I have a gps unit that is several years old and I was wondering whether it would feasable to use the Nexus 7 as a gps or would you recommend getting a new garmin or tomtom gps?
I don't think so because you would need a data connection (which is not possible on the N7) to load the maps. Unless you were to cache all of the map data you need for where you are going, but that might take up a lot of space, and if you miss a spot then navigation will not be able to work. The better option is to get a good android phone with a data connection and use google maps navigation with it.
I've looked into this. I'm going to use my Nexus 7 as a sat nav when I drive the south of France from the UK in August. Google maps is not an option - caching is rubbish if you go off route, and the data roaming costs would kill me if I stayed online.
FYI, the new version of maps lets you cache entire areas. The old Nav app cached your route when it calculated it, but you're right - going off-route would require data again.
The new Maps version lets you download whole cities/counties worth of maps.
I think you'd be mad to buy a GPS if you already have a Nexus tablet. You just need offline GPS software (Copilot, Sygic, Navigon etc), an in car charger and a mount. It's not rocket science. and you don't have to be mechanical. How much would a touch screen 7 inch GPS cost?
Hi there, sorry to join this post so late in the day. I have a question for raggedstone, how did you get on using the Nexus 7 as a GPS device on your French road trip?I think you'd be mad to buy a GPS if you already have a Nexus tablet. You just need offline GPS software (Copilot, Sygic, Navigon etc), an in car charger and a mount. It's not rocket science. and you don't have to be mechanical. How much would a touch screen 7 inch GPS cost?
Thanks for the swift answer h4x0rj3ff... Did the nexus 7 get hot at all to the point where you were concerned? I ran the iPhone for 9 hours and the heat destroyed the phone! The iPhone expanded to a good couple of inches thick.
I have a gps unit that is several years old and I was wondering whether it would feasable to use the Nexus 7 as a gps or would you recommend getting a new garmin or tomtom gps?
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