computer tablet for truck gps?

[375 H&H]

anybody use a tablet for gps navigation system in their rig? i'm techno-stupid but would like to arrange a gps system with a ~7" screen for secondary road/off road navigation and a tablet seems like it may be an easy way to get it.

what do you people think?

 

[gotblazers]

I was pondering this idea myself recently. I'm looking for a good trucking G.P.S to supplement my new line of work. You don't need to spend the 150 if your not driving a Commercial Truck Cross country, but i'm thinking it'd work something like this.

Buy this software
http://copilotlive.com/us/store/truck.asp

Install to this
http://www.amazon.com/Google-Nexus-...8&qid=1375134857&sr=1-1&keywords=asus+nexus+7

and plug one of these into it for GPS Capabilities
http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-ND-...e=UTF8&qid=1375131517&sr=8-3&keywords=usb+gps

http://www.amazon.com/BU-353-S4-Wea...e=UTF8&qid=1375131600&sr=8-2&keywords=usb+gps

This could be a cool way to mount the tablet to the dash or windshield.
http://www.amazon.com/Arkon-SM517-W...932&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=tablet+dash+mount

If you do get it to work let me know,because i'm going to be spending 400 bucks on a trucking GPS before too long here. Not sure if that software is better for trucking or the Rand Mcnally GPS is better.

 

[375 H&H]

that is basically what I had pictured in my mind, except i'll be using Topo Montana, the 1:24K Mapsource or similar topo software.

right now i'm using a Garmin 276C (marine/automotive unit) that works well, but the small screen is kind of a pain to read.

some of the higher end tablets come GPS enabled, but for what I need, your route will be much cheaper and should be just as effective as a GPS unit.

 

[BlazerFarm]

I like the idea of a tablet with a GPS.

Currently I use this: Overland Navigator (I currently have the WA and OR map packs)

with this: GPS receiver

on this: Toshiba NB-305 Netbook

It works quite well for what I do, which is basically back country exploring. I like the idea of a tablet though since it's touch screen.

 

[mrk5]

A lot of tablets come with GPS. All you need are the maps stored on the device so you have access without intent.

I've used a Samsung 7" tablet and a Motorola Xoom 10" tablet for this. Now I use the Note 2. I use an app called Back Country Navigator. You can save (often called cache) maps to the device from the app while you have internet access. This is an app most useful for backroads. Great topo maps available.

There are also GPS enabled pdf's now that work with certain apps.

For point to point street driving I just use Google Maps. You would need to start the trip while you had Internet but if you deviate it won't be able to correct the route without Internet. However Google Maps will allow you to cache large areas so you have the area available outside of Internet access.

 

[natemc]

We're looking at doing the same thing. Plus it means a couple less pieces of electronics in the rig on long trips. The tablet is easy to pass back and forth, view together, or mount on the dash.

 

[natemc]

Got the 32gb iPad. Motionx GPS, Geocaching app, and soon Trimble. So far it works good. Working on getting used to it. We've been using phones for nav lately. iPad shod sync

 

[gotblazers]

On second thought I'm almost positive the nexus7 comes with GPS. Those antennas wouldn't work anyway because I'm fairly certain it only takes micro USB

 

[natemc]

The ipad with retina display is awesome. The GPS works great. Get the iPad app by Trimble outdoors.

 

[gotblazers]

Ordered nexus 7. Will install the co pilot software when i get home and let you know how it goes.