Using a tablet/slate PC (EP-121) as a GPS navigation device?

[Jeff7]

I'm going to be heading to DC at some point in the not-too-distant future.
For those familiar with the area, Allentown, PA is one of the largest cities I've driven in, and a sizable portion of my driving years were spent in a rural area. I've not heard pleasant things about driving in DC.
And given that I get lost very easily in most cities, a GPS device might be useful for me anyway. My idea of an ideal city is a perfectly consistent grid, which doesn't usually happen; things like sudden one-way streets or abrupt turns tend to give me an involuntary scenic tour of the city.:\ Getting lost in DC may well end up putting me off the map for good.


The EP-121 (already have this) doesn't come with a GPS module built-in, so I'd figure on getting a USB GPS module, and presumably some software for it so that I can turn this thing into a giant Garmin/Tomtom, complete with the vocal instructions. It's running 64-bit Win7.

Is there anything out there to do this? Or do I need to change this into a "Recommend me a good GPS navigator" thread?

 

[theeedude]

There is an app that lets you share your phone's GPS location with a tablet.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/08/tethergps-brings-gps-navigation-to-nook-color-in-a-manner-of-sp/

 

[Pliablemoose]

Just grab a refurbished GPS from Amazon, with the $ you'd spend on a GPS puck, and another $20 and buy a standalone, you'll be glad you did.

I used a netbook/puck combo for a while and it was a pain...

 

[Jeff7]

There is an app that lets you share your phone's GPS location with a tablet.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/08/tethergps-brings-gps-navigation-to-nook-color-in-a-manner-of-sp/

This assumes I have a modern cellphone.


(I've got an ancient Nokia phone, and haven't really felt a need to get anything else. Its primary functions are to allow 911 service, and to act as an auxiliary alarm clock. It's certainly nowhere near enough to justify a regular cellphone plan, unless I can get something for $2/month. )

Just grab a refurbished GPS from Amazon, with the $ you'd spend on a GPS puck, and another $20 and buy a standalone, you'll be glad you did.

I used a netbook/puck combo for a while and it was a pain...

Recommendations? I looked around at some reviews, and most of what I saw seemed a bit hit-or-miss, with things from a vast array of options available to sift through, to slow startup times (10-15 minutes to acquire a position fix) or bad directions or lockups.
I'd like to have lifetime map updates, no subscription fees or anything, if that exists. And based on a project I did at work, a GPS should be able to get a fix from cold startup in less than 1 minute. If the GPS module is kept in a semi-powered state, it should be able to get a fix in under 15 seconds, and some even claim a hot-start time of 2 seconds with open skies.

 

[Pliablemoose]

http://slickdeals.net/newsearch.php?firstonly=1&forumchoicehttp://slickdeals.net/newsearch.php#daysprune=7&forumchoice[]=9&q=gps&firstonly=1

get one with lane select/assist, it's a big help when you're in heavy traffic.

 

[Imp]

I'd really just get a GPS. I got a Playbook hoping to have portable GPS usage. Wasn't even looking for turn by turn or guidance, just a map that told me where I was so I could figure out where to go. Nope.

There are some apps for Android and iPad, I think, that use cached maps, but most are designed to be tethered to a phone, or to use a built-in connection.

Anything Garmin is good. The 255W is old and probably discontinued, but its gotten great reviews. No lane assist though.