Looking for android tablet with GPS capability....

[Compman55]

The iPad with wifi does not have GPS. I was in idiot thinking it did.

Now onto a search for a android tablet, I notice there is not much mention if it has a receiver.

On a side note, how is the quality of free. GPS apps like navfree? Do they perform acceptable?

 

[dlock13]

Nexus 7 and you can use Google Maps (downloaded offline caching of the area) with it!

(I believe...)

 

[zerogear]

In my experience, almost all Android tablet have GPS, even the wifi ones.

As dlock13 said, just predownload the Google Maps for your area or the area you are going to and it works great.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Question regarding predownloading: Once you predownload can you just pop your GPS app open and map a route without connection?

 

[dlock13]

Question regarding predownloading: Once you predownload can you just pop your GPS app open and map a route without connection?

I can try later today on my phone. It should work the same as a tablet if I put it on Airplane mode with GPS enabled.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

get ipad 4g

 

[Compman55]

I already bought the ipad 4 wifi by mistake. There ain;t no going back......

I also want to try an android, and compare to apple side by side. So far the ipad is great but this lost feature really sucks.

 

[Crono]

An ASUS MeMO Pad would be a good cheap tablet at only $150. Not as good as the Nexus 7, but it should be adequate for GPS.

There are some cheaper Android tablets out there, but ASUS has been good in my experience as far as build quality and reliability (some people had problems with the Nexus 7 screen-lift, but I didn't experience that myself).

 

[lopri]

Software side Android's navigation is one of the best, IMO. It shares the data with other Google services (such as Maps, Earth) so presumably it's constantly updated. There are 3rd party apps that enhance the accuracy or speed things up in Play store, too, but I haven't felt the need for them.

Nexus 7 works great but its Bluetooth performance can be spotty.

 

[zerogear]

Question regarding predownloading: Once you predownload can you just pop your GPS app open and map a route without connection?

That's what it's supposed to be for, but I've never tried it since I haven't had a phone without a data connection.

 

[frozentundra123456]

I had an android tablet with GPS and bought a navigation package. It was a very, very poor substitute for a real GPS. The basic problem was that it was atrociously poor at picking up the GPS signal.

Do you have a smartphone, cant you just use google maps with that?

 

[lopri]

That experience is likely due to poor hardware, not software. You need adequate connection (or locally stored maps), reliable modem and GPS, and compatible Bluetooth for external speakers. Android Navigation is a same software on every hardware that meets the minimum requirement, afaik.

 

[Compman55]

I had an android tablet with GPS and bought a navigation package. It was a very, very poor substitute for a real GPS. The basic problem was that it was atrociously poor at picking up the GPS signal.

Do you have a smartphone, cant you just use google maps with that?

No smartphone. Verizon is the only provider in my area with good reception. They charge WAY too much for data.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

The other issue is that google maps will not do turn by turn navigation unless you have data. Preloading the map doesn't do anything. If you're willing to pay for software then using a tablet might be ok, but I'd honestly prefer something like a standalone GPS with live traffic.

 

[zerogear]

Look for Navigon when it's on sale.

 

[Seven]

Good question. But the better question, will the Nexus 7 GPS work in Europe?

 

[OBLAMA2009]

The other issue is that google maps will not do turn by turn navigation unless you have data. Preloading the map doesn't do anything. If you're willing to pay for software then using a tablet might be ok, but I'd honestly prefer something like a standalone GPS with live traffic.

agreed. if you want turn by turn and expect to use it a lot, save yourself lots of trouble and get garmin for $150. you wont have to worry about downloading maps, data fees, poor signal pick up, phone settings to change etc...itll just work, and garmins interface is better than any of the tablet apps.

 

[Reallynotsure]

The Asus Memo Pad does not have GPS capabilities. I bought one and am now looking for a tablet that really has true GPS if there is any out there. No luck so far.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

agreed. if you want turn by turn and expect to use it a lot, save yourself lots of trouble and get garmin for $150. you wont have to worry about downloading maps, data fees, poor signal pick up, phone settings to change etc...itll just work, and garmins interface is better than any of the tablet apps.

True. If only we got true Google Maps offline, that would be a KILLER. It's unfortunate Google's not willing to step on the feet of GPS makers, phone makers, etc. Even a paid version of Google Maps would be acceptable to me if it allowed full offline access.

I just wanted to add that offline currently with Google Maps is useless. Even if you cache the directions and let it go, if you don't have a cellular connection it's likely because you're somewhere foreign meaning it's probably more likely you miss a turn or need your GPS to recalculate. Good luck with that. I completed my trip to the hotel on a business trip in Canada by reverting to my work iPhone and using the beloved Apple maps. Less than ideal, but better than Google Maps w/o a connection!

 

[zebrax2]

The EVGA Tegra Note 7 looks like it has gps/glonass according to the chart posted here
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7508/nvidia-tegra-note-7-review