Sat nav - would a tablet be a better buy?

[AJI]

I'm looking to buy a new sat nav unit for our upcoming road trip through europe this summer time and in the past we've used TomTom's.
I've found the TomTom quite useful for its accuracy, level of detail, traffic updates and local google search through the 1-year free subcription that comes with the unit. But after that I tend not to subscribe to the 'live services' due to the fact that we only generally use sat nav's on long journeys.

As an alternative to a TomTom that can reaslistically only be used as a SatNav after the 'live services' finish would a better option be to go for a Tablet?

My thinking here is that a tablet has a much larger screen for one thing, they come with smart-phone technology in that they have GPS with a working 'navigation' system, they come with Android operating systems (I think) and much more functionality, and if I plug it in to the car's power socket then would it be just as good as a typical TomTom/Garmin etc. unit but with the added benefits of the things I already mentioned?

Can anybody add any pro's and con's to my idea?

Cheers.

[orhan]

Used my iPad during recent trip in to Europe with navigon software no issues at all and much larger screen to boot as well.
You may have to get a decent software too,I am not too sure bout android system but be carefull with data charges.

[Muntu]

AJI said:

... in the past we've used TomTom's.

Did he mind?

[heisthegaffer]

I use my Samsung Galaxy tab (7 inch screen) for SatNav using the standard Google maps and Nav and that's pretty good. Usefully it adds a streetview photo when you're about to arrive so if you're going to an unfamiliar place it can be assist.

Personally I wouldn't want to go any bigger. I do wish I could have a split screen option so I could use the Nav on one side and engine data on the other via my OBD2 port. That would be very cool!

[cptsideways]

You look very daft using an Ipad hanging in the front screen

[melhookv12]

cptsideways said:

You look very daft using an Ipad hanging in the front screen

Not as daft as the man sitting in a car, on a trailer, taking photos of other cars !!

[bungle.]

cptsideways said:

You look very daft using an Ipad hanging in the front screen

http://www.holdersandmounts.co.uk/brodit-apple-ipad-2-active-holder-with-pass-through-connector-516244.html

[Frik]

I'd be wary of the ability of the tablet's GPS system. I've got the TomTom app for my iPhone and it operates superbly, but only when it's mounted on the proper TomTom mount. Without the mount it can get itself lost very easily.

[AJI]

Muntu said:

AJI said:

... in the past we've used TomTom's.

Did he mind?

You're right....I went a bit apostrophe crazy there!
I'm usually one that notices the misuse of apostrophes.....the shame.

[Oakey]

cptsideways said:

You look very daft using an Ipad hanging in the front screen

Is that even legal? I thought you couldn't have things hanging in the front windscreen obstructing the view / distracting the driver? A satNav can at least be low down so it's not blocking a large portion of the windscreen, that ipad just looks annoying.

[200bhp]

I use CoPilot Live on my Android phone. Stores all the map data on the SD card so you can use it in "Airplane mode" to avoid roaming charges and potential lack of data due to lack of coverage.

Really pleased with it - Just as good as my previous TomTom and was less than £25 from Android market, including the UK mainland map (less than 250mb is size)