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Taking the lesser-known trails, embarking on non-existent roads, and exploring new horizons are some of the joys of off-road driving. While you go exploring the remote places to disconnect yourself from the hustle-bustle of everyday life, you still need something to stay connected and on the right track.
That ‘something’ is the best tablet for off-road GPS. Yes, you can use your smartphone for Google Maps and other GPS apps; however tablets do a better job with a dedicated off-road navigation application. Furthermore, looking at a small screen is more tedious when navigating through a complicated terrain and looking for key waypoints.
Besides the obvious bigger screen of the tablet, some of the other advantages include easier to draw routes and lots of storage space for offline maps. Many models also tend to offer 4G LTE cellular service, and when not serving as an off-road GPS, the tablet may be used for work, playing games or watching movies.
With so many different brands and models of tablets available in the market, choosing that perfect product for your specific needs is not that easy. You will need to consider various aspects and compare products besides your budget and needs. But, don’t worry because our review team has done the job for you.
We have spent hours studying a plethora of tablets for off-road GPS and comparing the models to help you find the best product. Read on to find our honest reviews and if you are in a hurry to order then we recommend the Samsung Galaxy Tab A (learn more) as it is not only lightweight but has a big screen, rugged construction, and long-lasting battery.
| Product Name | Dimension | Weight | Wireless Communication Technology | |
| #1. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 64 GB Wifi Tablet | 0.30 x 5.88 x 9.65 inches | 1 pounds | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS | Shop Now |
| #2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 32 GB Wifi Tablet (Black) | 9.33 x 6.65 x 0.22 inches | 0.86 pounds | Wi-Fi::Bluetooth::Wi-Fi Direct::NFC | Shop Now |
| #3. Dell Latitude 7212 Rugged Extreme Tablet | 15.00 x 17.00 x 4.00 inches | 2 pounds | Bluetooth, GPS | Shop Now |
| #4. Vanquisher 8-Inch Ultra Rugged Tablet | 8.66 x 0.47 x 5.51 inches | 1.43 pounds | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Shop Now |
| #5. Dragon Touch K10 Tablet | 9.50 x 6.69 x 0.39 inches | 1.98 pounds | Wi-Fi, FM, GPS | Shop Now |
| #6. Vanquisher 8-Inch Industrial Rugged Tablet | 8.66 x 0.47 x 5.51 inches | 1.43 pounds | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Shop Now |
| #7. Apple iPad Mini | 8.5 x 5.71 x 1.89 inches | 1.35 pounds | Wi-Fi | Shop Now |
#1. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 64 GB Wifi Tablet
Samsung brand needs no introduction and the first product on our list is the Galaxy Tab A 10.1 that promises maximum view and minimal bezel. With its 10.1 Inches full HD display, users can watch live videos, stream, and browse using GPS, wi-fi, and Bluetooth connectivity.
The big screen enables users to watch Google maps clearly and identify every key point and description of trail information. Besides the decent GPS capabilities and navigation functions, the tablet can also be used to listen to good music, thanks to the Dolby Atmos Surround system.
We love the long-lasting battery with an average life of 13 hours, however, this varies depending upon the type of consumption. As it also has ample storage space due to built-in memory, you will never again need to delete a photo, song, or video. Lightweight metal design lets you mount the tablet conveniently so that you can navigate hands-free.
Product features and specifications
- Measures 0.30 x 5.88 x 9.65 inches
- Weighs 1.03 lbs
- Android 9 Pie
- Octa-core(2×1.8GHz + 6×1.6GHz)
- 32GB / 64GB / 128GB
- microSD up to 512GB
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
User/ Customer reviews
Most users are thrilled with the large internal space than installing a large number of apps and still have storage space left. Users have also said that the wi-fi and GPS connectivity is pretty solid and they prefer using it in all their trail expeditions. A few customers have warned that the charging cable is about 16 to 18 inches long-only and the end that attaches to the tablet is unique.
