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#Post#: 8322--------------------------------------------------
Caching with a tablet
By: Griff Grof Date: September 28, 2014, 11:53 am
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Have any of you tried this? Would you ever consider it?
I can see the advantages of it: maps look gorgeous on the bigger
screen, they have great battery life compared to smartphones (as
there's more room to fit a bigger battery) and many have
cellular connectivity and/or a built-in GPS to make it work.
Worried about damaging it? There are many suppliers who make
rugged, weatherproof cases.
It would be interesting to see how the caching experience
differs with a tablet. I don't think the GS app has looked into
it yet?
Thoughts and opinions?
#Post#: 8325--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caching with a tablet
By: walktall Date: September 29, 2014, 5:34 am
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Great big screen with GPS but can only see the screen on mine
when the suns not out :(
#Post#: 8328--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caching with a tablet
By: Griff Grof Date: September 29, 2014, 7:47 am
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That's true, although I think most 2014 models have wider
viewing angles?
#Post#: 8329--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caching with a tablet
By: SangueG Date: September 29, 2014, 9:24 am
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I don't own one. But other family members do. I have been with
them for odd caches using them, and they have worked well. A
much larger screen than my phone or GPSr so I don't have to
squint at the maps.
Interesting that you say the battery life is better than a
phone. Compared to my phone the the couple of tablets I have
used, a Nexus7 and a Tesco's cheap own model (forgot the model
name) the batteries on those need charging more often than my
phone. Some other tablets may have better batteries I guess.
#Post#: 8333--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caching with a tablet
By: Griff Grof Date: September 29, 2014, 3:01 pm
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Nice to hear that you've tried it :) I think there are also
great apps which could enhance the caching experience, imagine
how you could develop Wherigo on a tablet! :o :)
[member=9]Wrighty[/member] showed me a good mapping app, think
it was called Locus... Of course, it all depends whether the
tablet has cellular connectivity, which is standard with even
the most basic of smartphones; 3G tablets always seem overpriced
:-\
[quote author=Gackt link=topic=572.msg8329#msg8329
date=1412000670]Interesting that you say the battery life is
better than a phone. Compared to my phone the the couple of
tablets I have used, a Nexus7 and a Tesco's cheap own model
(forgot the model name) the batteries on those need charging
more often than my phone. Some other tablets may have better
batteries I guess.
[/quote]
Well, in theory battery life should be better, with a larger
case you can fit a larger battery which should last longer. And
I think the Tesco one is called Hudl :D
I think that the classic GPS only has around a decade left
before smartphones will be up to the task with more power and
better battery life. But that's another topic (literally :D) -
I think GS really ought to look in to developing a
tablet-optimised app, there's potential for a good Wherigo
experience if they were to launch an app for that too.
#Post#: 8335--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caching with a tablet
By: SangueG Date: September 29, 2014, 3:37 pm
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Regarding battery life, something to slide into this
discussion.. caching on a Kindle. Just came across THIS APP
HTML http://www.amazon.com/CacheIT-Geocaching-App-for-Kindle/dp/B00LQKAPKI/?&tag=shopping0cba-20,<br
/>so it can be used for caching. Without back lights switched on
they are supposed to have awesomely long battery life, I have
seen weeks mentioned between charges. Anyone tried caching with
one of these yet?
If a tablet is running on Android c:geo with offline maps can be
used on it, just like I do on my phone now, but much larger and
clearer. No need for and net connection.
Any Wherigo games have any full motion video segments to them? I
doubt it as they wouldn't be compatible with GPSrs, but good
modern looking interactive Wherigos or similar location based
caching games could be made for tablets.
#Post#: 8337--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caching with a tablet
By: walktall Date: September 29, 2014, 4:16 pm
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It was a Wheriogo I tried to play on my Android tablet but had
real reflection issues on my screen. Have already got c:geo on
the tablet as well :)
Now a Kindle with no reflection sounds very interesting.
One thing though, I did feel very conspicuous holding a tablet
in my hands, checking the screen for where to go :o Couldn't
simply put it in my pocket ::)
PS: I'm looking to Santa to replace my GPS and Smart phone with
a single replacement for both :)
Current GPS - the on/off button has collapsed inwards, so the
waterproof seal is now broken there and it is difficult to turn
it on/off, no further updates for it :(
Current Smart phone - poor signal reception compared to others
when in the same place, battery life getting worse, on/off not
as positive as it use to be, don't like how it manages to self
dial numbers when in my pocket, even thought it was in standby
and running MemoryMap.
#Post#: 8338--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caching with a tablet
By: gaz_zippy Date: September 30, 2014, 3:43 am
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I know of one cacher who uses an iPad as his main 'tool' for
geocaching.
I have an iPad myself, but it is wi-fi only. I have in the past
paired it up to my iPhone by using the hotspot feature to share
the 3G connection with it when I was on holiday and there was no
free wi-fi, only a 3G signal, which does work ok for logging
finds, although I cannot see me using this option in the field.
I think I am right in saying that the cellular iPads also have a
gps chip in them, the wi-fi only ones do not, so accuracy might
be an issue there, also living in the Birmingham area I don't
imagine I would stay in possesion of my iPad for long if I
walked the streets with it out in the open ;D
#Post#: 8340--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caching with a tablet
By: Griff Grof Date: September 30, 2014, 10:14 am
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The Kindle seems interesting, although I didn't think they ran
Android unless it was the Fire which I didn't think had an
antireflective coating?
[quote author=walktall link=topic=572.msg8337#msg8337
date=1412025397]
PS: I'm looking to Santa to replace my GPS and Smart phone with
a single replacement for both :)
Current GPS - the on/off button has collapsed inwards, so the
waterproof seal is now broken there and it is difficult to turn
it on/off, no further updates for it :(
Current Smart phone - poor signal reception compared to others
when in the same place, battery life getting worse, on/off not
as positive as it use to be, don't like how it manages to self
dial numbers when in my pocket, even thought it was in standby
and running MemoryMap.
[/quote]
By single, does that mean a single device? ??? Tell us more :)
[member=37]gaz_zippy[/member] I'm in the same situation with my
wifi iPad, haven't tried to share the 3G connection. I think
it's a standard feature in the new OSX and iOS versions so it
should work more seamlessly.
#Post#: 8343--------------------------------------------------
Re: Caching with a tablet
By: walktall Date: September 30, 2014, 3:12 pm
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[quote author=Griff Grof link=topic=572.msg8340#msg8340
date=1412090048]
By single, does that mean a single device? ??? Tell us more :)
[/quote]
With both GPS and mobile failing, perhaps it's time to see if
there is a device that can do both well but not holding my
breath and may just fix my GPS if its fixable ::)
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