Author Topic: Caching with a tablet  (Read 437 times)

Offline Griff Grof

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Caching with a tablet
« on: September 28, 2014, 05:53:41 pm »
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?
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Offline walktall

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Re: Caching with a tablet
« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2014, 11:34:25 am »
Great big screen with GPS but can only see the screen on mine when the suns not out  :(
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Offline Griff Grof

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Re: Caching with a tablet
« Reply #2 on: September 29, 2014, 01:47:51 pm »
That's true, although I think most 2014 models have wider viewing angles?
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Offline Gackt

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Re: Caching with a tablet
« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2014, 03:24:30 pm »
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.

Offline Griff Grof

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Re: Caching with a tablet
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2014, 09:01:00 pm »
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 :)

@Wrighty 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  :-\

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.

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.
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Offline Gackt

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Re: Caching with a tablet
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2014, 09:37:52 pm »
Regarding battery life, something to slide into this discussion.. caching on a Kindle. Just came across THIS APP, 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.

Offline walktall

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Re: Caching with a tablet
« Reply #6 on: September 29, 2014, 10:16:37 pm »
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.
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Offline Y6GST

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Re: Caching with a tablet
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2014, 09:43:12 am »
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

Offline Griff Grof

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Re: Caching with a tablet
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2014, 04:14:08 pm »
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?

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.

By single, does that mean a single device?  ??? Tell us more  :)

@gaz_zippy 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.

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Offline walktall

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Re: Caching with a tablet
« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2014, 09:12:56 pm »
By single, does that mean a single device?  ??? Tell us more  :)

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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Offline Griff Grof

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Re: Caching with a tablet
« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2014, 09:46:55 pm »
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 ::)

I know there's a Samsung smartphone which is actually designed for use in the outdoors, I could try to find the exact name of it?

My Oregon 300 is still in good condition, but I probably haven't used it as heavily as most on here  :D
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