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Topic: Christmas Wish List- New nav system (Read 1281 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Christmas Wish List- New nav system

Reply #25 –
Here's my RV GPS system thrown together on the cheap, and I'll gladly show it if any of you are at time Chula Vista motorcade rally next week.

I have a Barnes and Noble HD+ tablet with 32GB of memory. These are basic but very serviceable Android tablets with high resolution 9" screens. They are dirt cheap, available at fire sale prices and even cheaper as returns.

I have a 64GB memory card in the slot.

Not needed, but I have rooted the device and am running the latest version of the Android operating system. This is easy to do.

For GPS, I use an external Bluetooth GPS device and the free Bluetooth GPS app. Although the battery will ,eep it going all day, I keep in plugged in to the RV.

I run two nav apps that are free and use downloaded maps and points of interest: OsmAnd and Navigate 6. Both work well.

For traffic info or to use Allstays I need internet access. If needed, I will turn my rooted Verizon Galaxy Note 2 with grandfathered unlimited 4G data into a WiFi hotspot.

BTW, I am typing this on just that setup.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Christmas Wish List- New nav system

Reply #26 –
Tom,

Looks like a poor mans or smart mans iPad. Good reviews. Any sources for the returns on the 9 inch model you have seen? Black Friday might be a good time to pick one up. I played with my daughters Asus Droid and it didn't seem much different than our iPad. Not much of a learning curve.

Thanks Tom, great tip.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Christmas Wish List- New nav system

Reply #27 –
I use a 17" screen, mounted on a Toshiba Satellite lap sitting on the dash top that presents a moving map that is always centered on the screen.
It has voice and visual commands that I do not used because of hearing impairment and failing (old age) eyesight. It has auto reroute in case I make a wrong turn to get me back on course.
I renew every time a new version comes out ( used to be yearly ) $35.99 in stores $33.50 if I download
(which I do not)
The same Toshiba has lasted, so far. 9 years, I could replace it now for less that I paid 9 years ago.

But................
it will not
1. fit in my pocket
2. last long on battery. ( I installed a 450 watt inverter under the dash ) which will last longer than a tank of gas.

but.........
it will
1. Give me GPS speed
2. keep a record (lom) of my trip, including rest stops, fuels stops and where I went astray.
3. I can save the preplanned trips, and trips I planned but never made ( am I the only one who does that ???)

wish I could imbed icons etc.

Oh well, I guess technology left me in the dust.

PS: it took my two fingers 11 minutes to concoct this
1993 U300, 6v92
build 4366
USAF retired, Flight Engineer, C124, C130
 ATP, A & E.  & ex AI

Re: Christmas Wish List- New nav system

Reply #28 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Tom,

Looks like a poor mans or smart mans iPad. Good reviews. Any sources for the returns on the 9 inch model you have seen? Black Friday might be a good time to pick one up. I played with my daughters Asus Droid and it didn't seem much different than our iPad. Not much of a learning curve.

Thanks Tom, great tip.

Pierce


It all depends on your needs. The HD+ has good specs! but the high resolution 9" display is a lot for the processor to handle. I went with rooting and a custom rom to lessen lag.

Also, the was intended to be primarily a reader, so it has no camera, no compass, no accelerometer, and no gps.

If it meets your needs, they are available on eBay as a manufacturer refurb for $129, the 32mb model.

Barnes Noble Nook HD 32GB Wi Fi 9" Tablet Slate Android BNTV600 CPO

Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Christmas Wish List- New nav system

Reply #29 –
Tom,

They are down to $109 delivered, no tax today. I bought one to play with so will post after I receive and "root" (same as Apple "jailbreak") it and see how I like it. A camera would be nice for video conferencing but very minor. The ability to add a 64GB mini SD card to the slot more than makes up for any lack of camera. It gets excellent reviews, especially the screen brightness and resolution. At $109 plus a Holux M1000 bluetooth GPS for about $50 and then a few RV apps, the cost should be well under $200 unless you add the TomTom, Sygic or Garmin applications.

Barnes Noble Nook HD 32GB Wi Fi 9" Tablet Slate BNTV600 Android 9781400699162 |

I have owned the Holux M-1000, (three in fact as I lost two in the sofa or somewhere) and it works super with 16 hours of battery life.

To readers, this tablet also has full Wi-Fi capability for email, movies, photos, web browsing, etc.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Christmas Wish List- New nav system

Reply #30 –
Excellent price find.

I assume you already know how to root it. I followed the directions on the XDA developers forum, using a specially prepared sd card to unlock, root, flash the recovery image, and flash the CM rom image. Currently running the latest CM 10.2 nightly build and it works very nicely.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Christmas Wish List- New nav system

Reply #31 –
Is anyone out there using the Rand Mcnally App for the iPad? If so can you tell me what your cell data cost are. I am thinging of getting the App but I'm thinking it may be about 6G a month. If that is correct it will cost aroung $60 a month to use it. If it is on 8 to 10 hours a day that could really add up.

