Let's talk cell service connected tablets

Moab

Moab

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Dec 15, 2018
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El Segundo, California
I'm searching for a tablet. My work keeps me in my car for long hours - 12-14 hours + per day. I don't want to spend more than a $100 or so. I want it to take a sim card. So that I can be connected to the internet all the time. When in range of a cell tower. I want to be able to easily mount it to a dash. Multiple dashes not just a Jeep dash. As I have different vehicles I will be using it in. Including my Jeep.

I think highly of Samsung. But could be tempted to buy a no name brand. Few tablets seem to come with a sim card slot. Some on Amazon come highly recommended though. But they are no name brands. I'm a little stuck on Samsung. As I've read horror stories about no name tablets locking up. But if you have one please let me know.

Here are a few questions. But feel free to comment on whatever your experience with tablets has been.

1) How big is to big to mount on your dash? Is that a limitation? I'm thinking 8 or 10 inch. As watching say movies or using the internet on my phone makes my eyes go blurry. Hoping a larger screen will help that. And mapping software will be easier to see. But what mounts have you used? I'd like it to be something I could take from car to car. Without alot of permanent modifications. Will those magnet mounts work with a 10 inch tablet? Or to heavy?

2) I want to stick with Android. Is there a processor size minimum? What about ram?

3) What brand tablet did you end up buying? How do you like it? Would you buy it again? I purchased my father a 7 or 8 inch Samsung tablet. I set it up for him and used it briefly. It seemed to do everything I wanted it too. Go on the internet, email and netflix. My brother on the other hand bought his kids Panasonics and they sucked so bad he took them back.

Here's one I like. A bit more than I wanted to spend. But it's 4g LTE compatible. Unlocked. And an 8 inch screen. Also upgradable to a 512gb sd card.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XC3CW4G/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
Stick with Samsung if you like them.
Virtually all of them are available with LTE optional. You have to buy the tablet model with LTE up front, or you won't have a slot for SIM.

I have a S4 Tab and it's nice! The S6 is even way more nicerer. Maybe the niciest Android tablet out right now. There are lower priced options too.

Check Samsungs website to select what you want. https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/tablets/all-tablets/
 
707kevin said:
Stick with Samsung if you like them.
Virtually all of them are available with LTE optional. You have to buy the tablet model with LTE up front, or you won't have a slot for SIM.

I have a S4 Tab and it's nice! The S6 is even way more nicerer. Maybe the niciest Android tablet out right now. There are lower priced options too.

Check Samsungs website to select what you want. https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/tablets/all-tablets/
Click to expand...

Looks like the only model with LTE that isn't over $400 is the one I posted above. It's an 8 inch model though. What size do you have or suggest?
 
I'm in the same boat as @moab, trying to figure out which Samsung tablet is right for me.

My primary purpose will be mapping outside cell phone range, so I need gps that works independently of cell towers or a phone subscription.

It has to pair with my Garmin Dash Cam 56 using the Garmin Drive App .

It also has to pair with the Garmin GPSMAP 66i that I intend to purchase for its inReach capabilities.

Other than that it will be used as a reader and for watching movies so it can be a budget model if it will do all of the above.

Oh, and if possible it also should work with Verizon Wireless in case I decide to add it to my phone plan.


I'm told that 8" is plenty for in-vehicle mapping purposes and that 8" is the optimum size for a "reader." Is that so?

Any suggestions as to model. The "A" and "E", etc. designations are greek to me, as are acronyms such as "LTE."
 
Okay, I can see how LTE would be important in @moab's situation where he wants to be connected to the Internet whenever he is near a cell tower.

My situation is the opposite - my primary uses will be mapping outside of cell phone range and pairing with dash cam and inReach unit. If I am deciphering the tablet info at Samsung's website correctly, if I don't need phone/cell tower service then a "wi fi" tablet should be sufficient, correct?

Here are some candidates from Samsung's site that might work for me but probably won't work for @moab:

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0" (2019), 32GB, Silver (Wi-Fi) - $149.99
https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/t...-a-8-0-2019-32gb-silver-wi-fi-sm-t290nzsaxar/
Galaxy Tab A 8.0", 32GB, Black (Wi-Fi) - $199.99
https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/t...alaxy-tab-a-8-inch-32gb-black-sm-t380nzkexar/
or what appears to be the same thing but with the addition of Verizon phone capability:

Galaxy Tab A 8.0", 32GB, Black (Verizon) - $249.99
https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/t...alaxy-tab-a-8-0-black-verizon-sm-t387vzkavzw/

Which one for my uses???

And what is the difference between a "wi fi" tablet and an "unlocked" tablet?
 
moab said:
Looks like the only model with LTE that isn't over $400 is the one I posted above. It's an 8 inch model though. What size do you have or suggest?
Click to expand...

I have a 10" S4 tab but If I was to mount one in the Jeep I'd probably shop for 8"
 
Mr. Bills said:
Okay, I can see how LTE would be important in @moab's situation where he wants to be connected to the Internet whenever he is near a cell tower.

My situation is the opposite - my primary uses will be mapping outside of cell phone range and pairing with dash cam and inReach unit. If I am deciphering the tablet info at Samsung's website correctly, if I don't need phone/cell tower service then a "wi fi" tablet should be sufficient, correct?