Conclusion
The lightweight design and bright display of the Samsung Galaxy tab (shop now) makes it a great choice. People find it easier to mount it on their jeep dashboard and read the trail details in outdoor light. Battery life is perfect for adventure seekers and trail riders. Overall, this tablet is worth the investment
#2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 32 GB Wifi Tablet (Black)
The next one on our list is also from the Samsung stable and this time it is Galaxy Tab S2 (see Amazon) that features a bright SuperAMOLED display and a digital optical zoom. It is powered by a Li-Ion 5,870mAh battery and a powerful octa-core processor that delivers high performance and speed.
No matter which trail you take, this Samsung Galaxy Tab allows you to take your digital content with you wherever you go. The crisp and bright super AMOLED display lets you see maps clearly in the outdoor light while the expandable storage space with a slot for a microSD card lets you store numerous apps.
The Samsung tablet can also be seamlessly connected to your Samsung smartphone to transfer data and make calls. You may also share your trail moments captured in the tablet to your TV via Quick Connect. There is also a travel adapter that lets you recharge your tablet on the move.
Product features and specifications
- Measures 9.33 x 6.65 x 0.22 inches
- Weighs 0.86 lbs
- 9.7 inches screen size
- Slim, Lightweight Tablet
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- Built-in Cameras
- Advanced Multitasking Tools
User/ Customer reviews
People are in love with the crystal clear and bright display that lets them see the map even when the sun is shining bright or its dusk time. Most users have mentioned that the cellular capabilities are pretty good and the battery lasts long enough. A few customers have said that the battery life was impacted after the OS took the latest update.
Conclusion
Samsung is undoubtedly the undisputed leader in the electronics world and it has proved it again with the Galaxy tab S2 capabilities. It has all the features you will probably need to stay updated, connected, and confidence during your off-road adventures. Overall, we feel this is one of the best tablet money can buy.
#3. Dell Latitude 7212 Rugged Extreme Tablet
The Dell Latitude 7212 is a 11.6-inch rugged tablet that is made from shock-absorbent materials as per the military-standard requirements. It is further compression-sealed from dust, sand, and liquids to ensure that it can handle the most demanding tasks during your off-road trips.
Powered Microsoft Windows 10 Pro and 7th Gen Intel i5-7300U 2.6GHz dual-core processor, the tablet has an 11.6 FHD Direct-View outdoor-readable display. The tablet also comes supported with a secondary Li-ion battery is backed by a two-year warranty.
There is ample storage space in the Dell Latitude 7212 with a MicroSD memory card reader. The integrated front and rear cameras come with a built-in shutter for protection. With a dedicated GPS, users can easily access Google maps on a large screen and read all trail descriptions with ease.
Product features and specifications
- Measures 15 x 17 x 4 inches
- Weighs 2 pounds
- 11.6 FHD (1920×1080)
- Fully-rugged tablet
- MicroSD memory card reader
- Dedicated u-Blox NEO-M8 GPS card
User/ Customer reviews
Most people find the Dell Latitude tablet incredibly useful for work and home use, even for the off-road experiences. Users find the tablet well-built and sturdy enough to take a lot of beating during outdoor adventure and trail rides. A few customers have said that it’s hard to find good apps for windows.
Conclusion
The Dell Latitude7212 (see Amazon) is ‘rugged extreme’ to the core and that makes it one of the best tablets you can buy for off-road GPS. With a large outdoor-readable display and decent capabilities, this tablet can help you make the most of your time on off-road trips.
#4. Vanquisher 8-Inch Ultra Rugged Tablet
The next on our list is this ultra-thin, rugged, and compact 8-inch hand-held tablet from the house of Vanquisher. Weighing less than 1.5 lbs, this unit is ergonomically designed to fit perfectly in one hand, and the sturdy strap makes it easier to hold for field uses.
Equipped with a Corning Gorilla glass panel on the outside, the tablet features outstanding durability required for the off-road experiences. We are impressed that it’s built to MIL-STD-810G military standards to sustain any damage from shocks, drops, vibration, or outdoor weather elements.
