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Could a 7inch tablet be the perfect satnav
Article by: Darren Griffin
Date: 1 Nov 2012
7-inch tablets, a device format that many pundits claimed had 'no market' are selling like hot cakes. Google's Asus manufactured Nexus 7 tablet is selling at a rate of over a million per month and Apple's entrant in this sector, the iPad mini goes on sale tomorrow.
I've long since desired a device that was larger than a smartphone but smaller than an iPad. My thinking being that they're great media consumption devices, small enough to hold and read a book, browse the web, check your email etc and big enough to make the ideal in-car satnav.
So I've invested in a Google Nexus 7. The latest variant went on sale Monday with the 32GB Wi-Fi only version a bargain £199.00. There is a cellular radio equipped option coming later this month but the most important distinction here is that all the Nexus 7's are equipped with GPS. On the iPad that's reserved for the Wi-Fi plus Cellular models only.
Source: Google Play - Nexus 7
So what's it like? Very very good is the answer. It's well built, has a great screen and everything works nicely. Being a Google branded device it has the latest release of Android 4.1.2. Android is now a very smooth and polished operating system.
I've also invested in a Brodit active cradle which provides power. The Nexus 7 sits nicely on the dash without being too intrusive or obscuring anything important. Being that bit larger, all the icons and buttons are easier to locate and select as well, an added bonus.
On the navigation front, Navigon and TomTom don't support the high-res screen in the Nexus 7 (yet) so for the UK I'd suggest looking at Sygic or CoPilot, both work well on the large screen.
Having a larger display makes the whole experience so much nicer and when you're not driving you have a tablet that you can use to watch movies, listen to podcasts etc. I have my music library and a range of podcasts loaded and can stream over Bluetooth to my car. If you need an internet connection, you can tether to your smartphone or await the cellular version due soon.
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| Comments
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 Posted by peterc10 on Thu Nov 01, 2012 5:28 pm |
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Yes but the free version isn't really a sat nav, given that it has no voice directions. For that (essential) you have to pay.
Peter
HTC Sensation
Sygic GPS for Europe (No more TT "support"!)
Copilot for USA
Bury CC9060 bluetooth car kit & Brodit mount |
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| Posted by Darren on Thu Nov 01, 2012 6:02 pm |
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It's a pity Navigon doesn't support the Nexus 7. Google Nav works of course but is limited without a data connection although you can always tether to your phone for data.
Pleasantly surprised by the Nexus 7. So much so I've actually gone and bought some apps, a first despite having owned a number for Android handsets.
Invested in Swiftkey for Tablets as the stock keyboard is a PoS! Also Pocket Casts as I'm an avid podcast listener.
Darren Griffin |
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| Posted by 253 on Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:03 pm |
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Good article Darren.
Can you keep us updated as to how you get on with it?
I am interested in purchasing one myself, but worried about the 16Gb and no SD card slot.
Have a Galaxy S3 since June, 105 apps - no big games - and down to just under 5Gb free.
Triumph Tbird 1700. And now a Bonnie T100. |
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| Posted by Darren on Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:20 pm |
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The latest Nexus 7 is 32GB and still £199.00. That's what I got.
Darren Griffin |
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| Posted by 253 on Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:34 pm |
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| Darren Wrote: | | The latest Nexus 7 is 32GB and still £199.00. That's what I got. |
Ahhhhhh - better.
Cheers for that, thought they were still only 16Gb.
Triumph Tbird 1700. And now a Bonnie T100. |
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| Posted by Eiffel on Thu Nov 01, 2012 10:54 pm |
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I've used Navfree with great success. Quality of the routing in the UK seems about on par with TomTom based on my experience using both at the same time
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| Posted by travisb on Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:47 am |
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An alternative to tethering your phone could be to get something like the MiFi dongle that Three do.
Must admit I'm very tempted by a Nexus 7 for just this sort of thing. Or I might wait until my current mobile contract expires and go for something like the Galaxy Note 2.
Decisions 
LG G4, Google Nexus 9, Garmin Oregon 600T |
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| Posted by norm2002 on Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:01 am |
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Welcome to the 7" world, Darren. I have been using the original Samsung Galaxy Tab with Sygic (and, of course, CamerAlert in the background) for a long time. I also have a Brodit cradle although this is rather large. My Tab can take a SIM but I don't currently have a SIM in it and it is really not necessary. I just make sure my CamerAlert database is up to date and it's good to go.
So much nicer to look at, and easier to glance at while concentrating on driving, than my old Garmin.
| News Team Wrote: |
and Apple's entrant in this sector, the iPad mini goes on sale tomorrow.
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And I remember Steve Jobs saying Apple would NEVER make a 7" tablet - no one wants them or needs them! 
norm |
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| Posted by Darren on Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:47 am |
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Nice, which app are using for the ODBII data? BUT ODBII dongle too?
Darren Griffin |
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