Using a Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 as a satnav

[peejay1977]

Got frustrated with my Zumo XT so figured I’d give a tablet a go, working great so far but interesting to see how it fares over time.

[Ksithumper]

Been using a similar set up on my AfTwin for over a year without problems, including on an offroad Balkans trip.
Not even a rugged Samsung - just a 10in Galaxy tab A in a mount. Rubber mounted, and if it rains really hard (it's pretty well protected by the screen) I wrap it in a zip lock bag before clipping it into the holder. Touchscreen works through the bag. Battery lasts all day.

Downside? Like me it's not the brightest, so can be hard to read in bright sunlight...that's pretty much it.
Best £115 I've ever spent.

[ErikGustav2]

I used an old tablet. To get a nice screen.
OSMAND app
OSM maps.

It worked fine until they change format for the maps.
That required update of the app.
But the newbhad no support for that old android.
And android could not be upgraded due to hw.
So a free solution that worked well, can no longer be used.

I will try google maps with downloaded maps.n Some time

[garyboy]

Simpleton question .. I've got a spare Samsung Galaxy mobile phone .
If I download OS Maps (app or whatever) can I use the phone (mounted ) to read them offline? or do I need to get a sim card? And if I go abroad, do I need to buy a sim card again, (like itchy B) .

Can I get an app that will let me follow a line, which is the desired trail?

Or is it best to get Google maps to locate my position.

Actually, I've got a Garmin for tarmac roads, so could I use that as well?
I don't mind using 2 devices .. one for maps, and one for location ?

What's the best solution without spending 6million$ on a complicated device. ?

[Snaf MKII]

Simpleton question .. I've got a spare Samsung Galaxy mobile phone .
If I download OS Maps (app or whatever) can I use the phone (mounted ) to read them offline? or do I need to get a sim card? And if I go abroad, do I need to buy a sim card again, (like itchy B) .

Can I get an app that will let me follow a line, which is the desired trail?

Or is it best to get Google maps to locate my position.

Actually, I've got a Garmin for tarmac roads, so could I use that as well?
I don't mind using 2 devices .. one for maps, and one for location ?

What's the best solution without spending 6million$ on a complicated device. ?

Any smart phone will do so long as it will run any apps you need.
For us that's Android 9 and up.
Oziexplorer or Gaia for maps. Google maps with saved areas and data for offline navigation and things like fuel, hotels, cafes etc.
You can always find WiFi when travelling to update it or Pair to your mobile. Charging is the limitation as having them on charge whilst riding isn't good for the Charging ports.

[garyboy]

Thanks snaf .. so I don't need a sim card??

Sorry I is so iggorant

[Snaf MKII]

Nope, no need for a sim card, with the WiFi also switched off the battery will last a lot longer.
Which Samsung do you have, or can you check which android operating system it has

[Monster]

OK - another newbie question here .... Having always used Apple products given to me by my employer ...

What are the differences with Active Tab 2 & 3 & also the different options (like Active Tab SM - T365) ????

And .. so many for sale on EBay ... what is a reasonable price to pay?

Thanks

[DanielS]

The Galaxy Active Tab 2 and 3 are just generations. i.e the 3 is newer than the 2, more memory and RAM, it'll also be supported with Android updates for longer.

The SM-T365, SM-T575 etc is just the formal model number for the Active Tab 2 or Active Tab 3, so when searching you can search for either "Galaxy Active Tab 3" or "SM-T575"

If possible, get a tab 3 as they're newer, much faster and still supported. Make sure that you get it with the rugged skin/plastic case which includes a stylus/pen. Some of the cheaper auctions show the tablet without the skin/sleeve/case and pen. I think some of them only come with 32GB Storage and the largest you can get s 64GB Storage so make sure you get that, although they do have micro SD card slots to expand the storage a 64GB one is still the one to go for.

Some of them are also LTE (i.e they have a Sim Card slot and you can actually use it as a phone if you want a Dom Jolly moment) I think the one below may have a SIM card option. Not the end of the world if it doesn't have it as mentioned above you can just tether from your phone if you need internet on it.

e-Bay is luck of the draw and often way over £200. Of all places I find cash converters good value for them, that's where my came from and I see there's one on there that seems kinda decently priced (Yellow blodge below)

Screenshot 2024-01-03 181516.png (182.04 KiB) Viewed 22768 times

[garyboy]

Nope, no need for a sim card, with the WiFi also switched off the battery will last a lot longer.
Which Samsung do you have, or can you check which android operating system it has

I've now charged up the phone .. its an A21s..
(not an S21 btw)