Powered by a Windows 10 Professional operating system and Quad-core processor, the tablet delivers a good speed and has an expandable memory through an SD slot. The built-in 500mAh high capacity li-ion battery ensures that you get a full day of use on the field. With integrated GPS, you can enjoy navigation and positioning without any wi-fi or cell signal.
Product features and specifications
- Measures 8.66 x 0.47 x 5.51 inches
- Weighs 1.43 lbs
- Windows 10 Pro in S mode
- Sleek design and lightweight
- IP67 sealed industrial-grade protection
- High-capacity battery
- GPS positioning without network
User/ Customer reviews
Many people feel that the tablet is built for rough use and the rugged exterior case protects it from external elements outdoors. Users also like the solid battery life that lasts about a day on single applications without requiring a charge. A few customers have mentioned that despite having a 64-bit processor, it doesn’t support 64-bit windows or applications.
Conclusion
This is a well-built and rugged tablet that’s not too huge but bigger than your smartphone display to let you see the Google maps and other trail descriptions with ease. In terms of performance, it fares well in adverse weather conditions and harsh environments. Overall, we feel this is a perfect companion for your off-road expeditions.
#5. Dragon Touch K10 Tablet
If you are looking for a cheaper tablet to use for off-road then we suggest the Dragon Touch K10 Tablet (see More) that features a bright 10” display with 1280*800 Resolution. It stays readable in any light conditions outdoors and the big screen can be shared with other passengers at any angle.
The K10 tablet sports an incredible internal storage space of 16GB and expandable storage of up to 128 GB to meet your daily needs for work and play. Due to the expandable memory, you can store a plethora of songs, e-books, pictures, and videos.
The built-in GPS sensor makes navigation easier when you download offline Google maps and trail directions on your tablet. It also supports WiFi to keep you connected with friends and family members on the social network. On a full charge, the battery gives about 5 hours of video playback and up to 7 hours of reading time.
Product features and specifications
- Measures 9.50 x 6.69 x 0.39 inches
- Weighs 1.98 pounds
- Average battery life 6 Hours
- Android 8.1 Oreo OS
- 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required
User/ Customer reviews
Several customers feel that if you are looking for a sturdy and well-built laptop for daily use then the Dragon Touch K10 Tablet is a good fit. Users have mentioned that they love the big display that enables them to read everything. A few users have also mentioned that it supports all apps from Google Play store and the battery life is good.
Conclusion
The Dragon tablet has features similar to any high-end tablet in the market, but costs way less than them. The sound of the speakers and the performance of the operating system are fantastic. Overall, we feel that the product offers good value for the money.
#6. Vanquisher 8-Inch Industrial Rugged Tablet
As per Vanquisher, the tablet is designed for time-sensitive people who toil hard on the fields and we feel that it’s perfectly suitable for off-road GPS needs. With its ruggedized construction and military-grade MIL-STD810G standard, it allows shock, vibration, and drop in harsh conditions.
The Corning Gorilla glass panel provides exceptional durability to the tablet. It can also withstand rough handling in extreme and demanding conditions outdoors. The compact size and sturdy backhand strap make it easier to hold in one hand or mount on the jeep dashboard for easy view-ability.
Equipped with a Microsoft Windows 10 PRO (64-bit) and Intel X5 Cherytrail Z8350 Quad-Core processor, the tablet delivers a good performance. It also has a micro SD that provides up to expandable memory for videos, games, music, and apps. The built-in 7800mAh Li-ion battery offers more than 8 hours of use.
Product features and specifications
- Measures 8.98 x 5.79 x 0.65 inches
- Weighs 1.39 lbs
- Speed up to 1.92GHz
- Intel HD Graphics
- Windows 10 Professional
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, Cellular
- Average battery life 8 Hours
User/ Customer reviews
People are impressed with the 8″ real estate on the screen that allows them to see the minute details in Google maps and learn more about the trail descriptions. Users have also said that the touchscreen tablet is responsive to screen touches. A few customers have also mentioned that the GPS works fine with the downloaded maps.
Conclusion
This is a small but sturdy and fast connecting laptop that does a great job both outdoors and indoors. With its decent GPS signal and other capabilities, this is one of the best tablets you can use on your odd-road trips. Overall, we feel that this rugged tablet offers a good price to performance ratio.