Thanks

Re: Christmas Wish List- New nav system

Reply #32 –

Norm,

Go to the Apple iTunes store, purchase (create an account if you don't have one) and download a GPS app like TomTom, Sygic, Garmin, Rand McNally or one of the free GPS apps. Read the reviews and view the examples for each one. Then purchase a GPS receiver like a Bad Elf Pro from Amazon or Ebay. It must be compatible with your non-jailbroken iPad. About $130 or so. The Apple iTunes Store has a free app for the Bad Elf that allows a wireless connection between your iPad and the GPS receiver. All the maps are stored on your iPad so no internet connection is ever needed. I have used this combination in Europe, Mexico and here in the U.S. You will need about 6GB space on your iPad. Rand McNally RV app gets good reviews on the iTunes Store ($99.99).

View GPS devices at Amazon: Amazon.com: bad elf pro

PM with any questions.

Pierce

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Christmas Wish List- New nav system

Reply #33 –
I am also looking at the Rand McNally app for the iPad. I don't believe there will be a cellular data implication unless you're using live traffic feed or somesuch. The maps are stored on the device (they had better be... download is 3 1/2 GB!) and therefore should not need a sailor connection just to navigate.
Don
Quote from: sawdust316 –
Is anyone out there using the Rand Mcnally App for the iPad? If so can you tell me what your cell data cost are. I am thinging of getting the App but I'm thinking it may be about 6G a month. If that is correct it will cost aroung $60 a month to use it. If it is on 8 to 10 hours a day that could really add up.

Thanks
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Christmas Wish List- New nav system

Reply #34 –
Norm,

I woke up in the middle of the night and realized you probably have a 3G iPad. In that case, you have an onboard GPS plus phone. The two are separate and you don't need the data plan to run a GPS application. Just go to the settings icon, tap it and go to general, look for location services and turn it on. That enables the internal GPS without the phone/data plan being involved. If in doubt, go to the closest Apple store and they will show you how to maximize your navigational experience while minimizing your phone bill.

Having said that, you may want to check your iPad for temperature as keeping the screen on all the time with the GPS running can really raise the temperature. I fried my iPhone logic board by using a suction mount on the windshield and driving with the sun on it. The factory replaced it but recommended keeping it out of the sun with the GPS on.

With an external GPS, I can run all day navigating with the iPad and just charge it at night. The external GPS only needs charging every couple of days. I do carry a 12V car plug also. The internal GPS has limited reception in cities with tall buildings, especially if parked for a while then trying to get a reliable signal when starting again. That's where the external really shines.

Sorry for not realizing you had a 3G model. Kept thinking about ours all the time.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Christmas Wish List- New nav system

Reply #35 –
Good Morning Pierce;

Thanks for the info. I called RM this morning and they said pretty much the same thing. They also said if I didn't have the GPS chip in the iPad that YES it will suck up cell data like mad. Our son works for Apple and I sent him an e-mail this morning asking for conformation on the GPS chip. We have 2 iPads, the original and the iPan2, both came from him, the iPad2 is 16g and it still has 11.6g of space left, I think I will be able to use it. The App is about 3.5G, so there should be plenty of space. We also have a Mac Book Air so we don't have to rely on the iPad for internet service.

And this is for Michelle;

RM says they have addressed the issue of the NY parkways. It was supposedly done earlier this year. I am sure you will check it out when you come back up next year. Or for that matter when DW & I head west nest spring. BTW she had her shoulder replacement on Nov 20, she is doing great, better than expected.

Norm

Re: Christmas Wish List- New nav system

Reply #36 –
Norm,

Your son should be able to get your  non-3G iPad 2 back to iOS 5.1.1 and then jailbreak it so you can use any generic GPS device. Ask him about then downloading XBMC. Your MacBook Air (by far the best laptop on the market in my opinion) can also use XBMC. Beats AppleTV for movies and TV unless copyrighted material is streamed.

If you have any problem mirroring the display to a HDTV via HDMI cable and getting a really good image especially the small letters and numbers, use a HDMI to VGA adapter (less than $10 delivered) and plug into the PC input (VGA) on the HDTV. This made a huge difference on ours. Lot of people with the same problem on Apple forums. No problem with a PC or iPad/Android but desktop or laptop Mac do have a problem this way. AppleTV cures the problem but the latency kills using it for your monitor when using the mouse.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Christmas Wish List- New nav system

Reply #37 –
I purchased a Rand McNally in 2012. Liked the size and what it was designed to do , but poorly made. Had to replace it after 3 months. In the beginning of this year, my second one went bad. CW gave me a full Credit which of course I put to use for other stuff. My new coach has a built in NAV.
I could not recommend the Rand McNally. Tech support/Customer Service kind of sucks too.
Ciao for Now,

Sal

43' "other Brand"
Harley Road Glide Ultra
"Fender & Gibson Guy"
 

Re: Christmas Wish List- New nav system

Reply #38 –
I use Dual GPS for my IPad2. The Apple store has an App for it.

I have not decided what navigation program to buy yet, but I'm leaning towards Garmin.

What does Rand McNally do that Garmin does not? I don't travelled the north east part of this great country, 99.5% out here in the west.
Michael j
Livermore, Ca for now

1987  Grand Villa 2900 Rear Bath Front 460 Gas Engine.