7" Nexus Tablet GPS Mounted - Overkill? - Do I Even Need To Ask - Pics!

[bmacneil2008]

Yes, I readily admit is over the top but started out as sound reasoning. Needed a GPS for the Stelvio so was about to purchase a used Garmin and an ad showed in my Amazon account for refurbished 7" Samsung Nexus tablets for under $100.

Hmmm, I said. I can 'hotspot' to my phone and have Google maps plus a decent WiFi device camping, hotel, whatever, and a hell of a GPS display on the bike. I found a Garmin quick release mount that fits perfectly and the pics tell the rest. Is BIG. Does not block the view of my console but.....

The tablet arrived today and actually was in totally new condition, not a mark on it and once connected to my home network, works amazingly fast, updated automatically to latest version of Android.

Anyway, for a long run, think is ridiculous, semi cool or total overkill but can watch weather, morning news, Skype, Pandora, where the closest Pub is......

 

[abbienormal]

IMHO I think too big but - if it works for you. I would worry more about rain and vibration. I used car Garmins for a few years, While up in New Brunswick a few years ago and having no idea where I was going I was relying on the GPS to get me to a hotel quite a ways away in the pouring rain. As I watched the water level climb up the screen till about 2/3 the unit kept working. The next day was dry and I watched the water line slowly get lower and go away. Still working though I now use a TomTom Rider 2013.

 

[bmacneil2008]

IMHO I think too big but - if it works for you. I would worry more about rain and vibration. I used car Garmins for a few years, While up in New Brunswick a few years ago and having no idea where I was going I was relying on the GPS to get me to a hotel quite a ways away in the pouring rain. As I watched the water level climb up the screen till about 2/3 the unit kept working. The next day was dry and I watched the water line slowly get lower and go away. Still working though I now use a TomTom Rider 2013.

Yes, as stated I am basically in agreement however is nice to have an all in one device. Someone even mentioned I could watch the AFR setting in real time of the PC5/AT. Yes, had same issue with a Garmin although mine did not dry out. I carry 'camping' baggies now for all electronic, zip them closed and make small hole for power. No issues for years.

 

[mrcanns]

I've been using a sat nav app (sygic) On my HTC one max with a 5.9 inch screen in everything I drive and find it far superior to the tomtom of mine, so like you want and all in one for the bike and fabed up a bracket on the top w/screen mounts it's been working well, great sat nav I'm familiar with, shoots full HD video and everything else a good smartphone does, I stick mine in a dry bag if it's chucking down. If it works for you go for it, works for me.

 

[sanddweller]

I did something something similar but made up a bracket and mounted higher so I could still see speedo. Used sygic - excellent - with speed camera and hazard/tight corner /over-speed warnings.
I had a google nexus7 3g model, installed in a waterproof zipped case. Riding through Belgium, took a Skype video call with my son in Melbourne Australia. Linked with Bluetooth to my Sena smh10r headset. Good set up, even if a bit large. The vibration finally broke the ball off the Mount. I'll probably change for a 6" device.

 

[AlanNZ]

Nuce

I did something something similar but made up a bracket and mounted higher so I could still see speedo. Used sygic - excellent - with speed camera and hazard/tight corner /over-speed warnings.
I had a google nexus7 3g model, installed in a waterproof zipped case. Riding through Belgium, took a Skype video call with my son in Melbourne Australia. Linked with Bluetooth to my Sena smh10r headset. Good set up, even if a bit large. The vibration finally broke the ball off the Mount. I'll probably change for a 6" device.

Nice mounting bar. Did you make it ?

 

[sanddweller]

Nuce

Nice mounting bar. Did you make it ?

Hi Alan..
Lol.. It's a bit rough but did the job. Fully intended to paint it matt black too but haven't got around to it.
It was a small bathroom towel rails bought new for the job. Brackets cut and drilled; bar cut to length and glued so it didn't spin in the bracket pieces.
As is, it prevents adjusting the screen height-but that would be easily solved with a small spacer if I needed to.
--geoff

 

[Lee.R]

I use a Nexus 7 on my Stelvio (used a samsung galaxy 10.1 (huge) on the Tiger 1050 I had previously). I use a RAM Xmount for the Nexus. I'm using OSMAND+ and Backcountry Navigator (amazing topo coverage). No issues with vibration on either bike and I've done this for 4 years and 60k miles. Neither tablet is waterproof so I stick them in the map case on my tank bag if weather gets to be an issue. You could also just buy a Sony Xperia as those are waterproof. Any of them need to have power hooked up as you really need the brightness set to max, gloves are also a pain depending on the touch screen although I not usually messing with anything other than zoom levels when I'm moving. If you have a Sena headset or something similar you can also have voice guidance via bluetooth into your helmet (works great with google maps/cell phone). I also have the Nexus hooked up to my cell phone for internet via the cell's hot spot feature.

I find Garmin's very limited and the routing is terrible. I just use google maps/bing maps at home and export the route I choose to .gpx for use in OSMAND+. For local rides you can also offline cache google maps. I have a 7" HP slate 7 which runs full windows 8.1 for travel if I want to plan a new route, a compact bluetooth mouse and keyboard works great and it's basically a desktop on a tiny screen at that point. (They also cost 100 dollars).