Here are some candidates from Samsung's site that might work for me but probably won't work for @moab:

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0" (2019), 32GB, Silver (Wi-Fi) - $149.99
https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/t...-a-8-0-2019-32gb-silver-wi-fi-sm-t290nzsaxar/
Galaxy Tab A 8.0", 32GB, Black (Wi-Fi) - $199.99
https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/t...alaxy-tab-a-8-inch-32gb-black-sm-t380nzkexar/
or what appears to be the same thing but with the addition of Verizon phone capability:

Galaxy Tab A 8.0", 32GB, Black (Verizon) - $249.99
https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/t...alaxy-tab-a-8-0-black-verizon-sm-t387vzkavzw/

Which one for my uses???

And what is the difference between a "wi fi" tablet and an "unlocked" tablet?
Click to expand...

Wi-fi models will only connect via (not cell)
Unlocked models are LTE also, but not "locked in" to a specific carrier like verizon or at&t. Unlocked means you can use a sim card from any carrier.

Any of the Samsung A tablets would be great for your needs. They'll all do maps and play movies, plenty of power for that.
 
Looking at the "international" unlocked model linked by @moab, it appears that "unlocked" means any carrier using sim cards specifically excluding Verizon and Sprint.

Is there such an animal as an unlocked Samsung A tablet that would work with Verizon?
 
Mr. Bills said:
Looking at the "international" unlocked model linked by @moab, it appears that "unlocked" means any carrier using sim cards specifically excluding Verizon and Sprint.

Is there such an animal as an unlocked Samsung A tablet that would work with Verizon?
Click to expand...
Unlocked means it can be used with any provider. all you do is insert "X" providers sim card and off you go...

Cell phone providers are legally obligated to unlock any device that you have fulfilled your contract.

https://www.reviewgeek.com/4053/if-your-cellphone-is-paid-for-demand-your-cell-company-unlock-it/
 
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IPerkWVU said:
@Mr. Bills you could also go the WiFi tablet route and look to activate the Hotspot function to your cell phone depending on the model. The Hotspot function allows your cell phone signal to create a WiFi hotspot (network) that the tablet could then connect to.
Click to expand...

This is what I do with tablets. I'm never NOT going to have my phone on me...
 
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IPerkWVU said:
@Mr. Bills you could also go the WiFi tablet route and look to activate the Hotspot function to your cell phone depending on the model. The Hotspot function allows your cell phone signal to create a WiFi hotspot (network) that the tablet could then connect to.
Click to expand...
707kevin said:
This is what I do with tablets. I'm never NOT going to have my phone on me...
Click to expand...
X2, I use my phones WiFi for my tablet and my laptop when I'm not at home.
 
This is helping me, but unfortunately @moab's original question is being lost in the shuffle.

For me, it seems that the most cost effective way to meet my needs is an 8" Samsung Tab A with wi fi connectivity but no phone, paired with a phone having hot spot capability. Since I'm due for an upgrade from Verison I'll see what Samsung phones they have with hot spot.
 
I've had nothing but the best luck with Samsung Galaxy products. Their top of the line stuff is just that. You might take a look at https://swappa.com/search?q=galaxy+tab if you haven't already. For used cell stuff it's great.

As far as cell mounts I don't like any of them. I can't imagine the suck when you put a massive tablet on them. The main problem as I see it is my dash isn't strong enough not to shake like crazy when it gets a little rough. I guess for sitting around watching movies anything would work fine.
 
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I just purchased this, to be delivered on Halloween:

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0" 32 GB WiFi Android 9.0 Pie Tablet Black (2019) - SM-T290NZKAXAR - $139

Gallery-TabA8-Black-1.jpg


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VDB92RK/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Wi Fi only, no phone service, but there are similar Tab A 8" units with phone compatibility for Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and unlocked.
 
Here's what I've chosen so far:

Tablet:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XC3CW4G/?tag=wranglerorg-20

As far as the tablet goes. How hard is it to set up a hotspot on your cell phone? And use it with your tablet to do things like watch netflix? I could save alot of money that way. As my ATT contract is unlimited data. So I wouldn't have to spend the extra $29 a month on cell service to the tablet. And I could buy a cheaper tablet without 4g. Like the one just posted above by Mr. Bills.

Mount:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074JZGQNY/?tag=wranglerorg-20

If you notice the mount can be bought with that little black plastic disc. Buy one of those. It helps a suction cup mount really adhere to a flat surface. It won't come off. Makes all the difference. I apply the suction cup to any rental cars in dash display. I don't use the in dash anyway. Except the occasion radio station. But I can usually get around that with the suction cup on the display.

This second mount looks goofy. But if you look at the second base behind the tablet. I think it would work quite well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G82X5CY/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
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One thing to keep in mind with cell phone versions of these tablets. Is there is GSM and CDMA. GSM is for everything besides Verizon And sprint. Verison and sprint is CDMA. They are very different. And you need a tablet to match up with your carrier in this regard. CDMA used to not have sim cards. Not sure if that's the case these days. But they are different. You can't run a Verizon tablet on an ATT network. And visa versa.
 
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