cheapo tablet

[Enigma]

Pandigital | 7" Android Touch Screen Tablet & E-Book Reader - White | RR7T10WWH7 | XS Cargo Brand name Close outs- Home Office | Computer Accessories


Think it could be made to work with some kind of gps antenna and some mapping software?

 

[canucksafari]

Probably. It is Windows OS compatible. Pandigital Novel eReaders | Pandigital Multimedia Novel 7" Android Multimedia Tablet & Color eReader - U.S. - Black model You could always email them and ask if it will work with common mapping software and a GPS antenna. It does have one USB port for the antenna plus a memory card slot.

 

[chet]

where does it say its windows OS compatible? it uses android from what I can see.

 

[canucksafari]

where does it say its windows OS compatible? it uses android from what I can see.

Click Specifications

Compatibility

Menu Languages English

Operating System Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7, Mac OS X

 

[Fantom]

the thing you have to remember about all of these tablets and gizmos is if they will support external devices such as GPS antennas. Yes it comes with a USB (mini) jack, but can it run the stuff? will it accept GPS Gate for example (required for Garmin software and therefore for Backroad Maps). Will it even recognize the drivers? lots of questions, and XS cargo doesn't do returns, they do exchanges if it's broken only.

 

[LanceCruiser]

I have a BB playbook, it works great, I use it more than my netbook for going online. This thing was designed for surfing, but to use as a bigger screen for GPS, I doubt it. I'm not sure if the other Android tablets are like this, but I guess they would be similar, in that you would need an actual computer to sync up to for some applications. I thought I could be able to run my portable hard drive with this and transfer stuff over, but it doesn't work that way unfortunately.

I would say a tablet PC that runs windows would be a safer bet.

 

[chet]

All that means is that you can connect it to a windows or MAC for synching etc. It uses android for the operating system.

Click Specifications

 

[sailor]

"I have a BBW playbook, it works great, I use it more than my netbook for going online."

Fixed it for ya!

 

[LanceCruiser]

I'm afraid to ask what a BBW, in your mind stands for?

 

[Fantom]

Big Breasted Woman?

 

[asutherland]

I have some experience in this.

If you have an Android tablet that will recognise a bluetooth GPS receiver (such as the inexpensive Garmin 100 series), you can run a (free) Android app called Androzic. ( Androzic - Unofficial oziexplorer client for Android ) Androzic reads Ozi Explorer mapsets. You can purchase the Backroad Mapbooks digital mapsets ( Backroad Mapbooks - Digital Maps] ) which will work in Ozi Explorer (and therefore Androzic).

The alternative would be to purchase a WinCE (yucky, but it works) tablet for CHEAP - read CHEAP - $90.00 off some place like eBay, ( DT Research DT366 TABLET PC Windows CE - Wifi Bluetooth | eBay ) and then use Ozi Explorer CE and the Backroad Mapbooks. That's what I've done, and it works great. It's as tough as a tank (ruggedized) and it also runs on 12V.

 

[GSeriesHJ60]

The cheapo tablet I bought in thailand a year and a half ago happened to have an external GPS antenna, and recently I got motivated to see about getting it into my LC. It's kind of a generic chinese tablet, aka: wowpad, superpad, flytouch2, among others... lol. -- But its got GPS!

I upgraded it to a more recent operating system and have now got it running smoothly. Just recently found Androzic and will be investing in the digital backroads maps sometime this spring! Looks like it'd work out fantastically!

For reference, my tablet was around 200 bucks, but that was almost 2 yrs ago. You could check alibaba.com for cheap wholesalers - sometimes they sell a 'sample'. It's how I got my 24v truck alarm for $25bucks.


Pics of the totally random, somewhat unnecessary and probably illegal front cab tablet install:

The removable bracket... I'm gonna try and smooth up the edges and safety wrap it with some foam on the corners lol... but yeah, it was quick and easy! Looks not half bad and doesnt interfere with anything really. Seems solid too. Also can swivel to be used by passenger (also can run my stereo, and has a 12v charger).

I'd just look on ebay or craiglist for tablets with GPS. But the WinCE tablet might be a great choice too! Seems to be very sufficient.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Looks good Gavin, that bracket may need a bit of work....lots of sharps.

This is what I have for my GPS tablet. I have a 12V harness that powers it from my extra 12V outlet. I just need a mount (custom) and Ozi explorer as well as Back roads maps.

http://www.drs-ts.com/pdf/Hammerhead0907.pdf

 

[steverb]

maybe check these ones.
Wholesale 7 Inch Android 4.0 - Buy China Wholesale 7 Inch Android 4.0 from Chinese Wholesalers | DHgate.com

 

[Antarctican]

you could also try dealextreme.com they have dozens of tablets. I'd stick with ones that have decent ratings on the site though unless you are willing to experiment. I order stuff from there all the time.

 

[canucksafari]

you could also try dealextreme.com they have dozens of tablets. I'd stick with ones that have decent ratings on the site though unless you are willing to experiment. I order stuff from there all the time.

Thanks for the link. They sure have a load of 24V electronics, especially inexpensive LED lighting.
24v - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

 

[asutherland]

Yes... I use DX often too, though usually just inexpensive stuff like USB cables. They have some really nice LED flashlights and lithium batteries too.

I'll post a picture of my tablet setup in the truck hopefully soon here.