Moto Guzzi Stelvio 7" Nexus Tablet as GPS - Overkill? - Pics

[bmacneil2008]

Yes, I readily admit is over the top but started out as sound reasoning. Needed a GPS for the Stelvio so was about to purchase a used Garmin and an ad showed in my Amazon account for refurbished 7" Samsung Nexus tablets for under $100.

Hmmm, I said. I can 'hotspot' to my phone and have Google maps plus a decent WiFi device camping, hotel, whatever, and a hell of a GPS display on the bike. I found a Garmin quick release mount that fits perfectly and the pics tell the rest. Is BIG. Does not block the view of my console but.....

The tablet arrived today and actually was in totally new condition, not a mark on it and once connected to my home network, works amazingly fast, updated automatically to latest version of Android.

Anyway, for a long run, think is ridiculous, semi cool or total overkill but can watch weather, morning news, Skype, Pandora, where the closest Pub is......

[charlie b]

Looks just a little bigger than my phone :)

Let us know how it works on the road.

[Vasco DG]

And if you want you can load up the Scan M5x app and install the Inovate hardware and start data logging your fueling and building your own maps with Tunerpro. :D

Pete

[gscott]

Not overkill at all, that seems to be where it's at for GPS now days. Load OpenStreetMap and a routing program like OSMAnd and you can load route or track files and run them 'offline' without data or wifi connection.

[Jukebox]

Overkill no way.
How many times have I seen people trying to see there GPS.
This way at least its readable.
Was thinking the same, what holder are you using?
Would need a water/dust proof cover.
Not sure how to add maps but looks like a goer to me.
Well done for think out of the square, plus doing it.

[Cam3512]

WAY to big.

[bmacneil2008]

Interesting, I did not think of that as have PC5/AT and could watch the AFR changes in real time. Starting to loose sight of just going for a ride.....:)

[bmacneil2008]

Yes, that will be a learning curve. The Garmin was easy to enter in a route. I am sure there are app upgrades to Google Maps and will check out your selections as well. Thanks.

And if you want you can load up the Scan M5x app and install the Inovate hardware and start data logging your fueling and building your own maps with Tunerpro. :D

Pete

[bmacneil2008]

Overkill no way.
How many times have I seen people trying to see there GPS.
This way at least its readable.
Was thinking the same, what holder are you using?
Would need a water/dust proof cover.
Not sure how to add maps but looks like a goer to me.
Well done for think out of the square, plus doing it.

Thanks. I carry baggies and zip them closed, make small hole for power. Need to Google if water resistant case is available. Still not sold on if will use. Will take for a ride today and see what's what :)

[dilligaf]

  I think you will find it very hard to see in the daylight. Me, I would find myself spending more time playing with it than watching where I was going.  :+=copcar :BEER:
Matt

[Randown]

Nexus 7 in a RAM mount, very sturdy...
Don't need a hot spot so no data minutes to use GPS...
Often not bright enough in sunlight...
Need to sew some conductive thread on your glove index finger to use on the fly or use those finger tip slip-over products...
Camera takes video of your ride if you want...
Can use a 12V x usb adapter to charge battery but needs to output enough current otherwise battery drains faster than it recharges when in use...
I have mine horizontal to see gauges, usually use the Co-Pilot app...

[canuguzzi]

Looks great on the Stelvio.  :BEER:

If that is too big, go bigger. 8" The ASUS 8".

For brightness use one of the high quality anti-glare screen covers. You can also see the sun shield I made up. You can get the expanded PVC as most plastics stores and cut it to fit with an Exacto and then form it with a hair dryer of heat gun. The use 3m VHB tape to fix it on the mount to shield away direct sunlight from overhead.

To make a tablet water proof, you can use shrink wrap. It shrinks right around the tablet or a phone and is crystal clear over the display. Just an idea but it does work.

You can get 2.2 amp USB power adpaters from Amazon. That will let you easily run a 12 hours day without battery issues.

North Face has gloves that are woven with conductive material in the fingers, not patchwork and lets you touch work the display.

Got into settings and change to gloved hand use. That way even with most gloves on the display works by touch.

BTW, OSAMD just did a overhaul of its UI and made it gloved finger poke easy.

Seated rider view.



and without sunshield

[canuguzzi]

For those looking for Ram Mount alternatives:

Panavise mounts with everything from single stalk to double gimbal and really made strong. I've tested them to hold 50 pounds without moving out of position.

iGrip tablet and phone holders. Made in Germany and very good quality, easy to use. I cannibalize them to actually hold the tablet as the clamp part is QD. You simply push in some tabs and the clamping part and tablet come off the bike, nothing left to steal.

[bmacneil2008]

Yes, I readily admit is over the top but started out as sound reasoning. Needed a GPS for the Stelvio so was about to purchase a used Garmin and an ad showed in my Amazon account for refurbished 7" Samsung Nexus tablets for under $100.

Hmmm, I said. I can 'hotspot' to my phone and have Google maps plus a decent WiFi device camping, hotel, whatever, and a hell of a GPS display on the bike. I found a Garmin quick release mount that fits perfectly and the pics tell the rest. Is BIG. Does not block the view of my console but.....

The tablet arrived today and actually was in totally new condition, not a mark on it and once connected to my home network, works amazingly fast, updated automatically to latest version of Android.

Anyway, for a long run, think is ridiculous, semi cool or total overkill but can watch weather, morning news, Skype, Pandora, where the closest Pub is......

Went for a ride today and the tablet is really just too big, like I did not know :) Also, the Garmin is 100% made for GPS work, much more intuitive and so easy to plot 10-15 directional points in sequence. Was cool seeing live weather reports, radar, but just too much distraction.

So all back to normal but will keep the tablet, was a great buy :)