Cheap Tablet

[sully75]

Can anyone recommend a cheap Android tablet for a backup Chartplotter? I'd like to have two cheap ones loaded with charts in case my Chartplotter goes down.

Some are ~$50. I don't really need much except accurate gps.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[RaymondR]

Why do you want one with Android, there are Windows tablets available which run OpenCPN very well?

[sully75]

Well for one they seem to be more expensive and also I've found android to be really stable. But I'm open to suggestions.

[chuckr]

we had a dell pro something and it worked great until someone tried to plug the power cord in backwards and when it did not go forced it - not good
but it worked wonders with OpenCPN and we got a Hamlet Bluetooth gps for it -- it worked like a champ -
now looking for a new windows tablet - hope to find one in Istanbul

[capt jgw]

I got a Dragontouch M7 on eBay on sale for $45. Regular price $60. Not as nice as my Toshiba which got wet. Touch screen is a little twtchy, sometimes react to taps, buy otherwise works pretty well and runs OpenCpn just fine. Whatever you get make sure it has GPS, most of the cheap ones don't. I had to ship around a while to find this at this price that did.

[Marqus]

A built-in GPS is more handy than an externally connected or bluetooth GPS (bluetooth uses power).

When I last looked (mid 2015), every low to medium priced Windows tablet I encountered did not have a built-in GPS, whereas the majority of Android ones in the same price class did.

Why that should be the case is not at all clear to me.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by capt jgw

I got a Dragontouch M7 on eBay on sale for $45. Regular price $60. Not as nice as my Toshiba which got wet. Touch screen is a little twtchy, sometimes react to taps, buy otherwise works pretty well and runs OpenCpn just fine. Whatever you get make sure it has GPS, most of the cheap ones don't. I had to ship around a while to find this at this price that did.

How did you get OpenCPN running on Android? its not been ported to Android. Did you load a version on Linux on your tablet?

[zeehag]

samsung makes a good android tablet for not much dough. only runs with wifi. the 3g ones are pricier. lots pricier. my samsung lite 3 was 127 usd. some are over 1000 usd. go to walmart n choose.
i just use my gps and chartplotter while underway. some i know use ipad, some other stuff.
i keep it simple.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by sully75

Can anyone recommend a cheap Android tablet for a backup Chartplotter? I'd like to have two cheap ones loaded with charts in case my Chartplotter goes down.

Some are ~$50. I don't really need much except accurate gps.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

I know you specified android, but a good iPad 1 or 2 cellular with Built in GPS can be had on eBay for $50-$75. Load up the Inavx app for short money ($50) and you're good to go anywhere. Been using Inavx for nearly six years without a hiccup on four devices.

An excellent waterproof, floating case can be had for under $20 delivered to your doorstep.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by pcmm

How did you get OpenCPN running on Android? its not been ported to Android. Did you load a version on Linux on your tablet?

They have an android version on their website and its on Google play.
Or at least did when I installed it.

[Dr. Strangelove]

now looking for a new windows tablet - hope to find one in Istanbul

Not Constantinople?

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night
Every gal in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you've a date in Constantinople
She'll be waiting in Istanbul

[skipper53]

Using an RCA cambio 10.1" tablet with detachable keyboard. Was $98 dollars at Walmart. Has a USB 2 port so works great with Globalsat GPS receiver.

Need to find a good gripper mount to locate tablet near the helm. The tablet is causing some magnetic interference with the compass even at 18 inches away.

What mounts are you folks using?

[barnakiel]

I have seen decent Lenovo 7 inchers at 75 local freedom units. They have GPS/GLONASS onboard.

I have also seen nice Asus 7 inchers here, at below 90 units.

Now I have an ACER and I am not buying another from them.

b.

[boatman61]

Don't these built in GPS tablets need to be in range of telecoms to function..??

[jeepbluetj]

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

Not Constantinople?

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night
Every gal in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you've a date in Constantinople
She'll be waiting in Istanbul

It's nobody's business but the Turks..........