#7. Apple iPad Mini
If you are an Apple enthusiast then here’s our pick for – the Apple iPad Mini that sports a rich True Color 7.9-inch retina display that lets you see outdoors. The iOS is equipped with the group FaceTime, screen time, shared augmented reality experiences, and more.
We love that the new generation of iPad mini also supports the Apple pencil that lets you navigate the maps much better on your off-road trips. The thin and lightweight design makes it highly portable so you can carry it with you wherever you go. You can easily mount it on your jeep dashboard for better viewing.
Equipped with a much powerful operating system, the Apple iPad Mini delivers very fast performance and is capable of supporting the most powerful apps. The battery lasts for up to 10 hours so you get a decent full day use before you need to charge it again.
However, please be informed that an iPad mini does not have in-built GPS capabilities, so you will need to pair it up with another device. We recommend the Garmin InReach mini, a rugged and lightweight satellite communicator that sends its data to the iPad via bluetooth.
Products and specifications
- Measures 8.5 x 5.71 x 1.89 inches
- Weighs 10.6 Ounces
- 7.9-inch Retina Display
- 1 Lithium-ion batteries required
- 8MP back camera, 7MP FaceTime HD front camera
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Gigabit-class LTE cellular data
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
User/ Customer reviews
Elated users have said that this is one of the most advanced iPad ever and comes with great capabilities for both outdoor and indoor use. Users also like the lightweight and nice color options, plus the ability to carry it with them on off-road trips. A few customers have also said that the screen resists finger smudges and is perfect for reading and viewing even in bright light.
Conclusion
This iPad from Apple stands up to the durability and reliability tests by delivering a good performance every time. Although more expensive than other products on the list, this iPad mini delivers great speed, clarity, and precision that are worth the investment.
Buying Guide: Things To Consider When Choosing Tablet For Off-Road GPS
While all the tablets mentioned above are suitable for off-road GPS capabilities, the one that is perfect for you will depend on your specific needs. Here are some of the key features that you must look into when choosing a tablet.
#. Lightweight and portability
The tablet should be light and easily portable when you are on an off-road trip. It should be able to withstand the harsh outdoor conditions when it’s too hot, humid, wet, or freezing. The best tablet should fit in your hand and not take too much space in your pack.
#. Easy to read display
The sole reason for using a tablet instead of a smartphone is that you should be able to view better on a large screen. Without a bright display that you can read outdoors, an off-road GPS unit is practically useless. When getting a tablet primarily for off-road GPS use, make sure it is easily readable in broad daylight and low light conditions.
#. Battery Life
When you are out on an off-road trip, you would not want the tablet to run out of juice in the middle of your journey and disrupt the map navigation. So, we suggest that you look for a tablet that sports a long battery life that at least lasts for an entire day before needing to recharge.
#. Rugged Construction
While it’s unlikely that you will drop your tablet ob your off-road trip, it will still have to sustain a lot of vibrations and shocks. Hence, look for a model that has a rugged outdoor construction with a nice and powerful case to protect the unit in case of a fall.
#. Extra Features
When you get a tablet to carry with you off-road, you may also want to watch videos, listen to your favorite music, and store data during your trip. So make sure the unit is equipped with a lot of extra features and capabilities to serve off-road and also at other times.
Related Questions
Why do you need off-road navigation
The standard navigation devices like the smartphone only cover the regular street and highways. As soon as you leave the main road, you are on your own. With a tablet for off-road GPS, you can access complete details and descriptions of the off-road trails.
How accurate are the GPS systems
The devices with built-in GPS are highly reliable as they give you complete information about the different locations, whether you are in a tree cover or deep canyon. Many devices also provide details about the altitude that you are at.
How does GPS help you
The latest GPS capabilities are outstanding as they help you stay on the trail, find directions, and also discover new trails on your way. With easily downloadable online data, it becomes easier to find complete trail maps and other information right into the data stream. Some of the best off-road GPS systems also help groups stay connected and on the same trail.
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