GPS advice needed please

[rwave]

I'm wanting a tablet and have been researching which one to buy. The Nexus 7 looks to be the one I want mainly because of the GPS but I'm not really sure how to use it or for what reason. Can someone either give me an overview of what it can do or direct me to a site that explains it. The more basic the better. Thanks

Ray

 

[YAYTech]

There are a lot of apps that can use it for little things, but the biggest thing the GPS is good for is Google Maps & navigation. I do a lot of computer work, including on-site repairs and setup. A number of times, when a customer makes an appointment, I will type their address into the entry on my calendar. Then when I go to drive to their location, I just open calendar, click on the address, and maps opens up. I click on navigation, prop the tablet up in its stand in my car, and have directions to their location.

It is good to know that Maps can't download map information without a wifi connection, but the GPS still works. So you'll want to set up maps of common areas to be available offline. Doing this a lot can eat up storage space, so if you plan to use your N7 for navigation much, buying the 32gb is probably a good idea (an area about the size of a county set to work offline will use 2-3mb of space). You also have the option, if you have a smartphone, to set up tethering so you have data on the go and can load maps on demand.

 

[Shilohcane]

I pulled down GPS Essentials that many others have liked but haven't tired it yet. The N7 came with an app called Navigation. But, I like the app WAZE that has Navigation plus you are in contact with lot's of people with the app on their iPhone or Android that tell you where police are and it shows the average speed that everyone in your area is going on the roads. Really I can see 40 cars that are less than 10 miles from where I am on the N7.

Note WAZE requires a internet connection since it is real time traffic.

 

[lmvine]

I like it for travelling & it knows where I am. Also with Tripadvisor it knows my location and can give me restaurants (with ratings) and distance from my location, etc. Probably other uses.

Wouldn't have a tablet w/o GPS like the Kindle.

 

[anon(924308)]

If you like checking into places via fb or latitude, there's that. If you have wifi, you can explore interesting POI's near you, through the stock 'local' or through apps like Field Trip. But the most obvious reason is for navigation. The stock nav system is terrible without wifi, so I'd recommend something like Copilot ($10 for the US map); it has offline POI's, which is a godsend, not to mention it's lightning fast.

I ordered this $11 windshield mount: Amazon.com: Arkon SM517 Windshield Mount for 7-Inch Tablets: Computers & Accessories which has great reviews. So now my N7 is replacing my piece-of-crap 4-year-old GPS

 

[TomsAndroid]

I love my GPS on my Nexus 7! It works great and I have saved my whole state for offline use. I just wish you could save routes and directions for offline use too.

Sent from my Nexus 7

 

[Lazer1]

Well... The GP System has many uses. You've got to figure out what you want to do with it in order to select the right app. Auto navigation? Perhaps Google Maps is the way to go. Off road navigation? You might look at Backcountry Navigator (Amazon) or GPS Essentials. Geocaching? There's probably an app just for that.

Ya gotta figure out what your going to do with it...