thread has all sorts of people talking about how well it works and they have 2 or 3 models that seem to do the job. I need to see one and play with it before I make a decision, that is just who I am......


Post a link or two if you have some in mind.


Jax.....as for them being too small. I originally thought the same but compared to my Gamin they are about the same size. wearing glasses on a motorcycle sucks in general but it is a "must" for me.

No doubt..... I have the XT Garmin and its size works pretty well (for me).... Im looking to go to a tablet for the reasons in this thread... It's also larger and for me I can get more info at a glance..... BTW- come do this years BDR with us...... call me-

 

[Mad_Matt]

@Mad_Matt

So I have Gaia and I too pay for the yearly subscription. My goal is to move away from garmin....

On the screen shots you posted above, the second one has all the red pin waypoints. On that note, does it bother you to see all that crap when trying to find a track or a pin drop to go to? That is my complaint about Gaia, how do you manage all this crap? I have over 10 years of tracks that I have been saving......how do I manage it? For my Garmin I have folders and days/rides...easy peasy.

For Gaia I tried that but when using my phone or ipad it is just a big mess.


Not trying to hijack a thread here...I may go with a mirriring device as well. As for the consuming battery power.
1. I have a small recharagble thingy....
2. keep phone in tank bag that has a power outlet

You can toggle on and off the waypoints, so when I want a cleaner view, I turn off the waypoints.

I use Google Maps to manage waypoints, and a few times a year I export them to Gaia to keep the two relatively synced.

 

[~TABASCO~]

You can toggle on and off the waypoints, so when I want a cleaner view, I turn off the waypoints.

I use Google Maps to manage waypoints, and a few times a year I export them to Gaia to keep the two relatively synced.
View attachment 108258

That one cool photo on the yellow dot was SO cool looking !