Top_Speed1
Panama Canal Crosser
I've had easily well over 10 GPS's so far for my vehicles/boats, most are just not quite what I expect out of the maps and graphics. The guidance is Okay I guess (i.e. w Garmin) but let's face it, their maps are still lagging in quality.
Now to motorcycle specific...
As of last year, I've been using Android with Googlemaps on my Droid Razr. I like the quality of graphics compared to the rest BUT I find myself locking down too much on the small 4-1/4" screen to see things like my turn-by-turns, POI and such.
My brainstorm helped by a damsel...
So I was driving one of our CDL trucks yesterday, looking down into a car (easily) at an intersection and here's this woman with a big screen GPS running a very detailed gps map. She being in a small car in the left lane pulled way out and then swung in front of me pulling into a Burger King. I said wtf, I couldn't park next to here but waiting in line for a crap-hole burger.. there she was right in front of me. I break open conversation about me seeing her large GPS. She was very up on it surprisingly, and actually had pretty much the same past experiences w Garmin, Megellon and TT's that I've experienced.
So come to find out she was using a Samsung Galaxay 10.1 tab (10" android tablet) running 'Co-Pilot GPS software' (found out it's a free app in the android store but if you want 3D maps it's $9.99). Sounded great and I asked her after her lunch if I could "check-it out"... No problem!, we didn't eat together as I sat a couple tables away, didn't want her to think I was making the moves on her 50's something ass. I was impressed!! (no, not with her!). Awesome looking GPS and the size a blind guy could see 10ft away! Best part was all maps... US, Canada or whatever are predownloaded FREE and no Cel signal needed to operate GPS (only wifi signal to [pre-trip]download the map). The US map was 1.3gb, no problem for the upgraded16gb Galaxy Tab.
Back to possible bike-usage...
Now my brain is thinking, what about the smaller Galaxy Tab running that app for the bike?. They make waterproof cases or could maybe hobjob my own up? I don't usually rain-ride anyway? hmmm. OK, this 7" Tab would be way bigger than my Droid Razr and can still have googlemaps or maybe even her suggested "Co-Pilot" app. So last night, I did some research. I don't want another 3G/4G plan so it's got to be GPS radio equipped. Good news, both Galaxy tabs are, so I shopped and purchased the Galxay Tab 2 (7" screen) running the latest android 4.2 (jelly bean). Cost me $222.00 shipped for the upgraded model; 16gb internal. Far less than any other GPS that I have purchased so far and if it runs like my Droid Razr w GPS? It will be the best GPS I have owned (so far!) lol... this changes too quickly btw as we all know, well just like any electronics I guess
I will ram mount the Tab2 off the stem nut between the handlebars (my Droid is currently there). I will post up pics and my experience with this 7" Android "GPS". I'm not sure yet if I will run the "Co-Pilot GPS app" or the googlemaps GPS driven one that I'm use to. The Co-Pilot looks pretty nice however! and at only $9.99 for the full app in 3D w free maps I prob can't go wrong, time will tell I guess. To be continued....
Now to motorcycle specific...
As of last year, I've been using Android with Googlemaps on my Droid Razr. I like the quality of graphics compared to the rest BUT I find myself locking down too much on the small 4-1/4" screen to see things like my turn-by-turns, POI and such.
My brainstorm helped by a damsel...
So I was driving one of our CDL trucks yesterday, looking down into a car (easily) at an intersection and here's this woman with a big screen GPS running a very detailed gps map. She being in a small car in the left lane pulled way out and then swung in front of me pulling into a Burger King. I said wtf, I couldn't park next to here but waiting in line for a crap-hole burger.. there she was right in front of me. I break open conversation about me seeing her large GPS. She was very up on it surprisingly, and actually had pretty much the same past experiences w Garmin, Megellon and TT's that I've experienced.
So come to find out she was using a Samsung Galaxay 10.1 tab (10" android tablet) running 'Co-Pilot GPS software' (found out it's a free app in the android store but if you want 3D maps it's $9.99). Sounded great and I asked her after her lunch if I could "check-it out"... No problem!, we didn't eat together as I sat a couple tables away, didn't want her to think I was making the moves on her 50's something ass. I was impressed!! (no, not with her!). Awesome looking GPS and the size a blind guy could see 10ft away! Best part was all maps... US, Canada or whatever are predownloaded FREE and no Cel signal needed to operate GPS (only wifi signal to [pre-trip]download the map). The US map was 1.3gb, no problem for the upgraded16gb Galaxy Tab.
Back to possible bike-usage...
Now my brain is thinking, what about the smaller Galaxy Tab running that app for the bike?. They make waterproof cases or could maybe hobjob my own up? I don't usually rain-ride anyway? hmmm. OK, this 7" Tab would be way bigger than my Droid Razr and can still have googlemaps or maybe even her suggested "Co-Pilot" app. So last night, I did some research. I don't want another 3G/4G plan so it's got to be GPS radio equipped. Good news, both Galaxy tabs are, so I shopped and purchased the Galxay Tab 2 (7" screen) running the latest android 4.2 (jelly bean). Cost me $222.00 shipped for the upgraded model; 16gb internal. Far less than any other GPS that I have purchased so far and if it runs like my Droid Razr w GPS? It will be the best GPS I have owned (so far!) lol... this changes too quickly btw as we all know, well just like any electronics I guess
I will ram mount the Tab2 off the stem nut between the handlebars (my Droid is currently there). I will post up pics and my experience with this 7" Android "GPS". I'm not sure yet if I will run the "Co-Pilot GPS app" or the googlemaps GPS driven one that I'm use to. The Co-Pilot looks pretty nice however! and at only $9.99 for the full app in 3D w free maps I prob can't go wrong, time will tell I guess. To be continued....
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