I have investigated iPad and Galaxy tablets. Still, I would prefer to take a netbook, gps and a mobile phone.

The big screen of any tablets are very vulnerable to any damage. Having not direct usb/sd card connection is another problem. In my point of view the biggest lack is their operating systems. Garmin and Nokia software uses MS Windows or Mac. MapSource and Nokia PC Suite can not be used with tablets.

My setup is basically like that:

PC: I have an Asus EeePc 900A with an SSD drive. SSD are safer than any HDD. Can be charged using 12V socket. You can read/create PDF's and office documents, watch movies, listen music. USB outputs can be used for CHARGING the mobile phone (Nokia) and AA-AAA batteries with a USB battery charger (from Tesco). You can back up your mobile memory to the netbook using Nokia PC Suite and will not lost any of your address book entries.
Phone: Nokia E55, have built in GPS (in case the main GPS brokes), MP3 player, WIFI (incase the netbook brokes), can be charged through USB (so no charger), radio, multiband (can be used with any network), has 3G. Using the USB cable and Nokia PC Suite the netbook can be connected to the internet via 3G. PDF viewer and office document viewer/editor. Also be able to shot reasonable photos. The best part is the battery, it lasts almost a month in standby mode and a week in heavy use.
GPS: Garmin GPSMap 60CSx. you all know this gadget. can be used with 2AA batteries (easy to find), water-bulletproof, the AA batteries can be charged via a USB battery charger through netbook OR can be operated from USB output of the netbook -just leave the netbook in sleep mode. Tracks and POI's can be transfered to the netbook (Windows) using the appropriate software and new maps and tracks can be thrown to the GPS using the netbook.

Bottom line: As can be seen there are many combinations can be done using this 3 devices. All weight less than 1.5 Kg or 3Lbs and cost less than any ipad2 WIFI+3g. If netbook breaks down important documents which are in mini sd card can be reached using Nokia mobile phone. If the GPS breaks down, again (free) Nokia maps are enough good to navigate you to the desired place/address (no data connection needed). Even the netbook and GPS break down, I can survive only with a Nokia phone. If the phone breaks down I can get very cheap phone anywhere on the planet.

If you have a tablet like thing, you got only one shot. If the screen is gone, you are gone, if the battery is empty you are done, if the charger or charger cable out of use, you have noting. If it is stolen you will lose everything. And you need to carry extra charging cable for mobile, for batteries, for GPS, etc. I don't think you can find maps for every country for ios and android.

Tablets are good for daily life and for civilized places. But, if you need reliability, endurance and safe some money, they can not beat the netbook+mobile+gps trio.

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ozhan u.
website under construction

I have just bought a Galaxy "Apollo" or GT-I5800. It's the cheapest galaxy but had 99% of the features that the expensive ones have. Maybe a tidge slower too.

The GPS only works if you have Network meaning it's not a true GPS as advertised. It must be only AGPS (assisted)... Very disappointing. Rubbish for navigation. I tried it at the very top of a Welsh mountain on a clear day and go no sat signal at all but I did at the bottom on the mountain where there was phone reception.

The battery life is SHOCKING, like on all Smart Phones.. You will need to charge it EVERY NIGHT unless it's on standby and unused.

It's a great phone and the android OS is fantastic with almost unlimited aps, games, etc etc.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I agree on separating items. I have a Panasonic Toughbook CF-T7 which is small, light and strong. You can buy one from ebay in the 200-400$ range. Mine has a 500 gig HD, a touch screen, battery can run it for 5 hours+ etc...


I have chosen the Zumo 550 GPS which is not the fastest but very durable and reliable.

And I have my old Blackberry as a phone / GPS backup.

Although I love the Ipad, I do not think I would rely on it when travelling with my motorbike and camping. Anyway, it would not replace my laptop and would still need one to download pictures, films etc... As well as a GPS and phone, so it would be a 4th item to carry w/o really added features and value.

My 0.02$.

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Fred, Airhead Lover
BMW R90S 74 & R100GS 93, Ural Patrol 06

Much as I love Android devices, I think like others here I'd avousing the Galaxy Tab (or similar) on it's own. I would instead look at the T-91 netbook from ASUS it's got a touch screen which rotates so you can use it as a tablet pc running Windows 7. Some of the versions have built in GPS, and a SIM card slot, so it ends up with the possibility of an all in one device again.

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