A 7-9" Android tablet inquiry.

[Blue Chips]

If I told you the number of hours I've spent looking and calling for the perfect Android tablet for use in flying you wouldn't believe me. (Edit: so much that I've more confusion then when first started looking, inquires just created more questions and less answers)
Less then the perfect tablet is acceptable .
I like the Samsung 8.4 Pro but WiFi and Cellular together are not available and the GPS is not stand alone but requires a WiFi/Internet connection. WiFi is just not that wide spread that I've found on the ground, is it more available at altitude but below say 1000 ft agl?
The geek in me also likes bells, whistles, buttons and lots of sensors for available apps to exploit.
The iPad Mini seems popular, though not a fan of proprietary.

What are you using?

Ken

[steve]

A 2013 Nexus 7 with 32 GB (WiFi only) and the Garmin Pilot app. Currently selling for around $150.

[Blue Chips]

Steve,
Do you have one of these?
It could be that I am not understanding but that is not a GPS stand alone either, so what happens when you get no WiFi signal? My understanding is no WiFi connection no GPS tracking.

[Matt Gonitzke]

I have Avare on my Nexus 7...you obviously need Wifi to download the charts you want in the app, but not to actually use the GPS.

[Blue Chips]

Matt,
I understand that a WiFi connection is needed to download the maps but you are saying that once that is done you no longer need any WiFi connection such as say when you have it in Airplane mode which shuts down any signals?

Position tracking is position tracking whether in the air or driving, so you get full featured turn by turn directions even if you have no WiFi connection?

[Matt Gonitzke]

I don't use "airplane mode." I turn off the Wifi and turn the GPS on. Nothing else to it. You've downloaded the maps, and the GPS locates you on them. I don't have an app for "turn by turn directions."

[MEdwards]

If your Android device has a GPS receiver inside it, it will work just fine without a WiFi or cell connection. You will not get a consistent cell connection while flying, and I doubt you'd ever get a WiFi connection beyond the FBO's ramp. So the program or app you use with your GPS in the plane has to be self-contained. I see IFly has an Android app. Google "IFly GPS" and call them and ask how it works. They'll explain it to you.

I use WingX Pro on an iPad for my aviation GPS moving map program. I think it's great, but they don't have a viable Android version. So IFly might work for you. Or Garmin Pilot as an earlier msg suggested.

[Blue Chips]

When called, Apple on the iPad Mini and also Samsung (and others), both said that their GPS required WiFi or internet access for the GPS to work. Logically, what you say almost has to be the way it is else there would be huge complaints but the answers I've received from a number of tablet manufactures has sure made it confusing.

I've tried asking in different ways but always get the same answer, the device does not operate like a stand alone GPS, these were on new models not previous so can't say on those.

Think I'll call them again and talk to some one in the technical department.

Thanks for the replies

[Mike M]

I've tried asking in different ways but always get the same answer, the device does not operate like a stand alone GPS, these were on new models not previous so can't say on those.

my samsung galaxy gtp5113 with android version 4.2.2 works avare (and "gps copilot" street mapping app) beautifully as a stand-alone using the built-in gps. and the same apps work exactly the same way on my motorola droidX running android version2.3.4. whether those apps work on other android boxes i don't know.

other people tell me you get what you pay for. ok, but i also get vfr and ifr charts with moving map and basic flight planning for no subscription cost. they tell me it's too good to be true, and can't last forever. ok, but it is true and it works for now. no popup ads, no garbage, no credit card number on file, FREE. just a "donate" button on the developer's website to cure a guilty conscience.

your mileage may vary.

[MEdwards]

When called, Apple on the iPad Mini and also Samsung (and others), both said that their GPS required WiFi or internet access for the GPS to work.

Can't speak for Android or Samsung, but the Apple people may not be making (or may not understand) the distinction between the GPS receiver hardware, and the display software. The GPS receiver supplies position data to whatever display software wants it, for whatever reason. Apple reps may be referring to their own in-house Apple Maps app, which does require cell or WiFi connection in order to display a GPS position. But there are hundreds of other programs (apps) for displaying GPS positions in lots of different ways available in the Apple Store for installation on iPads and iPhones. Some, like iFly GPS, WingX Pro, ForeFlight, and CoPilot for car navigation do not, repeat, do not, require cell or WiFi contact to function in your plane or car. Same for Android, but I've never used them. The Apple people may be directed to address Apple products only and not acknowledge the existence of the rest, even though they sell them. Hard to believe, but possible. Or you may be talking to somebody half a world away who's just reading a script and has no idea what it means.

If you are set on an Android unit, Cdrmuetzel's Avare sounds like a great place to start. It's free, so how could you lose? Download, install and use it for a while. Once you learn what's going on with it, then you may choose to consider something more complex, that you would have to pay for, that would give you even more capability including your "turn by turn" directions.