Android Tablet or CarPlay?

[Lynchy67]

@Ron-Z

I have the Samsung Active Tab 3
I have just ran an update this morning.
There was no change!

One UI Version is still
5.1.1

Android Version is still
13

I also have a Samsung A9 Tablet.
One UI Version
6.0

Android Version
14

I am no expert on these updates and will defer to others to pick the bones of what it all means regarding the Samsung Active Tab 3.

[Michel van Hagen MRA-Founder]

It remains a personal choice. A CarPlay or Android tablet is relatively cheaper than a premium rugged tablet. But Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are less stable because you are dependent on multiple systems.

[HighPeakRider]

@Michel-van-Hagen-MRA-Founder Do you have any evidence to support that claimed instability?
If I use MRA i’m dependent on multiple systems, your database, your web server, your infrastructure, the internet, your app. Still multiple systems in place so i don’t see adding carplay which is stable from all my years using it in cars is going to make any difference.

[Michel van Hagen MRA-Founder]

@HighPeakRider You are dependent on a cable, or Bluetooth, the CarPlay or Android Auto System of your vehicle. App makers have no influence on this. The app itself directly on a device, which is testable.

[Con Hennekens]

@HighPeakRider said in Android Tablet or CarPlay?:

If I use MRA i’m dependent on multiple systems, your database, your web server, your infrastructure, the internet, your app. Still multiple systems in place so i don’t see adding carplay which is stable from all my years using it in cars is going to make any difference.

CP/AA introduce an extra layer of complexity, in hardware as well as in software. And in usage too, since you are operating two devices instead of one. Given the many reported problems and questions about AA/CP in this and many other forums, I'd say that's enough evidence. AA/CP simply introduce extra points of failure.

[paul69]

@Ron-Z

i know you asked someone else,

the screen is bright enough on full, for my use and in my experience, sorry i do not have any figures to back this up, and the screen is glove friendly, you need gloves that are touch screen compatible, my summer gloves are but winter gloves are not.

i bought this tablet new for £100 GBP

[HighPeakRider]

@paul69 How have you mounted this to the bike, I assume you need to make some kind of custom mount?

[Lynchy67]

@HighPeakRider

Check out the Brodit Mount specifically for the Samsung Active Tab 3.
You can find it on Amazon.

[No6671]

Just to throw this one in:

Carpe Iter Pad. - As they write on their website, the actual Android is on the way.

There is a BT solution for your handlebars. Often sold with the mentioned Carpe Iter. I bet, you can use them with the Galaxy, too.
Just google "Carpe Iter controller".

I want to ride some ACTs and TETs. Therefore I decided to buy this one. - Lets see, how it does on the route.

[Ron Z]

Thank you all, I appreciate all the feedback! I just ordered a Galaxy Tab Active5 off eBay in open box condition. It was a bit more expensive than the Active3 but has a slightly brighter screen, faster processor and Android 14. Planning to get the RAM mount for it as well. Looking forward to getting out on the road with this.

[Marinus van Deudekom]

@Ron-Z hope that You Will share your findings with it. Especialy in therms of visibility in heavy sunlight

[paul69]

hi @HighPeakRider

yes i fashioned a holder not pretty but it did the job, you can pics in the thread
https://forum.myrouteapp.com/topic/6209/some-advice-please/21?_=1717264451505

i have since changed my bike to a K16, it will not fit now, so i have bought a ram X grip with a flexi arm. i do have the TFT screen and connected app, but at the moment i am not confident in relying solely on that. it is ok when it works, but has let me down occasionally, and it's a pain the a#€e to have to keep stopping, getting phone out of my pocket, or the little cubby hole at the front and resetting everything.
MRA is far more reliable on my tablet.

[Ron Z]

@Marinus-van-Deudekom I'll reply here with pics once I have it setup on the bike. I'm still waiting for the RAM mount to arrive. I just received the Active5 tablet, and can say it does get very bright. But I'll post a pic in direct sunlight after it's mounted on the bike..

[Ron Z]

@paul69 I have a 2022 K16 GTL, and I'm hoping I can get the RAM mount I ordered setup on the bike. I plan on using the center stem mount, but I'll have to experiment with different RAM arms to see what will fit the best. Do you have a picture of how you mounted yours on the K16?

