Jim Biram wrote:

Since I use an Android tablet for my navigation, I also run APRSDroid on it.  It took awhile to get it set up with a downloaded map, but it does a good job.  I connect it with a Bluetooth TNC by Mobilinkd.  The software does the work and shares the gps location that is also used for my Backcountry Navigator software for the navigation.  I can switch back and forth between apps.  I know there are other devices made just for APRS use, and I've seen one over at Ham Radio Outlet, but it's a little pricey. 

Jim,

I had someone hand me a 500T, so I'm going with a full blown Windows 8 setup.  I'm going to load APRSIS32 and Dire Wolf on it so it will monitor (receive only) APRS traffic.  The Blazer still has the Garmin Nuvi 350 setup for transmitting APRS data, but the 500T will give me much better visibility and mapping capabilities (hopefully).  And, since it has one USB port, I got a USB GPSr to send the NMEA packets to the tablet.   I don't think I'll have it totally up and running by go-time (going to pace you Friday @0600), so maybe I'll pack it along in case there is any down time.

Should be a hoot!

-Ed- 

The Ipads do work well, but for an alternative, the Android based tablets also have some good navigation apps available, too.  I use a Samsung Tab 7 ( I wish I had a Tab 8) with Backcountry Navigator and an external Dual XGPS150 Bluetooth gps receiver.  Quite often, the internal GPS in tablets isn't as accurate or sensitive as an external receiver. 

I've had intermittant trouble with my Ipad 1 and the Bluetooth GPS running GAIA. But the trouble has only been very intermittant. All in all the old setup is very reliable for the amount of use over the years. I guess about 8 years at least.