Tablets for off-road use

[roaniecowpony]

I recently replaced my Sam Tab S3 cell with a Sam S9 FE 5G cell. Seems to work well enough. I haven't used it on the trail yet. Maybe this coming week on the Mojave Trail. I only had Trails Off Road in the past for Rubicon and Moab trips this year. But I've been told GAIA is what I should add in to work with Trails Off Road.

I also bought a handful of different cases for the S9 FE and sent back a few. I kept a couple. One, I chose specifically for mounting in the jeep and still having screen and edge protection when taking it out of the dash mount. I also installed an Anvil Overland mount bar system which is a full width bar mount across the top of the dash.

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[Ratbert]

No i haven't yet.

It's extremely challenging to know what you're replying to if you don't use the reply button.

 

[jcruse64]

You were able to activate the free wifi trial? In my 2023 it keeps telling me "wifi not available for this vehicle" after I enable it and try to connect.... I had no issues activating it in my 2020, not sure how to get this working, it was advertised with free wifi trial as was the 2020.

I have read that there were some issues with ATT and their provisioning for Jeep but have seen various posts of some people not being able to activate and now seeing more posts of it being activated, curious what the technicality is now

I have not, yet.

 

[Rangemaster]

I watched a TrailRecon video recently where he highlighted using an iPad Mini, but stressed that you have to buy the cellular one, not the WiFi one, to get GPS. You don't need to actually *activate* the cellular part, it just needs to be there.

On Android, I have a FIre 8 HD Plus and was disappointed to discover that it doesn't seem to have a GPS receiver. Otherwise, it's stupid easy to install the Google Play Store on a Fire tablet and have full access to everything - was able to install OnX, GAIA, etc and download maps using my phone as a hotspot.

If you're going the Android tablet route, I would just double check if it has WiFi or not.

As far as software goes, I've never been able to get on with either GAIA or OnX, personally. Not smart enough to figure out the interfaces, apparently.

I run a iPad with a bad elf gps unit.
looks like they no longer make them
https://bad-elf.com/pages/be-gps-1008-detail

 

[Eddiechi]

I have not, yet.

a quick update on the ATT wifi free trial, my 2023 turned 1 yr this month and was still unable to get wifi activated in vehicle but did find some info that it needed TSB 08-003-22 to fix wifi issue and set up appt at dealer last week but had to have it rescheduled for next wee

-- so in the interim I did a little more reading here and found that the wifi TSB was basically a 30 min uconnect upgrade that could be performed by downloading a 40.1 update file also found on here after some scouring.... found it in an old thread on a post by @Spank https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/uconnect-updates.74715/post-1996620

put the downloaded file 40.1 on usb and plugged into uconnect for update and took about 30min but still no wifi option, still says "wifi unavailble for your vehicle" I rebooted uconnect cycled the system, closed doors etc and no luck, tried it again the next day and still no wifi.....

today while I was installing my Binize video adapter for netflix/youtube/prime videos on uconnect I decided to try wifi again and the option finally appeared " Your vehicle is eligible for 3 free months of ATT wifi" press here to continue.... so I went ahead and finally activated the wifi and got 3 gree months of 1 GB but I choose enable unlimited data by paying $20 month.

I know not many need the in vehicle wifi as they can run hotspots from phone/tablet devices for most things as I also run a S7 Tablet on its own cell network w/ my mobile device but also run a 2nd mobile device I use to connect to my Valentine 1 Radar for GPS as well as I like to keep that on a separate device from everything else as I use my tablet for maps and my primary mobile for dash cam on cross country road trips..... but it does look like update 40.1 fixes the "wifi not available issue" and activates option for free trial

-- prob should have just created a separate thread for this ?‍

 

[jcruse64]

Thanks for posting your experience, Ed.

 

[JocoRubicon]

I'm planning on running an ipad mini for my maps. My original thought was connecting blutooth to my garmin inreach unit for GPS signal as that thing is more accurate than most other devices plus I own it already LOL

I was wondering if Gaia would run on the carplay setup through the screen on the 8.4" screen or not and I guess also if this blutooh to the garmin will work for the ipad mini setup or if I really need to still get the cellular model ipad. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

As for mounts, I have the CMM rearview delete setup and debating between an 67 designs mount or the new quadlock case mount. Kinda waiting to see if the ipad mini 7 specs get released soon for wireless charging to decide on the final mount setup.

 

[five9dak]

I think its ridiculous Jeep sells the wrangler with a tablet pasted into or on the dash, and a GPS antenna, and doesn't include offroad oriented GPS program, and/or at least a breadcrumb feature.

 

[sherpaJL]

 

[LooselyHeldPlans]

For mounting, I’ve used a simple case where I put some flat machine screws through the back of the case into a ball mount. Cost almost nothing and worked really, really well. Nothing to come undone and was very clean.

 

[ArmyRN]

I'm planning on running an ipad mini for my maps. My original thought was connecting blutooth to my garmin inreach unit for GPS signal as that thing is more accurate than most other devices plus I own it already LOL

I was wondering if Gaia would run on the carplay setup through the screen on the 8.4" screen or not and I guess also if this blutooh to the garmin will work for the ipad mini setup or if I really need to still get the cellular model ipad. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

As for mounts, I have the CMM rearview delete setup and debating between an 67 designs mount or the new quadlock case mount. Kinda waiting to see if the ipad mini 7 specs get released soon for wireless charging to decide on the final mount setup.

I have GAIA on my phone, and the map shows up on my 8.4" screen. But that's about it. So usually I'll still have my phone running GAIA that I can mess with.

Check out this thread:

iPad not receiving GPS like it should | Expedition Portal

It tells of my experience with my iPad, and there's links in there too. It might be helpful.

 

[Membrain]

What are good sources for good mounts for Tablets? I use Bulletpoint for my phone but now trying to find something for a Samsung tablet this week

In no particular order, here are some of the 3rd party options whose pieces I have combined and/or considered for my particular configuration:

67 Designs
Bulletpoint Mounting Solutions
CMM Offroad
Vector Offroad
FuryEngraver

Note - not all support the 2024 Wrangler yet

 

[JocoRubicon]

I have GAIA on my phone, and the map shows up on my 8.4" screen. But that's about it. So usually I'll still have my phone running GAIA that I can mess with.

Check out this thread:

iPad not receiving GPS like it should | Expedition Portal

It tells of my experience with my iPad, and there's links in there too. It might be helpful.

Thanks! I read through that and the overland trip thread, very cool! Appreciate you sharing

 

[jcruse64]

Thanks for all who are posting their tablet experiences here. I'm still looking. While I've become an Apple fan (our cell phones for work are all iPhones, so I've got used to them) and would have no problem running an iPad, I don't like the added cost of adding both storage size AND cellular (I would not activate it). I wish Apple would build them to allow a memory card. I like Samsung's S series, and they have GP built in, but they are not far off of iPad costs. If there isn't a good sale before or after Xmas, may go with Lenovo, and add a GPS bluetooth device.

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