And I agree about the BMW Connected App, and I just hate that there's no way to set shaping points that don't announce. Every waypoint that you use to shape the route for the roads you want is announced, and it gets quite irritating after a while.

[paul69]

@Ron-Z said in Android Tablet or CarPlay?:

Every waypoint that you use to shape the route for the roads you want is announced, and it gets quite irritating after a while.

yes it is, and also constantly dropping out of connection.

i have not received the item yet, i have bought a Ram X grip and a double ended flexi arm, 450mm, i will attach that to a handlebar mount, i can then place the tablet in any position i need.

[Ron Z]

@paul69 My setup with the TFT and Connected App has been very stable with my iPhone. I have all the latest updates to the TFT software, Connected App and phone.
But the issue I have with it is the lack of shaping points and the app’s recalculation algorithm. If BMW ever gets these things fixed I might go back to it. Having the ability to control everything - nav, music and phone via the bike’s control wheel and not having to take your hands off the bars is very nice.

[Con Hennekens]

@paul69 said in Android Tablet or CarPlay?:

i have bought a Ram X grip and a double ended flexi arm, 450mm

Hmm, with such an arm you can put your tablet right in your face...
Are you not afraid such a long arm will swing around with vibrations on the bike? Especially since it is flexible?

[paul69]

hi @Con-Hennekens said in Android Tablet or CarPlay?:

Hmm, with such an arm you can put your tablet right in your face...
Are you not afraid such a long arm will swing around with vibrations on the bike? Especially since it is flexible?

there is danger this may happen, I may be able to wrap the flexi arm around or through my bars, maybe even use cable ties, this is to try and stop it from obscuring the TFT, it is arriving today, i will have to experiment.

although if it does not work it will an expensive experiment, i will just have to sell it on ebay.

[paul69]

@Ron-Z said in Android Tablet or CarPlay?:

My setup with the TFT and Connected App has been very stable with my iPhone. I have all the latest updates to the TFT software, Connected App and phone.

hi @Ron-Z

my devices and connected app are all updated, iPhone 13 pro, I went for a a short ride on Sunday, approx 3.5hrs, the TFT lost map view 3 times, my helmet remained connected as did my phone, the music was still playing. it is only the map view that drops out. This is why I will not trust it at the moment, oh yeh and also the continuous announcement of every way/via/shaping point or whatever label/name you want to use.
TBF the connection between phone, intercom and TFT is seamless, hopefully BMW will sort out the map view.

I could have purchased an XT or tomtom, but my tablet works perfectly fine.
as previously stated, i just need to find a suitable way of attaching it. see my reply to @Con-Hennekens, I might even super glue it to the screen of the bike

[Gerard Wullink]

Imho one evident advantage of using a tablet/phone on which you install the MRA Navigation Next app over using a dedicated GPS device is missing.

If you use MRA Navigation you do not have to export a gpx file (which version do I have to use?) in a certain format and copy thay to a device over a third party app/drive/system from Garmin/TomTom or upload them over USB to a device and hoping all information in the gpx will be used during the conversion of the gpx to a route on your device, using the maps en settings of your gps device, to stay on the route the planner intended. That's a lot of steps, one of them being the user. This is a very annoying pain in the a.. for a lot of gps device users out there.

When using MRA Navigation Next you just open the route (no gpx conversions!) on your phone/tablet, make it available offline (maps/route) and hit navigate. No conversions, so no missing data and when riding no connections needed. Easy as eating a banana.

This method also makes the MRA development team independant of gpx format definitions and limitations of gps devices. They could add everything they want. Example: add a url to a hard point in the route which gives you info about the opening times etc etc. No Limits!

If you want to use CarPlay or Android auto, there is a chance version may conflict or some new functionality is missing.

For me: tablet, absolutely. Downside: most normal tablets/phone use a USB micro or C connector, which does not fit the job. Too fragile and not watertight. Find a rugged one with pogo ins for power supply. Should you be needing Internet on the tablet for something else than MRA, use the hotspot on your phone and keep the phone safe in the pocket.