I now have an iPad which works fine but I would like to find something smaller that will also be used as a GPS , and the iPad is way too big for normal GPS use.
It would probably need to be rooted to Android ,
And it would be nice to have a GSM Sim card , or it can be a GSM phone too.
USB and a memory card slot to load movies,
Nook Color and Kindle Fire would be fine but they do not have a Sim card or GPS,
So is there any "brand name" tablet that will do all this ? Even an older refurb one ,
Price range about two hundred dollars or so
Not having a Sim Card / GSM may be an option , it would just be nice to have overseas where there is less open WiFi
thanks for your ideas
Soarer
ScottC
May 13, 12, 8:44 pm
Wow - a lot of needs, with a very limited budget. A Galaxy Tab 2 with 3G is around $600 and relatively rare. The T-Mobile Springboard (a Huawei tablet) sounds like it can do everything you need and sells for $249 on contract.
Letitride3c
May 14, 12, 12:05 am
Lookup the Viewsonic Vpad7 - it's factory unlocked for its GSM chip/slot - just drop in a prepaid or postpaid Sim card (standard sized) for calls, great on WiFi usage - mine is nearly 11 months old & it's been flawless for its intended use.
Factory rom is Android 2.2.2 with access to full market, a 16 GB storage card is recommended, and detailed guides/directions in XDA-Developers website on how to root it, flash & run a custom ROM - it doesn't support Flash 10.x but doesn't mostly everything else - average retail is around $300 USD shipped, and there's no contract required for mobile services.
The single-core CPU isn't fast vs. the ipad2+ or iphone4 or dual core CPU 4G/LTE phones, but it's a good option - has a user base in Asia, Europe and here in North America. See link below for specs & reviews by end-users, do not confuse it with 7X or 7e models, etc.
It's very easily to carry this around and being factory unlocked, AT&T Gophone & T-Mo prepaid Sim card, along with my China Mobile Sim card worked well in this device - being a 7" multi-touch screen, it's great for GPS Navigation running the latest Google Map apps.
Plus, I have tons of fund playing Angry Bird Space on it while waiting on the ground in transit ...
soarer
May 14, 12, 11:25 am
Wow - a lot of needs, with a very limited budget. A Galaxy Tab 2 with 3G is around $600 and relatively rare. The T-Mobile Springboard (a Huawei tablet) sounds like it can do everything you need and sells for $249 on contract.
Well its really just a 7 inch smart phone :)
since most smart phones have GPS , Memory cards and Sim cards and Android ,
The Galaxy tab is Great but just too expensive for me ,
I just think a 7 inch screen is a nice middle ground for travelers , big enough to watch movies, you tube etc and small enough to carry around town compared to my iPad
Soarer
nkedel
May 14, 12, 12:07 pm
Price range about two hundred dollars or so
Not having a Sim Card / GSM may be an option , it would just be nice to have overseas where there is less open WiFi
Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 is everything you want, except for the GSM, at a slightly higher price... $249. I'd expect it to be discounted further in a few months, if you can wait. GPS works very well, screen is great. Not sure what the root status is.
I don't know if a GSM one is forthcoming, but it would probably be $50-$100 pricier, if bought unsubsidized.
JMN57
May 14, 12, 9:39 pm
Samsung GT-P6200 Galaxy Tab 7.0 (Plus) 16GB, 3G, 3MP, 1.2GHz dual-core, 3.2 Honeycomb 7-Inch Unlocked World Tablet PC (Black)
Has aGPS and GPS, too.
Amazon Prime $388 - 1 left - move fast.
weekilter
May 14, 12, 10:50 pm
I don't know what your schedule is, but there are rumors floating around that Apple may come out with a smaller 7" iPad ~$200. How much veracity there is in this rumor I don't know.
nkedel
May 14, 12, 11:24 pm
Samsung GT-P6200 Galaxy Tab 7.0 (Plus) 16GB, 3G, 3MP, 1.2GHz dual-core, 3.2 Honeycomb 7-Inch Unlocked World Tablet PC (Black)
Has aGPS and GPS, too.
Amazon Prime $388 - 1 left - move fast.
Is there any advantage between that and the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 besides the 3G? Specs are otherwise pretty comparable, and Honeycomb is getting a bit dated. An extra $129 is a pretty steep for 3G.
JMN57
May 15, 12, 7:16 am
Is there any advantage between that and the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 besides the 3G? Specs are otherwise pretty comparable, and Honeycomb is getting a bit dated. An extra $129 is a pretty steep for 3G.
Well, as OP wanted something that would work as a GPS device, having 3G would help. I know that one can a) cache map files or b) tether to a mifi but adding 3G would simplify things.
I had a 2 week Italy trip last November where I took my android phone and also an ASUS Transformer 10" android pad (no 3G). Got a mifi from TIM and also a SIM for my phone. Original plan was to tether the pad (which has aGPS) to the mifi for GPS. Turned out it was easiest to use the phone for navigation with Google maps rather than pull out the mifi and the pad.
For nav in the car, I would spend the extra for 3G as it's a clean install (one device, nav, data & phone all connected to one power supply). Bonus is you have a phone (somewhat bulky but perfectly workable especially with a BT headset).
soarer
May 15, 12, 9:47 am
Hi
thanks for the ideas, keep them coming.....
A $200 Apple 7 inch tablet would be nice but I doubt it would be that cheap , and then they would add $50-$100 extra for a 3G model
So it will probably be an Android devise , I would just like a name brand one so there is a root community to help , and the build quality will be better,
I bought a cheap Chinese 7 inch GPS and it was junk and wasted money.
3G would be nice as open WiFi in Europe is hard to find , and a 3G Data Sim card in Thailand is less than $20 a month
Anyone have a HTC Flyer ?
Thanks for everything.....Soarer
deniah
May 17, 12, 11:37 am
Galaxy tab plus and galaxy tab 2 are identical. Both come with option for wireless radio , not just wifi.
The 2 has android 4. Plus has android 3.
They're just okay. A bit laggy. Honestly I think iPad is superior user experience....only if they released 7" form factor
nkedel
May 17, 12, 12:27 pm
Galaxy tab plus and galaxy tab 2 are identical. Both come with option for wireless radio , not just wifi.
Is any place actually selling the GT2 with wireless radio yet?
They're just okay. A bit laggy. Honestly I think iPad is superior user experience....only if they released 7" form factor
If the GT2 is "laggy" then I'm OK with "laggy."
pseudoswede
May 18, 12, 11:52 am
If you increase your budget by 230%...
Unlocked Galaxy Note for $460 (http://slickdeals.net/f/4509808-eBay-Daily-Deal-New-Samsung-N7000-Galaxy-Note-Factory-Unlocked-Android-Smart-Phone-International-459-99)
Oops. I swear the Note was a 7".
soarer
May 20, 12, 7:57 am
If you increase your budget by 230%...
Unlocked Galaxy Note for $460 (http://slickdeals.net/f/4509808-eBay-Daily-Deal-New-Samsung-N7000-Galaxy-Note-Factory-Unlocked-Android-Smart-Phone-International-459-99)
Oops. I swear the Note was a 7".
I would rather keep it around $200 , or less if I end up with a used one ,
there are just so many choices (few with GPS+GSM) and then its more about build quality since it will be rooted anyway